If you're listening to the presidential candidates, they're all arguing about how fast they'll pull the troops out of Iraq. If you believe it, you're dreaming. We ain't never leaving. Want proof? In addition to the 13 permanent bases we're building, there's the Baghdad Taj Majal.

The massive U.S. embassy being built in Baghdad will have 21 buildings, including a food court, swimming pool, gym, and covers 104 acres, rather than the usual 10 acres for U.S. embassies. The AP said it is a fortress-like compound that will be the largest of its kind in the world, the size of Vatican City, with a population of a small town, its own defense force, and self-contained power and water. Since the beginning it's had construction problems and missed deadlines. The guards' base, built to house the embassy's security personnel, was supposed to be finished in January 2007 but wasn't finished until May and it's still plagued with problems. For example, a contractor admitted that he used a toxic chemical in the construction of the housing trailers. (The Issue Wonk, 7/7/07) Understandably, the massive construction, along with the permanent military bases (see Iraq's Enduring Bases) has infuriated Iraqis because it indicates that the U.S. is going to have a large presence in their country forever. Raid Kadhim Kareem, a security guard who has monitored the project, said, "It's all for them, all of Iraq's resources, water, electricity, security. . . It's as if it's their country, and we are guests staying here." (The Issue Wonk, 7/28/07) To make things worse, the complex is being built with slave labor. (McClatchy)

The project was originally estimated to cost $592 million. The current annual operating cost is $1.2 billion. And it's not done. What will the operating costs be when it is done? It was originally scheduled to be completed in June 2007. The cost is now up to an estimated $740 million and they are hoping it will open by the end of March. Construction was being overseen by Army General Charles Williams, who certified the construction as "substantially complete." Richard Shinnick, the new embassy construction chief for the State Department who has taken over from Williams, has set aside Williams' certification and ordered another review. He refuses to set a target for completion.

The Justice Department is conducting criminal investigations. One investigation is into First Kuwaiti General Trading & Contracting Co., the construction company that was awarded the building contract, for labor trafficking. Another is an investigation into weapons smuggling by Blackwater. We all know about Blackwater. (If you don't, see Blackwater U.S.A.)

Just to make this more interesting, Blackwater has the Iraqi security contract with the State Department. The State Department's Inspector General, Howard Krongard, was supposed to be investigating the construction problems  as well as civilian shootings by Blackwater. And guess who sits on Blackwater's advisory board? A guy by the name of Alvin "Buzzy" Krongard. His brother. Howard denied knowing Buzzy was on the board and Buzzy shortly thereafter resigned. (See The Weekly Wonk, 11/17/07)

So, let's see what we have. The largest embassy in the history of the world in a country where we supposedly don't plan to stay militarily, along with at least 13 permanent military bases. Unbelievable building cost overruns to pay for substandard, unsafe construction overseen by a primary contractor who used slave labor imported in violation of international law. And the guy who is supposed to be investigating it all has a brother on the board of the organization accused of smuggling guns which they use to shoot down civilians in the streets. All of which we citizens will be paying for -- for decades. Yup. It's the Bush administration.

Anyone still think we're ever leaving that place?