Watchdog Says Government Tried to Silence Him

[Dusty]

More scandal and nefarious undertakings, IMO. IG can't do his job due to interference.

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/0...him-91110.html

The watchdog who tracks the billions of taxpayer dollars spent to rebuild Afghanistan says government officials have tried to silence him because they think he's embarrassing the White House and Afghan President Hamid Karzai by pointing out the waste and fraud.

John Sopko, the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction, used a speech at the New America Foundation on Wednesday to blast government “bureaucrats”' who have told him to stop publicizing damning audits that detail case after case of waste, corruption and mismanagement of rebuilding efforts in Afghanistan. Some government officials have even complained that they aren't allowed to pre-screen or edit his reports, he said.

“Since my appointment by the president last summer, I have been surprised to learn how many people both in and out of the government do not understand the role of an independent inspector general,” Sopko said.

The Pentagon did not address Sopko’s remarks about pre-screening, but it endorsed his role keeping watch over the Afghanistan effort.

“We value inputs from independent oversight, including from inspectors-general, who play a key role in advancing the missions of the Department of Defense,” said press secretary George Little.

Even so, Sopko slammed the government for what he called a hostile attitude toward his work.

“Over the last 10 months, I have been criticized by some bureaucrats for not pre-clearing my press releases with them, for not letting them edit the titles of my audits, for talking too much to Congress, for talking too much to the press … and, basically, for not being a 'team player' and undermining 'our country’s mission in Afghanistan,'” he said.

“Many in our government, even some surprisingly senior officials you think would know better, seem to believe that an inspector general should be their partner — or, more correctly, their silent partner,” he said. “In their opinion, my reports should be slipped in a sealed envelope in the dead of night under the door — never to see the light of day — because those reports could embarrass the administration, embarrass President Karzai, embarrass Afghanistan.”

Sopko said he wanted to make it clear that he wants Afghanistan to succeed and his work isn't meant to embarrass anyone.

“I support the mission in Afghanistan,” he said. “That is why I accepted the appointment. We must defeat the terrorists hiding in Afghanistan and build up an Afghan government capable of ensuring that Afghanistan will never again become a safe haven for those who want to harm the United States.”

Since taking office last July, Sopko has increased the number of audits and investigations threefold. His office has made 73 recommendations to government agencies that he says would save at least $450 million if enacted.

Sopko defended his aggressive oversight of billions of taxpayer dollars being spent in Afghanistan, saying he's just trying to do the right thing.

“I am not a cheerleader. I’m a watchdog — it is my job to point out what isn’t working, so it can be fixed. To do it any other way is to just muddle along and then nothing will change,” he said.

Snip

[Trapper John]

Originally Posted by Dusty

More scandal and nefarious undertakings, IMO. IG can't do his job due to interference.

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/0...him-91110.html

The watchdog who tracks the billions of taxpayer dollars spent to rebuild Afghanistan says government officials have tried to silence him because they think he's embarrassing the White House and Afghan President Hamid Karzai by pointing out the waste and fraud.

John Sopko, the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction, used a speech at the New America Foundation on Wednesday to blast government “bureaucrats”' who have told him to stop publicizing damning audits that detail case after case of waste, corruption and mismanagement of rebuilding efforts in Afghanistan. Some government officials have even complained that they aren't allowed to pre-screen or edit his reports, he said.

“Since my appointment by the president last summer, I have been surprised to learn how many people both in and out of the government do not understand the role of an independent inspector general,” Sopko said.

The Pentagon did not address Sopko’s remarks about pre-screening, but it endorsed his role keeping watch over the Afghanistan effort.

“We value inputs from independent oversight, including from inspectors-general, who play a key role in advancing the missions of the Department of Defense,” said press secretary George Little.

Even so, Sopko slammed the government for what he called a hostile attitude toward his work.

“Over the last 10 months, I have been criticized by some bureaucrats for not pre-clearing my press releases with them, for not letting them edit the titles of my audits, for talking too much to Congress, for talking too much to the press … and, basically, for not being a 'team player' and undermining 'our country’s mission in Afghanistan,'” he said.

