Critics Say Blame Goes Higher Up in Walter Reed Scandal
Continuing its investigation of the Walter Reed scandal, the Senate Armed Services Committee be hearing testimony on Monday frmo David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, and Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs. Both men have much to speak for – Chu stirred controversy year ago when he said the army was spending too much on veterans care and not enough on bullets and bombs, while Winkenwerder failed to calm tempers when on February 21 he called the Walter Reed complaints “quality of life experience” issues. (Salon)
$100 Million Contract for Friend of Nevada Gov.
“Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons, while serving in the U.S. House, helped longtime friend Warren Trepp secure a secret $100 million defense contract, according to court documents filed this week by Trepp’s former business partner. If true, Trepp’s dealings with the Defense Department, which have come under federal scrutiny, were far greater than what previously has been reported. The FBI is investigating whether Gibbons as a congressman received unreported gifts from the wealthy defense contractor and campaign contributor.” (Las Vegas Sun)
Site of Secret CIA Prison Uncovered
“The CIA operated an interrogation and short-term detention facility for suspected terrorists within a Polish intelligence training school with the explicit approval of British and US authorities, according to British and Polish intelligence officials familiar with the arrangements. While previously suspected, the facility has never been conclusively identified as being part of the CIA’s secret rendition and detention program.” (Raw Story)
Female Soldiers See Harassment, Abuse
While comprehensive statistics measuring sexual abuse of female soldiers have yet to be compiled, informal investigations have revealed that a myriad of women serving in Iraq suffer sexual assaults and harassment from their male counterparts. Col. Janis Karpinski has stood by her statement that three female soldiers who died of dehydration in 2003 did not survive because they refused to walk to the latrines after dark for fear of physical attacks. (Salon)
Officials Received Memos For Discussing Climate Change
“Internal memorandums circulated in the Alaskan division of the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service appear to require government biologists or other employees traveling in countries around the Arctic not to discuss climate change, polar bears or sea ice if they are not designated to do so.” (The New York Times)
Gates Defends Closed Gitmo Hearings
“Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on Wednesday defended a Pentagon decision to hold secret hearings for 14 suspected terrorists transferred to Guantanamo Bay last year, despite the fact that similar proceedings have been held in open session. The decision, announced earlier this week, represents a change in administration policy and was criticized by former military lawyers and human rights organizations.” (The Los Angeles Times)
No Motion For Pelosi On Jefferson Raid
“House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has decided against filing a motion with a federal appeals court objecting to last year’s FBI raid on Rep. William Jefferson’s Capitol Hill office, according to Democratic insiders. FBI agents, armed with a search warrant from a federal judge, conducted an unprecedented search on Jefferson’s office in the House Rayburn Office Building on May 20.” (The Politico)
Feds Want Gag on DC Madam
“Federal prosecutors want to gag an indicted former Washington, D.C. madam who has recently threatened to go public with details about her former customers. In a motion filed Monday in U.S. District Court, investigators are seeking a protective order covering discovery material to be provided to Deborah Palfrey and her lawyers.” (The Smoking Gun)
