Today, through its own investigation, the BBC reported that

"an estimated $23 billion may have been lost, stolen or just not properly accounted for in Iraq.

For the first time, the extent to which some private contractors have profited from the conflict and rebuilding has been researched by the BBC's Panorama using US and Iraqi government sources.

A US gagging order is preventing discussion of the allegations.

The order applies to 70 court cases against some of the top US companies."

The article goes on to predict that while Bush is in office, we certainly won't see the gag order lifted (after all, his friends are benefiting), which means that these companies will continue reaping in the profits from a situation made worse by their very presence every day.

In the lead up to the presidential election, emphasis has been put on the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq - but what about the defense and development contractors who number just as many?

The "lost" $23 billion could have been put to good use for actual rebuilding instead of lining the pockets of these sick profiteers and then maybe we wouldn't still be talking about how to "get out" of Iraq.