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The Grand Canal, Venice (ca. 1835)
Joseph M. W. Turner (1775-1851)
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Photo by D. Cupples
In 2007, we learned of numerous governmental issues and scandals, 13 of which are listed below in no particular order. As yet, they are unresolved. [The painting has nothing to do with the topic, I just didn't want my photo to go to waste.]
1. The 190,000 U.S. Weapons lost in Iraq. About 190,000 AK-47s and pistols from the U.S. were lost in Iraq in 2004-05. General David Petraeus, who was in charge of arming Iraqi security forces then, chalked it up to clerical errors. I'd like to know where those weapons ended up and who took them there.
2. President Bush's hyping the Iran-nuclear threat despite the NIE. President Bush spent the better part of 2007 insisting that Iran was an immediate threat because it has nuclear weapons. A National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) released in August states that Iran abandoned its nuclear weapons program in 2003. Media coverage flared up for a few days in December, then ceased. I'd like to know what the president knew about the NIE and when.
3. The Siegelman prosecution. The U.S. Justice Department prosecuted former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman for corruption, dropped the case (partly due to non-credible witnesses and evidence), then re-opened the case. Some believe the prosecution was improper, including 44 former state attorneys general (Republicans and Democrats). I'd like to see the results of a thorough investigation.
4. Immigration Clampdown. Despite an announced "clampdown" on corporations that hire illegal immigrants, the Bush administration seems to have been able to arrest only 100 or so of the people who did the hiring, and only a "tiny fraction" end up with criminal charges filed against them. I'd like to find out why the "clampdown" seems to be going so poorly.
5. CIA's Destruction of Torture Tapes. Last month, we learned that the CIA destroyed video tapes of detainees being tortured, despite a court's and the 9/11 Commission's request to see all evidence relating to detainee interrogations. I'd like to know whether the tape destruction was illegal.
6. Iraq war progress. We get so many different reports on our progress in Iraq. Some say that violence is down, yet the statistical methods for measuring violence are still debated. Some say the war is a success, but we can't send troops home. In fact, we need more troops (and money). It's no wonder most of us Americans are confused about Iraq. I'd like to know how we're really doing.
7. U.S. Embassy in Iraq. We taxpayers have committed $592 million to building an embassy in Iraq, our largest embassy in the world. The work was shoddy (e.g., bad wiring that caused fires). It was supposed to open in September. Now, it's scheduled to open in 2009 -- and the costs have increased by $144 million. I'd like to know who was responsible for this expensive mess.
8. Blackwater. Government contractor Blackwater came under fire for allegedly 1) shooting Iraqi civilians, 2) charging us taxpayers high prices, 3) smuggling weapons, and 4) trying to steal an Iraqi military plane. Former State Department inspector general Howard Krongard was accused of blocking investigations into Blackwater's alleged misconduct. I'd like to know if those allegations are true.
9. The U.S. Attorney firings. Despite good performance reviews, nine U.S. Attorneys were fired in December 2006. At first, White House spokesperson Tony Snow said the firings were performance based; months later, he denied having said that. Congress interviewed dozens of Justice Department staff, and evidence suggests that the firings may have been based on political agendas (a no-no in law enforcement). I'd like to know who was involved in firing the prosecutors and the real reasons for the firings.
10. White House executive privilege claims. Congress subpoenaed information from several White House staffers regarding the fired U.S. Attorney scandal, and the White House ordered them to ignore the subpoenas, claiming executive privilege. the Senate Judiciary Committee has taken steps to cite those staffers with contempt of Congress. I'd like to see whether that happens.
11. Gonzales misconduct investigation. former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testified before Congress over the fired U.S. Attorneys. He said some variation of "I don't recall" more than 50 times during testimony. The Senate Judiciary Committee requested investigations into whether Gonzales had committee perjury or other misconduct while AG. I'd like to see results of those investigations.
12. The Deflating Housing Bubble. Our nation's hyper-inflated housing market has been declining. In October, home prices fell 6.7 percent, compared with a year earlier. It was the largest drop recorded since1987 and marked the tenth month of price declines. I'd like to know when the bubble will be fully popped.
13. Hidden 401-K fees. In November 2006 and 2007, the Government Accounting Office reported that many 401-(k) managers make it difficult for investors to figure out what their fees will be. I'd like to see Congress, or the appropriate U.S. authority, force 401-k managers to openly disclose what they will ultimately charge investors.
