Four Senators called for the removal of the Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction today in a letter (pdf) to President Obama. What’s really driving this request? Even if answered, serious questions remain about Defense Department management of contractors and legislative oversight.

Karzai Assails Contractors’ “Mafia” Ties & Their Links to Terrorism, Amanpour Ignores Elephant — by NormanB (“Deviations from the Norm”)

The Washington Post’s great investigative series on the top-secret network of govt. and contractors has enraged rightwingers but deserves journalism’s highest prize.

On Monday it’s expected that the Washington Post will debut a series by Dana Priest on military contractors, with an emphasis on intelligence contracting. We’ve known for some time there are far more contractors than troops, that we don’t know the exact number — which makes for a lot of interesting questions.

Karzai Heroin Kills 250,000th American; Obama & Clinton Praise World’s Deadliest Druglord — by NormanB (“Deviations from the Norm”)

Republicans in the Senate are throwing a hissy fit over health reform, using all kinds of obscure rules to block any business from getting done. Their latest tactic is to force adjournment of all Senate committee hearings after 2 pm, using a little known Senate rule. (Don’t you just love those!)

What does this mean? It’s unlikely Blackwater will get the contract $1 billion to train forces in Afghanistan in the coming weeks, as was expected. But this doesn’t mean Blackwater won’t get the contract eventually – it just delays the process through another round of bids. The Army will design a new contract and solicit new bids, though the administration through the Departments of Defense and State could design the contract themselves if they chose. Blackwater could then bid for the new contract, along with others, and conceivably win.

Previous attempts to hold the Bush Torture Team accountable for ordering illegal and inhumane treatment of detainees have failed. But, thanks to a ruling by Federal Judge Wayne R. Andersen, a suit brought against Former Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld will be allowed to be brought forward. The civil suit, D. Vance and N. Ertel v. Donald Rumsfeld, United States of America and Unidentified Agents will now proceed to discovery and trial.

Blackwater is expected to receive a $1 billion contract in the next few weeks to provide “police training and logistics” in Afghanistan. I personally believe there may be ways to stop Blackwater from getting this contract, and hopefully will have more information to follow up with soon. But even if Blackwater were refused this new contract due to past offenses such as murder or fraud, it won’t solve the underlying issue: Mercenaries should not be performing the functions of our military.

Whoever said one couldn’t have a little fun in a war zone?