2 1/2 years later, Katrina victims are still fucked . . .

ICF reported a profit of $40.6 million in 2007, up from $11.9 million a year earlier. The company's stock price has at times doubled since the Wall Street offering, reaching a 52-week high of $34.36.

. . . tens of thousands of miserable homeowners are still waiting for their government rebuilding checks, and many complain they can't even get their calls returned.

The Road Home contract began its production phase 10 months ago. During the startup phase in the three and a half months prior, more than 2,000 people had to be hired, 11 facilities had to be rented across the southern portion of a state with very little operable commercial space, fiber optic cable had be installed at many of these locations, sophisticated computer systems had to be developed, and furniture and equipment for the staff had to be purchased. In short, a vast and complex operation had to be created from the ground up.

In the waning days of Gov. Kathleen Blanco's administration, state officials increased the management contract ceiling from $756 million to $912 million _ this, after the Legislature wanted to fire ICF over its handling of the homeowner recovery program, called Road Home.

"A deal is a deal, whether it's a good deal or not," said Walter Leger, a housing official with the Louisiana Recovery Authority, which oversees Road Home and has been critical of ICF.

Adam Knapp, deputy director of the LRA, said bad publicity ultimately will spur ICF to better perform. "Their stock will rise and fall on their delivery here," Knapp said.

Dr_Balls said:
This is the domestic part of Bush's legacy. It's one I hope we don't forget soon.