This morning, marmar posted an article earlier today from The Texas Observer via Alternet concerning the 2005 death ("suicide") in Iraq of Col. Ted Westhusing. Something that everyone seems to have overlooked (since the article didn't get any recommendations and only one response) is that Henry Waxman is apparently looking into the case. I'd thought I'd post this information again. Apology if is old news. - H'spit

Two other factors led me to look into the story again: First, some members of Westhusing's family -- in particular his mother, Terry Clark -- refuse to believe that the career Army officer, who was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head at Camp Dublin on June 5, 2005, took his own life.

Second, the curiosities about Westhusing's death are getting attention on Capitol Hill. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, chaired by California Democrat Rep. Henry Waxman, has interviewed members of Westhusing's family and some of the investigators who met with Westhusing in Iraq in 2005. A spokesperson for the committee confirmed that it is "looking into the matter."

There are many reasons why Westhusing's story has attracted so much attention. At the time of his death (he was 44), he was the highest-ranking American soldier to die in Iraq. His résumé was stellar. Born in Dallas, he went to grade school in La Porte and later attended high school in Jenks, Oklahoma, where he was a National Merit Scholar. From there he went to West Point. As an underclassman, he was his company's honor representative on the cadet committee. In 1983, during his senior year, he was selected as the honor captain for the whole school, a position that made him the highest-ranking ethics official in the cadet corps. He graduated third in his class. He went to Ranger and Airborne schools and did stints in Italy, South Korea, and Honduras. He learned to speak Russian and Italian. He earned a doctorate in philosophy and was one of the Army's foremost experts on military ethics. Before volunteering to go to Iraq, he was a professor at West Point.

Aside from his pedigree, Westhusing was also close to the seat of power. When he was in Iraq, Westhusing worked for one of the most famous generals in the U.S. military, David Petraeus, who at the time was head of the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq. Petraeus has since gained another star on his uniform (he now has four) and has become the commander of all U.S. forces in Iraq.

Westhusing's job in Iraq was to oversee the training of Iraqi security forces. As part of that effort, he was also charged with overseeing the work of military contractors. The ongoing stench of corruption from various military contractors has led to numerous investigations and indictments. It has also fueled suspicions that Westhusing met with foul play. Adding yet more curiosity to the story is that when Westhusing died, he had only about a month left before his tour of duty in Iraq was scheduled to end.

- snip -

In one May 14, 2005, e-mail that was recently provided to me by his mother, Westhusing wrote, "Dear moms -- My boss is an idiot." It isn't clear if Westhusing is referring to Petraeus or another commander he worked under, Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil. The e-mail continues, saying that he will "keep working it ... impossible as it may be." Two days later, he wrote again, saying, "Very small dingy dear moms in a rough, endless sea." On May 29, another e-mail to his mother: "I am getting into fights with everyone. No support, trying to take my contractor away, investigations, etc. I will stick to my guns ... Love you. May call tonight if able. No worries. Don't stick around because no guarantees."

MORE

Anything we can do to help bring Justice in his suspicious death is an honor.

Sorry I didn't see it previously, Hissyspit. KR.

Background:

Know your BFEE: They kill good soldiers like Col. Ted Westhusing for profit...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x126094

I didn't see the other post. Glad Waxman is looking into the matter. Hope the truth comes out.

and one of my biggest disappointments. He has IGNORED Sibel Edmonds while leading the charge against Roger Clemons, then apologizing because he KNEW it was a bullshit waste of time. :wtf:
Anyone with half a brain KNOWS the circumatances of Col. Ted's demise make ya go hmmm... But will even a finding that he was MURDERED bring *Co to justice? I DON'T THINK SO. Just another way to run out the clock.

INDICT. IMPEACH. IMPRISON.

Everything else ist nur Schrott.

Definitely a stinky big disappointment.

for attention. His investigations lead to nothing.