Big Money

The weekend is within sight, but there's a lot of ground to cover between now and then. The first thing that caught my eye, earlier today, was the emailed headline from the Washington Post that caused me to pause and wonder, "why?"  Why are we forced to resort to this?  The answer is obvious.  Shouldn't we just fix the problem, rather than patch it with money?

Army Offers Big Cash To Keep Key Officers

The Army is offering cash bonuses of up to $35,000 to retain young officers serving in key specialties -- including military intelligence, infantry and aviation -- in an unprecedented bid to forestall a critical shortage of officer ranks that have been hit hard by frequent deployments to Iraq and [...]

And, because they don't want to go fight in Iraq, we've been forced to resort to hiring contract labor for security there.  At a premium price.  What do we get for our money?  Lawsuits.  Big ones.

In a First, Blackwater Sued in US Court for Nisour Square Shootings

Families of Nisour Square victims, along with one survivor, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit this morning against Blackwater in federal district court. The suit represents the first time any Iraqi has taken legal action against a private military company working under contract from a U.S. government agency. It will be a watershed moment for private-security contractor law if Judge Reggie Walton (yup, the Scooter Libby judge) allows the lawsuit to proceed. Families of U.S. troops who died in a 2004 Blackwater plane crash in Afghanistan filed a negligence suit, but never before have [...]

Speaking of money (and, I know, this is really taking a roundabout course), it seems Dick Cheney isn't pulling in what he used to make.  At least not on the rubber chicken circuit -

House conservatives stay away from Cheney.

Vice President Cheney, “[o]nce popular enough to charge donors $4,200 for a handshake and a photo,” has become a much less sought-after fundraiser for congressional Republicans, reports the Washington Post. “Almost 10 months into the year, Cheney has headlined one fundraiser for an incumbent House Republican, Rep. Sam Graves (MO),” whereas in 2005, Cheney headlined [...]

And more Americans are finding it impossible to keep up with their home mortgages -

Today's Housing Bubble Post - Foreclosure Filings Double

...And remember, the real wave of ARM resets is yet to come. (ARM resets are adjustable rate mortgages resetting out of their initial, low "teaser" rates to the real interest rate. When this happens mortgage payments can [...]

Tags: Army Recruiting Bonusees, Blackwater, Cheney, Foreclosure

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