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State to Blackwater: I Think We Should See Other Contractors
Douglas Feith once reportedly quipped that the State Department should be called the Department of Nice. To Blackwater, however, it might be better termed the Department of Passive-Aggressive. According to the AP, State won't exactly ask Blackwater to leave Iraq, but in true awkward-breakup fashion, it's indicating that Blackwater should get out if it wants to do the honorable thing:
Blackwater's work escorting U.S. diplomats outside the protected Green Zone in Baghdad expires in May, one [State Department] official said, and other officials told The Associated Press they expect the North Carolina company will not continue to work for the embassy after that.It is likely that Blackwater does not compete to keep the job, one official said. Blackwater probably will not be fired outright or even "eased out," the official added, but there is a mutual feeling that the Sept. 16 shooting deaths mean the company cannot continue in its current role.
Blackwater spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell responded, "We will follow the lead of our client. If they want us to stay we will stay. If they want us to leave we will do so." Translated from the contractor-speak, that's "Fine. Be that way."
I know there just waiting for Bush to say "Heck-of-a-job Blackwater" before they get out of dodge.
October 18, 2007 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
And once they are out, I give it one month before the first Blackwater-related murder at home. Thugs are thugs wherever they are.
October 18, 2007 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
And once they are out, I give it one month before the first Blackwater-related murder at home. Thugs are thugs wherever they are.
October 18, 2007 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Blackwater won't leave.... unless they get to keep the money in the contracts AND leave.
Nothing brings a neocons heart above absolute zero like the smell of money.
October 18, 2007 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Let's be honest: The Foreign Service and the State Department are trying to prove that U.S. diplomats are really risking their lives in places like Iraq.
Without wishing ill on anyone, what better way to make the point than to see Blackwater's replacement lose a principal [protected person]?
Both Blackwater and the State Department are in a very difficult position. It's been known for quite some time that Blackwater's aggressiveness, while perhaps essential to its perfect record of protection of American diplomats in Iraq, is also alienating Iraqis and not helping overall U.S. Government "big picture" efforts in Iraq.
Now, it's finally become clear to the MSM, and therefore to State Department leadership, that the status quo cannot continue. It's time to make a decision, and, apparently, Blackwater's contract won't be renewed.
This is not a serious problem; just send them to Darfur.
October 18, 2007 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Crunch - Do you know who these security contractors are? They mostly are decorated military vets, many with law enforcement backgrounds as well. Yes there are a few bad apples, but overall, they are a very patriotic and dedicated group, each willing to give their lives protecting another person. Are you?
They also will stand and defend your right to express your opinion, no matter how uninformed it may be, because they belive in what this country stands for. Are willing to give your life for what you believe or just run your keyboard?
October 18, 2007 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
These same thugs will just hire on to Blackwater's replacement group.
la plus ca change, le meme chose.
October 18, 2007 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
These same thugs will just hire on to Blackwater's replacement group.
la plus ca change, le meme chose.
October 18, 2007 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well I do know who the mercenaries ( they are NOT security contractors) are and the "few bad apples" is a load of BS.
Victor, go back to freepland, this forum is for the informed not the LOUD.
"They will also stand and defend your right to express your opinion"
That sir would be the US Military, not the Hessians. Blackwater is loyal to the self, company then the mission. They are under NO obligation to defend the constitution in ANY way, that's what the problem is.
Remember that it was Blackwater mercenaries consfigating firearms after Katrina. How can ignoring the 2nd amendment be supporting what this country stands for?
Oh that's right the Blackwater mercenaries deployed in New Orleans were multi ethnic (Israeli & Colombian) and not American citizens.
October 18, 2007 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Karl,
State's mission in Iraq is failing. Blackwater is just today's convenient excuse for that failure.
It's driving me bonkers that no one in either the press or Congress seems to realise that they need to ask:
1. What is the mission of the State Department in Iraq?
2. Are the goals of that mission attainable?
Because duh, the obvious answer to the second can be deduced from State's reliance on paramilitary security forces just to go get a coffee.
