TT#22 | 13 Unresolved Issues from 2007

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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:

1. Susie J
2. Writing in Faith
3. One Gal's Musings
4. Around the Island
5. A Gentleman's Domain
6. The Pink Flamingo
7. Greatful Living
8. Raven's Range
9. No Nonsense Girl
10. Fond of Snape
11. The Rest is Still Unwritten
12. J's Thoughts & Musings
13. Single Parents Unite
14. Ritty Rats
15. Just for Fun
16. Dane Bramage
17. The World at my Fingertips
18. Writer Cramps
19. The not-So-Deep Thoughts
20. Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing
21. Zenmomma's Garden
22. State of Confusion
23. Monday Through Sunday
24. Storyweaver's Web
25. Puss Reboots
26. I Read Banned Books
27. That Grrrl
28. Such Simple Pleasures
29. Small Reflections
30. Hi-Tech Momma
31. Lori's Old School Mix
32. MamaArcher's Blog
33. Nicole Austin--Romance Author
34. Work of the Poet
35. My Great Escape....
36. Lisa Spaitz Spindler
37. Cheerio
38. Taking What is Left
39. The Otherworld Diner
40. Wacky Mommy
41. The Happy Wonderer
42. Tuesday Update
43. Artventuring
44. Looking Towards Heaven
45. The Story of Me
46. Joely Sue Burkhart
47. My 2 Cents
48. Twist & Skewer
49. Traces of a Stream
50. PMKU
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52. Leslie Dicken
53. Nichtszusagen
54. Siani's Pot-Pourri
55. BadKittyCats.Com
56. Not Much More than This
57. Suzanne Says...
58. Random Thoughts of a Single Mom
59. From Smiler, With Love
60. Love Conquers All
61. Everyday Adventures
62. West of Me

Comments

[melanie]

Very interesting TT...there is a lot we do not know unfortunately...politics..

[That Grrl]

Followed from your post on another Thursday Thirteen. No real comment, I don't know much about US politics. Just came to visit.

[pussreboots]

Re #12, so would I. Happy TT. Thanks for stopping by.

[cajunvegan]

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!

[storyteller]

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,

[melissa]

that was an outstanding list!!! and...an exceptionally worthwhile read!
gave an awesome tt!

[Hi-Tech Momma]

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.

[Lori]

This is the kind of list that makes you furious and breaks your heart. Thanks for pushing it to the fore front.

[MamaArcher]

interesting list as always! Happy New Year!

[Nicole Austin]

What a list. Clerical error...right. I hate to imagine where all those weapons are.

[maryt/theteach]

Really great critique of things left to resolve in our political life...

[Morgan]

Interesting list. #1 worries me.

Happy TT.

[Melissa]

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...

[Lisa]

Great list. Not sure how much resolution you're likely to get on any of them until after the elections.

[Cheerio]

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.

[Cheerio]

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.

[Brenda ND]

Wow, your list gives me a lot to think/worry about.

[Wacky Mommy]

Good list, as always.

[ellen b]

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....

[tommie]

I never fail to learn something new when I visit your TTs. Happy Thursday!

[Michelle]

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!

[Karla ~ Looking Towards Heaven]

great list!

And I too, am curious, how one goes about misplacing nearly a 1/4 million weapons...

Blessings,
K

[Chris]

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.

[Chelle Y.]

Hopefully, they will all get resolved this year. Wishful thinking, I know, but one can only hope and pray, right?

Happy 2008!

[Joely]

In the real world, "clerical errors" equivalent in scope get us fired and imprisoned. Happy TT!