>Meanwhile, "Halliburton" seems to be a real bogeyman to the left. Have you ever bothered to learn anything about the company? You might have a read over their annual reports before yelping about their profits.

It is not about the profits. It is about the iffy situations of the many no-bid contracts for well-connected companies like Halliburton, Bechtel, et al. It does pay to be connected, doesn't it? Who cares if the law is followed and if the taxpaying public interest is served?