Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'contractor'

Web Co. Buys Back Bush Library Domain Name

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 06:45:00 EST

A company did not miss a chance to profit off an expired domain name. The name is ww.GeorgeWBushLibrary.com. A Florida firm was handling web services for the presidential library, but it let its rights to the domain name expire. Another company, Illuminati Karate, bought the name for less than $10. Then they sold it back to the Bush library contractor for $35,000.

Iraq Forces Agreement Ends Contractor Immunity

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:49:00 EST

Security companies are the most visible symbol of the booming private contractor industry that has accompanied America's five-year occupation of Iraq. But the new Iraqi-American security pact going into effect in January will end the immunity from prosecution in Iraq the companies have enjoyed.

An Inaugural Ball For 'The People'

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

At Earl Stafford's inaugural ball, the red carpet will be lined with wounded veterans, homeless people and other deserving citizens. Stafford, a military contractor, paid $1million to rent out 300 rooms at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. He tells host Andrea Seabrook about his party plans and what inspired him to do this.

New President Faces Powerful Federal Contractors

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:01:00 EST

President-elect Obama has said he wants public employees to take back some of the work that the Bush administration has given to private contractors — and he wants to crack down on contractors' abuses. But Obama could find it difficult to shake things up.

Minority Contractors Lose Preference At Pentagon

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

A Pentagon affirmative action program that benefits contracting companies owned by racial minorities has been declared unconstitutional. The decision was issued Nov. 4 — Election Day — so it hasn't received much attention. But the decision could mean the end of similar programs at all levels of government.

Security Contractors Play By 'Big Boy Rules' In Iraq

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:58:00 EST

Washington Post reporter Steve Fainaru has extensively covered the "parallel army" of private security contractors. His book Big Boy Rules: America's Mercenaries Fighting In Iraq, details the tens of thousands of "mercs" who arrived in Iraq in the absence of sufficient levels of U.S. troops.

Sen. Stevens Found Guilty In Corruption Case

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:15:00 EDT

Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens has been convicted of lying about free home renovations and gifts he received from an oil contractor. The Senate's longest-serving Republican was found guilty on all seven counts of making false statements on Senate financial documents.

Sen. Stevens Found Guilty Of Lying About Gifts

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:09:00 EDT

Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens has been convicted of lying about free home renovations and other gifts he received from a wealthy oil contractor. The Senate's longest-serving Republican, Stevens was found guilty on all seven counts of making false statements on Senate financial documents.

Essay: Soldier Inspires Voters On U.S. Base In Iraq

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:01:00 EDT

Sgt. Asa Rubman, a paralegal, set up a voting drive in the dining room at his military base in Baghdad. Over the course of five days, nearly 600 soldiers, airmen and contractors cast absentee ballots — many for the first time.

Business Booms For Foreclosure Contractors

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:42:00 EDT

Hundreds of thousands of families have been forced out of their homes, leaving banks to take over those properties and salvage them for what they're worth. That means extra business for contractors that specialize in "preserving" the homes so banks can resell them.

Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens' Trial Opens

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:45:00 EDT

Sen. Ted Stevens has blamed a contractor friend for his legal troubles on the first day of the trial of the Republican lawmaker. Stevens, who is being tried for corruption, is accused of lying on Senate forms about home renovations and gifts he received from the contractor.

Contractors' Arrest Spurs Calls For Border Oversight

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:19:00 EDT

The U.S. Border Patrol is increasingly turning to contractors to help relieve agents of minor duties. But the recent case of two contract employees, caught smuggling illegal immigrants, has critics calling for tighter screening.

Report: Spending On Contracts In Iraq Hits $100B

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:54:00 EDT

In a report released Tuesday, the Congressional Budget Office details the cost of contractors supporting the U.S. military in Iraq. It also finds the U.S. has relied more heavily on contractors in Iraq than in any previous war.

John Geddes: In Defense Of The Soldier Of Fortune

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:29:00 EDT

There are 100,000 private military contractors in Iraq. Mercenary John Geddes explains why he thinks this is a good thing. His new book Highway to Hell is an account of his experiences in Iraq as a soldier for hire.

Ivins' Lawyer Rebuts DOJ Anthrax Allegations

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:14:00 EDT

The DOJ says it's confident Army scientist Bruce Ivins sent the deadly anthrax letters in 2001. But Ivins' lawyer says dozens, if not hundreds, of scientists and contractors had access to those same anthrax spores. A detailed look at the government's allegations and Ivins' defense.

Stevens Pleads Not Guilty To Federal Charges

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:38:00 EDT

Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens pleads not guilty to federal charges that he lied about hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts from an oil services contractor. Stevens, the Senate's longest-serving Republican, was indicted earlier this week on seven counts of lying on Senate disclosure forms.

Republicans Stand By Stevens' Re-Election Bid

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Most Republicans are rallying around Sen. Ted Stevens. His Alaska seat, once an easy GOP win, is now on less certain ground. Stevens will be arraigned Thursday on charges of allegedly lying about gifts from an Alaska contractor.

Alaska Reacts To Sen. Stevens' Indictment

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Alaskans are in shock after Monday's announcement about the indictment of the longest-serving Republican in the Senate. Sen. Ted Stevens is charged with lying about gifts from an oil contractor. Will Alaska turn on him?

Alaska Sen. Stevens, 84, Faces Seven Felony Counts

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The nation's longest-serving Republican senator and a major figure in Alaska politics is facing seven felony counts. Ted Stevens is accused of concealing more than a quarter of a million dollars in house renovations and gifts from a powerful oil contractor. The 84-year-old Stevens says he's innocent.

Mililtary Employs Gamers To Redesign

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Raytheon, a contractor to the U.S. military, is trying to improve its drones by calling on video game developers to redesign the controls. Slate.com's Will Saletan about the future of military technology.

Iraqis: U.S. Contractor Blocks Refugee Applications

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

A new U.S. law allows Iraqi employees who have risked their lives working for U.S. firms to apply for refugee status in the United States. Some Iraqis tell NPR that the largest U.S. contractor in Iraq, KBR, systematically fires employees who request a letter verifying employment so they can apply for the program.

Details Of The Colombian Hostage Rescue Operation

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The three American military contractors who were among the 15 hostages rescued from Colombian leftist rebels have returned home safe. The rescue operation was assisted by quick thinking, acting skills and Che Guevara T-shirts.

Colombian Envoy Recounts Hostage Rescue

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:05:00 EDT

The Colombian military on Wednesday freed 15 people held by the FARC rebel group. The hostages include Ingrid Betancourt, who was running for president when the FARC kidnapped her six years ago, and three American military contractors. Carolina Barco Isakson, Colombia's ambassador to the U.S., talks about the rescue operation.

U.S. Hostages Rescued In Colombia Arrive In Texas

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:01:00 EDT

The three American military contractors rescued by Colombian authorities have returned to the United States, landing in San Antonio after being held for five years by FARC rebels. Keith Stansell, Marc Gonsalves and Thomas Howes were captured in 2003.

Colombia Rescues Betancourt, U.S. Hostages

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:02:00 EDT

Colombian troops have rescued three American Defense Department contractors and former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt after years of captivity by leftist guerrillas in the jungle, a Colombian official said Wednesday.