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POPSIntroducing ChangeTracker: Tracking Change in Washington
About Us ProPublica is an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest. Our work focuses exclusively on truly important stories, stories with “moral force.” We do this by producing journalism that shines a light on exploitation of the weak by the strong and on the failures of those with power to vindicate the trust placed in them. Investigative journalism is at risk. Many news organizations have increasingly come to see it as a luxury. Today’s investigative reporters lack resources: Time and budget constraints are curbing the ability of journalists not specifically designated “investigative” to do this kind of reporting in addition to their regular beats. This is therefore a moment when new models are necessary to carry forward some of the great work of journalism in the public interest that is such an integral part of self-government, and thus an important bulwark of our democracy. http://www.propublica.org/about/
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POPSInjured war zone contractors fight to get care
Our federal government deemed it necessary to keep companies like AIG in business for the lofty reason that it helped our economy. They poured billions of our tax dollars into these companies coffers to keep them afloat. Now when it comes time to pay out, to give back to those taxpayers that bailed them out, to show their appreciation for serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, companies like AIG balk at having to do so. They refuse to follow through on their commitment. This is an example of the appalling greed that permeates the insurance industry. The fact that our federal government backs these stingy, money-grubbing, bastards makes me sick. This insurance system for civilian contractors is enforcing the idea that civilian contractors are disposable soldiers and is why socialism keeps rearing its ugly head. If insurance companies refuse to pay out, then our government will be forced to manage healthcare to ensure its citizens get the proper care they deserve.
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POPSConservatives Obstructing key Obama nominees Department of Defense: Sens. Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Jeff Sessions (R-AL) announced today that “they are blocking President Barack Obama’s nomination of Ashton Carter as Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics.” The senators want assurances that Carter will not “change the criteria” on which the Pentagon considers a refueling tanker contract that could benefit defense contractors in their state. Department of Veterans Affairs: Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) asked the Senate Veterans Affairs committee to delay voting on the “nomination of Tammy Duckworth, an injured Iraq war helicopter pilot, to be an assistant secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs.” Contacted by ThinkProgress, Burr’s Press Secretary, David Ward said that Burr is waiting for the answers to several questions he’s put to the White House and Duckworth, but would not disclose what those questions were.
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POPSFaulty Wiring at Iraq Bases ""An Army report noted "a safety threat theatrewide created by the poor-quality electrical fixtures procured and installed, sometimes incorrectly" and that a study by KBR had found a "systemic problem" with electrical work, the Times said.""
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POPSElectrical Hazards Plague Troops in Iraq Good thing we went with no-bid contracts, huh? Otherwise, totally disreputable contractors might be burning down buildings and electrocuting people in showers, instead of Kellog, Brown, and Root who coincidentally are big buds of the White House. This way, we only get the very finest quality electrical hazards, fires, and deaths.
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POPSDesign flaws in bridge collapse Investigators couldn't find the design calculations so it was unclear how the flaws made it on to to bridge. Once they made it onto the completed bridge there was little chance they would be noticed by inspectors. Aren't there archives? Were the design calculations lost or hidden. There have been contracts where a low quote is offered to win a tender, with the contractor having to cut corners to make money. The design flaws would not have been noticed by inspectors - unless the bridge collapsed By now most of the contractors would have died of old old age, or be in congress.
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POPSNew Highs in Iraq: Contractor Death Tolls Representative Jan Schakowsky, an Illinois Democrat, has introduced legislation to force the government to release detailed records on the use of contractors in Iraq and the names and job descriptions of all those killed and injured, information that is virtually impossible to get right now. The military releases names and biographical information about its wartime casualties, but businesses are not required to provide such information, and the Labor Department refuses to do so, citing privacy laws. "By keeping the knowledge of this force hidden, it changes one's perception and one's evaluation of the war," Ms. Schakowsky said. "There are almost a thousand dead and a large number of injuries. I think it masks the fact that we are privatizing the military in this country.
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