Poorly grounded electrical wiring in Iraq installed by mega-contractor KBR has directly contributed to the deaths of at least five U.S. troops. The New York Times’ James Risen explained yesterday how the Pentagon and KBR have been unwilling and unable to confront a rudimentary problem. 

A departing KBR electrician told the company that the wiring was a “disaster waiting to happen” back in 2005. KBR told the Pentagon about the problem in 2007. The Pentagon, though, has still not responded, lacking contracting overseers that can deal with building maintenance issues. The most recent wiring-related death occurred this January when Staff Sgt. Ryan D. Maseth was electrocuted in the shower.  Read Risen here.  MB

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