# Memo to Fellow Halliburton Executives **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 14, 2003, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247 "2003-03-14T03:28:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/21 "2003-03-26T02:24:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BondJamesBond \* > \*\*The Bush Administration is bed with big business. Wow. I am shocked. > > Think about it. > Boeing sells airplanes to the Air Force! > General Motors sells cars to the government! > Microsoft, IBM, Oracle sell software to the Federal Reserve Board! > CSX, Burlington Northern, etc. transport government equipmet! > ADM grows food turned into MREs. > \*\* Bzzzt! Apples and oranges, Mr. Bond. These corporations presumably do business through a formal bidding process, and without the aid of a former employee in the White House. None of which is true of Halliburton. There, I have you dead to rights, Mr. Bond. What do I expect yout to do? Beg for mercy? Offer to tell all. No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die! Bwahahahahaha! ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/22 "2003-03-26T02:36:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Philosophocles \* > \*\*You’re right. \*\* The fact that you think so little of your fellow man tells me a lot about how you view yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Philosophocles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Philosophocles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philosophocles)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/23 "2003-03-26T03:36:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cheesesteak \* > \*\*The fact that you think so little of your fellow man tells me a lot about how you view yourself. \*\* 😕 ??? 😕 I’m a bit perplexed by your response. Is this how you always react when someone agrees with you? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/24 "2003-03-26T03:43:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BondJamesBond \* > \*\*Excuse me? Who would the U.S. government contract with to put out oil well fires - Sierra Club? Ralph Nader? PETA? \*\* Gee, wouldn’t it be nice to know who they’d contract with if they’d followed a transparent, open process? Or are you under the impression that Halliburton is the only company out there that knows how to put out oil fires? Or is it just barely possible that you’re a partisan flak who’ll defend our not-using-cocaine-in-two-decades president no matter what cynical bullshit his administration does? Nah. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/25 "2003-03-26T03:59:30Z")
Philosophocles, I wasn’t agreeing with you, I was just clarifying your attitude about the people who own stock in, and work for, Halliburton, since the corp itself couldn’t have the feelings you described, I assumed it was the people you really meant. I deliberately suggested ‘souless monsters’ as the descriptor, assuming that you would not agree, and would restate your opinion. Sadly, I was mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![Philosophocles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Philosophocles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philosophocles)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/26 "2003-03-26T04:39:23Z")
1. Enron execs got wealthy by cooking the books. 2. Halliburton execs get wealthy by cooking Iraqis. As bad as the Enron execs were, all they did was just a garden variety white collar thievery scheme, albeit a very elaborate one. As callous as they were to the suffering they caused to their employees and shareholders, I’m not sure that they would fit in the “soulless monster” category. I just happen to think that the quid pro quo between Halliburton and the Bush administration is morally reprehensible. As to the question of whether that makes the Halliburton execs “soulless monsters” perhaps we will just have to disagree then. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/27 "2003-03-26T04:57:17Z")
So, does anyone know any other companies that are large enough and have the skills required to fulfill this contract? ---
**Author:** ![Morrigoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@Morrigoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morrigoon)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/28 "2003-03-26T04:59:11Z")
What do you suggest then, stand by for 5 months while waiting for the completion of the bidding process while millions of gallons of oil needlessly burn up and fill the atmosphere with choking smoke? What next, take bids from competing fire departments to evacuate office buildings? It’s entirely possible, btw, that the gov’t and Halliburton may have signed an agreement during the Gulf War that covers future wars, or includes a clause allowing them to be called up as needs require it. Or it could be a valid until cancelled kind of agreement. As long as it doesn’t go to France, I couldn’t give a rats ass who gets the contract. ---
**Author:** ![2nd\_Law](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/f475e1/32.png) [@2nd\_Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2nd_Law)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/29 "2003-03-26T05:04:46Z")
I wouldn’t worry too much about the Halliburton folks getting rich. That company is going to be eaten alive by asbestos litigation in the next few years. > **[FindLaw Legal Blogs - FindLaw](https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/)** > > Get the latest legal news and information, and learn more about laws that impact your everyday life by visiting FindLaw Legal Blogs. ---
