over·sight

Pronunciation: \ˈō-vər-ˌsīt\
Function: noun
Date: 15th century

1 a: watchful and responsible care
b: regulatory supervision <congressional oversight>

The Shays Definition of "Oversight":

Chris Shays' "oversight" of Blackwater CEO Eric Prince (10/2/07):

Chris Shays' "oversight" of Sec. of State Condoleezza Rice (10/18/07):

Chris Shays' "oversight" of Former Defense Sec. Donald Rumsfeld on the death of Pat Tillman (8/1/07):

Chris Shays' "oversight" of GSA Administrator Lurita Doan (6/13/07):

Chris Shays' "oversight" of the families of Blackwater contractors killed in Fallujah (2/7/07):

Watch The Video

Chris Shays serves on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. But instead of using his position to actually conduct oversight of private security contractors in Iraq and ask the tough questions that his job demands, he has been using it to relentlessly defend the Bush Administration and effusively praise witnesses like the CEO of Blackwater USA:

Contribute Now

Tell Chris Shays that real oversight of the out-of-control Bush Administration means asking tough questions, and not toeing the partisan Republican line.

Help bring real oversight and new leadership to Congress:

Read Jim's Statement on Chris Shays' failure of oversight here.

What Others Are Saying

"...Blackwater and other security contractors are undermining the military’s efforts to win over Iraqis."
- New York Times editorial, 10/3/2007

"We advocate -- no, insist -- on stronger congressional oversight of all outside contractors in Iraq and other war zones.... If Blackwater USA security guards fired without provocation, they should be tried."
- New Canaan News Review editorial, 10/18/2007

"We shouldn't have mercenaries out on the streets doing the kinds of things that Blackwater's been doing."
- Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA), 10/15/2007

"Shays's vigorous defense of the administration in odd-numbered years is emblematic of the solid Republican support Bush has relied on to thwart the efforts of Democrats to limit the war...."
- Dana Milbank, Washington Post, 10/26/2007

Sources

Editorials:

"Blackwater Outside Law in Iraq"
New Haven Register (CT), 10/11/2007

"Blackwater Excess; Private Guards Undermine An Already Compromised Mission"
Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY), 10/11/2007

"Blackwater: Another Black Mark on US Image"
New Canaan News Review (CT), 10/18/2007

"Private military out of control; U.S. security contractors in Iraq must be held accountable"
Chicago Sun-Times, 10/22/2007

"In Iraq war, mercenaries kill credibility"
Atlanta Journal-Contsitution, 10/7/2007

"Excessive Reliance on Private Security Hurts Iraq Effort"
The State (Columbia, SC), 10/11/2007

Congressional Hearings:

"Private Security Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan"
Testimony of Blackwater USA CEO Eric Prince
House Oversight Committee Hearing, 10/2/2007
Full Video

"The State Department and the Iraq War"
Testimony of Sec. of State Condoleezza Rice
House Oversight Committee Hearing, 10/18/2007
Full Video

"The Tillman Fratricide: What the Leadership of the Defense Dept. Knew"
Testimony of Former Sec. of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
House Oversight Committee Hearing, 8/1/2007
Full Video

"Hearing Examines Statements Made by GSA Administrator Doan"
Testimony of Former GSA Administrator Lurita Doan
House Oversight Committee Hearing, 6/13/2007
Full Video

"Iraqi Reconstruction: Reliance on Private Military Contractors"
Testimony of family members of four Blackwater employees killed in Fallujah
House Oversight Committee Hearing, 2/7/2007
Full Video

Other Sources:

"Report: FBI finds 14 Blackwater killings unjustified"
AP, 11/14/2007

"Report: Blackwater 'impeded' probe into contractor deaths"
CNN, 9/27/2007

"Evidence of Tax Evasion by Blackwater"
House Oversight Committtee, 10/22/2007