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Help! Blackwater Is Sad!

THURSDAY OCTOBER 25 2007 9:00 AM

Submitted by FearTheReaper. Edited By erin_broadley.

TAGS: Blackwater, Iraq, Erik Prince



America is birthing a new Oliver North right now. It is a painful process because first we have to find a guy who is totally fucking over the country and then we have to elevate him to the level of right wing hero. The new North is Blackwater CEO Erik Prince and he is one hell of a douche bag.

Prince has been making the rounds on television lately because Blackwater has been murdering people in Iraq and they cannot be prosecuted under current laws. See, Blackwater says it falls under US military laws that give it immunity from prosecution. And coincidentally, the company says it is not a branch of the US military, so it does not have to obey the military's rules of conduct. To they can roam the land killing anybody without consequence. It’s a murder party! Yay!

Recently Blackwater murdered 17 Iraqi civilians without cause. There is no evidence that Blackwater guards were fired on by Iraqis, but a lot of evidence that Blackwater shot at innocents who had no weapons.



A bit of a hiccup by Prince when Wolf said there was no evidence of Iraqi shell casings. Uh, uh uh...


The US military unit on the scene says that Blackwater fired on Iraqis as they ran from the square. Both eyewitness accounts and an Iraqi investigation -- reliant on videotape, interviews and other unspecified investigative methods -- have discounted the idea that Iraqis fired on Blackwater.


There were two teams of Blackwater guards in the area, both containing multiple vehicles. They could have easily fired on each other and then started killing civilians. Either way, they appear to be a group of mercenaries who massacred civilians.

So what to do if you are about to lose a massive military contract? PR push! Send out the emails! Turn that frown upside down! So far Prince has had interviews with The Washington Post, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, CNN’s "Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer," CBS’ "60 Minutes" and PBS’ "Charlie Rose." Today the company sent out an email.


From: Blackwater Worldwide
Date: October 24, 2007 12:42:04 PM EDT
To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: A Request for Your Support Reply-To: btw@blackwaterusa.com

A Request for Your Support

The Blackwater family is comprised of dedicated and active service providers that work vigorously to support the American nation. In this tumultuous political climate, Blackwater Worldwide has taken center stage, our services and ethics aggressively challenged with misinformation and fabrications. Letters, e-mails and calls to your elected Congressional representatives can and will create a positive impact by influencing the manner in which they gather and present information.

While we can’t ask that each supporter do everything, Blackwater asks that everyone does something. Contact your lawmakers and tell them to stand by the truth. Correspondence should be polite and professional. We don’t support generating negative messages. Tell the Blackwater story and encourage your representatives to seek the truth instead of reading negative propaganda and drawing the wrong conclusions.

Suggested themes:

- Cost efficiency of Blackwater – saving the US taxpayer millions of dollars so that the US Government doesn’t have to take troops from their missions or send more into harms way

- Professional population of service veterans and mature law enforcement personnel

- Sacrifice in lives lost by Blackwater saving US diplomats without one single protectee harmed

If you see a lawmaker speaking good things about Blackwater, contact their offices and let them know that they have your support. Find and contact your federal, state, and local officials by visiting www.congress.org.

Expanding our communications effort starts with you. Pass the word – pass the truth.


Jesus, boo fucking hoo.

Using Blackwater murderers is far more expensive in terms of actual money and the cost of horrible publicity with Iraqis.


It costs the U.S. government a lot more to hire contract employees as security guards in Iraq than to use American troops.

An unmarried sergeant given Iraq pay and relief from U.S. taxes makes about $83 to $85 a day, given time in service. A married sergeant with children makes about double that, $170 a day.


The average Blackwater guard makes $600, which is a tad bit more. And it’s great for our guys because they can see a bunch of assholes driving around killing people and ramming vehicles, while making shit loads more money. I believe that is what is not known as “morale building.”

Today, the Iraqi government hit back.


