For someone who seems to write down every fleeting thought, I am a terrible records keeper. I had a boss once who was spectacular at this, had a filing system that included a folder which held an operating manual for every mechanical device she owned -- a file that was, I believe, cleaned out once a year to eliminate those products that had moved on. I knew every time I saw that folder that it was far beyond me to ever be so organized.
Thus while my sympathies lie with those, like me, who can't find their tax forms (they're here somewhere) to save their lives, I also believe this is one of those weaknesses that it's easy to observe about yourself, and should therefore inspire either self-correction or, at worst, self-restriction. I will never apply for a job as an executive assistant, for instance -- unless I hate the executive.
So why is it so hard for the Department of Defense to figure out that they are just not that good at keeping track of stuff, and that maybe, just maybe, it's time to seek help? Via CNN (h/t Cernig at Newshoggers; emphasis mine):
This isn't new. Cernig goes on to remind us that the GAO report in 2007 revealed that, under General Petraeus's watch, "110,000 AK47s and 80,000 Glock pistols walked out the door" in Iraq.
So how does this happen? In part, it happens thanks to graft and bribery; in part it happens because there's not enough security along supply routes. GlobalPost (again, h/t Cernig) has a frightening story out of Pakistan about the easy purchase of a laptop containing U.S. military information.
Combine this with today's news about an inquiry into graft that now seems to center on two high-ranking military officials, and you have a pattern of damaging behavior that makes Iraq and Afghanistan appear, if possible, more dangerous than thought for American troops. The New York Times sums it up in its usual dry, frightening fashion:
So not only did we invade Iraq on false pretenses, our own inept management may prove to be a significant factor in the danger our troops, other countries' troops, and the Iraqi and Afghan populations faced after our invasion?
What happened to the leaner, cleaner military the neocons promised us? Is this corruption a byproduct of military streamlining, overengagement of outside contractors, poor planning, or bad intentions?
There is one part of this whole story that gives me a tiny bit of hope. Rep. John Tierney (D-Mass.), chairman of the subcommitte on National Security and Foreign Affairs, held a hearing this week to ask some of those questions. He notes that "In January 2008, Congress passed a law requiring that 'no defense articles be provided to Iraq until the President certifies that a registration and monitoring system has been established' and it listed what the system should include." Sure, a little thing, and very late in the game, but it's a step in the right direction, as is Tierney's assertion that his committee will be involved in the ongoing re-write of policy in both wars.
Congressional oversight Defense policy? Music to my otherwise bleeding ears.
(Perhaps once they're done cleaning up the Pentagon, they can help me find my tax forms).
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Catherine Forsythe
Writer to the Stars
Emily Holleman
Iron Skillet
Leslie Harpole
old new lefty
Salon.com
Comments
seems like a little bit of some from each column doesn't it? with maybe strong emphasis on overengagement of outside contractors. what also seems to be a huge issue is just the pervasive nature of corruption in iraq and afghanistan, from the highest levels of government all the way out to the village level. any sort of assistance, including weapons etc., which is used to prop up such rotten regimes is bound to be siphoned off at least in part by the rotten elements, which are more or less inherent in the system there.
RH
Roy, thanks. It is a sobering thought. Tierney said something to that effect in his opening statement to the committee, that the thoughts of the government need to be, in part, with their responsibility to later explain these deaths to loved ones.
I also wonder believe that the walking off of weapons is probably a combination of overengagement of contractors, where turnover is higher and the potential for corruption probably greater (i.e., they're in it for the money in the first place), woefully poor strategy and tactics (again, paying and arming militias), and I'm guessing inadequate information systems and faulty data.
Egads! It is frightening and sad all at the same time.
Not to belabor, but even if the entire mess is exposed, will anyone pay the consequences? IMO, from a a purely legal stand point, there well be some manslaughter charges here.
This is not arcane legal territory.
If YOU lay a loaded gun, with blatant disregard for safety on your kitchen table and somebody get's killed as a result, you are very responsible.
So when people in charge of these weapons, no matter how high up the chain of command can be show to be negligent, and people, especially Americans are being killed with these "lost" weapons, there's a helluva case here.
And tons floating around is certainly negligent.
RH
But those officials who took bribes to look the other way while inventory was stolen and looted -- yes. I agree they should be facing some very heavy penalties for physical harm done.
On Monday I have to go to our state capitol and testify about how we could cover legal immigrant children in Iowa with health care coverage, and it will cost us less than $250K. I am in for the battle of my life.
May I quote from your piece, please, when they start to yell at me about money and how we don't have any? How this idea is a wasteful expenditure?
You rock, Saturn.
Tomorrow should be interesting. Did you see the NY Times article today about giving legal immigrants a pathway to citizenship if they serve in the military? That's been part of my argument too. We allow legal immigrants to work, pay taxes, got to school, and go to war, but we don't cover their kids who are income eligible. wtf?