The Daily Muck

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State Department Inspector General Howard Krongard isn’t just in trouble at work. Yesterday, Krongard’s son sought a restraining order against his father. The two are currently engaged in a lawsuit over a defaulted home loan, and the inspector general has been sending threatening and “unprofessional” emails to his son. (Washington Post)

A district court has ruled that the FISA Act, as extended under the Patriot Act is unconstitutional, as it allows the government to collect information in violation of the 4th Amendment. Key line from the judge: “For over 200 years, this Nation has adhered to the rule of law – with unparalleled success. A shift to a Nation based on extra-constitutional authority is prohibited, as well as ill-advised.” (Boston Globe)

Strike three and you’re out? Yesterday, the House oversight committee held its third hearing on Walter Reed, and the GAO issued a report on the same topic. Witnesses for the DOD informed Congress that it will take at least eight months to complete major improvements in the mental health care of soldiers and the GAO report shows that disability payments are delayed on average of 177 days. The Army’s own stats show that the level of mental health care in the war zone is the lowest since 2004. (USA Today, Politico)

A Texas court upheld its own decision to dismiss conspiracy charges against former Rep. Tom “The Hammer” Delay (R-TX). Delay still faces charges of money laundering. (AP)

“We should respect those who want to serve the nation but not through the law of the land, condone activity that, in my upbringing, is counter to God’s law.” So said Gen. Pace yesterday, in full uniform, in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee. You stay classy, Peter. (AP)

As voter ID laws work their way into the national consciousness, let’s not forget about laws passed in Florida and Ohio that, according to former DOJ voting rights chief Joe Rich, would facilitate the use of vote caging as an election strategy. Because everyone deserves to be able to vote, as long as they vote Republican. (McClatchy)

Contractor fraud and abuse is on everyone’s radar. The Washington Times explores the extent to which civilian security contractors in Iraq fall under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice. Yesterday a Pentagon spokesman said that while Iraqi laws do not apply to soldiers of fortune, the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act and the Uniform Code of Military Justice “to hold contractors accountable.” Meanwhile, Politico addresses the wider issue of contractor abuse and fraud by detailing how Congress is responding with new legislation to protect whistleblowers and punish companies that defraud the government. (Washington Times, Politico)

Time Magazine has a story on the V-22 Osprey, the pricey little plane that couldn’t land and wasn’t armed, and the government that is sending it to Iraq anyway. Because you don’t go to war with the weapons you want, you go with the weapons you have. (TIME)

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