How much do you know about government contractors? I suspect that it might not be all that much - hell, turns out the US government isn't all too sure how many government contractors there are, what they're doing, or how much they're getting paid. Doesn't sound too great now does it?
Before I cop out and post two links to some VERY informative and interesting podcasts on the topic, here's my two cents: A while back, I wrote about my experiences as a government employee. My job was to conduct background investigations on government employees and contractors in need of security clearance. Many contractors were also hired to conduct background investigations. They were doing the same job I was doing, only they got paid based on how many cases they closed. Do you really think that quantity over quality is a good thing in this scenario? And does it surprise you that this was happening under the Bush administration with all it's tough on terror, strong on security rhetoric? Oh, the hypocrisy.
Anyway, I'm running late this morning, so I shall leave you with two podcasts to which you absolutely must listen:
The Rise of Blackwater USA (the shadow army of the US)
Government Contractors (the shadow government of the US)
3 comments:
After listening to the disturbing Blackwater podcast I’m almost ready to permanently move to my secluded cabin and never return. I’m not sure who the true villain here is. One doesn’t want to fault the Blackwater boys too much as they’re just trying to provide for their families. Although I would probably think differently if I lived in Iraq (or New Orleans, according to the podcast) and was shot in the ass by one of them. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t want to be shot in the ass by a US marine either. But at least the US marine would, at least in theory, be held to account for blowing off, what I have been told, is a beautiful butt. Sorry, I digress, back to the chief villain. It’s too simple to say that it’s only George Bush. I think he’s basically a good person who means well. How many frat boys that you know would have made better decisions following the 9-11 calamity? O.K. maybe not employing Blackwater mercenaries would be better but only marginally if you really think about it.
I think that not employing the Blackwater mercenaries would have been an excellent idea had the US government instead used the money to better fund and equip the troops. Considering that I personally know people in the Army who had to purchase their own body armor before going to Iraq (otherwise they would've gone without), the fact that the Blackwater guys are raking in the money - which comes from the US government - is simply reprehensible.
Obviously, there are a lot of problems and very little oversight when it comes to government contractors. I watch enough 'Jericho' to be afraid of Ravenwood-- er, Blackwater.
Full disclosure: I can't listen to the podcasts right now.
Fuller disclosure: I work for a government contractor.
Recently I found this article in the Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/08/AR2007070801201.html), which i think pretty much explains why I have a job. If the government was capable of doing everything on its own, it wouldn't need contractors. Right now, though, they're not even capable of providing the correct oversight.
Here's my company's web site so you can see what we work on (and that we're not sending mercenaries to Iraq): www.deticadfi.com.
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