"The news was never created to be informative."

au contraire. The news is set up to inform - but only the RIGHT "information". The news is all about FRAMING. Google George Lakoff for an understnding of FRAMING and how it controls all thought in the USA.

When it comes to "investigative journalism" in the USA; it almost doesn't exist. At least compared to the good old days of MUCKRAKING.

You may find it hard to believe; but VANITY FAIR does the best investigative journalism of any publication in the USA.

Blackstone Capital Partners LP should think about acquiring Iraq. They would fix it up and turn it around into a profitable, efficient organization.

OK, instead of installing cameras on possible terrorist targets, lets put them on possible government swindle targets.

Or,

How much has gotten into the hands of insurgents and Al Queda, Syria and Iran?

And how much of that has been used to purchase weapons and bullets to be used against our troops.

Or how much is being used in planning future terrorist activities. Heck of a Job Rummy!!!!!

The currency was in the form of paper bills and coins, was it?
How much was the total amount?
What was the total weigh of the bills and coins?

...thanks

Is the Iraq government presently using American currency?

I mean why the hell was it cash!! The obvious is when cash is demanded and paid out (and unmarked no less) where do you hear this kind of deal, usually? In cases involving serious organized crime deals or sleazy business dealers who themselves are "organized" criminal. And the media haven't even gone into investigating this until these two gentlemen.

ho-hum..
wasn't this covered by gregg palast and larry beinhart ..oh wait this america we don't get news just freedom, 911, and support our troops...

Where do we think the money went? To those fat, puffy faced government ministers with their expensive suits we see on the news. Every time the Iraqi PM or President appears they're fatter and puffier than the last time. It's pretty disgusting to think that our government even allows that but are we to be surprised by that too!!!

Yes I hear you. I just think it's funny that Vanity Fair of all publications shows up on NPR
to talk about war spending...I mean come on!

@1) Why do you even think mainstream media is even important?
The news was never created to be informative. News was made to be a filler between tv shows. Then they realized everyone believes the box and now they control our airwaves and fill it with junk.
Mark Twain said "Those who do not read the news are uninformed, those who do, are misinformed."
Unless mankind has another mental enlightening, we will always be stuck under the thumbs of pirates who consider us unimportant number, not human.

Why does the mainstream media never discuss the fact that the Iraq war is an illegal war? Yet it's a priority when Government spends and in the news.
Also, Iraqi civilan fatalities are never brought up, yet it's estimated that over 1 million Iraqis have died as a result of the US occupation. The US people don't want this war yet our taxes are going to it. Why doesn't the media cover that angle?