Frankly, I'm sick and tired of hearing about Blackwater when State is sinking in a quagmire of the White House's creation.
But hey, let's all ignore the flaming failure of State's mission in Iraq and focus all eyes on the shiny penny called Blackwater.
October 18, 2007 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Victor Blum:
You are missing the point, they USED to be decorated, honorable soldiers. Now they are paid mercenaries. If it was really an altruistic motive to protect others they would have stayed in the military. No, they are using their military experience and training to be well paid hotdogs.
The problem is that is hurts our image as a nation and is a dangerous precedent. Let BushCo build a private army and it can be used CONUS on innocent civilians.
Wild conspiracy theory? It was already tested in New Orleans:
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/091005A.shtml
"Blackwater Mercenaries Deploy in New Orleans
By Jeremy Scahill and Daniela Crespo
t r u t h o u t | Report
Saturday 10 September 2005
New Orleans - Heavily armed paramilitary mercenaries from the Blackwater private security firm, infamous for their work in Iraq, are openly patrolling the streets of New Orleans. Some of the mercenaries say they have been "deputized" by the Louisiana governor; indeed some are wearing gold Louisiana state law enforcement badges on their chests and Blackwater photo identification cards on their arms. They say they are on contract with the Department of Homeland Security and have been given the authority to use lethal force. Several mercenaries we spoke with said they had served in Iraq on the personal security details of the former head of the US occupation, L. Paul Bremer and the former US ambassador to Iraq, John Negroponte"
The last thing I want to see is Blackwater running free to "protect" us here in the U.S. We used to have a National Guard for that. Those are honorable people. Giving up their daily life to be called up to protect others. Now Bush has them deployed, overworked in his WOT with no end and no game plan and is trying to convince us that a mercenary for hire army is needed to fill the gap. It isn't, either in Iraq or here at home.
Let the Diplomatic Protective Service hire those ex-service members to protect the State Dept. We don't need to allow private armies to be created with our tax dollars for that cause.
October 18, 2007 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Blackwater is moving on to bigger and better things.
http://majikthise.typepad.com/majikthise_/2007/10/dod-awards-15-b.html
October 18, 2007 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Blackwater is moving on to bigger and better things.
http://majikthise.typepad.com/majikthise_/2007/10/dod-awards-15-b.html
October 18, 2007 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Crunch - Do you know who these security contractors are? They mostly are decorated military vets, many with law enforcement backgrounds as well. Yes there are a few bad apples, but overall, they are a very patriotic and dedicated group, each willing to give their lives protecting another person. Are you?
They also will stand and defend your right to express your opinion, no matter how uninformed it may be, because they belive in what this country stands for. Are willing to give your life for what you believe or just run your keyboard?"
No killing for profit. Period. That's why we have the military. If they are so patriotic and willing to help, why do we have to pay them so much? They're no different than any other profiteers who use their connections after they leave the government for their own personal gain. I don't want them defending me. I'm asshamed to be associated with mercenaries, regardless of their pedigree.
October 18, 2007 3:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
"If they are so patriotic and willing to help, why do we have to pay them so much?"
What right do you have to question someone else's patriotism? Knock it off. Your attitude is right up there with people who believe teachers should get paid jack sh*t because they "love their jobs."
Military service is NOT a license to a life time of indentured servitude just to prove one's "patriotism." Whether you like it or not, a contractor has just as much right to pursue a well-paying job as anyone else.
If you want to complain about oversight and accountability, take it to Congress who have grossly ignored this issue FOR YEARS.
October 18, 2007 10:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anytime that anyone points a finger, there are three pointing right back at you. Instead of writing in the safe confines of what you laughingly call a "forum", you all should be marching in open rebellion on Washington.
Once you come face to face with these contractors, the light of enlightenment will shine forth and your true enemy, their masters,will be revealed.
But it is already too late for any of us.
October 19, 2007 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink