Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers Reviews

• "I'm a war time President. I make decisions with war on my mind."

  
  By AAPA4KQWA7UXN on 2006-09-29
  Greenwald and team's new documentary takes the public inquiry into the real causes for policy decisions made in Washington over the past eight years . . . well, maybe a lot longer to a new level. The film attempts to detail explicitly the activities of the four biggest war profiteers: Haliburton, Kellogg Brown & Root, CACI, and Blackwater, and examine the results of the privatization of war. The film and the twenty minute section on the DVD which records the failed attempts made in Congress by Senators Dorgen, Leahy and other Democrats to regain the type of Congressional oversight that the putative representatives of the American people had back in the late 1940's/early 1950's under the Truman Commission.
  
  The implications of the ramifications of this unbridled corruption are perhaps even more terrifying than the tragic testimonies which are recorded to justify the exposition and argument made in the film.
  The film does the great service of detailing for a mass audience, with more essential specifics than presented in this medium before, the depth of the control these war profiteers exert over our elected representatives and the danger they have brought to our front door, all in the blind pursuit of more almighty dollars than anyone could ever possibly spend. Even combat veteren General Smedley Butler, who was the first, I believe to coin the phrase "WAR IS A RACKET", could not have imagined the surreal proportions to which war profiteering has been taken in Iraq, all at the expense of the American tax-payer and a bunch of innocent people now dead.
  
  Greenwald, in my opinion, has always been a rather conservative film-maker with an ability to get to the root of the big problems, but frankly, not a whole lot of dramatic flair (ala Micheal Moore, Erroll Morris, or the makers of "Hidden Wars of Desert Storm"). Determined to reach to the hearts in the Heartland, he seems absolutely adverse to showing any sort of partisanship at all, almost too responsibly objective, a style which, to my eye, somewhat enervates the presentation. But perhaps, there is more wisdom to his approach than I would care to admit. For instance, in 'Outfoxed', while doing a pretty good job of exposing the hypocrasy, dishonesty, deceptiveness, and bullying techniques of that now venerable vehicle of fascist propoganda, he does not beat the drum for the fact that Murdock is a dangerous foreign national, with extreme right wing verging on monarchist, oligarchic, political leanings operating in the US. Greenwald, does, however, in a sort of understated way, point to the incredible danger to our Democracy presented by Fox News Network, America's favorite babysitter (believe me, more of Reagan's Robots are coming of than the Gipper ever would have dared to dream for - all nursed on Hannatty's and O'Reilly's Goebbelesque rantings. "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices" was a much happier affair as an investigative documentary - really hard hitting in its best moments - and his best effort dramatically. Again, Greenwald and his crew, through a sort of explanatory expose, make us aware of the root of a REALLY BIG PROBLEM.
  
  These films make you aware and they make you mad. 'Iraq for Sale' shares with them - the same, slow paced - non dramatic - deliberate - consciously non-partisan style. And you will get angry - furious. But, will it get the American voting public to finally do something about the problem come November?
  
  True to the filmaker's form, "Iraq for Sale" does not spend a second on the speculation that the Iraq venture was consciously planned years in advance to profit those who are discussed in the film. It does spend almost the entire duration detailing how those profits were eventually made and continue to be made, the type of suffering so far engendered, and why no oversight has been established to stop the bleeding.
  
  Farenheit 9/11 was released in the Summer before the 2004 elections. Although it was by far the most viewed film world-wide that season, the majority of Americans did not see it! A shocking truth. And this one, folks - for better or worse - will not jerk you out of your seat as that monumental effort did for many. Rather, like Inconvenient Truth - it's more of an explanatory type of document - and to wit - much of it is basically already known by many, though perhaps not in such specific detail - however, it's a real service to have it all in one place - to show to as many folks as possible before the November elections. One wishes, we could print millions of dvds and dump them in places like Pennsylvania, Virgina, the deep South, Texas, Oklahoma, the Sun Belt, before they all go out and do it again! But, at least, if you care, buy a copy, and show it to some people before election day (or on it - outside the polling booth!)
  
  Unquestionably, "Iraq For Sale" is team Greenwald's most important venture to date dealing with the ROOT (no pun intended) of THE BIGGEST PROBLEM, and should be seen by every American, especially those who actually believe they're doing their patriotic duty by voting Republican -because they've bought the argument that by supporting certain American business interests, America is going to stay strong, and that somehow by not supporting them, America's military is going to be weakened. The film succeeds is revealing this deceit for what it is, perhaps the most destructive lie ever bought by the majority of American voters.
  
  

• "War is a racket." - Gen. Smedley Butler

  
  By A1TUDEC66M9FO3 on 2006-10-01
  I don't have much to add beyond Cvairag's excellent review; but people looking for this sort of analysis will also want to purchase the DVD of Eugene Jarecki's documentary "Why We Fight."
  We may not have the resources to print a million copies of these DVDs, but the Iraq for Sale website does offer a discount on bulk orders, and civic organizations like "Code Pink" offer the DVD at a discount as well.
  
  Lastly, I'm not so sure that the American voters actually endorsed this regime and its policies of corporate fundamentalism and state terror. Authors like Greg Palast have revealed all sorts of voting chicanery, and I just viewed an excellent DVD on the issue called "American Blackout," which features Palast and Cynthia McKinney (who has been predictably smeared by the elite establishment).
  
