"No money" for workers, but -- no oversight of battlefield 'bags of cash' in Iraq, Afghanistan

[Hannah Bell]

The GI's weapon of choice in Iraq: dollars ()


Last year commanders had $1.2 billion of cash at their disposal – funds to buy soccer balls, to hire locals, or to fix hospital roofs, often carried in bags by a soldier designated as the "money man." The Defense Department program, long the envy of many a diplomat, is seen as an effective tool in a counterinsurgency environment, giving commanders the authority to spend money in the local economy to quickly make a difference.

Gen. David Petraeus, head of US Central Command, calls these purses “the most important authority.” But the funds, known as the Commander’s Emergency Response Program, or CERP, often flow like water and with little oversight.

Congress has had its eye on the program for years and, though aware of the need to give commanders flexibility, has been unable to determine how well the money was being spent. Now, as lawmakers mull over the current defense budget – $708 billion plus an additional $33 billion war funding request – Congress is getting interested again.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2010/0326/Oversight-sought-for-battlefield-bags-of-cash-in-Iraq-Afghanistan?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+feeds%2Fusa+%28Christian+Science+Monitor+|+USA%29&utm_content=Twitter


golly, they're "interested". how nice.

[Starry Messenger]

1. Where's the call for "accountability"?

Or is the a-word only for civilians?

[leftstreet]

2. K&R

Interesting read

[Ex Lurker]

3. I have a cousin who got hooked on gambling

I don't think he gambles any more, but I'm not totally sure. Anyway, several years ago, he owed thousands in gambling debts with no way to pay them, so he joined the army. He had a business background, so they assigned him to the Finance Corps, and gave him the job of--wait for it--carrying those bags of cash around and handing them out. A compulsive gambler. True story.

[upi402]

4. sure wish we had the Democratic Party back, huh? n/t

[maryf]

5. How much of these costs was for soccer balls?

Cost of U.S. Wars Since 2001
$976,461,365,445
See the cost to your community at www.costofwar.com
Cost of War in Iraq
$714,382,802,888
See the cost to your community at www.costofwar.com
Cost of War in Afghanistan
$262,078,562,770
See the cost to your community at www.costofwar.com

Getting awfully close to a trillion for these "wars"...K&R