Monday, April 16, 2007

The Fix Is (Again) In


April 16, 2007 (GBN News): The news reports in both the NY Daily News and GBN News surrounding the NYC Department of Education’s renovation and construction practices have apparently only served to drive the already secret process further underground. The Daily News, in its April 15 article, “Probe Won’t Stop Work on Swank Lounge For Educrats”, details the circuitous route being used to plan and renovate a $75,000 “resource center”, AKA “lounge”. But as GBN News reported the same day, the entire Facilities Management building is slated to be renovated, which will require an even more sophisticated level of secrecy.

GBN News investigative reporters have discovered that the DOE has secretly drawn on the vast experience of Pupil Transportation chief Donald Rumsfeld, the former Defense Secretary, who has provided many of the political and business connections needed for this endeavor. Rumsfeld’s close relationship with Vice President Dick Cheney was said to be particularly helpful. Cheney reportedly offered use of his “undisclosed location” as a site for much of the planning and pre-construction activities.

The Vice President also apparently helped smooth some ruffled feathers at Halliburton, a company that is expected to provide much of the “heavy lifting” to transport interior equipment and furnishings to the building site. Engaging Halliburton was particularly sensitive, given that the company recently lost its Iraq reconstruction contract to Alvarez and Marsal, DOE consultants who are the new owners of the building that the DOE is renovating, and who plan to use it as an executive clubhouse.

Other individuals and organizations who are said to be assisting in the secret building planning and renovation are: The CIA (still apparently hoping to lure Chancellor Klein away from the DOE to become its Director); The Emir of Dubai (future headquarters of Halliburton); and deceased Enron Chairmen Ken Lay.

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