  "For the friends of the free market operating in Iraq, it doesn't matter who gets killed or why; every day is payday, and if from time to time events take a turn for the worse - another twenty or thirty Arabs annihilated in a mosque, a BBC cameraman lost on the road to the airport -back home in America with the flags and the executive-compensation packages, the stock prices for our reliably patriotic corporations rise with the smoke from the car bombs exploding in Ramadi and Fallujah: Lockheed Martin up from $52 to $75 between July 2003 and July 2006; over the span of the same three years, Boeing up from $33 to $77; ExxonMobil up from $36 to $65; Chevron up from $36 to $66; Halliburton up from $22 to $74; Flour up from $34 to $87." -Lewis Lapham, from his editorial in the September, 2006 issue of Harper's magazine.
  Lapham's critique also provides the answer as to why we're in Iraq - some people are making a lot of money off of it, and they want to "stay the course."
  
  
  
  

• Every American Should See This

  
  By A25H7KHBUW4EUT on 2006-11-07
  Every time I hear someone tell me it is un-American to question the motivations behind and the execution of a war, it really upsets me. In reality, it is the ability to speak up and raise objections that defines us as Americans. But who is it that is really undermining the troops? Is it those who have failed to adequately plan for, equip, and staff the war effort, and have put the lives of U.S. troops in the hands of corporations? Or is it those who seek to challenge these failed policies? I would hope most would choose the former as the greatest threat to both the safety of troops and the eventual outcome of the war.
  
  This film underscores this debate in the context of what is evidenced as real, genuine war profiteering. The war profits are reprehensible enough, often overcharging the U.S. taxpayer and under-training their men on the front lines. But I believe the filmmakers, at their core, have attempted to place blame on the U.S. government for creating this situation in the first place. Certainly private contractors have played a part in military operations for a long time now, but not to the extent to which they play a role in this war. Everything from providing water, food service, laundry service, transportation, and even interrogations are put in the hands of private contractors. And, as the film points out time and time again, these corporations have no real allegiance to the U.S. military, nor are they governed by the same codes of military conduct or the Geneva Convention. You can imagine the serious problems that can arise when private contractors, essentially mercenaries with no oversight or accountability for their actions, are fighting side by side with U.S. troops making 25% of the salary of the contractors.
  
  Overall, Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers is an eye-opening and infuriating look at a situation most Americans know about already, but to which they have essentially turned a blind eye. This film simply and unequivocally illustrates exactly how great a stake corporations have in the Iraq war, which leads me to my one criticism of the film. Among the many great issues raised, I don't believe the following conclusion is ever addressed. That conclusion is this: We can assume that the #1 goal of any soldier in a war is to bring about an end to that war. The #1 goal of any corporation is to make a profit. Therefore, it is in the interest of military contractors to sustain the war as long as they are making a profit. Therein lies the most elemental conflict with the war profiteers. We put a company in roles vital to the success of the war, yet a successful conclusion to the war would likely end most or all military contracts the company would be awarded. To whom do these contractors pledge allegiance? Do they act in the best interests of the U.S. war effort, and thus risk losing these lucrative contracts in the peaceful future? Or do they act in the best interests of their company's bottom line and flirt with treason in the process.
  
  Now tell me who is really "undermining the troops."
  
  

• Average Production Quality but Good Source Material

  
  By A1IPZVH1LRHB36 on 2006-10-10
  I just saw "Iraq for Sale" in the theater. It's the only movie I've heard of that focuses on the reconstruction in Iraq and the obscene corruption associated with it. Many people have heard of Halliburton and its subsidiary, KBR, but few people know the extent of the corruption and negligence of these and other companies.
  
  The strength of the film is that it examines several companies (Blackwater, Titan, CACI, etc.) and not just KBR, and it provides numerous points of evidence linking their management policies with the disasters on the ground (the results of which are torture at Abu Ghraib, polluted water for soldiers, gross corporate waste, greed, negligent homicide, and so on). It makes an attempt to connect these results with the polluted political process in Washington. Finally, it does a good job of expressing the human toll of this ruinous corruption through interviews with participants and victims.
  
  The facts in this film should be known by all Americans. The film sometimes intersperses its sections with brief clips from network and cable news. It makes one wonder... it does seem like the mainstream media reports on instances of corruption, but sadly it never seems to give them the prominence they deserve, to dig deeper than surface level, or to connect the dots in a way that exposes the "system" itself. Hopefully this film will help do some of that.
  
  My only complaint is that the production quality and cinematography is not of the highest grade. The film sometimes feels disjointed, and the lack of rhythm prevents it from fully achieving the emotional impact that the source material deserves.
  
  For other good documentaries on the occupation of Iraq, I recommend "The War Tapes" (an excellent documentary filmed by actual soldiers in Iraq) and "About Baghdad" (a solid documentary providing the neglected Iraqi viewpoint, filmed in 2003 just as discontent began to boil over).
  
  

• Shockingly Americentric

  
  By A29OYCDP86G44P on 2006-10-09
  I just reviewed this DVD on my blog, Robert's Virtual Soapbox. Here is the review, copied and pasted (and slightly edited) from my blog:
  
  Last night I saw Robert Greenwald's latest documentary, Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers, at a community showing of the DVD.
  
  Iraq for Sale is worth watching, but the documentary gave me two strong messages, one intended and the other, I am fairly certain, quite unintended.
  
  The first message is what I already knew: that the Vietraq War always was about war profiteering, especially the war profiteering of Dick Cheney's Halliburton.
  
  The second message I also already knew, but not to the degree that Iraq for Sale makes painfully clear, and that message is that Americans, even those on the left, are starkly Americentric.
  
  Iraq for Sale, by not offering an opposing viewpoints on the matter, supports the myth that American contractors flooded into post-"shock and awe" Iraq out of noble intentions, such as to help the Iraqi people (especially through reconstruction), to spread "freedom" and "democracy," and to (somehow) strengthen the United States.
  
