Taking on Wartime Contracting

Three years ago I proposed that we needed an independent war profiteering commission--modeled on the Truman Commission--to expose and eliminate the staggering waste, mismanagement and corruption of Iraq Reconstruction under the Bush Administration. Monday, the Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan held its first hearing in the same room where the Truman Commission did its historical work.

The first panel of witnesses included Senators Jim Webb and Claire McCaskill who introduced the legislation to create this bipartisan commission made up of non-elected officials. In his opening statement Senator Webb said:

Let's start with the premise that every interested American knows that there was rampant fraud, waste and abuse following the invasion of Iraq. They all know it. And they want us to demonstrate that we're willing to do something about it, not simply in terms of process, but in terms of accountability.

The Commission's mandate is necessarily broad and it includes "assessment of the systemic problems identified with interagency wartime contracting, the identification of instances of waste, fraud and abuse, and ensuring accountability for those responsible." Senator Webb made it clear the Commission will be given whatever is necessary, including subpoena power.

After billions have been squandered on no-bid, unaccountable contracts; after soldiers have been sickened, injured or killed due to shoddy contractor performance; after Iraqi civilians have lost their lives to reckless security contractors...today marks an important day as we continue to extricate our nation from the Bush legacy and renew our democratic path.

Comments (9)

1. They can start by looking into Feinstein and her husband's war profiteering!

   http://www.metroactive.com/metro/01.24.07/dianne-feinstein-0704.html

   Posted by Metteyya at 02/02/2009 @ 6:49pm

2. McCaskell and Webb are good selections for that committee. McCaskill was a prosecutor and Webb was Secretary of the Navy. Webb knows the armed forces, and McCaskell knows how to put people in jail. Perfect team! We may need them for higher offices in four years?

   Posted by P. J. Casey at 02/02/2009 @ 6:55pm

3. Let....me......guess.

   Our local Right, who LOVE to make "World War-II" analogies about the "War on Terror"...

   and who love proposing cuts in waste, fraud, corruption, and abuse in DOMESTIC programs...

   will show up and post that they have some problem with investigating waste, fraud, corruption, and abuse when it comes to Iraq.

   Just a wild hunch.

   Posted by Mask at 02/02/2009 @ 8:19pm

4. In my opinion any war conducted for profit by governments is morally abhorrent. And displays a lack of character in the human race in general. But exactly when has this not been the case? From the very beginning of time, the human race and other animals have always conducted "war for profit." War is defined as an "armed hostile conflict between states or nations". It is also defined as "a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism: a struggle or competition between opposing forces."

   War seems to be a characteristic of life and survival. A constant struggle between opposing forces for resources and dominance. Kill or be killed, eat or be eaten. Funny that we should think it unnatural. As far as I know we did not design the universe this way.

   When does "War" become a liability for the survival of the planet? Was it constucted in this way so that we would be forced to overcome our instincts and reach some new level of understanding? So that the Lion could truly lie down with the Lamb? Or is it just some gigantic cosmic joke perpetrated by a fickle and twisted God?

   Hell if I know...

   Posted by chaoszen at 02/02/2009 @ 11:31pm

5. It may just be my mood at the moment. But we are all already dead. Well at least we will be in short order. In 100 years or so, all 6.75 billion of us will no longer exist in our current form. Not long at all in geologic time.

   So does all this drama really mean anything? How many of you will even be remembered 10 years after your demise? Not many. I suppose my solipsitic-nihilism is showing. I think we all just have the illusion of giving a damn because deep inside we fear death and extinction. And at the same time somehow feel (or hope) that either we will beat the odds and live forever, or that our efforts will leave some mark that means anything. If this is not true. Talk me down..

   Dream on..

   Posted by chaoszen at 02/03/2009 @ 12:15am

6. Let's start with the premise that every interested American knows that there was rampant fraud, waste and abuse following the invasion of Iraq. They all know it. And they want us to demonstrate that we're willing to do something about it, not simply in terms of process, but in terms of accountability.

   Funny the Undemocratic congress did not feel that way about JFK and LBJ's Vietnam War! But then again the military industrial complex that had THEM in thier hip pockets would have made that very embarrassing! Selective Partison perspectives to be sure by our Undemocratic congress!

   Posted by comancheamerican at 02/03/2009 @ 12:53am

7. I am not sure if this is closely related, or ironic if it is, but isn't the 2nd and 3rd of Feb also the anniversary of the Nazi's being whacked back out of Stalingrad?

   And consider all the trouble US activists and celebrities got into for going public as supporters of war allies in a tight spot (180 day siege).

   The horror of daddy warbucks splashing some good ol boy cash around, and the horrors of that awful siege in 1942, (retreating Russians were often shot; unfriendly fire, heroes later purged, etc)...well, the horror, the horror.

   Posted by bazdicoot at 02/03/2009 @ 02:02am

8. I wonder if Dubya used KBR contractors to build the showers in his new house.

   KBR built showers that electrocuted American servicemen who tried to use them.

   Posted by koroviev at 02/03/2009 @ 02:17am

9. Posted by comancheamerican at 02/03/2009 @ 12:53am

   Funny that the REPUBLICAN Congress didn't think it was worth investigating....huh, RIO?

   Posted by Mask at 02/03/2009 @ 09:05am