This is the main problem I'm having with our state of politics. Sure, Barack Obama brings a lot of hope and calls for change, but let's be realistic for one second. Does anyone really think the Democrats are going to spend most of their time undoing the wrongs of the current administration should they win in November? I sure don't. Even if a new administration had the will power, there are sooooo many Republican cronies tied into this whole scheme called "fighting terrorism". From contracts in Louisiana to Iraq, the blood suckers are everywhere.

In regards to blackwater, by now they probably employ so many people that every politician is in favor of whatever they're doing, because it's tied to their constituents - just like every single politician always supports an increase in military spending because it affects their districts and ultimately their votes.

I believe very strongly and I've said it here before, everything that's wrong in this country comes down to lobbies. The belief of many conservatives that corporations (the famous private sector) and the market is going to take care of things is so misguided, it's like saying rapists will stop raping if we would just stop putting them into jail. I know, a huge stretch but the lack of logic in both examples is what I'm comparing here.

Wonder whether good ole' Ike is looking down on Earth right now pointing his finger: told ya!

Read more of my rants here.

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....Blackwater will not be used in the US during our presidential election, but we all know how our politicos think and operate.

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Outsourcing and private contracting has been going on for a long time and is common in all government spheres, and across the world. Companies have always had a role in great public endeavours: they step in where the state can't do the job, or is not able to because of public will.

A better question would be this: what actions are people willing to take to ensure global security? What would you actually do if Blackwater et al were taken away? Most people would have to admit they kind of like the fact they take care of the dirty work so that they can re-focus back on gossip, handbags, and other quotidian stuff.

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a dirty back water creek that has turned black because of the filth and decay. These people can take our tax money and spend it any way they like sanctioned by our legislators. Bull-%$#@! If the army and Marines can't do it, what does that say about the future of defense in this nation?

The contractors screw us by employing at risk American's who are desperate to pay off some bills. Then they employ immigrants from countries that harbor terrorist to fill in the gaps at lower wages. Finally, they bandage the whole wound with U.S. Army personnel. Look at the security of trucking in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Obama can't stop Blackwater in a day or a week or a month, and if he publicly went against this company backed by some of the most influential power mongers in the world today, his candidacy would likely crumble in a heart-beat. But, as President, he can help to pass legislation that puts transparency and accountability into the system. The American people will have to back him up 100% in order for this situation to change. It is "We the People" that must clean up this disaster, not, a singular man who does not hold all the cards in this ugly game of deceit.

This in short means that the first step to getting rid of Blackwater and companies like that is to take back our place as the bearers of the torch of liberty, as the people for whom the Constitution was signed.

Those who support Blackwater may do so for reasons that some of us can not understand, but I am afraid that Blackwater security is the SS of todays Nazi's posed as Americans in the fight against a global war on terror, incidentally, a war that has never been specifically declared, but only spoken of in words. Blackwater employs people from any country to do the work that it deems necessary. Money is the primary motivation of this company, not freedom or security. You cannot expect Blackwater to do a good job when doing a good job would mean it would force itself out of business.

Consider this, that to declare a war, means to target a specific enemy, and to abide by The Geneva Convention, something that President Bush, Donold Rumsfeld, Dick Cheny and Condoleeza Rice have refused to do. Guantanamo Bay is the piece of the puzzle that explains these last comments by me.

As long as the enemy is vague and can hide anywhere on the planet, Blackwater can get a heads up approval, as people seem to believe they do what the Army and Marines cannot. Finally, and again, if the United States military can not perform the tasks of keeping America secure, then what makes anyone believe that a private company like Blackwater can?

(MY opinion--Blackwater is a company equal in stature only to the Nazi SS troops of WWII, and by remaining silent about Blackwater, we are perpetuating a war against innocent civilians that has no end in sight. Only by acting against Hitler's great ambition were we, in cooperation with the world, able to bring a stop to the genocide. Therefore, we must not be silent about Blackwater, and those who sign off on the checks and unaccountable billions of dollars that are being spent by our government to keep them going. Money and greed have no morality. Steinbeck brought this out, as did a dozen other great writers. )

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Blackwater is a company that is so at odds with the historic American view of governance, it should be out out of buisness immediately. There is not a single piece of paper from the Founding Fathers to be found in the National Archives (whether in documents of public policy or in private correspondence) that would have tolerated - or even hinted at - the idea that a private citizen could have the means at his disposal (and I use the masculine here - women are smarter than that) whereby he could - in the case of a "national emergency" - make war on other Americans at the behest of a murderous, unbalanced chief executive....umm....sort of like the one we've got now.

