Military Accidents and Congress: Political Agenda

A story today is about the usual Congressional suspects (Henry Waxman and Democratic company--"Congressional leaders" per the despicable Associated Press) are initiating a CONGRESSIONAL "investigation" into allegedly "at least" 12 electrocution deaths of U.S. soldiers in Iraq over the last FIVE YEARS.  The story also makes much of a wrongful death suit in one recent death against private contractor KBR.  WHY are these particular accidental deaths a subject of a Congressional "investigation", and a major AP "news" story, while so many others are not?  This sentence fromt he story may give you a clue:

"The company was formerly owned by Halliburton Co., the oil services conglomerate once led by Vice President Cheney".

The above sentence tells you all ou need to know about the agenda behind this story.  Yes, it probably explains the Congessional investigation.  It certainly explains the despicable Associated Press, acting in its dual role as a pulic relations agent for Democrats in Congress and public relations agent for terrrorists. 

Does Obama know about this "divisive" attempt to "investigate" things for political advantage (while the "at least" is ridiculous, I do think that 12 electrocution deaths might be grounds for a MILITARY investigation, as should be conducted into any accidental death of a soldier--depending on the PERSPECTIVE--a word lunknown to the despicable AP-- of how many soldiers have been electrocuted THROUGHOUT THE MILITARY).

"Guilt by association" and innuendo anyone (read the above stupid first sentence carefully)?

This story actually has absolutely nothign to do with Iraq.   MANY soldiers die accidentally in the military.  During the Clinton years in the f990's, one analysis showed that 1,000 soldiers a YEAR were dying in accidents.   WHY are accidental deaths in Iraq MORE important (not that they are not all important for the military to look at)  tjam accodemtal deaths outside of Iraw.  The ONLY explanation is political agenda. 

For example, I was engaged in field exercises (circa 1970 at Ft. Bliss--McGregor range) as an enlisted man in the United States Army.  I was in an army jeep speeding along as part of the traineing exercise.  The jeep hit soft sand heading into a stream crossing.  I went flying out of the open back of the jeep (no injury).  The jeep flipped over and landed upside down in the stream, with two soldiers UNDERNEATH.  Amazlingly enough, when we flipped the jeep back over, no one was hurt.  But soldiers could have died. I was aware of MANY instances where soldiers died in training accidents (being run over by tanks/APC's etc.--not to mention grenade accidents in basic training or otherwise).  Soldiers DIE in accidents in the military (not a safe occupation).  Congress has no business continually "investigating" these accidents, especially to advance a political agenda. 

The military can be a dagerous place for soldiers, even if they are not in combat.  Further, the military can't be paralyzed by overly intrusive interference/"investigation" as to every military death and/or decision.  Sure, there are some things that need to be looked at because they are so importatn.  But this Democrat idea that political agenda is enought o harass the military at every opportunity is destructive to the military being able to make decisions without continual fear of someone looking over their shoulders.  

WHY is the lawsuit mentioned in this story (the story might almost be regarded as promoting the lawsuit) against a private Contractor, and not the U.S. government?  Well, the congractor MIGHT be the main entity "at fault"--remember that the standard here is the same kind of NEGLIGENCE that gets you sued if you hit someone from behind in an automobile.

But there is something called the "Feres Doctrine" (referring to Supreme Court case which endorsed the doctrine).  Under that doctrine, active duty members of the military (or families of deceased members) CANNOT sue the U.S. government for negligence.  You can see why, and this story illustrates it.  It would completely destroy military discipline and effectiveness if every soldier's injury or death were a potential lawsuit.  The Feres Doctrine is the best rule the Supreme Court ever announced/endorsed.  Otherwise, leftists would be attempting to use lawsuits to destroy the U.S. military (not to mention the natural grief and distress of families and the injured).

Democrats in Congress, of course, do not CARE about destroying the effectiveness of the military (or CIA) with endless "investigations.  Too bad.