  These noble American contractors surely weren't attracted to Iraq out of greed! That they could make several times the amount of money that they could make for the same work in the United States surely was not their primary motive for going to Iraq!
  
  So in Iraq for Sale we listen to interviewee after interviewee -- including survivors of American contractors killed in Iraq and American contractors who were injured in Iraq and/or who witnessed the deaths and/or injuries of other American contractors in Iraq -- talk about the noble intentions of the contractors.
  
  The fact is that the majority of the American contractors who flooded into Iraq were/are just as greedy as are the executives at Halliburton and the other war-profiteering subsidiaries of BushCheneyCorp. All of them, from the CEO of Halliburton to the individual American contractor, wanted a piece of the Iraqi pie. None of them seems to have or to have had a problem personally profiting from the Iraqi people's grave misfortune.
  
  That's called greed. And there is nothing noble about it.
  
  What would Jesus do? War profiteer? That one is war profiteering him- or herself, under the auspices of a war-profiteering corporation, as a contractor -- is that supposed to free the individual from any personal guilt? Is it the case that the corporation is guilty but that those individuals who work for the corporation -- who make the corporation's very existence possible -- are innocent? Is it the case that the Empire in the Star Wars movies is evil, but that the stormtroopers and others who do the Empire's work are innocent because, hey, they have families to feed? (Well, OK, the stormtroopers are clones and they don't have families, but you get the point.)
  
  At least those American contractors interviewed in Iraq for Sale who state that they went to Iraq so that they could have more money for their families are more honest about their motivation than those who talk about helping to rebuild Iraq, help the United States, blah blah blah. But helping your own family at the expense of the Iraqi people -- isn't that a bit hollow? Do you really want to send your kids to college on blood money, on money that a war-profiteering corporation stole from the American people via the bogus Vietraq War? Are you really OK with the fact that Iraqis had to suffer and die so that you could send your offspring to college?
  
  And why is it that Americans don't call evil things evil until and unless they are touched by those evil things themselves?
  
  For instance, would Lila Lipscomb, the mother of the young American soldier who was killed in Iraq who is depicted in the documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, be against the Vietraq War had her son returned safely home? Or would she still be the pro-military mom that she depicts herself to be in Fahrenheit 9/11 before her son is killed? Is the Vietraq War wrong only because her son died in it?
  
  The American contractors and the survivors of American contractors in Iraq for Sale: Would they be bashing the war-profiteering corporations had they or their loved ones just gotten their money without incident? Are the war-profiteering corporations evil only because the corporations screwed them over?
  
  Iraq for Sale doesn't touch on these profound moral issues, and throughout Iraq for Sale are boo-hoo-hoo stories of the bad things that happened to American contractors, most of whom were/are just greedy opportunists, while the plight of the Iraqi people comes into the picture only when Abu Ghraib prison is discussed, and Abu Ghraib prison is discussed only within the context of war profiteering, such as the war profiteering by the corporation that provided torturers and the corporation that provided "translators" who weren't given so much as a simple test of their language and translation skills before they were given jobs in Iraq.
  
  Iraq for Sale makes it clear that the primary purpose of the Vietraq War was to make it possible for the subsidiaries of BushCheneyCorp to steal billions of the American taxpayers' dollars through fraud, corruption and waste in Iraq via the bogus war that the Bush regime delivered to them. They couldn't just storm the U.S. treasury and steal billions of American taxpayers' dollars outright, so they decided to do their stealing via the Vietraq War.
  
  Iraq for Sale is worth watching because every American needs to realize this fact.
  
  But I find the myth of American innocence that pervades Iraq for Sale to be unsettling -- and, ultimately, dangerous, because until Americans wake up from their delusions of moral superiority and complete and total innocence, they imperil themselves.
  
  In Iraq for Sale American interviewees express their belief that the Vietraq War really was for the benefit of Iraqis and they express their shock -- shock! -- that the war-profiteering corporations in Iraq actually care more about their profits than they care about the safety and the lives of the American contractors who make their obscene profits possible. News flash: Corporations care more about money than they care about people! Who knew?
  
  Do the American interviewees in Iraq for Sale really believe the bullcrap that comes out of their mouths, such as that the American contractors went to Iraq primarily for noble, selfless reasons? Or is it the case that it is necessary for them to believe that they and/or their loved ones who are/were contractors in Iraq aren't/weren't greedy, selfish and soulless, just like those of BushCheneyCorp, and that they think that if they repeat what they want to believe just enough, it will make it true?
  
  So watch Iraq for Sale. You need to know what the Vietraq War is really all about.
  
  But as you watch Iraq for Sale, note how pathetically Americentric it is, and ask yourself what the average Iraqi citizen would think about the United States and Americans if he or she watched an American documentary about the hardships of those poor, poor American contractors and their survivors when thousands upon thousands of Iraqi civilians have been killed and maimed in the American war profiteering in Iraq and when it will take years and years for Iraq to return to anything like normalcy.
  
  My grade: B-
  
  
  
• Greenwald hits it on the head again with this riveting documentary
  By A2EY1FWDFH1YZJ on 2006-10-04
  No doubt this will automatically be labeled as "liberal propaganda" by some but the issues tackled in this film should be of concern to everyone, Republican or Democrat.
  
