K: Do my methods seem unsound to you?

W: I don't see any method at all, sir.

I found the context immensely amusing as it reminded me of the "oh fuck, we never thought of that" seat-of-the-pants schemes generated for Iraq.

Having heard Paul Bremer speak on this very subject a few months back, I am wondering just how many times the wheel needs to be reinvented...as if it were ever properly invented to begin with.

eva: i believe you mean the square.

L: don't you mean Well, I suppose I might be able to help in the up front fleecing?

they never thought of it? come on! anyone who has ever watched a reality TV show could have figured that out!

well, they better get ready to go up againsta very well organized reconstruction force:

Text of report by Lebanese National News Agency website

Hezbollah has begun paying compensations to the residents of buildings that were totally destroyed in the city of Ba'labakk by allocating 10,000 dollars to each residential unit to pay the rent for one year for one apartment and to buy the necessary house furniture. At the same time, teams surveying the damage in the city and the region continue their work. About 90 per cent of the work has been completed and the rest will be done in the coming few days.

Husayn al-Nimr, the person entrusted with this file by Hezbollah, held a press conference in the Imam Khomeyni Husayniyah [Shi'i religious school] in Ba'labakk in which he said: "The Islamic health board and all the medical committees in Al-Biqa are continuing their work in cooperation with the civil defence and the Red Cross. During the aggression, 15 teams were in charge of receiving the displaced that totalled more than 60,000 from the Al-Marj township to Hirmil. Today and after the speech made by Secretary-General Hasan Nasrallah to those that stood fast and those that are returning to their homes, the rescue teams of the "Jihad for Construction" Institute were divided into eight main teams with each team subdivided into committees to follow up on the issue of the buildings that need renovation and the rebuilding of the bridges, underpasses and roads. The area was divided into seven regions but since Ba'labakk was the most damaged, 15 teams were formed in the city with each team headed by an engineer to survey the damage to the houses that were demolished totally or partially and those that can be renovated". Al- Nimr added: "The final and detailed survey is almost completed. So far, about 90 per cent of the damage in the city of Ba'labakk has been assessed and in two days, we shall complete the survey. We have opened the Imam Khomeyni Cultural Centre in Ba'labakk so that citizens may come and file for compensation. The citizens are kindly asked to come to the centre to receive the compensation allocated for buildings that were destroyed partially or totally. There are about 4,500 residential units that have been affected in addition to commercial stores, health clinics, offices, gas stations, bridges and vehicles. About 300 residential units were totally destroyed and 220 residential units partially destroyed in the city. We have also opened three offices in the neighbourhoods to receive applications related to renovation activities after the Jihad for Construction teams complete their survey. As of tomorrow, citizens may refer to officials in the Imam Khomeyni Centre to receive their compensation for renovation purposes".

Al-Nimr went on to say, "Two mechanisms have been adopted. The "Jihad for Construction" Institute will be directly in charge of renovation activities or after assessing the cost, the owner of the building may [after assessment] proceed with the actual renovation and present bills to the centre to be reimbursed. The applications are almost ready and the citizens can receive the cost of their payments". Al- Nimr called on the people to be patient, saying: "We realize the size of the tragedy and the needs. But despite the large number of people who are working and following up in the field and despite the large number of volunteers, we hope that our people would appreciate the pressure we are working under. We hope that everyone will receive their rights shortly". Al-Nimr appealed to the state through its official organs and civil institutions "to assume their responsibilities by lifting the rubble, opening the roads and compensating the people. The state should not be absent in this regard. It should be present since the real and principal responsibility should be borne by the state".

Source: Lebanese National News Agency website, Beirut, in Arabic 1240 gmt 20 Aug 06