# Bush's Buddies Clean Up After Katrina **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 8, 2005, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684 "2005-09-08T18:37:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/21 "2005-09-09T16:58:27Z")
Here’s a crazy idea. If Haliburton is destined to receive huge amounts of government largesse because of cronyism, or whatever reason you foamy-mouthed lunatics have today, why not go buy yourself a big chunk of Haliburton stock? It’s a publicly traded company (HAL:NYSE). Then you get to ride along on the coattails of Bush’s cronies and make a big pot of money for yourself! Plus you get to attend the stockholder’s meeting and vote for who sits on the board. Never mind, it’s easier to just make up conspiracy theories and bitch on internet message boards. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/22 "2005-09-09T17:00:17Z")
Oh, and pretend I spelled Halliburton corrrectly in that las post. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/23 "2005-09-09T17:39:11Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I guess we shouldn’t be surprised. But take a wild guess as to who won the [contract to repair Gulf Coast marine and naval facilities?](http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2005/09/05/daily5.html) Hey, if you though of Halliburton, you’re a winner! > > But it gets better. Those bodies have to be picked up by someone. [Kenyon International](http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/prn/texas/3334982) has mobilized to begin the operation. Kenyon International is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Houston-based Service Corporation International . Robert Waltrip, CEO of SCI, used the power of then governor George Bush to quash an investigation into SCI’s operations. [Here is a nice summary of the “Funeralgate” affair.](http://www.bushfiles.com/bushfiles/burying_opposition.html) > > So Haliburton gets a no-bid contract, as does his old buddy Robert Waltrip. Waltrip and Bush go way back, [he was one of the sources of Governor Bush’s Texas war chest.](http://www.tpj.org/reports/gusher/profiteers.html)[Waltrip also serves as a trustee for former President George Bush’s presidential library and SCI gave more than $100,000 toward the construction of the library.](http://www.populist.com/00.9.dispatches.html) > > Another disaster, another excuse to line your buddies up to the feeding trough. frothy frothy snarl yip grrrrrrrrrr…yap yap rowwrrr…drooly drool foam…rrrrawrrr _roll up newspaper_ SMACK! ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/24 "2005-09-09T19:10:34Z")
> [@August West](#): > > Here’s a crazy idea. If Haliburton is destined to receive huge amounts of government largesse because of cronyism, or whatever reason you foamy-mouthed lunatics have today, why not go buy yourself a big chunk of Haliburton stock? Because some people have values greater than “How can I get a cut of the action?” > [@August West](#): > > Never mind, it’s easier to just make up conspiracy theories and bitch on internet message boards. “Conspiracy theory” is such a _handy_ way to dismiss an argument without actual evidence, ainnit? ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/25 "2005-09-09T19:40:48Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > “Conspiracy theory” is such a _handy_ way to dismiss an argument without actual evidence, ainnit? If you’re bringing the argument, you bring the evidence, too. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/26 "2005-09-09T19:55:42Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > Because some people have values greater than “How can I get a cut of the action?” You could donate it all to the ACLU. ---
**Author:** ![Psycho\_Pirate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Psycho\_Pirate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Psycho_Pirate)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/27 "2005-09-09T21:45:43Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > Because some people have values greater than “How can I get a cut of the action?” > “Conspiracy theory” is such a _handy_ way to dismiss **an argument without actual evidence** , ainnit? Bolding mine. Yes, this is the exact definition of a conspiracy theory. Thanks for clearing that up. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/28 "2005-09-09T22:03:49Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > Because some people have values greater than “How can I get a cut of the action?” Cite? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/29 "2005-09-09T22:12:45Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > “Conspiracy theory” is such a _handy_ way to dismiss an argument without actual evidence, ainnit? Bwhaaaaa! Holy shit, **rjung** , what a hilarious time to make that comment. Thanks, now I can go home with a smile on my face. Bwhaaahaa… ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/30 "2005-09-09T22:15:03Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > “Conspiracy theory” is such a _handy_ way to dismiss an argument without actual evidence, ainnit? Well, it worked on Cindy Sheehan, can you blaim them for using it again? ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/31 "2005-09-09T22:21:10Z")
“Conspiracy Theory” is indeed a good way to dismiss arguments that don’t have any actual evidence. Thanks for pointing out a handy way to do it, **rjung**. ---
**Author:** ![beagledave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/32 "2005-09-09T23:02:16Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > “Conspiracy theory” is such a _handy_ way to dismiss an argument without actual evidence, ainnit? We have an irony clean up in aisle 5, Bob. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/33 "2005-09-10T06:10:07Z")
A charge of Bushivik greed, incompetance and/or stupidity that doesn’t hold up. How very refreshing! ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/34 "2005-09-10T20:30:02Z")
This seems to be the thread to put this in. > [@](#): > > WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Companies with ties to the Bush White House and the former head of FEMA are clinching some of the administration’s first disaster relief and reconstruction contracts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. > > \ [Link](http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050910/pl_nm/contracts_dc) Why do I think that Bush connections are what matters, not competence or job performance ? I suspect most of the money will vanish and little or nothing will actually be done to help anybody. It’s Bush SOP. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/35 "2005-09-10T23:17:05Z")
> [@Der Trihs](#): > > This seems to be the thread to put this in. > > [Link](http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050910/pl_nm/contracts_dc) > > suspect most of the money will vanish and little or nothing will actually be done to help anybody. It’s Bush SOP. I am too lazy to write a long response soooo… …cite? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/36 "2005-09-10T23:58:54Z")
> [@newcrasher](#): > > I am too lazy to write a long response soooo… > …cite? Then I’m too lazy to give a long cite. Iraq. ---
**Author:** ![BJMoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@BJMoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BJMoose)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/37 "2005-09-11T00:10:25Z")
If I heard right on one of the nooze channels the other day [and I know better than to guarantee my memory; or for that matter, vouch for the accuracy of cable news] the company hired to process bodies won’t actually start working _until it gets paid_. Yeah, I know better than to dump in something like this, but I’d swear that’s what I heard. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2005, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/38 "2005-09-11T01:18:49Z")
> [@Der Trihs](#): > > Why do I think that Bush connections are what matters, not competence or job performance? My guess is because you think far too simplisticly. Halliburton stock right now is at a high it hasn’t been at since 1997. Now, who was president then and whose administration was giving fat government contracts to Halliburton at that time? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2005, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/39 "2005-09-11T02:11:05Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > My guess is because you think far too simplisticly. > > Halliburton stock right now is at a high it hasn’t been at since 1997. Now, who was president then and whose administration was giving fat government contracts to Halliburton at that time? And what relevence does anything that happened eight years ago have ? Don’t bother bringing up Cliton; he’s long out of office and irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2005, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684/40 "2005-09-11T04:46:07Z")
Who do you want to clean up a 5 alarm mess and get it done in a timely fashion? A firm on the scale of KB&R or a couple of fellows in a '78 Chevy pickup with magnetic signs that read “Junk”? Much as you may despise the current administration, Uncle Sam has had standby contracts with large companies to provide essential services for decades. It’s not a news flash that this has taken place for the first time during the Bush II administration, so quit waving your arms like it’s a heretofore unknown occurrence. It’s a necessity of commerce. Keep moving folks, nothing to see here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-buddies-clean-up-after-katrina/320684.md?page=3)