  I must admit that I didn't know much about contracting before this film came along, though I had heard bits and pieces before in the news about Dick Cheney's shady Halliburton dealings. "Iraq For Sale: The War Profiteers" truly opened my eyes to the horrendous waste and fraud that is going on in Iraq and the risks that contractors and our troops have been exposed to by companies who were found in some cases to value money more than human life. People might possess the misconception that this film takes a stance against the war and against private contracting in general, but that is absolutely not the case; rather it takes a stand against war PROFITEERING and tells the stories of those who have been personally affected by it. The interviews with family members whose loved ones died needlessly are truly heartbreaking, as is the moving testimony of a former Halliburton employee, Ben Carter, who discovered the company was providing contaminated water to soldiers.
  
  I recommend that everyone show the film to friends, family and co-workers since Brave New Films counts on people and not theaters to distribute their movies. A definite must-see.
  
  
  
• Exposes War Profiteers Power Politics and outright Theft in Iraq
  By A44I29HPR9A8L on 2006-11-03
  A concise, pointed and interesting expose` of the no bid contracts between the United States Government, Haliburton, KBR, Blackwater and CACI. Includes interviews with soldiers and ex employees of these "Non-Governmental-Agencies" (NGA's).
  
  One of the witnesses who went to Iraq to provide clean water to the troops breaks down on camera weeping that "I went over there to help them". Another describes how the trucks ferrying "Sailboat fuel" around Iraq aren't equipped with oil filters or spare tires and when they inevitably break down, they are burned on the side of the road.
  
  Your tax dollars hard at work America. Get this video and get mad.
  
  
• A must see for Americans with a conscience
  By AJYGQV81FSFE2 on 2006-10-09
  Those who are apprehensive about my 4-star evaluation, do not be afraid. You'll see more on that in a bit. This film is among the most important today... Indeed, I've already invited activists to my home to see it!
  
  There are different perspectives on the Iraq "war." The WMDs that didn't exist; the distorted information which Condy Rice and other second rate flacks are trying to rationalize. There's even the fact that Saddam Hussein was, alas, a brutal, self-serving dictator. But there's also a dimension of which we think little because the "liberal media" haven't brought it up enough, i.e., the privatization of this conflict and who's making the money off of it.
  
  We traditionally assume that the military does its own food preparation (the proverbial mess seargant and KP) and laundry, right? Not any more. Now we contract out those services. And the company doing our troops' laundry charges $100 a load. Even more--if there can be more--is that it's poorly done! One troop does his own laundry in the sink as the expensively laundered fatigues come back dirty!
  
  Then there's the security and torture issue. Blackwater USA provides largely former military people to provide security to, for example, Bremer, who, despite his complete lack of knowlege of Arabic or Iraq, was assigned as head honcho there. And many of its employees have been responsible for Abu Ghraib-type atrocities. However, if one is in the military, he or she is punished for such actions. If you're part of the "private sector," you're sent back to the states, and can return to Iraq a week later with another company.
  
  I'm familiar with some of those who spoke in the film as I attended a Senate hearing with them. Many witnessed the deaths of their comrades because KBR, a Halliburton subsidiary, apparently treated their driving into an ambush as a triviality. Then there's the Blackwater employees who were killed also.
  
  Robert does a wonderful job of noting that the victims and their families are human, they have personalities, and there are consequences to their deaths. That, indeed, is one of the strongest traits of this film. And others testifying in the film are teary eyed over how their companies have been fleecing the American tax payer.
  
  Oh, then there's the Halliburton contract for millions of dollars to purify water. I don't want to give anything away (except that the water isn't purified!) In short, the troops whom we purport to "support" with our yellow ribbons are bathing in, brushing their teeth with, even making coffee with water the catalog of bacteria in which is mind boggling.
  
  Robert slips in clips of the salaries of the CEOs of these companies. Suffice it to say, it's much more than I'll see in my entire professional life!
  
  Another important dimension of the film is exposed in the end credits. Robert tries to avoid corporate sponsorship of such a project. I suppose he can be far more candid--and honest--without that business representation. So he gets donors to contribute to the project thereby avoiding that potential conflict of interest. The many, many names of those donors are among the end credits. And over these credits, he shows himself and his staff trying to contact key personnel from the companies on which he's commenting, then summarizes how many times he tried to get their side of the story with no--not one--positive response!
  
  Now, why four stars? It's not so much the film's fault. I only wish Robert could have covered MORE. Robert recommended to me the book "Blood Money" (available here on Amazon.com) which exposes even more companies and what the alleged conservatives are making off this conflict.
  
  Yes, it's important for ALL Americans, but EXPECIALLY those of you who call yourselves conservative. We're all being taken for a ride, and your tax dollars are being spent to enrich those of negative merit.
  
  See it. See it!
  
  
  
• What junk and lies
  By A1WI7QJKI51QUC on 2007-09-16
  I bought this product with the hopes of an honest documentary but instead received a very and highly biased DVD of junk.
  
  I am a veteran of both Vietnam and the first Gulf War. I am also a former military contracting officer, scout sniper, Green Beret, and Test Pilot.
  
  First this docujoke slams privatization but never mentions that Bill Clinton cut the Army from 730,000 to 530,000 his first year in office and just before I retired to 430,000. Now do you really expect with most of those cuts coming from support and logistics that civilian contractors wouldn't be used? Please don't be naive. The coverage of this shortage of skills has to come from somewhere.
  
  Second this National Guard Sergeant speaking about being forced to use KBR for laundry from his chain of command shows just how clueless this individual is of contacting. What exactly where the contract requirements concerning this issue? How nice it was this was left out even though it is available on the Internet!
  
  Third the long lines of troops at chow at the same predictable times. Well excuse me! What were the terms of the contract, where were the military officers to correct this, and exactly how many deaths/injuries did this cause? Again not mentioned.
  
