reply to post by Scorched Earth
I am not a blackwater expert but I do know that this has been a war-profiteering campaign from the very beginning. If you care to review any of my
previous posts in other threads regarding blackwater, I suggest you do that as I have reiterated my thoughts over and over again..
This is a company of mercenaries who are not held to the normal rules of engagment normally attributed to a fighting force in an AOI. And even though
this may be legally justified by the fact they operate under the guise of security contracting, there are no laws to hold them accountable for
anything. Military soldiers in Iraq continue to be court-martialed for conduct related infractions of the UCMJ. But no Blackwater security
contractor has EVER been held legally accountable for anything. Either these guys are boy scouts who can do no wrong, or there is something
critically wrong with this system.
These handful of blackwater contractors involved with the supposed civilian killings are ALL being investigated. And if this case is litigated, it
opens up pandora's box for similar lawsuits in the future. That's why this case is so critically important. It isn't just a matter of holding
people accountable for their actions either. These are, mostly, American citizens who represent the united states of America as they have been paid
by the government to conduct operations in Iraq and elsewhere.
Up to now, the worst reprimand a contractor has gotten for misconduct, or anything else, is losing his/her job. And although this is costly for them
due to the amount of money these people make, it in no way justifies not having to adhere to any form of legal precedent. This system is completely
twisted.
Noone knows yet if these contractors can even be held accountable due to the legal nightmare involved with this case. Even if these people are found
guilty, it doesn't mean there will be broad, sweeping changes throughout the realm of big security contractors The only legal stipulation involved
with these companies at this point are the contracts themselves and whatever laws apply to the organisations themselves here in the U.S.
If there really are more contractors in Iraq than there are military soldiers, then the current system is critically flawed. These people represent
our country abroad. And if these contractors can get away with anything they want to and not have to worry about being slapped with a lawsuit, what
does that say about our country in general? Losing your job because of misconduct hardly makes up for killing an innocent civilian. I don't know
all of what happened, I have only read tidbits here and there. And I am not passing judgement on these people because that's for a jury to decide if
this lawsuit does procede. But make no mistake about it, if these contractors are found guilty of these crimes, it is definately going to wake people
up to what is going on here.
The government continues to give Blackwater more freedom to do what it pleases and more money. These are our tax dollars. The government recently
decided to allow Blackwater to conduct intelligence gathering operations in the U.S., and Blackwater officials say they are currently moving away from
private contracting to focus investment and expansion in other areas. They recently expanded their aviation division and opened a new
counter-terrorism training center in San Deigo (to the behest of San Diego city officials). What we are seeing is the expansion of contracting
companies in hopes that they will eventually get more contracts and, thus, take over part of the military's current responsibilities. The
counter-terrorism facility is a great example of military soldiers being trained by private companies.. And lawmakers are still making a big fuss
over it.
Blackwater puts private contracting in back seat
ATS THREAD
Blackwater Now in The 'Private Intelligence' Business
But you can't look at these news stories and not at least question the integrity of an organisation like this on the very edge of what is legal and
not legal. Where does the Blackwater end and the government begin?
Auditors Question Blackwater Contracts
Interrogation for Profit
2004 Use of Gas by Blackwater Leaves Questions
Iraqi Official: Blackwater staying on 'is bad news'
Blackwater May Have Fudged Numbers to Get $100M in Contracts
-ChriS
[edit on 20-8-2008 by BlasteR]
[edit on 20-8-2008 by BlasteR]
You just couldn't resist throwing in that you are the dubbed blackwater expert, could you.
