Blackwater Rent-A-Soldiers to be Indicted?, page 1
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ATS Members have flagged this thread 6 times
Topic started on 16-8-2008 @ 10:56 PM by WyrdeOne
The following is my opinion as a member participating in this discussion.


Link
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors have sent letters to six Blackwater Worldwide security guards, possibly as a prelude to indictments for a shooting incident that killed 17 Iraqi civilians in September, The Washington Post reported in its Sunday editions.

The newspaper, citing three sources close to the case, said prosecutors still are considering evidence after a 10-month FBI investigation of the shooting, which broke out as Blackwater guards escorted a U.S. State Department convoy through Baghdad.


This is interesting.

Could it be that the untouchables down at Blackwater are about to be touched?

I would like to think that this is just the tip of the iceberg, and that once the first handful of indictments are handed down, more will follow.

Maybe we'll even see a trial for those mercenaries who supposedly aided in the Georgian assault on S. Ossetia? Probably not in my lifetime...

I think it would be fair and reasonable to hold mercenaries accountable to the laws of the 'host' country, to the extent that they can be investigated, detained, prosecuted, and sentenced according to the local laws. If you're going to go play cowboy in someone else's backyard, you had damn well better be prepared for consequences. Just my opinion...


As an ATS Staff Member, I will not moderate in threads such as this where I have participated as a member.



reply posted on 17-8-2008 @ 11:04 AM by SpartanKingLeonidas
reply to post by WyrdeOne


You know, WyrdeOne, for a Moderator, you're making the ATS Blackwater Expert look silly by beating him to the story topic.

I was just discussing this particular website with someone from ATS.

It does show that there's a possibility of Blackwater being held accountable for their actions now, but of course we will see. We all know that war is Hell, but when it comes to innocents being killed, there must be an accountibility for actions.

We will of course eventually hear if these men were acting in the line of duty, or over-reacting according to their perceptions of being in a war zone.

Okay, okay WyrdeOne, what do I need to bribe you with, to get you to post something about this on my Blackwater thread in the signature below?

I even submitted it to DIGG for you.

[edit on 17-8-2008 by SpartanKingLeonidas]



reply posted on 17-8-2008 @ 11:16 AM by Illusionsaregrander
Originally posted by WyrdeOne

Could it be that the untouchables down at Blackwater are about to be touched?

I would like to think that this is just the tip of the iceberg, and that once the first handful of indictments are handed down, more will follow.


I absolutely hope so. I hope that indicting them isnt just a ploy to show "See? We arent letting them be above the law, they just didnt do anything that bad." I hope it isnt the mockery of justice, in other words, as is so often the case when big money, lots of power and justice collide.

Originally posted by WyrdeOne
I think it would be fair and reasonable to hold mercenaries accountable to the laws of the 'host' country, to the extent that they can be investigated, detained, prosecuted, and sentenced according to the local laws. If you're going to go play cowboy in someone else's backyard, you had damn well better be prepared for consequences. Just my opinion...


I think mercenaries should be given less protections from prosecution than the average solider in a national army. After all, they have complete freedom to stay or go as they wish, not all soliders do. (Conscription, draft, and in any event once you sign up even freely, you are property of that army) They are mercenaries. They are deliberately profiting from war, not defending their country. They will work for any one who pays them. Since they are profiteers, and loyal to only the $$, I say no one owes them any loyalty either. Let them spin in the breeze if they should end up on the losing side, if some government wants to prosecute them, execute them, etc.

Where lots of money is to be made, particularly when it is made from killing, maiming, etc., I say the risk should be higher as well.


reply posted on 17-8-2008 @ 11:59 AM by DocMoreau
I wonder if there will ever be indictments for those who sent them there in the first place.

It is a shame that we have bankrupted our Grandchildren to pay these mercenaries.

To me, the actions of those who supported the use of Blackwater, and then deployed them, should be tantamount to treason. It destroyed the morale of honorable soldiers (at least the ones I have spoken to), who were getting paid a tenth in salary, but were the main targets in Iraqi public life of the insurgency. Our men and woman died because of the retaliation against Blackwater acts.

If I had my way, every person who has been in the employ of Blackwater (and the other firms much like it) would be required to pay restitution to the American Public. I also think that they should barred from owning any weapons of any kind within the territory of the United States without first passing a psychological battery to see if they are fit for society.

I am sure I will get some military hawk, blowhard type, who tries to call me a liberal or whatever, and that is fine. To each their own. But I have fear for my Children and Grandchildren with paid Mercenaries allowed to walk the streets with impunity. Maybe I wouldn't mind so much if the Current administration didn't trample on the Constitution on the way to tear down Habeas Corpus, and illegally spy on its citizens. I wouldn't fear that my children will be slaughtered by a Blackwater 2.0 on American soil, the same way Iraqi children have been.

What, they look at a GPS and it tells their brain that its not okay to kill at this location? A killer is a killer. And a killer who kills for money, is a danger to everyone, even his master. All someone needs is a few more zeros...

DocMoreau

[edit on 17/8/2008 by DocMoreau]


reply posted on 17-8-2008 @ 12:35 PM by Illusionsaregrander
reply to post by DocMoreau


You bring up fantastic points about how our regular military pays a higher price in blood for the action of these mercenaries.

