Oct 17 - 46/45 - McCain +01
50,000 Baghdad Boba-Fetts
I think when the social studies books are written the six page spread dedicated to this war/era will showcase some specific events with bold, black headings and their own little picture with blurb: Abu Ghraib is a shoo-in. GITMO for sure. Maybe even domestic wiretaps. Now, it seems that there may be one more historic blemish vying for a spot: Blackwater.
I have been really busy with my new job and have literally not picked up a book since May. But this weekend I'm going out to pick up a copy of: Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army by Jeremy Scahill.
This stuff is unreal...US contractors who operate above Iraqi law and outside of US military control. Apparently a regulation known as Order 17, which was established under the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority and is still in effect, grants American private security contractors immunity from prosecution in Iraqi courts.
They're also exempt from the annoying rules and regulations that the average American soldier has to deal with. There is no Court Martial or dishonorable discharge for these guys. (When you shoot too many women and children, you get fired.) They are literally mercenaries for hire.
The Pentagon has said that there are at least 20,000 of these Boba-Fetts out there, the International Contractors Association says the number is closer to 50,000.
The same week that Blackwater is being investigated for opening fire on yet another crowd they're being investigated for smuggling weapons into Iraq...some of which seem to have turned up in terrorist hands!!! (see story in below post)
Finally, on Tuesday the Iraqi government banned Blackwater. After almost five years of operating with complete impunity (and at least six bloody incidents involving dead, unarmed bystanders) Iraqis are demanding that they all leave. Literally demanding it.
We'll see if the administration respects the wishes of Iraq's leaders. My guess: Blackwater will pull an Altria. I recommend the name: Snuggle-bug Tours. Any ideas, team?
I have been really busy with my new job and have literally not picked up a book since May. But this weekend I'm going out to pick up a copy of: Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army by Jeremy Scahill.This stuff is unreal...US contractors who operate above Iraqi law and outside of US military control. Apparently a regulation known as Order 17, which was established under the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority and is still in effect, grants American private security contractors immunity from prosecution in Iraqi courts.
They're also exempt from the annoying rules and regulations that the average American soldier has to deal with. There is no Court Martial or dishonorable discharge for these guys. (When you shoot too many women and children, you get fired.) They are literally mercenaries for hire.
The Pentagon has said that there are at least 20,000 of these Boba-Fetts out there, the International Contractors Association says the number is closer to 50,000.
The same week that Blackwater is being investigated for opening fire on yet another crowd they're being investigated for smuggling weapons into Iraq...some of which seem to have turned up in terrorist hands!!! (see story in below post)
Finally, on Tuesday the Iraqi government banned Blackwater. After almost five years of operating with complete impunity (and at least six bloody incidents involving dead, unarmed bystanders) Iraqis are demanding that they all leave. Literally demanding it.
We'll see if the administration respects the wishes of Iraq's leaders. My guess: Blackwater will pull an Altria. I recommend the name: Snuggle-bug Tours. Any ideas, team?
By Robert - 9/22/2007
17 Comments:
Good Post Bob.
Of course the Bush admin will just brush this off. Why would they wish to disturb their sugardaddies?
An armed to the teeth mercenary army that answers to nobody.......Hmmmmm, I thought we ousted Saddam Hussein
That didn't take long:
Blackwater back on the streets of Baghdad
Wow, if there are 50,000 mercenaries (& 130,000 US Troops) in Iraq- thats 50/180ths of the American Forces there that answer to NOBODY.
No wonder nobody knows for sure whats going on if the best accounting is only 5/18
Anarchy
should say 13/18th accurate if that
Altria? Hell all it tool was a collect call to Blair House
Bob & Patty, just had to ash this:
Isnt NY just GREAT! - Everyone there is some kinda wiseguy and its just so damn normal!
Wait til you come back here with that NY aaaattitood- good times- you cant ever go back to the farm
Gedoutaaaheeeee
Here's the latest on Blackwater from CNN:
Iraqi official says video shows Blackwater guards firing on civilians
Iraq: Blackwater staff will face criminal charges
CNN: "It is unclear how Iraqi courts will attempt to bring the contractors to trial. A July report from the Congressional Research Service said the Iraqi government has no authority over private security firms contracted by the U.S. government."
Just think about that for a moment. Are there Mexican mercenaries here in Ohio that our laws have NO authority over? How about Russians? Chinese Commies?
Of course not, but how absurd would that be? Yet this lawless situation is Modus operandi in Iraq.
Worse, our own military command-Iraq apparently has NO authority over mercenaries.
The inital reporting of Blackwater and their actions looks very bad.
Regardless of the accuracy of the events there are serious isues regarding their presence in Iraq and level of autonomy. Having said that I am curious about status of the My Lai massacre of the Iraq War. The press attacked the US military for the Haditha incident and portrayed a military out of control. Murtha, the point man for the Democrats denounced the soliders in the strongest of terms.
As the military trial proceeds I have heard little from the press and nothing from Murtha. I expect as much from the press but certainly a decorated military veteran and a man of such honesty and conviction would call for a investigation if the trial is nothing more than a whitewash. Either that or he owes those men an apology.
Fred, in the perspective of this insane war - our military has been angels. The incidents where soldiers have been brought up on charges under the Military code of conduct have been done with integrity too. These cases amongst the fighting troops have notably few and weel policed. (excluded is the AbuGraib deal which is a different story)- I say our military is conducting itself with high standards.
Now these mercenaries- which are oughly 1/3 of armed Americans there are another story- Unaccountable and wild.
Who knows what the extent of their negative escapades is?
Sum: Iraqis will not distinguish between military/mercenary and our status with the natives sinks lower.
Sidenote: 1/3 mercenaries? Looks to me as though this situation compensates for our stretched out / burned out military manpower.
Bush as Commander is a ZERO
My Marine/Vietnam vet dad always says this about Dear Leader's leadership skills: Bush couldn't schedule a gangbang in a whorehouse.
My husband's bestfriend Chris, who served in Iraq as a MP and retired in Jan of 2006, was wooed by Blackwater to consider staying in Iraq and make shitloads of money for them in comparison to the paltry amount the Marines pay.
He said no way, never, not on your life.
He said if he wanted to be equally despised by the troops serving and the civilians and the insurgents, then sure.
But since that wasn't his thing..... he'd take a raincheck on that contractor offer, and happily go home-- just barely making ends meet for his wife and newborn baby-- and remember how hated he was alone just by the civilians and the insurgents, thankyouverymuch.
Tina, Bush is the ABSOLUTE worst commander ever.
It just tears out my heart to see our troops subjected to his incompetence...and I can imagine how a Marine feels doing all the dangerous grunt work as the Blackwater slackasses rake in all the money
salute to your dad and chris
btw, all the Marines I have ever known are truly Semper fidelis- but that does not mean they are naive about having an jerkoff for a commander.
reminds me of a Marine sgt who was asked what he hoped would happen as his unit hit the beach on Saipan. He said: "I hope somebody shoots the Lt."
Petey, from what I've heard about the indiscriminate firing of weapons in Iraq from a two tour Marine I know... I'd hold off on the "military as angels" theory.
My understanding is that there is 180,000 civilians/mercenaries in Iraq.
They get paid 10X the money of our troops, and are governed by no law.
I cannot imagine living in a place where there were immune mercenaries running around. It sounds like a video game.
Ya, angels is probably a stretch in any war.
God forbid if our troops had the same oversight as blackwater
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