Commenters' Links:
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Very interesting TT...there is a lot we do not know unfortunately...politics..
Posted by: melanie | January 03, 2008 at 02:12 AM
Followed from your post on another Thursday Thirteen. No real comment, I don't know much about US politics. Just came to visit.
Posted by: That Grrl | January 03, 2008 at 02:14 AM
Re #12, so would I. Happy TT. Thanks for stopping by.
Posted by: pussreboots | January 03, 2008 at 02:28 AM
Unresolved and will probably stay that way unfortunately. Something to think about with the coming elections.
Get to know me a little better this week with my Freaks and Geeks from I Read Banned Books edition.
Happy TT!
Posted by: cajunvegan | January 03, 2008 at 04:20 AM
And to think ... this county elected Bush for a 2nd term after his dubious victory and blundering errors in his 1st term. One wonders if American voters have learned anything and if this time we'll do any better.
Hugs and blessings,
Posted by: storyteller | January 03, 2008 at 06:59 AM
that was an outstanding list!!! and...an exceptionally worthwhile read!
gave an awesome tt!
Posted by: melissa | January 03, 2008 at 07:19 AM
I would like to know the answers to #3 and 4 myself. I had forgotten about a lot of these since they didn't stay in the limelight long. Thanks for the list.
Posted by: Hi-Tech Momma | January 03, 2008 at 07:36 AM
This is the kind of list that makes you furious and breaks your heart. Thanks for pushing it to the fore front.
Posted by: Lori | January 03, 2008 at 08:08 AM
interesting list as always! Happy New Year!
Posted by: MamaArcher | January 03, 2008 at 08:58 AM
What a list. Clerical error...right. I hate to imagine where all those weapons are.
Posted by: Nicole Austin | January 03, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Really great critique of things left to resolve in our political life...
Posted by: maryt/theteach | January 03, 2008 at 09:04 AM
Interesting list. #1 worries me.
Happy TT.
Posted by: Morgan | January 03, 2008 at 09:04 AM
Again with the deep sighing...
Just don't know what to say about all of this anymore. Except that whomever we elect this year had better have their shite together to fix it or it's going to get even worse...
Posted by: Melissa | January 03, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Great list. Not sure how much resolution you're likely to get on any of them until after the elections.
Posted by: Lisa | January 03, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Phew! That sure is a lot of unresolved jobs to do for your government. Hope they resolved them for this year 2008.
Thanks for passing by.
Posted by: Cheerio | January 03, 2008 at 09:44 AM
Phew! That sure is a lot of unresolved jobs to do for your government. Hope they resolved them for this year 2008.
Thanks for passing by.
Posted by: Cheerio | January 03, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Wow, your list gives me a lot to think/worry about.
Posted by: Brenda ND | January 03, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Good list, as always.
Posted by: Wacky Mommy | January 03, 2008 at 10:28 AM
I appreciate the fact that you keep up with all this sfuff that makes my head spin around! And I appreciate your comment on my blog about Ben Franklin. I'm sure, too, he broke most of his resolutions just like the rest of us....
Posted by: ellen b | January 03, 2008 at 11:00 AM
I never fail to learn something new when I visit your TTs. Happy Thursday!
Posted by: tommie | January 03, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Which explains, in part, why the presidency in 2009 and beyond will be such a thankless, tedious and dangerous job. I just hope the person who wins it will be up to the task...
Happy TT and Happy 2008!
Posted by: Michelle | January 03, 2008 at 11:59 AM
great list!
And I too, am curious, how one goes about misplacing nearly a 1/4 million weapons...
Blessings,
K
Posted by: Karla ~ Looking Towards Heaven | January 03, 2008 at 12:04 PM
What a great list. I wish we'd find resolution to all of these things, but I fear we'll be lucky to get only a few resolved.
Posted by: Chris | January 03, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Hopefully, they will all get resolved this year. Wishful thinking, I know, but one can only hope and pray, right?
Happy 2008!
Posted by: Chelle Y. | January 03, 2008 at 12:57 PM
In the real world, "clerical errors" equivalent in scope get us fired and imprisoned. Happy TT!
Posted by: Joely | January 03, 2008 at 01:11 PM