More outsourcing our war to the enemy

In a recent Washington Post article, the newspaper relays the tale of yet more pallets' worth of cash being straight handed over to our enemies. I would give you a couple of moments to feign surprise, but who the hell even bothers acting surprised by news like this at this point in the proceedings?

A year-long investigation of a $2.16 billion transportation contract uncovered a process where money traveled from subcontractor to subcontractor until it invariably wound up in the account of an Afghan National Police commander. In all, the investigation found that $3.3 million of government funds, earmarked in part to help promote business in Afghanistan, had been instead funneled to the Taliban in the form of weapons, cash, and explosives. And that was just what they could trace.

The commander was accepting the payments to guarantee safe passage for convoys. Yep, a member of the Afghan National Police, whom rumor has it will eventually take over the security role when our military leaves (about five minutes after shit sticks on the moon), was squeezing subcontractors for our money in return for protection from the enemy, whom he is supposed to be fighting against, and then helping fund the enemy with that very same money. Our money.

And they wonder why this has become an unpopular war. First off, why in the name of bluest hell are we trying to promote business in Afghanistan, when apparently the only successful businesses in Afghanistan involve either opium or killing our military personnel? Secondly, wouldn't it be nice if our government was even a tenth as interested in promoting business in our own damn country? You know, the country with unemployment over 9% and climbing (wait until after August 2, when Congress royally pooches it, and see what that percentage climbs to, and how fast it makes it there).
 
Rep. John Tierney (D-Mass) said "this goes beyond our comprehension." No, Congressman, I have to disagree. This kind of government-subsidized corruption is well within our grasp. What may be just a bit past our comprehension is why our government continues with the same fraud and waste that not only makes us look stupid on an international level, but more importantly endangers our armed forces each and every day.

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