So there are many advantages to chasing KBR witnesses around the globe. One is getting out to see new and different places. And that’s part of my mantra as I get oriented on the ground in Doha. I left Portland Friday morning our time, and traveled for about 24 hours,… Continue Reading →
That’s the question posed in the title of this Mother Jones write up by reporter Kate Sheppard. It’s a sharp article that focuses mostly on Rep. Earl Blumenauer’s (D. Or.) great work asking the hard questions about the relationship between KBR and the U.S. government. The short… Continue Reading →
Today’s Oregonian includes this thoughtful editorial about what is at stake in our on-going case against KBR for Oregon National Guard Soldiers. I have to agree with the editorial board that what is at issue is more than whether and how KBR will be required to repair the damage… Continue Reading →
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D. Or.) has done his part to get to the bottom of the sad story of Oregon National Guard soldiers exposed to toxic chemicals at the KBR Qarmat Ali facility. Rep. Blumenauer previously asked the Secretary of Defense to provide information about the agreements–both for KBR and… Continue Reading →
In a ground-breaking opinion issued hours ago, Magistrate Judge Paul Papak denied KBR’s motions to dismiss in Bixby v. KBR. I’ve attached a pdf copy of the opinion here: 89 – Opinion and Order For law geeks: It’s a detailed opinion addressing subject matter jurisdiction that touches on political… Continue Reading →
The Government Accounting Office released its report today, GAO Report For Profit Colleges (pdf), highlighting a number of abuses by for-profit trade schools. The GAO engaged in undercover testing to ferret out the fraud and abuse in for-profit admissions and lending. Pretty scary stuff. The GAO Report notes that… Continue Reading →
Kind of excited to see that the Oregon Consumer web page has gotten its sea legs and is publishing. Here is the link for some interesting information on a wide range of consumer issues. I’ll be monitoring and noting some of their published reports. My hope is… Continue Reading →
Yesterday, The Oregonian published this interesting piece in the Sunday opinion section. I have a number of reactions, but I think I’ll let it sit for now. My grandmother taught me the value of manners; one of her cardinal rules is that if you can’t say anything nice, don’t… Continue Reading →
Yesterday, Mike Doyle and I appeared in U.S. District Court here in Oregon to argue against dismissal of 26 Oregon National Guard soldiers’ toxic exposure claims against Kellogg Brown and Root. Judge Papak heard oral argument for close to an hour and half. As always, he was well prepared with… Continue Reading →
Just came across this passionate and detailed response by KBR to questions posed by MSNBC regarding our soldiers’ sodium dichromate exposure at the Qarmat Ali water treatment plant in Iraq. “Wow,” is about all I can muster by way of comment. I really can’t wait to try… Continue Reading →