Two things: 1) laws are only as good as the enforcers, and 2) every tax dollar that goes toward fraud is one less dollar for legitimate government needs. According to attorney Alan Grayson -- who represents whistleblowers in contractor fraud cases -- former Justice Department supervisor Peter Keisler repeatedly failed to take action against contractors reportedly involved in fraud. Truthout's Matt Renner reports:

"Grayson said Keisler has purposely delayed investigations into Iraq contractor fraud because of Keisler's political allegiance to the Bush administration. Keisler has refused to prosecute whistleblower lawsuits because Bush 'does not want more bad news coming out of Iraq,' Grayson said, adding 'to have an entire class of cases treated this way is truly unprecedented....'

"Keisler was appointed by President Bush...."

"John Ryan Dennison was a shining light..."

When a young man's story opens by celebrating his life in the past tense,  don't expect a happy ending.   Unfortunately, not all stories worth telling have happy endings.  That doesn't make them any less important.  

Look past Ryan's megawatt smile and you may notice a glint of metal on his chest.   It is subtle and easily missed.  It's a decoration that doesn't call attention to itself, yet speaks volumes.  

John Ryan Dennison was more than merely a graduate of West Point, as if that distinction could ever be characterized as "merely" an achievement...

Emily Perez had a passion for books.  She loved to read.  In 2001, she graduated from a public high school outside of Washington DC in an area known mostly for gangs, drugs, death and despair.  Emily was straight-A student.   She could have attended any university she chose.  She chose West Point.

Getting admitted to West Point is no easy feat. First, you need to be nominated for consideration -- usually by your senator or congressional representative. Then you are evaluated in three areas: academic performance, demonstrated leadership potential, and physical aptitude.

Emily was a leader among leaders.  She was the first black woman to serve as corps commander sergeant major at West Point.  She graduated in the top 10% of her class.  In spite of all that promise, this story does not have a happy ending.  

WE NEVER FORGET WHO WE'RE WORKING FOR.

I don't know about you, but every time I hear Lockheed-Martin's slogan I can't help but wonder, "Who are they working for?"  I'm just not feeling the love.  Of course, I'm not the Pentagon and Lockheed-Martin is not my #1 supplier.  I'm not saying there is anything inherently wrong with that.  I'm just stunned we even know the Pentagon's #1 supplier.  Why?  Because it's impossible to audit the Pentagon's budget.  You probably think I'm making that up.  Did you know the Pentagon can't account for 25% of the money they spend? It's a fact.  Look it up.

Must be kismet. Both the Brookings Institution, and the Project on Government Oversight released reports on Katrina today:

Brookings Katrina Index: Tracking Variables of Post-Katrina Reconstruction [pdf]
http://www.brookings.edu/me tro/pubs/200512_katrinainde x.htm

The Brookings Institution has released a number of reports on the efforts to rebuild the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina over the past few months, and a number of them have garnered significant attention by policymakers and other interested parties. This 47-page report authored by Bruce Katz, Matt Fellowes, and Mia Mabanta, gives a detailed data-oriented summary of the recent progress that has occurred.

POGO: Investigations into Katrina Waste and Fraud Detailed.
http://www.pogo.org/p/x/200 5katrina.html

Katrina Contracting
The federal government's response to the Katrina Hurricane could cost up to $200 billion. . . no-bid contracts, outrageously high charges, questionable expenses. The result is that people who need help do not get it.  Please send us your suggestions and ideas for how we can improve it.

(With a tip to the Internet Scout project for the referral to Brookings).

Comes now before the public in Ellen Knickmayer's Most Buried Article in the WaPo, found through the good offices of the Iraq Revenue Watch:

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - The Bush administration does not intend to seek any new money for Iraq reconstruction in the budget request going before Congress in February, officials say.

Not everyone is pleased:

"It is easy for the Americans to say, 'We are doing reconstruction in Iraq,' and we hear that. But to make us believe it, they should show us where this reconstruction is," said Mustafa Sidqi Murthada, a men's clothing store owner in Baghdad.

Whether the is glass half-full, or half-empty depends on whether you're drinkin pourin' I guess.

(originally posted at Hoot at the Dark.)

Daily Press has a must read Special Report:

"The Army now admits that it secretly dumped 64 million pounds of nerve and mustard agents into the sea, along with 400,000 chemical-filled bombs, land mines and rockets and more than 500 tons of radioactive waste - either tossed overboard or packed into the holds of scuttled vessels."