The private security industry is trying to make sense of the announcement today from Baghdad that the Iraqi government is revoking a CPA-era edict, known as Order 17, immunizing contractors from prosecution in Iraqi courts. Some believe that the State Department will succeed in an anticipated attempt to prevent Americans from appearing before an Iraqi judge, while warning that if a full revocation succeeds, American companies or individual contractors might simply up and leave Iraq rather than potentially face charges in an immature justice system.


That actually sounds great. Get ready for a draft, kids! The US has no business bringing mercenaries into this occupation. It is a recipe for disaster and they seem to have a bit of a problem with restraint. The private businesses are a large reason why we are in a huge hole. They are operating with no oversight, fucking over everything they touch without the threat of repercussions. Our government is giving shitloads of money to corrupt businesses that do shoddy work. Just take a look at our fucked up embassy in Baghdad.


The massive U.S. embassy under construction in Baghdad could cost $144 million more than projected and will open months behind schedule because of poor planning, shoddy workmanship, internal disputes and last-minute changes sought by State Department officials, according to U.S. officials and a department document provided to Congress.


It's all part of the same problem. Private business allowed to run about and do what ever the fuck they want. At this point, the best thing that could happen to America’s misadventure in Iraq would be for the Blackwater guards to be charged in an Iraqi court for killing the civilians. But expect the right wing to circle the wagons and do what they can to help out Prince and his murderers. Then Prince will be elevated to hero status and given a radio show.

 

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Zarth

Zarth

Seattle, WA
December 2004

OCT 25, 2007 10:59 AM

FearTheReaper said:

Zarth said:

LEtranger said:
The Olie North comparisons are interesting. He even has a similar haircut.


I always thought of Mr. Prince's haircut as more like the Hitler combover.


You sir? Godwin's law??!?!? YOU?!?!?


Can't get decent images to post, but just Google it, man. They're the same haircut.

FearTheReaper

FearTheReaper

NEWSWIRE

I'm lost

OCT 25, 2007 11:06 AM

Zarth said:

FearTheReaper said:

Zarth said:

LEtranger said:
The Olie North comparisons are interesting. He even has a similar haircut.


I always thought of Mr. Prince's haircut as more like the Hitler combover.


You sir? Godwin's law??!?!? YOU?!?!?


Look at it.



Okay, that is a bit weird. I don't know why you did not photoshop a little moustache on the fella.

Zarth

Zarth

Seattle, WA
December 2004

OCT 25, 2007 11:16 AM

FearTheReaper said:

Zarth said:

FearTheReaper said:

Zarth said:

LEtranger said:
The Olie North comparisons are interesting. He even has a similar haircut.


I always thought of Mr. Prince's haircut as more like the Hitler combover.


You sir? Godwin's law??!?!? YOU?!?!?


Look at it.


Okay, that is a bit weird. I don't know why you did not photoshop a little moustache on the fella.


Not enough time. I'm headed out the door in a minute. I'll probably do it this afternoon.

MisterEnrolled

MisterEnrolled

Birmingham, AL
October 2005

OCT 25, 2007 11:18 AM

LEtranger said:



WARNING: Do not click if triggered by historically bad haircuts.
ACHTUNG: Nicht klicken, das is NSDAPen schlachten Haare!

_kungfoo_

_kungfoo_

Los Angeles, CA
April 2005

OCT 25, 2007 12:06 PM

DaGhost said:
"And coincidentally, the company says it is not a branch of the US military, so it does not have to obey the military's rules of conduct."

ALL DOD Contractors have to 'obey military law'. DOD Contractors (contractors hired by the department of defense) are subject to UCMJ action.

A policy went into effect about 8 months ago that brought DOD Contractors under the UCMJ 'umbrella'.



So, you are arguing that those Blackwater employees involved in the September shoot-out should be prosecuted if these investigations determine they acted unlawfully?