  Fourth how about the Democrats that control Congress approving LOGCAP IV for 10 Years....Duh? Now who is talking out both sides of their mouth?
  
  Fifth the female general grade office responsible for Abu Ghraib prison. Well general from a retired Army Officer where it the Hades were you at? Are you or are you not a general grade officer responsible for the conduct of both military and civilian personnel under your command? Blaming a civilian contractor is a disgrace on you. You expect me to believe that a Staff Sgt (E-6) and lesser enlisted personnel did this all by themselves without your knowledge or the knowledge of any other military officer? Perhaps in Disneyland but that insults Mickey Mouse.
  
  Sixth Senator Dodd keep referring to Madam President. Since when did the current speaker of the house become the president? The Speaker is referred to as Madam Speaker. Perhaps Senator Dodd has another agenda not addressed in this DVD.
  
  Seventh $100,000 tax free. Bull Manure. It is only $85,000 IF you meet very specific criteria from the IRS. Didn't the producers even check this data available for free from the IRS website? What piss poor research and outright bigotry from the makers of this film.
  
  Eighth Soldiers on Guard Duty...Duh can I please have a dime for every damn time I was on guard duty as an enlisted man!!! Grow up you babies.
  
  Not once during the film was a single reference given as to a source of information. There was not a list of material cited anywhere on the DVD. One has to go to the web site to find any cites and the cites are to material from 2002 - 2003 which I suspect is four years before the film was made but no date of production is even given on the case the DVD comes in!!!!!
  
  All in all a gross rip off in itself. It seems the producers are in the profiteering business themselves. Shame on you to damn someone for what you did to me and other buyers of your DVD.
  
  Steven Grigsby
  CW3 US Army Retired.
  Marine Scout Sniper - Vietnam Veteran
  Army Special Forces - Gulf War I Veteran
  AH-1/AH-64 Attack Helicopter Pilot
  
  
  
• Another must-see, must-share from Greenwald
  By A3JCHFT7O3UAWL on 2006-10-31
  Greenwald does it again, a movie you have to see and share. Greenwald makes straight forward, direct films that show real people, real stories in emotional wrenching circumstances. He lets the films speak for themselves and that's what makes them accessible. No, it's not 60 minutes and it's not Frontline and it's not made for people who listen to NPR and read the Washington Blogs. They already know the story.
  
  
• If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention!
  By A2I3XS9TO93Q0F on 2007-02-08
  First off, this isn't a film that denigrates our armed forces. Nor does it get into a discussion as to whether our invasion of Iraq was justified. The point is very simple, the war in Iraq has been outsourced in the most callous and greedy fashion imaginable; generating billions of dollars in revenue for a number of corporate contractors; while putting American civilians and soldiers at risk.
  
  Many documentaries tend to pile on, making point after point until the viewer wants to cry out "enough already, I'm convinced!!!" (for example "The Corporation", which would have been a much better film had it been 20 minutes shorter). But Iraq for Sale presents its witnesses and facts with such clarity that you can't help but want more.
  
  Active duty and retired soldiers (from all levels of the chain of command), civilian contract employees and surviving family members provide the most compelling voices for the filmmakers; along with the usual think tank representatives and business execs. And then there are the statistics. Sure, you can bend numbers to make your point, but some numbers are more compelling than others. Consider for example the fact that in the last four years, the price of Halliburton's stock has quadrupled. Could the billions of dollars in Iraq-related contracts have anything to do with that?
  
  What so many people seem to forget is the fact that the corporate/government cooperation model does not always balance well. What's good for government is not always conducive to profit generation. And on the other hand, what might be good, solid management and cost control for a corporation could have disastrous ramifications for government. Take for example a field cafeteria for troops in Iraq. Good business suggests that it's more economical to serve meals at set times. But that creates a situation where soldiers are waiting in long lines at regular intervals in the day. How long do you think it takes for an insurgent with a mortar to figure out when is the best time to attack a base like that?
  
  But if only it were that simple! Factor in the $45 cans of Coke, the $99 bags of laundry, the lives put at risk by sending trucks on dangerous routes with minimal security and you have the makings of a true scandal. And did I mention the bacteria-infested water provided to our troops by Halliburton? Is it right to risk lives to cut costs?
  
  Watch it, buy it and loan it out to your friends! This is a scandal that has not been discussed nearly enough. "Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers" may be one of the most important films of the decade.
  
  
• get shocked, out outraged
  By A1FBMR79WWVHI0 on 2007-02-11
  As with any made documentary, it generally portrays a point of view, and comes up with thin slices that support that. This documentary does does present a point of view : of how the Iraq war is being turned in to mind boggling profits for mighty corporations who are sleeping in bed with republicans. And it presents a lot of facts to support that. Testimony of how Halliburton was running empty trucks, endangering the lives of its employees (who are not entirely blameless) to bill the US government (you and me). Of how Halliburton would blow up a brand new 100K truck with a flat just so that they could buy a new one.
  There are lots of things happening in Iraq that are illegal. But what shocked me most is the use of private contractors for Military Intelligence gathering. So you are putting a person (Contractor whose primary motive is profit) in charge of a job that affects the lives of American Soldiers, you are essentially endangering American lives. And the blame lays squarely on the Repbulican Leadership and their friends in Halliburton, KBR, CACI etc.
  I hope, now that both the House and Senate is controlled by Democrats, that an investigation is launched, and the crooks running these companies are brought to book, prosecuted, sent to jail and the companies are forced to shut down.
  I was left with the feeling that I have blood on my hands. Of Iraqis civilians and American soldiers, because for so long we chose to be hoodwinked by the crooks now running this country.
  
