February 16, 2007
More support for the troops ...
... Bush Administration style.
I have a good deal of sympathy with Hilzoy's Inner John Yoo in terms of what to do about this. But there are more subtle means of extraordinary interrogation. Any or all of Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Government Reform, and Appropriations (in either house) could have the relevant officials up to testify once a week until the problem is fixed. If they don't come voluntarily, subpoena them.
Start at the SES level, and when those folks say "We can't fix it; it's above our pay-grade," then summons first the Deputy Assistant Secretaries, then the Assistant Secretaries, and so on. Within a month you have Gates and DVA Secretary Jim Nicholson on the carpet.
I'm betting you wouldn't have to have them on the carpet twice.
Note that there's no policy issue here, no hidden plutocrat/theocrat/ neocon agenda, not even any corruption. Nothing but incompetence, indifference to the suffering of others, and bureaucratic small-mindedness. That's one of the problems with putting into power a party that believes that all public employees are worthless scum: they're likely to fulfill their own prophecy.
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