Because while there was language inserted in a defense bill awhile back that supposedly brought civilian contractors working for the US government in Iraq under the UCMJ, there hasn't been one civilian court-martial to test this. The defense in any such trial could argue that civilians cannot be held to military law. Is there any legal precedent set in this area? Has a civilian ever even been prosecuted under the UCMJ?

wereduck

wereduck

I'm lost
July 2007

OCT 25, 2007 01:28 PM

DocE said:
Privatized warfare at its best... Next are the prisons, the border, and if we're lucky, the police.



"Dead or alive, you're coming with me."

Seburo23

Seburo23

Chicago, IL
April 2007

OCT 25, 2007 01:33 PM

they are starting to crack down on the private sector, unfortunately not enough, i am actually doing a paper for my english class about the military and i just finished reading a 30 page article about these guns for hire. apparently blackwater fire upon their own.

FearTheReaper

FearTheReaper

NEWSWIRE

I'm lost

OCT 25, 2007 01:41 PM

Seburo23 said:
they are starting to crack down on the private sector, unfortunately not enough, i am actually doing a paper for my english class about the military and i just finished reading a 30 page article about these guns for hire. apparently blackwater fire upon their own.



That's not surprising. I just think about the mentality of a guy who would want to be a mercenary and I think dick.

Zarth

Zarth

Seattle, WA
December 2004

OCT 25, 2007 01:51 PM

FearTheReaper said:

Seburo23 said:
they are starting to crack down on the private sector, unfortunately not enough, i am actually doing a paper for my english class about the military and i just finished reading a 30 page article about these guns for hire. apparently blackwater fire upon their own.


That's not surprising. I just think about the mentality of a guy who would want to be a mercenary and I think dick.


I know some decent, indeed fine and admirable men who have done it, for various reasons. Most of them are still pretty critical of Blackwater's culture specifically, though.

MrStitches

MrStitches

Sag Harbor, NY
November 2003

OCT 25, 2007 01:53 PM

FearTheReaper said:

Seburo23 said:
they are starting to crack down on the private sector, unfortunately not enough, i am actually doing a paper for my english class about the military and i just finished reading a 30 page article about these guns for hire. apparently blackwater fire upon their own.



That's not surprising. I just think about the mentality of a guy who would want to be a mercenary and I think dick.



zoom image

Fool, don't make Mr. T pity you. You won't like it.

Red_Russian13

Red_Russian13

Dayton, OH
February 2004

OCT 25, 2007 01:55 PM

Zarth said:

FearTheReaper said:

Seburo23 said:
they are starting to crack down on the private sector, unfortunately not enough, i am actually doing a paper for my english class about the military and i just finished reading a 30 page article about these guns for hire. apparently blackwater fire upon their own.


That's not surprising. I just think about the mentality of a guy who would want to be a mercenary and I think dick.


I know some decent, indeed fine and admirable men who have done it, for various reasons. Most of them are still pretty critical of Blackwater's culture specifically, though.



Exactly. I worked as a contractor for a period of time after a false start with going to college, and I'm not a huge fan of BW. And as you say, some are fine and admirable men, and some are straight out of the Wild West.

Zarth

Zarth

Seattle, WA
December 2004

OCT 25, 2007 01:57 PM

Red_Russian13 said:

Zarth said:

FearTheReaper said:

Seburo23 said:
they are starting to crack down on the private sector, unfortunately not enough, i am actually doing a paper for my english class about the military and i just finished reading a 30 page article about these guns for hire. apparently blackwater fire upon their own.


That's not surprising. I just think about the mentality of a guy who would want to be a mercenary and I think dick.


I know some decent, indeed fine and admirable men who have done it, for various reasons. Most of them are still pretty critical of Blackwater's culture specifically, though.


Exactly. I worked as a contractor for a period of time after a false start with going to college, and I'm not a huge fan of BW. And as you say, some are fine and admirable men, and some are straight out of the Wild West.


Or Hollywood. I suspect that's the Blackwater problem, is they get all their 'tude from 24 and Schwarzenegger movies.