  
• Good Information; Poor Put Together
  By A2ATWKOFJXRRR1 on 2007-05-08
  Having only heard whispers about Robert Greenwald's previous documentary successes (OUTFOXED, WALMART: THE HIGH COST OF LOW PRICE, etc.), I finally decided to check out one of his latest "success" stories, IRAQ FOR SALE: THE WAR PROFITEERS.
  
  This documentary closely monitors the contracts doled out to private companies who are involved in the Iraq War. Halliburton is hit on pretty heavily and the association it has with Vice-President Cheney. Then there are the Blackwater boys who render privately armed American men for political protection, security and, surprisingly, interrogation. There are companies who wash the clothes for the military (at nearly $100 per bag), furnish food and drink, and even provide fuel tankers for military vehicles.
  
  All of the costs associated with the war come out of the American taxpayer's wallet, and the idea behind the documentary is to make one so furious at the ridiculous costs that they want to quit the war and fire their Senators and/or Representatives. The figures are mind-blowing -- in the many hundreds of billions of dollars.
  
  I will admit that the story points out some terrible flaws in our government's handling of private contracts, and all of the favoritism and bipartisanship that comes with it (almost all of the votes related to private contractors that took place in congress went along party lines).
  
  But the documentary fails terribly in coherency. Running around like a child with ADHD, the film makers seemed to have difficulty following through on any one idea. Halliburton, Blackwater, CACI, Raytheon, DynaCorp, and many other companies are hit upon as abusers/enablers of The Military Industrial Complex. But they're barely touched on and then we quickly move to another topic. It was enough to give viewers whiplash.
  
  There are also small box graphics which have arrows pointing to and from various contractors and people in high level government jobs (making connections to cronyism) but, again, they are shown only fleetingly and are difficult to decipher.
  
  As far as I could tell, too, there was only one attempt to garner information from the other side (a brief encounter with the CEO of Blackwater in a public garage), which makes the entire film very one-sided. We never see nor hear from any higher-ups in these corporations and only view disgruntled employees. If an attempt to interview resulted in stonewalling, I would've like to have seen that in the film, however brief.
  
  I'm not in any way defending these scumbags who overcharge our government (i.e., me and everyone else who pays taxes) or use war as a means to achieve profits. I find that despicable. But this documentary isn't the best way to see that. It's hopscotchy, poorly structured, and difficult to follow. Perhaps I'll have to check out Director Greenwald's other documentaries to see if I can appreciate his earlier works.
  
  
• Iraq for Sale - biiiiiiiiig cash for the biiiiiiiiig boys!
  By A3IQ9BNUWPKW9W on 2007-01-26
  I watched this movie to pursue a line of personal 'interest' on the depth of corruption and hypocrisy of Governments, having spent many years investigating similar topics on many governments around the globe - not just the US.
  
  This video was pretty slick and well presented, and was slightly different to the 'Loose Change' and 'Terrorstorm' style of presentation of these conspiracy-revealing DVD offerings. In fact it offered a closer, more personal view of the victims (and their families) of the big Mega-Corps like Halliburton and Kellogg, Brown and Root, speaking to many of the civilians who were caught up in the carnage of Iraq working on the big, juicy contracts of these mega-Corps, and investigating the horror they went through.
  
  Whilst I'm pretty sure I wouldn't sign a contract to go to war-torn Iraq and not expect to find death, destruction and carnage all around me, it's pretty impressive to see just how both innocent civilians and the government alike are lied to in order to do two things - i) get the job done, and ii) earn a stack of greenbacks in the process for the big boys.
  
  The depth of corruption and 'couldn't care less' attitude of the faceless office execs who draw human lives into the risky theater of war, offering them lies about their safety, never ceases to amaze me. The whole blurring of the line between civilians and the military in these combat-hot regions was pretty eye-opening I must admit, but most astonishing is the fact that EVERY American taxpayer is also being heavily ripped-off by the invisible CEOs who deny all accountability or even knowledge of what is going on. It actually makes me wonder just why it is allowed to carry on unabated, until I remember that people with this level of absolute power are corrupted absolutely... The age-old adage wins out again.
  
  Still, I must admit that by the end of the DVD, I had a slightly different, more informed view of what is going on between the big Corps and the US government. The extra footage of various (Democratic...obviously) congressmen trying to expose the greed of these corporations to the American public - and being defeated every time by a Republican majority, makes an absolute mockery of the whole American system of freedom, justice and honesty. If I lived in America, I'd surely want to know just how my dollars were being swindled by the big boys with the big connections, but to be honest I think the rabbit hole runs so deep that most people just turn that other cheek as long as they have their dinner on the table and gas for their car. And that's sad.
  
  The DVD was very enlightening in a 'new' way, and once more hammers a nail into the coffin that bears the reviled name of "Bush's America" upon it around the rest of the world. I only offered it 4 stars however, as I felt that there was certainly a some room for more detailed evidence, supporting facts and related stories. There was considerable time spent on emotional depth to each story, and although loss of life is undoubtably not a trivial matter, I feel that the message of the producers would have been stronger and clearer by offering more evidence and variation - of which I know there exists a veritable mountain.
  
  Watch this if you want to see that extra objective and yet emotional dimension, and hear the facts and evidence straight from the horse's mouth...and then make your own decision.
  
  This DVD will leave you feeling lied to. If it doesn't, then you must be driving today to your plush office at Halliburton, KBR, any of the other mega Corps covered in this great offering - or maybe Washington DC...
  
  
  
• It happened and is " Still Happening"
  By A2LRPL9WJ77C2G on 2006-11-02
  The truth hurts. While it hurts, it is also much harder to swallow. These are issues that require consumption by everyone.
  
