Fully Loaded: Drunken Blackwater Guard Who Killed Iraqi Is Back In Iraq Thanks To State Dept.

The Gavel:

On Tuesday the Oversight Committee held a hearing on Blackwater, examining several incidents in Iraq involving the private security firm. One such incident involved a Blackwater employee who shot a guard of the Iraqi Vice President, apparently while drunk, and whether the Justice Department has truly been investigating as the State Department claims. The Blackwater employee was flown out of the Iraq within two days of the incident before a proper investigation could be conducted:

Today Chairman Henry Waxman wrote to Secretary of State Rice following reports that this Blackwater contractor, who was fired at the time, was hired by another private contractor to work in the region two months later. As Chairman Waxman writes in the letter, "Serious questions now exist about whether the State Department may have withheld from the U.S. Defense Department facts about this Blackwater contractor's shooting of the Iraqi guard that should have prevented his hiring to work on another contract in support of the Iraq War."

Read the whole story: The Gavel

Comments

[MaryMullins]

FBI offered me $4m: Lockerbie bomb witness
A WITNESS in the Lockerbie case has claimed he was offered $4 million (£2 million) by American investigators to lie to the trial judges.

Edwin Bollier, head of the Swiss company MEBO that was said to have manufactured the timer used to detonate the Pan Am bomb, claims he was offered the money by the FBI at its Washington HQ in exchange for making a statement that supported the main line of inquiry - that Libya was responsible for the bombing.

[reece5309]

do you believe his claim ?

[MaryMullins]

I certainly do because I have had similar experiences while working overseas. Not over 4 million of course haha, but someone wanting me to lie.

[MaryMullins]

Blackwater hires PR giant in image seiges
Public relations giant Burson-Marsteller has vast experience steering companies through tough times. But there's a limit to how much it can help Blackwater USA, a new client that's been battered by negative publicity.
Posted Oct 6, 2007 08:13 AM PST
Category: CURRENT EVENTS

Selling Blackwater's mercenaries as "kinder, gentler killers": this will be an interesting pitch indeed.

[Ramirez]

Welcome to HuffPo, MaryMullins, and thank you for your first post.

[Ramirez]

Your post is copied from here:
http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/

This website is popular in Holland.

[reece5309]

they protect americans - the horror

[Annette]

Nope they don't protect Americans, they increase animosity agains Americans making it more likely that Americans will be killed. They fire on innocent people with the excuse that they might have been enemies. No evidence just might. No wonder 78% if Iraqis are of the opinion that it is just to kill Americans. How does that make us safer, anywhere?

[LindaSmart50]

http://www.rys2sense.com/anti-neocons/viewtopic.php?t=9078

Terrorist cell discovered in North Carolina!
A massive terrorist cell has been uncovered based inside the United States. Their recruitment spans from South America to Asia and they have billions in finances. Run and lead by open religious fanatics bent on spreading their bigotry through violence this terrorist group literally stands above the law as they can not be brought to court in any country. President Bush cried for help as he did not know how to stop them.

[LindaSmart50]

Terrorist cell discovered in North Carolina!
A massive terrorist cell has been uncovered based inside the United States. Their recruitment spans from South America to Asia and they have billions in finances. Run and lead by open religious fanatics bent on spreading their bigotry through violence this terrorist group literally stands above the law as they can not be brought to court in any country. President Bush cried for help as he did not know how to stop them.

[TheGreatSatan]

America has plenty of troops in Germany. I don't get why. The Germans hate America. They are slowly turning Islamic anyway. If Russia wants to attack europe, I say great, let them, they deserve it. Its a sad how the American government gutted a once great military, reducing it to using mercs.

[Nonamnesiac]

The Dems will conduct hearings, make headlines and do nothing. If they put forward the kind of legislation necessary to actually fix the problem, most of the Freshman Class of Dem Senators, Cardin, Casey, McCaskill, Tester and Webb at least, will vote against it, just as they voted for the Trample Civil Liberties 2 Act (Protect America Act). If it is only symbolic and does nothing, a couple of them will vote for it.

