Oh to be someone who supplies weapons to the US military for distribution to the Iraqi forces. And I mean all the Iraqi forces, “good” guys and “bad,” police and criminals, military and militias, “allies” and terrorists/insurgents. It’s gotta be a great time for the bottom line!
WASHINGTON (AP) — Weapons the U.S. provides to Iraqi security forces may still be ending up in the hands of terrorists, insurgents and criminals, the Defense Department inspector general told Congress on Tuesday.
Appearing behind closed doors for a briefing before the House appropriations defense subcommittee, Kicklighter said his office received complaints nearly a year ago from Turkish officials that weapons intended for Iraq’s growing military and police forces were being used by militant groups in Turkey.
“We were also beginning to find some weapons that the U.S. had supplied to (Iraqi security forces) were in the hands and control of insurgent groups and U.S. contractors in Iraq,” he said.
Investigators found that a contractor implicated in a bribery scheme in Kuwait had a contract to run a warehouse where weapons for Iraq’s police force were stored, Kicklighter said.
You see, this is heaven made for manufacturers of any of the arms we (and by “we” I mean the American taxpayer as represented by the Bush administration and and an ever helpful Congress), out of a spirit of generosity and charity, have provided to the Iraqis. Not only do they go to the Iraqi security forces, but they go to everyone else in Iraq with a need for weapons, including the people trying to kill our troops. It creates a bigger market for their products. It’s Republican government manipulated free enterprise at its best!
No wonder President Bush issued a recent signing statement to the 2008 Defense Authorization Bill that indicates he won’t execute the provisions of that law that would “inhibit [his] ability to carry out his constitutional obligations.” Like, say, among other things, his constitutional obligation to insure that no government contractor for Iraq gets investigated for fraud or corruption. For example, here are some of the provisions of the law that Bush won’t be enforcing because they “inhibit” him:
One such provision sets up a commission to probe contracting fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan. Another expands protections for whistleblowers who work for government contractors. A third requires that U.S. intelligence agencies promptly respond to congressional requests for documents.
Because after all, who wants to examine too closely where all those weapons are going and to whom? So inhibitory to the President’s ability to protect his friends in the arms industry, and all those poor beleagured contractors in Iraq just trying to make a dishonest buck out of this human tragedy of monumental proportions. Besides, you can’t have a war if only one side (and in Iraq there are so many sides) has all the weapons. That wouldn’t be fair, now would it? And who said chaos never did anyone any good? Why, it’s the ultimate in “shock and awe” capitalism at work.
To paraphrase a quote from the movie Dune “The Bullets and Bombs and RPG’s and .50 caliber machine guns and armored humvees (and on and on) must flow!” And flow they do, as does all that blood from those they help kill and maim. Makes one proud to be an American, doesn’t it?
I am willing to bet that the weapons ending up in Turkey has as much to do with this story as it does with Valery Plame and Brewster, Jennings and Associates work in hunting down WMDs in Turkey…
Just a guess, but what do I know? I have only been paying attention a little bit…
Wars are good business. No wonder McCain wants more of them.
FYI – on all the news now – Edwards is ending his campaign today.
That’s too bad. His presence in the race was important. Now there is no one left who promotes progressive ideals as strongly as he did. I expect to see in the campaign rhetoric of Clinton and Obama a drifting away from specific progressive policy proposals as each tries to win the mythical centrist vote, and more importantly capture establishment Dem support rathaer than cater to progressives and party activists.
I just wish there was more support in this country for progressive positions.
Talking about signing statements, how about the latest one. Remember the -“No Permanent Bases”? Fugedabowtit!
Look- it’s simple. When you consider yourself a monarch, you then can do whatever you want to do. Simple. Just look at the sotu. He just stood there and said- you better do what I tell you to do! Regardless of what anyone might say- this creature may well be the most evil person on the face of the earth.
Add to your point that in a part of the world where a good part of the history has relied on trade routes and barter, it’s a given that this would happen faster than an LA street gang would make their deals. One can only wonder just what the arms bought back in the barter trade…or how much is now in the hands of Sadr?
The Brewster Jennings UK story and Valerie’s are two big ones, but not the first or last time Bush’s admin has brokered our own best interests in return for revenge, personal greed, take your pick.
Afghanistan Report is due to be released today. First sentence “…concur that without prompt action by US & allies, the mission in Afghanistan may fail..”
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/
from Steve Clemmons site
Gee, what a surprise.
Yeah, a Duh moment enhanced by a press conference.
January 29, 2008
Reported today on Akhbar Alkhaleej newspaper
An Iraqi MP preferred to remain anonymous told the newspaper that highly confidential negotiations took place by representatives from American oil companies, offering $5 million to each MP who votes in favor of the Oil and Gas law.
The amount that could be paid to pass the votes do not exceed $150 million dollars in the case of $5 million to each MP, pointing out that the Oil law requires 138 votes to pass, which the Americans want to guarantee in many ways, including vote-buying, intimidation and threats!
Focusing on the heads of parliamentary blocs and influential figures in the parliament to ensure the votes, the Americans guaranteed the Kurdish votes in advance but they are seeking enough votes to pass and approve the law as soon as possible.
http://www.uruknet.info/?p=m40634&hd=&size=1&l=e
Are these the freedoms and principles that Americans are dying for?
George Bush’s Afghanistan Fantasy World
The REAL Afghanistan
Afghan lawmakers back reporter’s death sentence
Maybe we should be careful what we ask for in the future. Sometimes you get it.