In my earlier discussion of contractors in Operation New Dawn, I focused on the SpecOps side. Here, Rachel Maddow discusses the whole spectrum of dependence* on contractors by the military and State Dept. (which takes front seat from the DOD in our new "enduring relationship").
*Dependence — One layer less clear than "shoveling money out the door to your Congressionally connected friends."
Take-aways:
- 50,000 U.S. troops will remain for 16 months.
- 72,000 contractors (including what Engel calls DOD "service contractors," like those great KBR electricians, I'm sure).
- Richard Engel: "This draw-down is all being brought to you by KRB. They are the biggest contractor involved in ... moving things to the south."
- And: "About 45% of all of the contracts right now are KBR contracts."
Having listened to the Air America version of her show for years, I know the subtlety of her understanding of the Iraq war and "Life During Wartime." In my view, she walks a beautiful line between being one of the NBC on-air people who presents the official view, and a commentator who presents her own thinking.
Because of my familiarity with her views, I know what she's not discussing (those KBR electrical death-traps, for example). But nothing that she is saying violates her integrity; and she is saying a lot. Rachel Maddow is a smart, capable woman and beyond the obvious, this is subtle stuff.
The Friday show from which this was abstracted is rich; time permitting, I may bring more segments later this week.
GP
