| First, the issue is not money dispersed, but projects set in motion. Money allocated is a more accurate measure of actual contracts made, even if still in process of fulfillment. Second, it makes sense that turf fighting and the security situation have been responsible for most of the delay, and the explanation is ignored in order to imply something more nefarious, namely, diversion of funds. Third, it makes sense the the oil funds have been easier to dislodge, and that their accessibility accounts for more having been spent or allocated. Again, this explanation has been suppressed in order to imply that there has been misappropriation. Fourth, although the original story mentions inadequate accounting procedures, it does not suggest cooked books, merely sloppy books. Krugman spins this into a strong suggestion of malfeasance. Overall, he takes a story that is worth some concern and tries to parley it into instant scandal. |
