Two things: 1) laws are only as good as the enforcers, and 2) every tax dollar that goes toward fraud is one less dollar for legitimate government needs. According to attorney Alan Grayson -- who represents whistleblowers in contractor fraud cases -- former Justice Department supervisor Peter Keisler repeatedly failed to take action against contractors reportedly involved in fraud. Truthout's Matt Renner reports:

"Grayson said Keisler has purposely delayed investigations into Iraq contractor fraud because of Keisler's political allegiance to the Bush administration. Keisler has refused to prosecute whistleblower lawsuits because Bush 'does not want more bad news coming out of Iraq,' Grayson said, adding 'to have an entire class of cases treated this way is truly unprecedented....'

"Keisler was appointed by President Bush...."

"John Ryan Dennison was a shining light..."

When a young man's story opens by celebrating his life in the past tense,  don't expect a happy ending.   Unfortunately, not all stories worth telling have happy endings.  That doesn't make them any less important.  

Look past Ryan's megawatt smile and you may notice a glint of metal on his chest.   It is subtle and easily missed.  It's a decoration that doesn't call attention to itself, yet speaks volumes.  

John Ryan Dennison was more than merely a graduate of West Point, as if that distinction could ever be characterized as "merely" an achievement...

Emily Perez had a passion for books.  She loved to read.  In 2001, she graduated from a public high school outside of Washington DC in an area known mostly for gangs, drugs, death and despair.  Emily was straight-A student.   She could have attended any university she chose.  She chose West Point.

Getting admitted to West Point is no easy feat. First, you need to be nominated for consideration -- usually by your senator or congressional representative. Then you are evaluated in three areas: academic performance, demonstrated leadership potential, and physical aptitude.

Emily was a leader among leaders.  She was the first black woman to serve as corps commander sergeant major at West Point.  She graduated in the top 10% of her class.  In spite of all that promise, this story does not have a happy ending.  

As a disabled American veteran, I am appalled by the detention camp that is in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. It was plainly stated that when they created it there, it was for the purpose of ensuring that these men could not be brought before American Courts.

This is a nation based on laws, and we hold that belief that all men are created equal. Yet, we as a nation condone the President, Vice President and Secretary of Defense. In their position that the men held here are not subject to American law.
The promised military tribunals have not been held, some of these men have been held five years already. When do they get their day in court?

There is a good chance that you, or someone you know, have experienced abuse in a relationship.

I did.

My ex had me convinced that he deserved preferential treatment. He did a great job of blaming me or making me feel guilty about anything that went wrong in our lives. If I was concerned about a problem or an issue, he usually found a way to minimize its importance. I was over-reacting. Or his problems were always more profound and deserving of attention. He set the agenda for everything in our lives.

I am putting this up as is for discussion.

   

  First Periodical Report of Monitoring Net of Human Rights in Iraq (link to full MHRI document)

  MHRI – November 23, 2005  Baghdad

               

                The Monitoring Network for Human Rights (MHRI), which consists   of more than 20 Iraqi organizations for Human Rights, made this report about the crimes and continuous   violations of human rights in Iraq.

               

                1.      Crimes of War and Crimes Against Humanity 

               

                -  First crime:

               

                Some of the ugliest      crimes committed by the occupation forces and by Iraqi military units are the ones committed in the city of      Fallujah in the battles of November 2004, and which we summarize in the following: