US wasted millions on Afghan reconstruction, says watchdog

[webfact]

US wasted millions on Afghan reconstruction, says watchdog

WASHINGTON: -- A US government watchdog has accused a Pentagon agency of wasting millions on "ill-conceived" reconstruction projects in Afghanistan.

The Task Force for Business and Stability Operations spent some $800m (£563m) on development projects over a five-year period.

But poor planning and waste marred the scheme, Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction John Sopko said.

The Pentagon has disputed several of his findings.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35368827


-- BBC 2016-01-21

[shirtless]

The Government likes to waste money, look at it like this it could have been double.

[Rob13]

Probably more like "billions'"

[Scott]

The Pentagon and DoD should not be directly involved in reconstruction efforts. There input is needed, but they are not particularly skilled and putting the money or reconstruction to the best use.

While working in one of the countries we had funding to build schools and clinics in reconstructed villages. The programs were quite successful and were supplemented by a training and employment program that made sure the schools had teachers and the clinics had health professionals. Supplies were also available.

We were then encouraged to build schools and clinics where there were no villages under construction. Sort of a 'build it and they will come' approach. We refused.

We also received funding to build a bridge. The approved estimated cost was around $250,000. The actual cost came it at $150,000. The DoD told us we had to take the $250,000 full amount as they didn't have a mechanism for returning the money.

This topic does not surprise me at all.

[Pimay1]

The corruption in Afghanistan is staggering and unbelievable. We had a contract to place the foundations for ISAF command and control center where prefab buildings would be stacked two high in a large aircraft hanger at Bagram air force base. It was the hanger where the Taliban made their last stand.

The army hired this guy as the contracting officer's representative or COR. He was responsible for insuring contractors met the requirements set forth in the contract. Evidently someone had pulled some strings for him to get the job because he knew absolutely nothing about construction or concrete. The temperature was hovering around zero every day and we saw him twice during the entire project. Once in an introduction meeting in a warm room and once in the same room when the project was finished and he signed off on it. We could have placed below spec concrete and built below spec foundations for all he knew. This would have meant thousands of more dollars in our pockets.

This is one reason so much money gets wasted and goes into someone's pocket.

[ggt]

Wasting tax payers hard earned money is what Big Governments do best...look for more of the same...for the remainder of this year...and as long as Dems control the Presidency...are you a failing bank or stock marketer...need trillions of dollars...no problem...we can print money just by typing the amount into a computer...is this a great government or what?

[onetime]

Wasting tax payers hard earned money is what Big Governments do best...look for more of the same...for the remainder of this year...and as long as Dems control the Presidency...are you a failing bank or stock marketer...need trillions of dollars...no problem...we can print money just by typing the amount into a computer...is this a great government or what?

Wasting tax payers hard earned money is what big governments do best, because it enslaves the populous.

They, the big governments, do it, because the are told to by the banks.

Dems and Republicans, red shirts and yellow shirts, liberal and conservative, or whatever your political position is, doesn't mean squat!

Banks run the world, and that means government, too.

[up2u2]

Afghanistan, Iraq and now Syria has been a financial disaster for the America taxpayer. All thanks to incompetent Republican president Bush and his cronies. Trillions of taxpayers dollars down the drain and big fat untaxed profits into Corporate America offshore bank accounts. It is difficult to decide which Nation is more corrupt.

[chuckd]

It is certainly heart warming to learn from our perpetually misinformed non-voters that the Democrats don't waste tax payer dollars.

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Judicial Watch: Obama Family’s October Weekend Fundraising Getaway to San Diego Cost Taxpayers $2,001,468.90 in Travel Expenses Alone

JANUARY 21, 2016

(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch announced today that it has obtained records from the U.S. Department of the Air Force revealing that the October 2015 Columbus Day getaway enjoyed by President Barack Obama and his family cost taxpayers $969,783.90 in flight expenses alone. The documents regarding the Obama travel expenses came in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request first filed on October 13, 2015.

According to the newly released records obtained by Judicial Watch, the Obama family’s October 11 flight from Los Angeles, where he had attended three high-dollar fundraisers, to San Diego, and then from San Diego back to Washington on October 12, required a total of 4.7 hours of flying time at $206,337 per hour. That brought the total flight cost to taxpayers to $969,783.90. The records do not include the flight time to travel from Washington, DC, to Los Angeles (through Oregon, Seattle, and San Francisco), nor the Secret Service costs or other expenses. <SNIP>

http://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-obama-familys-october-weekend-fundraising-getaway-to-san-diego-cost-taxpayers-2001468-90-in-travel-expenses-alone/

[RuamRudy]

It is certainly heart warming to learn from our perpetually misinformed non-voters that the Democrats don't waste tax payer dollars.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Judicial Watch: Obama Family’s October Weekend Fundraising Getaway to San Diego Cost Taxpayers $2,001,468.90 in Travel Expenses Alone

JANUARY 21, 2016

(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch announced today that it has obtained records from the U.S. Department of the Air Force revealing that the October 2015 Columbus Day getaway enjoyed by President Barack Obama and his family cost taxpayers $969,783.90 in flight expenses alone. The documents regarding the Obama travel expenses came in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request first filed on October 13, 2015.

According to the newly released records obtained by Judicial Watch, the Obama family’s October 11 flight from Los Angeles, where he had attended three high-dollar fundraisers, to San Diego, and then from San Diego back to Washington on October 12, required a total of 4.7 hours of flying time at $206,337 per hour. That brought the total flight cost to taxpayers to $969,783.90. The records do not include the flight time to travel from Washington, DC, to Los Angeles (through Oregon, Seattle, and San Francisco), nor the Secret Service costs or other expenses. <SNIP>

http://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-obama-familys-october-weekend-fundraising-getaway-to-san-diego-cost-taxpayers-2001468-90-in-travel-expenses-alone/

So what should he do, take the bus?

[chuckd]

It is certainly heart warming to learn from our perpetually misinformed non-voters that the Democrats don't waste tax payer dollars.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Judicial Watch: Obama Family’s October Weekend Fundraising Getaway to San Diego Cost Taxpayers $2,001,468.90 in Travel Expenses Alone

JANUARY 21, 2016

(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch announced today that it has obtained records from the U.S. Department of the Air Force revealing that the October 2015 Columbus Day getaway enjoyed by President Barack Obama and his family cost taxpayers $969,783.90 in flight expenses alone. The documents regarding the Obama travel expenses came in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request first filed on October 13, 2015.

According to the newly released records obtained by Judicial Watch, the Obama family’s October 11 flight from Los Angeles, where he had attended three high-dollar fundraisers, to San Diego, and then from San Diego back to Washington on October 12, required a total of 4.7 hours of flying time at $206,337 per hour. That brought the total flight cost to taxpayers to $969,783.90. The records do not include the flight time to travel from Washington, DC, to Los Angeles (through Oregon, Seattle, and San Francisco), nor the Secret Service costs or other expenses. <SNIP>

http://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-obama-familys-october-weekend-fundraising-getaway-to-san-diego-cost-taxpayers-2001468-90-in-travel-expenses-alone/

So what should he do, take the bus?

How about if he stays in Washington and tries to faithfully execute the laws of the land?