Wartime Contracting Panel Seals Records for Next 20 Years

**verus rex** · 10-26-2011, 01:57 PM

Established by Congress to investigate and expose government waste, the Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan has decided to not reveal its volumes of materials to the public for another two decades.

After three years of work, the commission officially shut down last week, having concluded that the U.S. misspent between $31 billion and $60 billion in contracting for services in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But it won't allow its records to be opened for public review at the National Archives until 2031, because some of the documents contain "sensitive information," according to one official.

Steven Aftergood, an expert on government secrecy at the Federation of American Scientists, told The Wall Street Journal that the 20-year term "seems like a long period of time, particularly for a commission whose whole purpose is to improve accountability and expose waste."

AllGov - News - Wartime Contracting Panel Seals Records for Next 20 Years

**journey** · 10-26-2011, 04:30 PM

They are not only hiding waste, but a huge pile of SH"$*/&%"..

**AH1-whiskey** · 10-26-2011, 07:53 PM

those numbers seem a little "LOW" to me.

**conanaca** · 10-27-2011, 05:09 AM

Who are they covering for. Some shifty old cracker who will probably be dead in 20 years.

**Mr_Darkness** · 10-27-2011, 07:56 AM

In 20 years everyone will have forgotten.

**skelthy** · 10-27-2011, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by Mr_Darkness

In 20 years everyone will have forgotten.

That's what I was thinking too....

**Eddie1** · 10-27-2011, 08:06 AM

I read this book a few years ago and it really is an eye opener written by bob shepherd (ex SAS) who has first hand experience in wartime contracting and gives an honest account for what's going on out there by who and why.

The Circuit: An ex-SAS soldier's true account of one of the most powerful and secretive industries spawned by the War on Terror: Amazon.co.uk: Bob Shepherd: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mSL7SDJ7L.@@AMEPARAM@@51mSL7SDJ7L

**sagewillow** · 10-27-2011, 08:56 AM

I am going to jump in here and probably upset some folks. Sorry in advance.

I have second hand knowledge of this situation as my sister and her husband - both Lt. Colonels in the Army - were mayors of Camp Striker and Camp Liberty in the Green zone last year.

While they were stationed there, both were handling outside contractors on a daily basis and I can tell you, there was A LOT of underhanded thievery about, most done by the local contractors but some by out of country groups...numerous countries involved.

I agree with the decision to hold the findings. This is why. In the midst of the contracting, there were members of the CIA, Delta Force, NSA and others mixed in. They had missions and were very involved in what was going on down to breaking the laws in a very blatant manner in order to get secured into their under cover work.

If these records are released now...many operatives will be exposed who are most likely, still undercover. This will pretty much, sign their death warrant. Not cool.

I agree that what is going on over there is criminal but sometimes, the needs of the many out weigh the needs of the other many...if you get my drift.

**AH1-whiskey** · 10-27-2011, 08:58 AM

the records are sealed to prevent ANY current or former congressman or senator from being connected with the graft. and to protect various insiders.

i am sure there would be some big names on the lists, probably of some running for higher office today!