Subject: Absurd? Yes, but there's a silver lining
From: "Danielle Brian, Project On Government Oversight" <[email-masked]>
To: John Podesta <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2015 11:11:01 -0600

Project On Government Oversight
http://getinvolved.pogo.org/site/R?i=MuPwlNOR9jWXwTAds6sBlw
*************

Dear John,

In recent months our work has been getting a lot of attention on
the Internet. It's not surprising when you consider some of the
outrageous things we've been writing about. There was the gas
station that the Department of Defense built in Afghanistan that
cost $43 million ( http://getinvolved.pogo.org/site/R?i=_lBSIOIqaxDiBdO-y3o_xA )--about $42.5 million over budget. And then there was the $150
million the DoD spent in Afghanistan to rent lavish private
villas ( http://getinvolved.pogo.org/site/R?i=XjqRs1T7xxVxqRvNvS5jrg ) for contractors and special visitors.

You can't make this stuff up.

And while it's easy to get outraged or even laugh at the
absurdity of these boondoggles, we also realize there's a silver
lining in it all. These questionable expenditures were uncovered
by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.

Oversight works.

However, the flip side is that when Inspector General vacancies
linger or the wrong people are put in charge, it can have serious
consequences. That's one reason we're not sorry to see DoD
Inspector General Jon Rymer resign. As we told Rymer on our blog:
"Don't let the revolving door hit you on the way out ( http://getinvolved.pogo.org/site/R?i=48-e8GR3O3TRu5Of5rlBAQ )."

All of this brings me back to one of the things we're most proud
of here at the Project On Government Oversight--a database we
created in 2002 that tracks misconduct by federal contractors.

We call it the Federal Contractor Misconduct Database ( http://getinvolved.pogo.org/site/R?i=0BO-D4v7dIlqLVxOQx_8cA ) and we recently
re-launched a new and improved version of it, which makes it even
easier for investigative journalists, nonprofit watchdogs, and
the general public to keep tabs on contractors who break the
rules.

But keeping tabs on bad contractors is just part of the equation.
We are also working with lawmakers to craft reforms to lessen the
undue influence industry has on government officials. By pushing
for laws that limit the revolving door and increase transparency,
we're helping build a more ethical and accountable government.

As the year comes to an end, I want to thank you for your
continued support; it makes what we do--exposing wasteful spending
and corruption, while also exploring solutions--possible.

Sincerely,

Danielle Brian
Executive Director

*************
POGO | 1100 G Street NW, Suite 500 | Washington, DC 20005 | 202.347.1122

Donate
http://getinvolved.pogo.org/site/R?i=P-tdWQGCABHvXZfOeh-jxw

Unsubscribe
http://getinvolved.pogo.org/site/CO?i=unPd2Q8LJ12fSXvoxVLtjbYji1egafpU&cid=1022