As I walked down the very big, very impressive halls of Congress yesterday, it started to dawn on me that the idea of making a film about war profiteering had actually led to a hearing in Congress in front of the people who can make a difference on the issue -- the people who write the legislation.

As I continued down that very long, very marble hall I began to have flashbacks about the road that had gotten me here. It started when we began work on Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers January 2006.

I thought of the call I received from Bob Borosage at Campaign for America's Future­ he said Brave New Films had to do a film about the war profiteering occurring in Iraq. I remember my visceral response when I first heard the term war profiteering-how could anyone be so sick as to profiteer from war.

As I walked down the hall, I thought of the 3000 people who donated $25 and $50 a piece to help us get started on production of the film. We had had trouble raising funds in the timeframe we needed to work within, and the amazing people who had supported Brave New Film's past work chipped in to get our production started.

I thought of our wonderful Executive Producer Dal LaManga who invested the money we needed to finish. He said to me, "Stop trying to raise more money, here, go finish the movie and tell the world what is happening."

I thought of the soldiers, and of the families of contractors who appear in the film -- their courage continues to motivate and inspire me.

I flashed back to the thousands of screenings of Iraq for Sale that occurred across the country and around the world.

And then, I realized I was there, at the entrance to the hearing room about to speak to the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense about war profiteering.

Director Robert Greenwald is testifying today on outsourcing before the Defense Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. He was invited to testify before Congress by Rep. Jim Moran and intended to show four minutes from Iraq For Sale. Instead, Republicans banned the excerpts from being shown. The video below is what was intended to be shown before Congress.

During congressional hearings on Iraq war profiteering last week, the governments top 3 auditors found $10 billion in overcharges or unaccounted spending out of $57 billion in private contracts. Keith Olbermann interviewed Robert on the issue of Iraq war profiteering. Robert explained:

"We have to call into question the very core issue: yes they're stealing, but even above and beyond that, should people be profiting - should corporations be making millions and millions when Iraqis and Americans are being killed? That to me goes to the heart of the issue and we need to start asking that harder and harder."

Katy Helvenston-Wettengel testified that a Blackwater program manager physically and verbally attacked her son Scott Helvenston when he indicated he was not well enough to leave the next morning on a mission. Despite two other Blackwater operators offering to go in Scott’s place, the Blackwater manager burst into Scott’s room late one night, confiscated his weapon, and told Scott that if he personally did not go on the mission the following day, he would be fired. Later that night, Scott wrote an e-mail addressed to the president and upper-management of Blackwater stating:

"It is with deep regret and remorse that I send you this e-mail. During my short tenure here with Blackwater I have witnessed and endured some extreme unprofessionalism."

Donna Zovko, mother of Jerry Zovko, testified that Blackwater told her husband they would have to sue the company to find out where their sons belongings were and how he died. When asked if she thought Blackwater was more concerned with the safety of it's personnel, or how much profit it could make from the contract, she stated: "It is profit. It is definitely profit."

Another e-mail from Tom Powell, a Blackwater Iraq operations manager, outlined critical gear shortages on March 30, 2004:

"I need Comms (communications equipment). ... I need ammo. ... I need Glocks and M4s. ... Guys are in the field with borrowed stuff and in harm's way ... I have requested Hard cars from the beginning and from my understanding an order is still pending."

According to a recent report (pdf) by the United States Government Accountability Office, nobody seems to know where at least half the money was spent.

YouTube link

Youtube link, Quicktime download

Anyone exposed to water provided by Halliburton/KBR in Iraq should learn how to get tested for illnesses caused by contaminated water.

Youtube link, Quicktime download

Youtube link, Quicktime download, Windows Media download (high quality/low quality)

Check out this great new video put together by Rainbow Sound and filmed during the St. Louis Iraq for Sale premiere. Thanks to Rainbow Sound producers Kriss Avery and Jim Rothwell, and musicians Connie Dover and Dwight Frizzell for combining their talents to put together this video. Notes from Kriss Avery & Jim Rothwell below:

Like many Americans, we are dismayed by the downward spiral of our country’s …well, what do you call it? We listen, we read, we try to do our part by joining others in actions to lead from the roots.

Youtube link and Quicktime

Youtube link and Quicktime

To learn more about Erik Prince, read Matt O's profile.

Cliff Schecter discusses 'Iraq for Sale' on a MSNBC news story about Republican division on the private contractor issue. YouTube link.

Thanks to Crooks and Liars for putting the video up, and to Keith for having Robert on and tackling this issue.

Youtube link

Watch it online.

"You train on the range as if it were a real life-threatening situation." YouTube link

Teddy Garcia from Davao City posted this incredible video on YouTube:

NOTE: A little crude language, not safe for work... and the whole thing might not be suitable for children.

Emmet Barta (who I think is a KBR truck driver) made this video in honor of the truck drivers slaughtered in the Good Friday Massacre. Two of the survivors that day tell their story in 'Iraq for Sale'. Watch Emmet's video:

YouTube link

The new trailer for 'Iraq For Sale: The War Profiteers' is now available. We read everyone's comments on the last trailer and hopefully everyone will be pleased with what we have done. This is the trailer that will be seen in theaters over the summer. The first cut of the film will be done in a couple of weeks and the picture will be locked (meaning no more changes can be made) a week after that. Next week we will send you the poster for the film, and we will also be asking for your suggestions for community groups to share the film and our education 'action guide' with.

Best,
Jim Miller