Blackwater Gassed US Soldiers

Posted by Paddy , Cliff Schecter's Blog at 5:16 AM on January 10, 2008.

Just yesterday, Think Progress reported-

Controversial private security firm Blackwater Worldwide "has ramped up its lobbying representation on Capitol Hill" by hiring the law firm Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice to "lobby the government on contracting and other issues."

Then this comes out today-

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."

They're going to need all the good p.r. they can get.

Tagged as: blackwater

Paddy is a regular contributor to Cliff Schecter.com.