Today's Must Read
An article from the New York Times examining one of the many private contractors the US is using to equip the forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. A few key points:
The company awarded the $300 million dollar contract is run by a 22-year old with a licensed masseur as a vice-president.
The ammo they supplied was oftentimes more than 40 years old, manufactured in China, and shipped in boxes that were falling apart.
The US knew for some time that the munitions were next to useless.
The vaguely-worded contract failed to specify the quality of ammunition.
The US allowed continuing procurement by the company even though he was dealing with a known arms smuggler.
The Pentagon is still planning on honouring the contract for continued small-arms ammunition.
And one of my personal favourites, the owner used national security grounds, being the president of an "licensed Defense Contractor to the United States Government in the fight against terrorism in Iraq", to try to delay court proceedings in a stalking case.
The US government in Bushland. And you have to know this isn't an isolated case.
