Fires and Shocks

As Barack Obama prepares to embark on an ambitious overseas trip, maybe he should have some questions beyond the efficacy of the troop surge in Iraq. Maybe he ought to ask just what's going on with the reported 283 electrical fires due to shoddy work by contractors who are getting paid really good money.

The New York Times reports that while the Pentagon has acknowledged that 13 Americans have died by electrocution in Iraq, many more have been injured. In fact, one building in Baghdad had soldiers complaining about shocks on a daily basis. So, you might ask, who is responsible for providing basic services for US troops in Iraq? KBR, who did its own study that showed a systemic problem with electrical work.

As is so often the case in the American military, the problem didn't get much attention until a Green Beret was electrocuted while showering this past January. What followed was a classic case of butt covering. Investigations were begun, as were inspections of all buildings in Iraq maintained by KBR.

For its part, the contractor issued one of those pro forma "We're committed to safety" statements. Yet the Times reports that dozens of e-mails and memos indicate both the Pentagon and KBR were aware of electrical problems well before this soldier's death. So then, a fundamental question ought to be asked.

The American taxpayer is shelling out billions of dollars for the Iraq war. Many millions of that money has gone to KBR and other private contractors. The Bush Administration has made them a cornerstone of everything from security to equipment distribution to building maintenance.

Can someone reasonably argue that, after seeing a story like this, taxpayers are getting their money's worth? Never mind whether this represents a commitment to the troops.