Did you know info in the PDB is collected by contractors?

[babylonsister]

The people who throw the Presidental Daily Briefing (PDB) together (remember the one from Aug. 6, 2001, that the dim one, Condi, et al., ignored?) nowadays are outsourced.


http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/07/26/1410253

Outsourcing Intelligence: Author R.J. Hillhouse on How Key National Security Projects Are Contracted to Private Firms


Author R.J. Hillhouse caused a stir in Washington last month when she revealed more than 50 percent of the National Clandestine Service has been outsourced to private firms. Now Hillhouse has exposed private companies are heavily involved in the nation's most important and most sensitive national security document – the President's Daily Brief. And there appears to be few safeguards from preventing corporations from inserting items favorable to itself or its clients into the President's Daily Brief in order to influence the country's national security agenda. "Red alert: Our national security is being outsourced. The most intriguing secrets of the 'war on terror' have nothing to do with al-Qaeda and its fellow travelers. They're about the mammoth private spying industry that all but runs U.S. intelligence operations today... the private spy industry has succeeded where no foreign government has: It has penetrated the CIA and is running the show." Those are the opening lines to a recent article in the Washington Post by R.J Hillhouse, a blogger and novelist who closely tracks the privatization of the nation's intelligence agencies.

According to Hillhouse more than 50 percent of the National Clandestine Service has been outsourced to private firms such as Abraxas, Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. Hillhouse's article in the Washington Post created a firestorm of controversy within the intelligence community. A week later the Office of the Director of National Intelligence responded defending the use of private contractors.

Now Hillhouse has exposed that the reach of these corporations has extended into the Oval Office. Private companies are now heavily involved in creating the analytical products that underlie the nation's most important and most sensitive national security document – the President's Daily Brief. And there appears to be few safeguards from preventing corporations from inserting items favorable to itself or its clients into the President's Daily Brief in order to influence the country's national security agenda.

[MNDemNY]

1. Hard for congress to oversee contractors, now isn't it?

[aquart]

3. So we get our intelligence from people who sell to the highest bidder?

I feel so secure.

[babylonsister]

4. And about 50% of employees in the intelligence community

have 5 years or less experience. Feeling safer yet?:wow:

[atreides1]

7. And others

Have 17 to 22 years of experience, some as civilians and others as members of the US military. One other thing the decision on what information gets seen by the Kennebunkport Cowboy and Dick Vader isn't made by those who collect the information, it's made by government cronies in the WH who try not to upset Georgie with reality.

Most of the contractors are probably more dedicated to their jobs then some government employees, those who collect the information don't have a political agenda or an inter-agency axe to grind, unlike the CIA, DIA, and all of the other agencies.

As for feeling safe, no, but it's not because of the contractors it's because the US military has failed in it's primary mission, when it does finally fulfill its oath, then I'll feel safer.

[Solly Mack]

2. outsourcing intelligence in America

put that way one can understand why I'm laughing

[IChing]

14. Ditto..n/t

[fed-up]

5. no conflict of interest in these reports I suppose.......nt

[NV Whino]

6. Wow! I'm shocked

Not.

[babylonsister]

8. I was stunned, but thanks for adding to the discussion. nt

[NV Whino]

12. Sorry if my flippancy offended you, but

nothing, and I mean nothing, from this misadministration shocks me any more.

[City Lights]

9. It's hard for me to believe this is legal.

:crazy:

I'm wondering where these intelligence gatherers loyalties lie...did they have to take an oath swearing to uphold and defend the Constitution, or did they swear their loyalties to their corporate master?

This really makes me sick!

[babylonsister]

10. That is going to be a major problem; are they answering to their

corporate masters by spreading (mis?)information, or are they doing us all a public service? I have my doubts.

The rush transcript is up now-well worth a read, but it will make your skin crawl.

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/07/26/1410253

[Virginia Dare]

11. Add to that the legal issue when these people get hurt and killed..

there was an article in the Washington Post recently about one of these contractors who is suffering from the disabling effects of a serious wound sustained in Baghdad, with no place to turn for help.

I would suspect you will start seeing class action law suits against the government on behalf of these people.

[Daphne08]

13. That was one of the most chilling stories I've seen in a long

time.

Chilling.

[Solly Mack]

15. It really is chilling

Cheney's energy task force comes to mind...the AEI comes to mind...motives for inserting profit based agendas into the PDB..and other agendas