This article in today's Washington Post, "Translator Who Faked Identity Pleads Guilty To Having Secret Data," raises a number of troubling questions for our counter-terrorism efforts.
First of all, let us start with the way that the government, especially under this administration is apparently determined to privatize as many functions as possible. Why the military does not employ those people who serve vital functions for the United States is disturbing. By allowing private corporations to provide employees for the government creates an unwieldy system that make accountability more elusive. Additionally, because a private company is involved, the individual employee is probably paid less than if he or she worked directly for the government. The privatization of government functions inserts a "middle man" into the process who gets paid for his involvement. This only benefits the contractor and the politicians but does not, in my judgement, enhance our government's ability to attract the best employees, provide them with incentives to do an effective job by providing an opportunity to work towards a government pension by accruing years of service that would be applicable should that employee decide to change jobs within the government.