I know -- 67/60. That means we have to elect 80 Democratic Senators in order to get 67 votes to override a veto -- it's BS. Torture is bi-partisan, as proven by the number of Dems who voted for the Right to Torture Act (Military Commissions Act).

And progressives will simply ignore these "minor" transgressions and support electing more Democrats, even though the Dem frontrunners won't commit to getting out of Iraq by 2013 and, in the end support attacking Iran.

That drunken Blackwater murderer may get a Medal of Freedom. And the Dems will hold more hearings and do nothing.

[Nonamnesiac]

I made an error here. Cardin and Tester voted against the Protect America Act. They voted for funding the surge without restrictions on Bush.

[standforpeace]

What do you do -- laugh or cry -- everytime you hear Bush or one of his lackeys tell the big lie again -- "This may look bad, but bear with us. Afterall, it's all for their own good cause we're bringing democracy American style to the Middle East."

[zendem1]

A bunch of Nazis running around with loaded guns. Now there's a comfort. These suckholes were roaming the streets of NewOrleans after Katrina. And their leader is a Bible-beater with more money than God. If that's not enough to scare you...

[PollM]

Guards working in Iraq for Blackwater USA have shot innocent Iraqi civilians and have sought to cover up the incidents, sometimes with the help of the State Department, a report to a Congressional committee said today.
Do you believe the U.S. government in any way helped in the cover up of Blackwater reckless behavior? -----> http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=622
.

[speckiegrrl]

Pharmaceutically impaired far left blogger posts more knee jerk tabloid screed. Now, that's a headline. Right, arianna?

How about posting FACTS, arianna. There are 15,805 cataloged Blackwater missions where NO shots were fired. I'm not justifying ALLEGED bad behavior, just attempting to point out the behavior that is more typical.

But you silly girl, do not want context, just screed generated site traffic. Has soros bought you knee pads yet?

[SunshineDaydream]

i wish you would support our troops as much as you support murderers-for-hire.

[speakingtruth2power]

You are obviously no lady and I'll wager you are a sock puppet of a known male troll, probably Ramirez who just posted below.

I see that 'your' a fan of yourself, how transparent!! Posing as a female poster is a known troll ploy but Ramirez can't hide his hatred.

TonyaDeLuv tried to claim 'she' was a middle aged female recently from Europe and a Democrat even writing in broken English before being busted.

WOULD THE LEAD TROLL PLEASE HIRE SOME BETTER WRITERS, PLEASE!!
I know that fiscal responsibility requires you pay minimum wage but there must be some better writers who will lie for six dollars an hour.

[splastershoes]

You completely miss the point. The point is that these "contractors" have absolutely no accountability. Yet, the Soldiers, Airmen, and Marines have the UCMJ to deal with. You are correct in that the majority of missions are completed without incident. However, if even one scumbag gets away with blatant murder because of complete legal protection, then, unless you're a cold hearted bastard, you've got to admit that the SYSTEM, not necessarily the company, is flawed.

[fulano]

Look at the mugs on these mercenaries, like some comic book hero's, why would anyone want to be a hired goon? Money? Some sense of being part of a boy scout troop? Total Stupidity?
I notice that the Blackwater Brownshirts you see on TV all look like these knuckleheads in the picture, white, meathead, skinhead types, is this a misread on my part?

Hmmm! You destroy the military by privatization, no rules, no mess, everyone makes money, no repercussion's, democracy and justice are just too time consuming and ineffecient anyway.

Take another look at the guys in this photo, do you think they could be coming to your town anytime soon?
Naw! It can's happen here.

[cuthbertallgood]

When I look at those guys, I see phony soilders. These unpatriotic bastards could have joined our volunteer military, but they did not. If they believe in the cause, why did they not join the Armed Forces? They refused to volunteer, and instead of serving their country they pledge alligence to a private firm.
These people all could have joined the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marines, but they refused to thusly serve.
They fight and kill for money not for Country. Maybe Iran will out bid us for their services, and they will switch sides. Who knows? They are not our troops, they are Blackwater's. The loyalty is to money and company, not the USA.

[Ramirez]

These are not kids out of high school. They are almost all veterans with combat arms experience.