“Many in our government, even some surprisingly senior officials you think would know better, seem to believe that an inspector general should be their partner — or, more correctly, their silent partner,” he said. “In their opinion, my reports should be slipped in a sealed envelope in the dead of night under the door — never to see the light of day — because those reports could embarrass the administration, embarrass President Karzai, embarrass Afghanistan.”

Sopko said he wanted to make it clear that he wants Afghanistan to succeed and his work isn't meant to embarrass anyone.

“I support the mission in Afghanistan,” he said. “That is why I accepted the appointment. We must defeat the terrorists hiding in Afghanistan and build up an Afghan government capable of ensuring that Afghanistan will never again become a safe haven for those who want to harm the United States.”

Since taking office last July, Sopko has increased the number of audits and investigations threefold. His office has made 73 recommendations to government agencies that he says would save at least $450 million if enacted.

Sopko defended his aggressive oversight of billions of taxpayer dollars being spent in Afghanistan, saying he's just trying to do the right thing.

“I am not a cheerleader. I’m a watchdog — it is my job to point out what isn’t working, so it can be fixed. To do it any other way is to just muddle along and then nothing will change,” he said.

Snip

Totally consistent with this Administration' MO at every level. I'm telling you, Bro, these are the seeds of the Administration's destruction. It's happened before, it's happening now, and it will happen again. Bring it on!

[Dusty]

Not sure I'd phrase it in exactly that manner, Bro.

[Trapper John]

Originally Posted by Dusty

Not sure I'd phrase it in exactly that manner, Bro.

Let clarify: Before = Fast & Furious, Now = Benghazi, Again = ??

Bring it on - means evidence to this kind of behavior in this Administration sets up a pattern of behavior and in the context of Benghazi we do not have mere incompetence, we have intent, and that spells trouble with capital T. Yes, and we have Trouble right here in River City!

Can we say "High Crimes and Misdemeanors" ?

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Trapper John

Let clarify: Before = Fast & Furious, Now = Benghazi, Again = ??

Bring it on - means evidence to this kind of behavior in this Administration sets up a pattern of behavior and in the context of Benghazi we do not have mere incompetence, we have intent, and that spells trouble with capital T. Yes, and we have Trouble right here in River City!

Can we say "High Crimes and Misdemeanors" ?

"WHAT DOES IT MATTER NOW?

[Trapper John]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

"WHAT DOES IT MATTER NOW?

She'll find out! Here's your sign.

[afchic]

Originally Posted by Trapper John

Totally consistent with this Administration' MO at every level. I'm telling you, Bro, these are the seeds of the Administration's destruction. It's happened before, it's happening now, and it will happen again. Bring it on!

Somehow I have a feeling this has been going on for a LONG time, and very well will predate current POTUS term in office.

[SF18C]

Originally Posted by afchic

Somehow I have a feeling this has been going on for a LONG time, and very well will predate current POTUS term in office.

But this guy and his crew get to use the MSM to help do their dirty work!

[Trapper John]

Originally Posted by afchic

Somehow I have a feeling this has been going on for a LONG time, and very well will predate current POTUS term in office.

Sure 'nuff! But this Administration has just taken it to a whole new level -remember "No Drama Obama"? Now we know why and how.

[badshot]

First these morons should really stop pretending to be religious..The Truth really will set you free; it also requires less work.

Have someone translate the damn book if you don't understand it...include the Constitution too as it would seem they quite didn't get parts of that either.

[Stiletto11]

Check out this vidt: http://vimeo.com/63749370

No tin foil hat just a hard look at what's been going on.

[badshot]

Originally Posted by Stiletto11

Check out this vidt: http://vimeo.com/63749370

No tin foil hat just a hard look at what's been going on.

Excellent!
You may find the following link insightful
http://users.misericordia.edu//davies/thomas/Trans.htm