Corruption Upon Corruption (With Update)

This article about bank robberies in Iraq is very interesting, particularly this part:

Firas Ali Suleiman, a driver for the Bank of Baghdad described how a van carrying $1.6m from its Hilla branch to Baghdad was ambushed. "It was a Kia van and it was not armoured, but we had four guards with the money inside," he said.

"We were stopped at a checkpoint in Audiya run by the Ministry of Interior commandos. They ordered the back door to be opened and saw the money. The guards were called out and then put in handcuffs and hooded. I could hear them talking about the money and then they took the money out. I was told to drive away and I called the manager on my mobile and told him what happened.

"The next roadblock was by the Mehdi Army (Shia militia). I think they, too, were expecting to get some money but, by then, of course, it was gone. The police were called later but they did nothing."

Khalid Mohammed, the manager called by Mr Suleiman, is convinced most of the robberies take place with inside help.

You think?

Geesus, if this stuff wasn't so depressing, it would be funny as hell. I love it how the dudes at the Mehdi Army roadblock were also expecting a big payoff, only to find out that the commandos for the Ministry of Interior got to the money first.

And who can forget this oldie but goodie:

Nearly $9 billion of money spent on Iraqi reconstruction is unaccounted for because of inefficiencies and bad management, according to a watchdog report published Sunday.

An inspector general's report said the U.S.-led administration that ran Iraq until June 2004 is unable to account for the funds.

"Severe inefficiencies and poor management" by the Coalition Provisional Authority has left auditors with no guarantee the money was properly used," the report said.

I just love how our president objects "on philosophical grounds" to a bipartisan Senate proposal to boost the State Children's Health Insurance Program by $35 billion over a five-year period, but has no problem dumping hundreds of billions of our tax dollars into the bottomless pit known as the Iraq Debacle.

The phrase "Worst President Ever" doesn't begin to address the level of corruption and incompetence of the Bush Regime.

UPDATE: I was listening to Bush's press conference this morning, and he was asked whether he was worried about a recession. He responded that the questioner should ask an economist about that, because he (Bush) only got a "B" in economics. Then Bush said something to the effect that he gets an "A" for keeping taxes low and being fiscally responsible with taxpayers' money.

Is he f*&king kidding me?