I am glad you posted it.



reply posted on 17-8-2008 @ 06:47 PM by SpartanKingLeonidas
Originally posted by WyrdeOne

My family has contributed a lot to the military, both in the states and the UK. I was raised to see the honor in sacrifice and appreciate the hardship of soldiering. It's not an easy profession - it demands that you risk your life and your health and your sanity (and that of your family), for little money and little recognition. The decision to sign up to take orders and sublimate your personal desires is a hard one, but noble in a way.

That said, mercenaries are anathema to the ideals of a professional soldier.

I hope they're nailed to the wall.


I understand and agree with what you've said here, WyrdeOne.

I will however state, I understand war, having read, learned, and lived the Art of War all of my life, I however disagree with mercenaries, and the re-naming, or re-branding of them to the misnomer of "private military contractors" to white-wash their perception.

Here is the biggest problem I see, in that these former soldiers, both Navy S.E.A.L.'s and Special Forces, served their time within the military, and because of a lack of desire, and or a lack of training to acclimate to the outside world after service, one of their very few option is to become hired-guns.

Here's a thread I did on "Rambo" as the reluctant "loner" leading a band of mercenaries.

Rambo : From Loner To Reluctant Leader of Mercenaries

There are some former military, that acclimate well to the outside world, and some who do not. The fictional story of "Rambo" is one example, although it is a fiction story, anyone with military experience from Vietnam can attest to the "outsider come home" syndrome, as well as the Post-Traumatic Stress Sydrome, where Vietnam veterans were not welcomed with open arms, but with spitting and disdain, because of the public's perception of the "baby-killers", one of the many names they were called, for doing their duty for their country. I am not calling Vietnam veterans the name there, I am only using it as an example.


reply posted on 17-8-2008 @ 08:07 PM by SpartanKingLeonidas
I thought I would show that there's more than one news source talking all about this particular news story.


Originally posted here :

Blackwater : Right-Wing Conservative America, Whether You Like It Or Not...

Originally posted by SpartanKingLeonidas
Essentially said, all of these news sources are talking about the same six Blackwater contractors, who will apparently be getting "target letters" in regards to an ongoing investigation into the alleged ambush where 17 civilians were killed.

This is not my opinion, but that of the news sources, and I'm only adding to this thread to keep it up to date. The first news story is being talked about on WyrdeOne's there here :

WyrdeOne's ATS Thread : Blackwater Rent-A-Soldiers To Be Indicted?

Yahoo News : Newspaper: Blackwater Guards Get Target Letters

The Phillidelphia Inquirer : Blackwater Guards May Face Charges

Seatlle Times : Blackwater Guards May Face Indictment

Boston Herald : Newspaper: Blackwater Guards Get Target Letters

Fox 19 : Newspaper: Blackwater Guards Get Target Letters

San Luis Obispo : Newspaper: Blackwater Guards Get Target Letters

KATC.Com : Newspaper: Blackwater Guards GetTtarget Letters



Blackwater is also being talked about all over other Forum areas :

DimensionalDetective's ATS Thread : Is The DEA Contracting Blackwater?

DimensionalDetective's ATS Thread : Blackwater Now in The 'Private Intelligence' Business: Scahill

Here's the website link to Jeremy Scahill's book on Blackwater :

Jeremy Scahill : Blackwater Book

[edit on 17-8-2008 by SpartanKingLeonidas]


reply posted on 18-8-2008 @ 01:47 AM by BlasteR
reply to post by DocMoreau


It's actually not that far-fetched to think of legal action being pursued against people currently holding high-level positions in the Bush administration. But I really doubt it will ever happen. I honestly don't know what these guys are going to do when they are out of office though because it's not like everyone is gonna be happy to see them wherever they go...

This is the most unpopular president in American history.. He has no conscience. He was jovial at the olympics, slapping people on the butt (I hope you guys saw that it was hilarious) and was going to go on vacation while we are still at war?? While all this is going on with georgia/russia too no less? This guy shows no sign that he has any idea what is going on in the world, much less right here at home in the U.S.. Why is he always so friggin happy while men and women are dying in Iraq? Not to mention, the energy/oil situation that is going to degrade our economic well-being over the coming years and decades while NOTHING is being done about it that amounts to anything...

And what do we get out of the deal? We get 8 long years living under a deceptive presidency, a bustling war-profiteering industry paid for with our tax dollars and no laws to hold those contractors accountable for anything.. NO LAW WHATSOEVER. I honestly don't even know how they're going to litigate a case like this. They said on the radio that these guys were all sent letters in the mail telling them they were under investigation.. But noone actually knows how they are going to hold these guys accountable. It's a legal nightmare.. All because these contractors have been given free-reign to do what they please by the same government who signs their checks!!

-ChriS


reply posted on 18-8-2008 @ 01:58 AM by Scorched Earth
reply to post by WyrdeOne


Any chance you could actually use the proper terminology and not refer to them as mercenaries since they aren't merc's?

Security contractors will suffice. Thanks.


reply posted on 18-8-2008 @ 02:18 AM by justamomma
Originally posted by SpartanKingLeonidas
reply to post by WyrdeOne


You know, WyrdeOne, for a Moderator, you're making the ATS Blackwater Expert look silly by beating him to the story topic.


You just couldn't resist throwing in that you are the dubbed blackwater expert, could you.



edited to add: "dubbed" bc technically since you have only taken opinions of blackwater and posted them and not actually had experience as a participant, it is kind of hard to actually picture as an expert.




[edit on 18-8-2008 by justamomma]

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