Customer Reviews
See The Corporation instead... this is only the most
obvious symptoms of a global exploitation of the entire human race.
Every American Should See This
Every time I hear someone tell me it is un-American to question the motivations behind and the execution of a war, it really upsets me. In reality, it is the ability to speak up and raise objections that defines us as Americans. But who is it that is really undermining the troops? Is it those who have failed to adequately plan for, equip, and staff the war effort, and have put the lives of U.S. troops in the hands of corporations? Or is it those who seek to challenge these failed policies? I would hope most would choose the former as the greatest threat to both the safety of troops and the eventual outcome of the war.
This film underscores this debate in the context of what is evidenced as real, genuine war profiteering. The war profits are reprehensible enough, often overcharging the U.S. taxpayer and under-training their men on the front lines. But I believe the filmmakers, at their core, have attempted to place blame on the U.S. government for creating this situation in the first place. Certainly private contractors have played a part in military operations for a long time now, but not to the extent to which they play a role in this war. Everything from providing water, food service, laundry service, transportation, and even interrogations are put in the hands of private contractors. And, as the film points out time and time again, these corporations have no real allegiance to the U.S. military, nor are they governed by the same codes of military conduct or the Geneva Convention. You can imagine the serious problems that can arise when private contractors, essentially mercenaries with no oversight or accountability for their actions, are fighting side by side with U.S. troops making 25% of the salary of the contractors.
Overall, Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers is an eye-opening and infuriating look at a situation most Americans know about already, but to which they have essentially turned a blind eye. This film simply and unequivocally illustrates exactly how great a stake corporations have in the Iraq war, which leads me to my one criticism of the film. Among the many great issues raised, I don't believe the following conclusion is ever addressed. That conclusion is this: We can assume that the #1 goal of any soldier in a war is to bring about an end to that war. The #1 goal of any corporation is to make a profit. Therefore, it is in the interest of military contractors to sustain the war as long as they are making a profit. Therein lies the most elemental conflict with the war profiteers. We put a company in roles vital to the success of the war, yet a successful conclusion to the war would likely end most or all military contracts the company would be awarded. To whom do these contractors pledge allegiance? Do they act in the best interests of the U.S. war effort, and thus risk losing these lucrative contracts in the peaceful future? Or do they act in the best interests of their company's bottom line and flirt with treason in the process.
Now tell me who is really "undermining the troops."
Exposes War Profiteers Power Politics and outright Theft in Iraq
A concise, pointed and interesting expose` of the no bid contracts between the United States Government, Haliburton, KBR, Blackwater and CACI. Includes interviews with soldiers and ex employees of these "Non-Governmental-Agencies" (NGA's).
One of the witnesses who went to Iraq to provide clean water to the troops breaks down on camera weeping that "I went over there to help them". Another describes how the trucks ferrying "Sailboat fuel" around Iraq aren't equipped with oil filters or spare tires and when they inevitably break down, they are burned on the side of the road.
Your tax dollars hard at work America. Get this video and get mad.