Jan Schakowsky, Bernie Sanders push to phase out wartime contractors

By GottaLaff

Long overdue:

Democratic Representative Jan Schakowsky and Independent Senator Bernie Sanders said they planned to introduce the "Stop Outsourcing Security Act" on Tuesday.

"The legislation would restore the responsibility of the American military to train troops and police, guard convoys, repair weapons, administer military prisons, and perform military intelligence," their offices said.

"The bill also would require that all diplomatic security be undertaken by US government personnel," they said.

While they're at it, how about including mandatory prison terms for all those Blackwater thugs?

Reports: Blackwater is "protecting" in Haiti

By GottaLaff

For those readers who aren't on Twitter, this comes to us via Jeremy Scahill:


Nice. Good. This should go a long way to improve their image. Why not just send Karl Rove out to defend President Obama's policies while they're at it?

And these thugs are on the government payroll why again? Oh, wait. I know. Our military is stretched tighter than Joan River's face.

Meanwhile, on his web site, Jeremy reports the welcome news that Jan Schakowsky is preparing legislation to ban Blackwater:

Schakowsky says Blackwater has “severely damaged the credibility and security of our military and harmed our relationship with other governments” [...]

As multiple scandals involving Blackwater continue to emerge almost daily, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is preparing to introduce legislation aimed at ending the US government’s relationship with Blackwater and other armed contracting companies.

You can read the whole thing, including Schakowsky's letter, here.

And good for her. That's long overdue.

If you need some background on who these criminals are, read my Blackwater for Dummeez primer here.

Jan Schakowsky: "This calls for an investigation... This is serious. This was no accident"

By GottaLaff

Jan Schakowsky is on The Ed Show on MSNBC right now, discussing the CIA deception. Liveblogging:

This calls for an investigation... This is serious. This was no accident, this was a decision by the very top level not to tell Congress about a new operation... This happened right after 9/11... It would be a breach of my oath to tell what's going on, but it's serious enough that after 8 years... [then she went off on something else]

This is one of 3 serious breaches since I've been on the Intel Committee where the CIA lied or misled the U.S.

Pelosi said there were regular misleadings of the Congress. Members from both sides of the aisle have been outraged.

Of course, now Rep. Mike Rogers (R) of the Intel Committee is downplaying this, and scoffing.

Ed then asked what Leon Panetta is talking about then...?

Rogers:

A program, in concept, started in 2001... [then says he doesn't know everything]. ... Yes, I'd be in favor of an investigation... Reyes slipped a letter under the door that said, "I have determined that the CIA lied..." [paraphrased] So we need more questions answered.

Ed: The Chairman says CIA lied, you aren't...?

Rogers:

It's convenient that it happened now, using Pelosi's words. We should have more respect for them. We've been briefed on more impactful programs than this one was...

Jack Rice, former CIA:

The CIA didn't give all the info, then gave false info. The real question is who drove this? Someone at head of CIA? At White House? In Congress? ... It's about tranparency and accuracy.

Cheney has been very vocal and visible lately.

Rice:

Interesting that NOW he wants all this transparency. Let's investigtate.

Yes, let's. Thoroughly and openly. And this time, let's not get bullied into submission.

Rep. Danny Davis as Obama's Senate replacement?

By GottaLaff

Hint, hint:

A slip of the tongue from Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) is fueling speculation that Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) could be chosen as President-elect Barack Obama’s replacement in the Senate.

Blagojevich referred to Davis as “senator,” according to the Associated Press. The lawmaker has expressed an interest in the position and the governor said Davis would make a great senator.

Other members of the Illinois delegation are also hopeful to be appointed. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has been very vocal in expressing his interest in the seat. Democratic Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Luis Gutierrez have also been mentioned as possible Obama replacements and have received calls from Blagojevich about the slot.

So much speculation, so little time.