  
• Hell Hath No Fury Like an American Scorned
  By A218JW7PCUANTW on 2006-12-17
  Yes the Corporation was good and showed the dirty tactics that companies use, but if you want to get madder than hell and know what our government is doing, watch this dvd. These dirty rotten scoundrels are making money while walking in the pools of blood of dead Iraqis . Our Vice President just might be the devil wearing a disguise. Haliburton's contracts in Iraq are expected to have generated more than $13 billion in sales from the war. Can you believe that the invasion of Iraq was planned months before Sept 11? After you realize the truth and understand what has transpired, will you change your mind or will you allow yourself to be entrenched in arrogance. I highly recommend you buy this and then donate it to your local library for everyone to see it. I also recommend that you read Rouge Nation: American Unilateralism and Rouge State: A Guide to the World's Only Superpower and prepare to be shocked at what our great nation is doing behind our backs.
  
  
• Everyone on Earth should watch this
  By A3HGPLQ1EMIO10 on 2007-01-24
  Everyone on Earth should watch this. It's very enlightening, showing you the profit driven nature of the war in Iraq. Anyone who supports the war MUST see this, yet unfortunately, they probably won't. I showed it to my mom, who is an avid Bush fan, and she shrugged it off saying, "That happens in every war. Corruption is always present." One thing she obviously failed to realize is that corruption is not acceptable, and if she supports Bush and the war, then she shouldn't want the corruption.
  
  
• Just goes to Show
  By A2J5G9LYIME9LO on 2007-03-16
  We Are All SHEEP! Watch this, then do nothing!. Its unfortunately the American way these days. We complain, and we vote and nothing comes from it. You can even try to pretend its over stated and made up. But where are the billions $$$$$ spent each month going in Iraq? Why did the Towers fall perfect when they collapsed? Why did they find melted steel? Why are we in Iraq? Why doesnt the president answer the questions? Why doesnt congress really do anything about this mess? NON BINDING Oh please!!!!!! Why did we let the election be stolen twice? WHY??? WHY??? Do we not have any power left as Americans, or is it that we are all sitting on our thumbs acting like the president is maybe handicapped, disabled, or homeless and we just want to look the other way instead of getting involved????? It's INSANE!!!!!!!!! Watch this movie. Watch and then research it! dont rely on CNN or Fox for the news, come on America GET INVOLVED!!!!!!!! What is wrong with you????? The world is watching. And for a nation that claims to be Christian, Thou Shalt Not Kill, Love they Neighbor, and GOD is Watching you..... I am just mad and Wish I knew what to do with it. This movie will get you fired up. its in your face and really something to WAKE US UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Applaud the director!
  
  
• Iraq for Sale:
  By A1XZ97FVYZG60X on 2007-01-18
  This is a must see and hopefully before this administration gets us involved in Iran. As long as we keep sending our sons and daughters into war as canon fodder and keep throwing money into the pockets of big corporations, we'll continue to be at war. After all, it's profitable.
  
  
• business is always bigger than war, war means new business
  By A32AK8FOAZEPE2 on 2007-01-25
  this film has shown how corrupt our government is-the current president and the vice president sitting in the white house, members of the congress in the senate & the house as well as the military pentagon. never thought the iraqi war is such a dirty business behind the scene. those profiteers scamming our tax payers' money like no tomorrow. my god, how the heck the america has become since 9/11? the picture has also become more and more clear that the 9/11 incident was indeed an inside covert job conspired by these people who created an inhuman tragedy as an excuse to make a war for profit, they've found a disgusting way to claim the so-called war on terror to profit themselves by ripping off and gutting the america inside out. by watching this movie, my patriotism has totally turned cold and died. these people privatized the war and asked the american people to sacrifice the lives of their sons and daughters for their own selfish gains. how stupid we are, being constantly fooled, [...] and still support such evil regime.
  for all the scenes and contents in this documentary, there's only one small part that i didn't quite agree to: those hired hands and families blamed the deaths of their friends and husbands on the companies were too one-sided. they admitted that the main purpose of seeking employment and going to iraq was for the MONEY. these people surely had signed a waiver when signed up. they knew the risk and danger they were gonna face. before their husbands died, the risky money they made from their risky jobs must be huge and they must be very grateful to those companies that gave their husbands such outrageously profitable jobs. THEY KNEW WAHT THE RISK THEY'D TAKE BEFORE GOING TO IRAQ. but once their husbands were killed in the war zone, they turned around, hired lawyers to blame and sue the employers. for what purpose? you know, i know and everybody knows it. why these profiteering companies would pay you 100 times higher to drive a truck in iraq? if it's just milk runs, why they have to pay you so much? why you go there? because the money is too good to be true. don't point the fingers to those shameless companies when things didn't go your way, okay? you people are also so disgustingly shameless, trying to use the patriotism big word to conceal the real purpose of seeking employments from these profiteering companies, because you're also the profiteers of this iraqi war, only the sudden deaths of your husbands and sons cut short your profiteering time, that's all. now, you people are trying to sue those companies, even they have to pay you some money outside of the court, what they pay you are still coming from we american tax payers' pockets, because no matter what, these companies won't pay you off out of their own earnings, because by paying you off, it only gives them another opportunity to charge back to their american government, the pentagon. the cost plus trick will never end. so give it a rest, if you guys really love your country. and the majority taxpayers really need a break here.
  
  
• A Slam Dunk Against the War Profiteering Contractors in Iraq
  By A319TZB2T7JNDL on 2007-03-04
  Truly mind-blowing, this film shows how the taxpayer is being ripped off by the contractors like Halliburton, how government officials collude with the profiteers, and how the soldiers and contract employees suffer because the profiteers are doing everything to cut corners and maximize profits.
  