**Author:** ![Morrigoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@Morrigoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morrigoon)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/30 "2003-03-26T05:05:42Z")
What do you suggest then, stand by for 5 months while waiting for the completion of the bidding process while millions of gallons of oil needlessly burn up and fill the atmosphere with choking smoke? What next, take bids from competing fire departments to evacuate office buildings? It’s entirely possible, btw, that the gov’t and Halliburton may have signed an agreement during the Gulf War that covers future wars, or includes a clause allowing them to be called up as needs require it. Or it could be a valid until cancelled kind of agreement. As long as it doesn’t go to France, I couldn’t give a rats ass who gets the contract. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Gui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@El\_Gui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Gui)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/31 "2003-03-26T07:38:03Z")
Let’s hope Halliburton is better at oil fire extinguishin’ than it is at [radioactive device securin’](http://money.cnn.com/2003/03/06/news/companies/halliburton.reut/index.htm) :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/32 "2003-03-26T11:33:44Z")
Philosophocles, are you the frickin _Shadow_ now? You know the evil that lurks in the hearts of men? Sometimes it’s just a job, and people have humanity outside of their wallets. You choose to believe the worst. Unless Halliburton’s execs urged the Bush admin to start the war, they are just doing their jobs and making the best of whatever situation presents itself. _Somebody_ has to do this work, and fast. [channeling Tom Hagen] “It’s business, Sonny, not personal!” ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/33 "2003-03-26T12:03:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cheesesteak \* > \*\*[channeling Tom Hagen] “It’s business, Sonny, not personal!” \*\* Well, I know that I always look to the sayings and actions of mob counselors when it comes to questions of business ethics. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/34 "2003-03-26T13:53:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Morrigoon \* > **What do you suggest then, stand by for 5 months while waiting for the completion of the bidding process while millions of gallons of oil needlessly burn up and fill the atmosphere with choking smoke?** It seems entirely reasonable and proper that the Admin. could have SOMEHOW anticipated the possibility of oil fires being a consequence of war with Iraq and let out the bid months ago on a contingency basis. But they didn’t do that, did they? It’s like they had another idea in mind all along. \*\*It’s entirely possible, btw, that the gov’t and Halliburton may have signed an agreement during the Gulf War that covers future wars, or includes a clause allowing them to be called up as needs require it. Or it could be a valid until cancelled kind of agreement. As long as it doesn’t go to France, I couldn’t give a rats ass who gets the contract. \*\* This just sounds like another way of not having an open bidding process. And your indifference to corruption in the Bush administration is duly noted. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/35 "2003-03-26T15:48:01Z")
**El Mariachi Loco** , it a shame the OP wasn’t funneled through you first because it likely would have come off as imminently more reasoned. Plain and simple, the administration needs to make evident how the bidding process was conducted, who participated and on what basis the contract was awarded. Also, people need to realize that having a less competent company do the work simply because Cheney was once the Halliburton guy does no one any good. Those are facts. This… > [@](#): > > The facts are plain and simple–Halliburton is damn happy, ecstatic, and giddy about this war and they’re eager to cash in. It helps to be well-connected. is irresponsible bullshit. If you’ll excuse me now I’ve got to go off and find counseling to deal with the startling realization that I’m a _“propagandist.”_ Oh, and > [@](#): > > Halliburton execs get wealthy by cooking Iraqis. Seriously, Give me a frikken break. ---
**Author:** ![Azael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@Azael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azael)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/36 "2003-03-26T15:53:20Z")
Seriously, if you want to see something wrong with everything the Bush administration does then nothing is going to convince you otherwise. As I understand it the the only two companies large enough to take on task of the Iraqi oilfields were Haliburton and Schlumberger. One is owned by French people. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/37 "2003-03-26T16:04:43Z")
> [@](#): > > So whenever you see or hear about one of them MOABs or Daisycutters wiping out thousands of people, I want you to take a deep breath, think about what really matters, and then yell: “Cha-ching! Cha-ching!” When they dust reality, they’ll not find your fingerprints. ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/38 "2003-03-26T16:52:00Z")
> [@](#): > > 1. Halliburton execs get wealthy by cooking Iraqis. Putting out oil well fires is “cooking Iraqis”? Please. Change that to “Haliburton execs get rich cleaning up Saddam’s mess” and I might agree with you. ---
**Author:** ![Azael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@Azael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azael)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247/39 "2003-03-28T22:45:35Z")
Unfortunately, Halliburton [won’t “get rich” anymore](http://www.msnbc.com/news/892259.asp?0dm=C15KB). I guess it’s up to someone else to get rich by “cooking Iraqis.” :rolleyes: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memo-to-fellow-halliburton-executives/161247.md?page=1)