I was not in the least bit surprised when I saw my first “Katrina as business opportunity” headline. A useful definition of news though is something unexpected (“man bites dog”), and this story certainly doesn’t count on that score.
Halliburton Subsidiary Taps Contract For Repairs
Good old Kellogg, Brown & Root.
“Here’s the kicker:
“In March, the former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is tasked with responding to hurricane disasters, became a lobbyist for KBR. Joe Allbaugh was director of FEMA during the first two years of the Bush administration.”
Allbaugh also happens to be a former Bush campaign manager and chief of staff. (Halliburton Watch)”
http://www.alternet.org/module/printversion/25017/?type=blog
Sorry, forgot the link
I’m no fan of Halliburton by any means, but my understanding is that in this case the work is being done under terms of a pre-existing contract covering emergency repairs for just such a situation. If true, this appears to be one case where the government actually was prepared in advance.