  Charging $99 to do a load of laundry that comes back grimey? Orders from on high that a soldier is not permitted to wash his own clothes in the sink but instead must send them out to be laundered?
  
  This is beyond corruption. This is pure evil greed.
  
  
• Truth
  By A1YFTJ20QBL9NL on 2007-03-16
  Having served over in the Middle East, I can safely say that this documentary is accurate. It's ridiculous how civilians are doing the same job that the military was doing a decade ago, and they are getting paid 5 times as much. Everyone is losing when companies like Haliburton over charge the government...well, everyone except people like Cheney.
  
  
• Enough to make any service member's blood boil
  By A11XKY4EIU2KNR on 2008-01-06
  Howdy folks. I am a two time Iraq veteran. In fact I;m typing this from Al Asad, Iraq right now aboard Camp Ripper. Everything this film says is true and it's not even the tip of the iceburg. Everyday I see the Blackwater mercenaries, the KBR crooks, and contractors doing half the work I am for 10 times the pay. Contractors will tell you they love America, they support the troops, and just want to do their part. They are full of bull. They are out here for a year to make $100,000 tax free, then go home to buy a house in cash.
  
  Operation Iraqi Freedom has nothing to do with freedom. This war is all about the almighty dollar and everyone involved is making out like bandits. It is almost to the point where military personnel here are second class citizens while the contractors are VIPs. I have always been against this war and I am sick of this war. This isn't even a war anymore, it's a huge cluster-frig. We're over here dying and away from our loved ones for 12 to 15 months at a time while fat pigs sit back with their cigars and champagne watching their stocks go up.
  
  In all of American history, this is our saddest moment as Americans. Future generations will look back at our time period and shake their heads in disbelief. My only question is how much more money can be paid to these contractors and for this 'war' before we are completely bankrupt?
  
  And if any of you think that one Iraqi is thankful or even wants us here, you're smoking crack. There is a saying they have here in the Middle East and the Iraqi's quote it often, "We would rather have 1000 years of tyranny than one day of chaos."
  
  
• America's Shame
  By A3UNWSZ1ZWN263 on 2007-01-15
  I was shocked and outraged that this has been and continues to be happening in our country without knowledge or approval of American citizens. This is a film that transends politics. I believe every American MUST see this film.
  
  
• inquiring minds will get answers not available through corporate media
  By AWNBNKC11QMCM on 2007-01-22
  If you look at what is going on in the world today and consistantly ask "why"? If you are curious at all the secrecy in the name of "national security" makes you question even more! Here are some of the answers. Billions of $'s in profits often creates an environment that condones the worst inhumane acts even though the truth is often hanging in the hearts of those that condone it. This movie is for you. I am a truth seeker and this makes sense. We are not supporting our troops. We are supporting the slaughter of a nation and mass murder of thousands of innocents to increase the wealth and power of a handful that are too clouded in greed and hunger for power to pay attention to consequences. The consequences affect all of us and is destroying our democracy. A good documentary for anyone who does not want to live with their heads in the sand.
  
  
• A MUST SEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  By A1J40GYX05QUIT on 2007-03-01
  This movie should be seen by everyone, everywhere, NOW. You will never look at government and war in the same light. But you will definitely understand why we are at war, why we will continue to be at war, who benefits financially from the war, the enormous ties that corporations have with the government, and why the military is getting the SHAFT. This movie is fabulously truthful, enlightening and brave! WATCH IT and then tell everyone you know watch it. If you're not used to the kinds of "non-conformist" information in this type of movie, make sure you open your eyes, ears, and mind before viewing.
  
  
• Pretty Good
  By A3GT21253TWXF6 on 2007-03-14
  Actually, this film was not bad at all and I am glad I purchased it. Originally I thought the film would be confusing given the nature of its topic, but I was pleasantly surprised. The director did an excellent job of connecting the dots in a reasonable amount of time - about 1 hr and 10 minutes. There is also information in the film on how to take action so one is not feeling angry and helpless at the end. Definitely worth the $19 dollars all together.
  
  
• EXTREMELY UNSETTLING & MAKES YOU THINK!
  By A1T4RP726F99LU on 2007-02-07
  Everything stated within this documentary can be substantiated online if you want to take the time to research it. I wish I had the money to send this documentary to Vice President Cheney, Bill O'Reilly & President Bush and the powere to make them each respond to it.
  
  
• A must purchase!
  By A1S9JKK01UFZEZ on 2007-03-14
  Everyone should see this. In every house. In every classroom. In every church. In every city center. People should be marching in the streets, but instead hundreds of thousands of people are dying in the name of corporate profiteering to the tune of hundreds of BILLIONS and no one is saying a word... just the way they like it.
  
  
• The Military Industrial Complex
  By A34CR5YTMSMP2A on 2007-01-06
  What can I possibly say? This subject of war for profit is unAmerican and downright SCARY!
  
  The military of America is being systematically outsourced to major government affiliated corporations. Winston Churchill said, "Fascism should be more correctly termed Corporatism". And that is what we have now seen come to full fruition in America, a fascist state of corporate control where only the privileged are able to leverage wealth at the expense of the underprivileged. Also, corporations are not bound by Constitutional principle and mandate.
  Welcome to the NEW WORLD ORDER! "Do as we say or we will hurt you!"
  
  

• Why We Fight
• Terrorstorm - A History of Government Sponsored Terrorism
• Who Killed the Electric Car?
• No End in Sight
• An Inconvenient Truth