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- May 27, 2009
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Daily Kos: Petraeus' Unholy Coziness w/ Civilians & Defense Contractor Fraud
<excerpt>
The proximity, access, and influence Peaches gave civilian friends while running the Afghan was is unprecedented.
It's bad enough that Petraeus allowed Paula Broadwell, his biographer-cum-mistress, access to sensitive (and it appears from the documents found on her computer, classified) information. BTW, despite having this on her personal computer, we also learned today that the investigation against her has closed with no Espionage Act charges. But perhaps that's because military fluffers from Broadwell to CIA heir apparent Michael Vickers get a pass on retaining or disclosing classified information, while only whistleblowers like Thomas Drake and John Kiriakou get prosecuted.
But now we have the Republican-darling Kagans, not to be confused with the Kelleys, who were allowed to serve as Petraeus' de facto senior advisers.
First, there's the accountability problem. The Kagans had none. The were neither elected nor appointed. Nor did they work their way up through military ranks. They were not bound by military rules or contractor rules and regulations. Like Broadwell, they had Petraeus' ear, without having to go through any military subordinates (the way things usually work in such relationships.) They had to report to no one but their buddy, Petraeus. Apparently, even senior White House and Pentagon war policy officials were unaware of the extent of their involvement. Yet they advocated substantive changes in U.S. war plans, serving as a huge push for the troop surge in Afghanistan--something for which Petraeus is largely given credit in Broadwell's book.
This bleeds into the second problem: contracting fraud.
Kim Kagans institute is funded in part by large defense contractors. During Petraeuss tenure in Kabul, she sent out a letter soliciting contributions so the organization could continue its military work.
<more>
<excerpt>
The proximity, access, and influence Peaches gave civilian friends while running the Afghan was is unprecedented.
It's bad enough that Petraeus allowed Paula Broadwell, his biographer-cum-mistress, access to sensitive (and it appears from the documents found on her computer, classified) information. BTW, despite having this on her personal computer, we also learned today that the investigation against her has closed with no Espionage Act charges. But perhaps that's because military fluffers from Broadwell to CIA heir apparent Michael Vickers get a pass on retaining or disclosing classified information, while only whistleblowers like Thomas Drake and John Kiriakou get prosecuted.
But now we have the Republican-darling Kagans, not to be confused with the Kelleys, who were allowed to serve as Petraeus' de facto senior advisers.
First, there's the accountability problem. The Kagans had none. The were neither elected nor appointed. Nor did they work their way up through military ranks. They were not bound by military rules or contractor rules and regulations. Like Broadwell, they had Petraeus' ear, without having to go through any military subordinates (the way things usually work in such relationships.) They had to report to no one but their buddy, Petraeus. Apparently, even senior White House and Pentagon war policy officials were unaware of the extent of their involvement. Yet they advocated substantive changes in U.S. war plans, serving as a huge push for the troop surge in Afghanistan--something for which Petraeus is largely given credit in Broadwell's book.
This bleeds into the second problem: contracting fraud.
Kim Kagans institute is funded in part by large defense contractors. During Petraeuss tenure in Kabul, she sent out a letter soliciting contributions so the organization could continue its military work.
<more>
