Richard Perle, War Architect, Exploring Iraq Oil Deal

The Wall Street Journal reports that neoconservative war architect Richard Perle is getting back into Iraq:

Influential former Pentagon official Richard Perle has been exploring going into the oil business in Iraq and Kazakhstan, according to people with knowledge of the matter and documents outlining possible deals.

Mr. Perle, one of a group of security experts who began pushing the case for toppling Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein about a decade ago, has been discussing a possible deal with officials of northern Iraq's Kurdistan regional government, including its Washington envoy, according to these people and the documents.

Think Progress remembers that Perle "resigned from his position on the Defense Policy Board in an attempt to 'defuse a controversy over charges he stood to profit from the war in Iraq.'"

Comments

[Rianna]

The scoundrels obviously wanted to profit from this war. The fact that he will be doing so, because our kids have shed blood, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been massacred, does not seem to be an issue for these war criminals. Obviously this man, like the rest of them, is getting away with war crimes and murder. It is sad that there is no justice in this great nation, anymore.

[Daniboy]

Have any of you people ever thought about getting into the oil business? I hear you can make alot of money. I think I'll just keep collecting my welfare check. Life is less complicated this way.

[Daniboy]

Capitalism is a sin.

[chirps]

Sometimes. Given Perle"s keen involvement in starting the "war based on a lie" in Iraq, it would be sinful were he to profit from its aftermath. You"d have to be a real moral degenerate to even consider doing so.

[repubstheirownworstenemy]

WTF ever happened to prosecuting people for war-profiteering?

[bushisguilty]

I think Cheney already has a deal with these guys? Republican get indited for lies, but Bush & Cheney don't? I guess they need to make an example of someone.

[EricSaeger]

WTF ever happened to prosecuting people for exposing covert intelligence agents?

[realpolitic]

If it is one thing the neocons understand it is self-interest. Pearl convinces a gullible, naive President to invade Iraq, then he profits on the misadventure. I wonder if his partner will be Ahmad Chalabi, the exiled Iraqi who fed us Iraqi defectors telling us what we wanted to hear in the run-up to the war.

[colhendricks]

despicable scum.

[insanityfollows]

And this is a surprise because.....why??

[BadChristian]

People should really read "The Shock Doctrine."

Perle, Rummy, Kissinger, Chenney, Baker... profiteering is like eating and breathing to them. It's what the privateers DO. .

[BadChristian]

"Perle, it turned out, was one of the first post-9/11disaster capitalists - just two months after the attacks, he launched his venture capital firm, Trireme Partners, which would invest in firms developing products and services relevant to homeland security and defense...
"One of Perle's early investors was Boeing - the Pentagon's second-largest contractor - which kicked in $20 million to get Trireme going. Perle became an outspoken Boeing fan, writing an op-ed supporting Boeing's controversial $17 billion tanker with the pentagon.*

"...*The tanker deal became the biggest scandal in recent pentagon history, ultimately landing a senior department of Defense official and a Boeing executive in jail."
Naomi Klein
"The Shock Doctrine"
Page 321

[dhinds]

Hensley & Co., a privately own company owned by Cindy Hensley McCain, is reportedly providing beverages to the troops in Iraq.

How can this be verified? (Since the terms of the McCain/Hensley marriage contract their finances are maintained separately, she isn't required to declare her sources of income publicly and McCain can claim ignorance).

If true, there's nothing illegal but represents a clear conflict of interest - more troops in Iraq means more sales for Hensley & Co. and more income for the John Sidney McCain family.

An appropriate question for a McCain Town Hall get-together!

[nofltwlt]

Forgive me but isn't this what Sibel Edmonds has been saying all along?

[Paisano]

If you look up slime-bag ...you'll find a picture of this guy!

[AdobePhsyko]

I am finally SPEECHLESS.

[11907281]

Who is the sith lord in the picture?

[insanityfollows]

I am sorry to have to remind you that only 2 Sith can exist at one time. Sadly! But, I recognize your keen eye as to Perle being a potential.

Personally, I think we are caught in the Matrix. I wih I had taken the blue pill.

[TLV]

Is there a Republican out there who is surprised by this "news?" I know my fellow Dems are not!

[justanotherbushhater]

One word: "OINK."

[mikie63]

Is anyone surprised? Most of us now know that Mr. Pearly has never cared about the American people. His major concerns have ALWAYS been, let's see: First it is Isael, second it is his jewish neocon friends, and last is his pocketbook. Oh Pearly you are so honest and caring. Also I bet your friends are doing just fine too. Isn't that just great???????