How long is it going to muck out the stables when the Bush administration finally leaves town:
While the Pentagon preps for a new administration, a scandal from an earlier era is rearing its head.
A Defense Department project, supposedly designed to support U.S. troops, was used instead to channel millions of dollars to personal friends and allies of its chief. The “America Supports You,” or ASY, program was led in a “questionable and unregulated manner,” according to a Department of Defense Inspector General report, obtained by Danger Room. At least $9.2 million was “inappropriately transferred” by the project’s managers. Much of that money served only to further promote ASY, instead of assisting servicemembers.
In 2004, the office of then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld set up ASY as a six-month effort to showcase the U.S. public’s backing for the troops and their families. “If you’re serving overseas, and you watch the mainstream media coverage, sometimes you can’t tell if America knows you’re there,” one official overseeing the program says. America Supports You was seen as a way to counteract that sense.
They even loot their propaganda programs.
(via)
Tim Fuller
Pretty much to be expected. Imagine a world where every time you hear the word BLOGO, it was Bush being lambasted and prosecuted.
Also, if they had used all the propaganda money for what it was suppose to be used for instead of stealing it (and not just in THIS instance), who knows how many more idiots might have been influenced to support the folly?
Now go out and have a great Saturday.
Enjoy.
Church Lady
I am shocked, shocked that gambling is going on.
Montysano
Do you know that many of these soldiers earn more than $30,000.00 a year?@! And that they get meals for FREE? And fancy uniforms and stuff?
Is Mitch McConnell aware of this? Because he’s not afraid to wade in and set things right.
bago
Why hasn’t anyone gone all TRATOR!!!11eleventyone!!! at the republicans that are trying to kill american jobs and wages for the benefit of foreign companies?
PaulW
The troops didn’t even get free meals: the military outsourced the cafeteria services to a private company who charged the soldiers for their meals.
Montysano
@PaulW:
Yeah, well the Chinese soldiers eat fried dirt, and are thrilled to have it. Do we want to compete in the global economy or not? Huh? HUH?!? /snark
Woodrowfan
Damnit, I can’t see the sky because there’s a huge yellow ribbon over my house!
The Grand Panjandrum
But they said we could trust them! So we SHOULD be concerned about this:
Imagine that: the government ate our sunshine.
Cassidy the Racist White Man
Nothing is ever free in the Army. They always get there’s back. The trick is to learn the system and break even.
Montysano
@The Grand Panjandrum:
FWIW, I believe that both Barney Frank and Chris Dodd are both on board with this, saying that revealing the recipients could fuel speculation about the health of the company and have a negative impact.
Not saying I agree, just reporting.
Rick Taylor
I think you meant, "How long is it going to *take to* muck out the stables. . . "
ATinNM
Jeez. You’re so testy. Give them a break.
The money was just sitting there, unused. What better purpose than to
line their own pockets¹ inform the US public of the outstanding job ASY was doing in supporting the troops by informing the US public of the outstanding job ASY was doing in supporting the troops?¹ I note nepotism begins at home, the GOP is the party of Family Values, and what’s the point of a government job if you can’t throw some money at your nephew? Perfectly logical, you know …
Major premise: The government is supposed to serve the Public.
Minor premise: My family is part of the Public.
Conclusion: The government is supposed to serve my family.
QED.
CIRCVS MAXIMVS MMVIII
In Republicana, programs are created just for this very reason, I thought you knew that?
CIRCVS MAXIMVS MMVIII
That’s a great line.
If not at home, where else would it possibly begin?
Wayne
Nice image.
Redhand
Priceless one line assessment, John. Really.
ATinNM
@CIRCVS MAXIMVS MMVIII:
Honesty compels me to confess I’m quoting Andrew Greeley.
Whether the quip is original with him me no know.
[bleeping] Pantload
@Wayne:
Nice image.
Indeed. But does the fact that it strikes me as somewhat Larry-Flyntesque mean my meds need adjusting?
TenguPhule
We need the death penalty just to get through all of these assholes before they die of old age.
kommrade reproductive vigor
The initials say it all.