[SunshineDaydream]

not everyone makes money. our troops are not making money off of this war. their families are not making money off of this war. the people making money off of this war are the people who started it. the white house should not be had for profit. this is what happens...

[RegularFolk]

So how many of the people that started it are making Money from the war? who are they all and how are they making money? How much have they made, do you have financial records? and most importantly are you including the Dems that are profiting nicley, probably more then any would be Diane Fienstein.

[RandyRanson]

Intoxicated Killers out roaming the streets
killing passers by, that they shoot as they greet
Blood on their shoes, from the blood on the streets
No mothers, no daughters, no fathers, no sons, left alive
while these Intoxicated Killers finish their sweep
of death and destruction, before their job is complete.

Blackwater have got you in their sights
Blackwater you won't be going home tonight
Blackwater you'll be swimming in your own pool of blood
Blackwater leaves a mother to cry for her dead babe in the mud

Intoxicated Killers making money off Bush's lie
spraying out bullets to make people die
Intoxicated Killers rape murder and plunder as babies cry
Intoxicated Killers tomorrow another pile of Iraqis will have to die.

All on behalf of the good offices of President George W. Bush

[dora rice]

how stupid can you get....it's all about their pay and their guts, weak , dumb, cowards who rather die then enlist can't take it. Are you dumber than a hailstorm gnat holding all american responsible for Peterson, for Manson, for Damer..it's jealousy , because you can't live up to their guts.

[RandyRanson]

You sound like an upset housewife, who's waiting for her financially rich, trigger happy, Blackwater lover, to return home, so you can live the good life.
One thought for your big brave idea, of a man with real guts, why isn't he wearing a real uniform?
The Army and the Marines, have plenty of uniforms made available, and it's well known, they're looking for new recruits everyday.

Come on now dora_rice, it has nothing to do with bravery, it's the money, show me the money.

[ProfessorDuh]

So I take it you Republicans don’t think mere U.S. troops are good enough to provide security for the State Department in Iraq, eh? Instead, you think overpaid, no-bid, brutal mercenaries like Blackwater should do the job. What a shocking display of your lack of faith in U.S. troops — those same troops whose feet you always demand everyone else kiss.

[waynesmyer]

Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? Why, Condi Rice, Of course!

[theswan]

In what other workplace can you go to work drunk, cause death to the innocent and get away with a promotion or new assignment than Blackwater USA?
And you and I are paying for his so called service to our country?
Doesn't it sort of make us all accomplises?

First he should be fired for incompetence and then he should be indicted for his criminal behavior.
Where if DOJ? Where is the law of Iraq or America?
Or are we all guilty on his behalf?

[dora rice]

people do DWI every day right under your nose. They are not even in a war zone removed from all civilization...

[SunshineDaydream]

does stupid hurt?

[cindyw]

"Removed from all civilization"? What do you call the Iraqis who've been killed by Blackwater?

[Annette]

Amazing,, a Blackwater apologist. Someone who believes it is a good thing to allow murders to be immune from law. Now why would Bush have set up such a contract with one of his supporters???
MURDER FOR HIRE??? Probably.

[Rianna]

What an awful situation. We are run by a rogue administration, who have sent a bunch of thugs to Iraq, and it has brought nothing but embarrassment and dishonor to the US.
Why are they getting away with murder?
Why are the Rethuglican candidates for 2008, keeping silent about this awful situation?
Why are the Democrats not calling for impeachment? It is about time.

[dax49]

what in the hell is blackwater still doing in Iraq? this really shows what is going on there- so much for the Iraqis being in control of their own country

[LindaSmart50]

Actually they have been there to foment more strife by killing people on both sides making it look like the other side did it.

Anything for an excuse to have the USA stay there.

[SunshineDaydream]

bingo! shady, shady, shady.

[foolme1ns]

I hope that Waxman has more balls than the rest of the democrats. I am still waiting for the Sargeant at Arms to go and bring in the people who have ignored the congressional subpoenas.



NOTHING!!!! Letter and hearings are all well and good, but until the democrats get a set of balls and a set of teeth, who the hell cares. It is more hurumph hurumph, and doesn't mean a god damned thing. The Neocons are STILL running OUR congress, because the democrats have turned out to be terrified pussies!!!!