2005 Use of Riot Gas by Blackwater Leaves Questions

NY Times:

The helicopter was hovering over a Baghdad checkpoint into the Green Zone, one typically crowded with cars, Iraqi civilians and United States military personnel.

Suddenly, on that May day in 2005, the copter dropped CS gas, a riot-control substance the American military in Iraq can use only under the strictest conditions and with the approval of top military commanders. An armored vehicle on the ground also released the gas, temporarily blinding drivers, passers-by and at least 10 American soldiers operating the checkpoint.

"This was decidedly uncool and very, very dangerous," Capt. Kincy Clark of the Army, the senior officer at the scene, wrote later that day. "It's not a good thing to cause soldiers who are standing guard against car bombs, snipers and suicide bombers to cover their faces, choke, cough and otherwise degrade our awareness."

Read the whole story: NY Times

Comments

[pzdoff]

Why in hell doesn't the commanding general, and saviour of the universe, General Petraeus have anything to say about this? Could it be the multi million dollar defense industry post he is sure to take after his retirement from the military? He betrayeth the troops he commands.

[mellene]

Blackwater is clearly out of control. When will Congress do something about them, as we know Condi nor Bush will while they're in office. Too much Amway to protect.

[OhgReaTone]

Most of the local policemen in my home town are responsible folks - but there are a few who would qualify for Blackwater - they don't like public scrutiny.
Ohg.
http://thefiresidepost.com/2007/10/02/blackwater-responsible-killers/

[Purple Girl]

Blackwaters goal is to keep US in the Middle East and elsewhere so they may operate as a private army under the camoflage of the National Armed services. They are profiteers trying to stir up shit to keep conflict going (it's a business plan and DICK is the CEO of the 'Organization'. Dick & Fiends have constructed theri own global Mafia syndicate. Racketteering, strong arming, prostitution, drugs....They make the 'Corleones' a quaint Mom & Pop operation.The biggest and most dangerous Ognaized Crime Family sits in the WH (with Fredo at the Helm.)

[jubo]

What did Blackwater do before Irak? Did they even exist in such a scale? They were Blackwater USA and now it's Blackwater Worldwide... the world's biggest group of mercenaries, free of conscience as opposed to ordinary troops.

The Earth is the Universe's asylum.

[jsarets]

Meh, Blackwater says it was a mistake. Forgive and forget. We all know that mistakes have no consequences. Blackwater can do whatever it wants so long as they say "my bad".

Next week Bush will accidentally nuke Iran while attempting to forward a joke email to Cheney. "Ohhh, so that's what that button does. My bad."

[StillAmused]

Guess they all look the same down there, scurrying around and screaming... civilians and U.S. troops -- just more irrelevant 'targets' to take out with their nifty BushCo pain-and-death toys while the onboard music system blares hard rock and the crew swaps high-fives.

Maybe, if Blackwater strafes the White House -- just for shits and giggles -- it'll get someone's attention...

Wonder if military families are finally gaining a new perspective on the true 'enemy'?

[aznurse]

one of the worst things about Blackwater is that we are the ones that are paying them. They're paid with our taxes!

[SunshinePuppies]

The problem with us left is that we are a bunch of cowardly, gun-hating, pacifists. You can sit here at your mighty keyboards quoting the founding fathers all you want but you are too damn gutless to put words to action. The left keeps hoping (praying?) the next election will change everything but it won't. Democracy is the opiate of the masses after religion has been subjugated.

The slim hope I have left for America is that it appears we have finally stopped screaming for gun control. I sure hope that is a sign we are about to fight to keep our freedom.

How ironic is it that it is the left wingers who need to embrace the 2nd amendment?

[groucho]

In this article, our military says "it was uncool" and the black spokeswoman says it was an error, they meant to drop a different cannister.
But a helicopter AND a vehicle let loose the gas. So did they have a simultaneous ejection at the same time? Christ, can't they lie better than that? I guess they don't have to, there's no accountability for anyone anymore. Anyone who's not affiliated with this thug government. Anybody else goes to jail first, then if they work it out, maybe you'll get justice. But don't count on it. THAT'S uncool. What blackestwater did was criminal.
Why do trolls feel the need to announce they are leaving? So g to dinner, we'll try to have a coherent discussion in spite of your absence.

[samuraijack]

Wouldn't it be great if the incoming Democratic administration had to lay siege to the Blackwater compound to serve subpoenas, surrounding it with marshals, FBI, SWAT teams, etc, and Prince decides to fight to the end? He and his murderous ilk.

[HereNow]

Fascist, Government, Inc.

[dr4Will]

Rich boy Prince gives repugs and bush big money and they are free to do what they want--the bush way of life-less than a year of bush crap left!!!

[bluesnot]

"the country needs a President who will fight aggressively to end the status quo and change the Washington system and to give voice to all of those whose voices are ignored in the corridors of power."

John Edwards for president.

[tomsfork]

I'm outta here, everyone. Have a good evening, enjoy life, and remember always:

Peace.

I'm Tom's Fork, and I approved this message.