FattyFatty2x4

FattyFatty2x4

Salt Lake City, UT
May 2006

OCT 25, 2007 02:18 PM

HAHAHA this was all a big misunderstanding....You dont actually believe that Americans would fuck up this bad when given a license to kill and an itchy trigger finger, do you? I mean they're merc-......professionals. They have ALL been trained to the highest levels of military discipline. Each has dawned on the fact that glory is for privates, rules of engagment are for bleeding-heart tree-hugging liberals, and that the real cash is in forsaking duty to country for duty to dollar. Look at all the good things they do:

They guard diplomats that stay in fortess-like areas of Iraq because our U.S. Soldiers cant be trusted with such fragile cargo. Former soldiers are better.

They havent lost a single VIP after leaving said AO, because we know that the majority of casualties in Iraq come from IED's. B-dub boys make the soldier clear the route with his face.

They make more than some doctor's while they enjoy their 3-6 month rotations as the $85 soldiers stay 15 months to cover down on areas "too high risk" to send in a $600 specialist.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To be honest, I think what they did was a tragedy. However, I know first hand how difficult it is to stay on the edge for long periods and not cross the blue line when a shot is heard. In guerilla warfare, proactive trumps reactive. Calling them murderers is a bit harsh and extremely immature. I guess they are guilty until proven innocent, ehh? They reacted poorly and I hope they see fair trial, not under UCMJ or under Iraqi law.

I've heard from many people that Erik Prince is actually a pretty decent human being. Holding him responsible for a situation that was out of his control is like holding GEN Petreaus accountable for the capture of the two 10th MTN soldiers last summer. Furthermore, relating a decorated veteran to Hitler is just childish. He may be handling this like true-blue GWB, but who doesn't nowadays? He's just a flavor of the week in who is corrupt in America.

Blackwater exists because the military cant fill its the Spec Ops ranks fast enough and those with the technical and tactical knowledge who choose to be an operator in BW choose greed over country. This war would be over if the military could operate like BW, but we'd have become the monster we usurped. That's the lure of it. All the adventure, none of the rules. I think its a cowardly way to make a living.

Feel free to call me a kool-aid drinker, but know that I prefer gatorade, lemon-lime.

Zarth

Zarth

Seattle, WA
December 2004

OCT 25, 2007 02:42 PM

Do not slander me, Sir. I did not compare Erik Prince to Hitler. I compared his hair to Hitler's.

I should hope you have the honor and good-breeding to publish a retraction.

Still, for the record, I've heard he's an asshole.

freshprncebelair

freshprncebelair

Ellicott City, MD
June 2004

OCT 25, 2007 02:45 PM



It costs the U.S. government a lot more to hire contract employees as security guards in Iraq than to use American troops.



An unmarried sergeant given Iraq pay and relief from U.S. taxes makes about $83 to $85 a day, given time in service. A married sergeant with children makes about double that, $170 a day.



The average Blackwater guard makes $600, which is a tad bit more. And it's great for our guys because they can see a bunch of assholes driving around killing people and ramming vehicles, while making shit loads more money. I believe that is what is not known as "morale building."




The cost savings comes when you realize it costs almost 100k to train and equip a single US soldier, and you have to sign them for a minimum of 4 years. So you are looking at 200k for a single troop for 4 years, roughly.

If you want troops for all those four years, it's ineffective to hire them from Blackwater (at over 200k per troop PER YEAR). If you just want short term burst capability for troops (especially the highly trained troops blackwater specializes in), it's very cost effective to hire Mercs. Also, it's a good way of capturing the best troops you might have lost otherwise.

But as an aside, it's funny how congress dems are calling Blackwater out for tax evasion by calling its soldier contractors. What a crock of shit. Blackwater troops fit contractor status to a T, and if the US gove isn't getting its taxes, go after the troops who aren't paying them (as anyone who has ever worked as a contractor knows, contractors don't have taxes withheld, and are supposed to pay the payroll taxes at income tax time)

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