One does not need to be a constitutional scholar to figure this out, folks. This ain't rocket science, kiddies; this is Civics 101.

The only way that Weeda Peeple can be spared the threat that a semi-facist organization like Blackwater poses to our democracy, is by challenging its very existence in the courts. Unfortunately, that challenge may have to wait until Barack Obama is in the White House and is able to appoint one or more justices of a more reasonable, moderate judiical temperament. To expect some of the reactionary fools currently sitting on the court (Scalia and Uncle Thomas come to mind) to act in accordance with the Constitution is wishful thinking to be sure. Enlightenment on that court is desperately in order.

When the day arrives that Blackwater is contracted out by the First Fool to "maintain order" in the next American city to undergo a major crisis, they will not be bound by the sham "compassionate conservatism" that a full twenty percent of this country are still stupid enough to believe is the hallmark of this disgusting administration's agenda. These homicidal bastards are gonna shoot to kill. Count on it.

Tom Degan
Goshen, NY
Sunday Will Never Be The Same: Remembering Tim Russert

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What a joke. One more arm of the Bush Regime.

John
Ultimate Anonymity

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Getting out of iraq and Afghanistan would eliminate some of the need - but now that the Cold War has ended (20 yrs!) We can certainly begin closing down bases in other countries. We ahve the Technology and capability to defend ourselves and assist other nations from here if need be.
Shutting down the MIC is the second order of business- right after prosecuting this Administration and it's Corp Co Conspirators.They have Al placed US in serious Danger from their Reckless Business practices and Militarty machismo.9/11 was an attack On THEM- they had just used US as human shields, thinking they would not dare strike on our homeland- OOPS THEIR BAD!
Thank you for th eInsight to Sen Obama's position- I'll have to voice my disapproval of his stance on the War Incs, along with my already voice disappointment regarding his silence about Kucinich's 35 articles of Impeachment- should throw his Recent Political Clout behind it, to push the Chicken shit Dems. Who by the way are in fora big surprise should they be on any Ballots this Nov. won't be riding His Coattail back in.The Dems are Delusional if they think their Approval Rating will be improved with the election of Sen Obama. Their Complicity has proven to be too deep and too vast - I'd like to see many also brought up on High crimes Charges.
As for those who Work fro these Companies- I would grant them no mercy- as I would for those serving in the military for any crimes they may have committted. Our Troops have been placed in a Horrid situation, and have no way to get out execpt desert or commit suicide. But For Hire Mercenaries DO HAVE A CHOICE and they are fully responsible PERSONALLY for their actions.Frankly Crimes committed against iraqi Citizens should be tried in th eIraqi Courts. Our troops should be tried Here, Under our laws and levels of Punishment- victims of circumstances. For Hire Mercenaries are On their own in the Iraqi courts- No Diplomatic assitance should be available.Should have QUIT!In fact their CEO's et al should also face charges under the 'Free Nation' of Iraq's 'legal system'.WE Never Hired Them. In fact We Never hired BushCo either- they should face the same,Since Dynacorp stole the last 2 elections with their Rigged SCAMtrons.We should Kick al these criminals to the Iraqi's so we can get about reConstituting Our Country. Wash Our Hands Of them All!Then let's see who in Congress & SCOTUS should Join them and Which will immediately change the way they do business or carry out their Public Servant Duties!

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More pieces of the puzzle have been found. I found it gratifying to have posted this poll about media failing us and seeing how many people understand this.

We need an additional grass roots effort to stick a pin in corporate media's butts to demand they tell the truth and tell it often.

America needs to know about Blackwater. They also need to understand that it is their Congress who let's these things happen even while chastising the administration for inviting them to dinner.

The single biggest threat to America resides in Washington DC. Congress AND the administration all need replaced. Bush needs to be impeached and we need to elect a new set of representatives, untainted by greed and special interests. I have more to say here

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Is it really any surprise that Blackwater, Haliburton etc. is in the middle of it all? Cheney=Haliburton. Blackwater? Texas. What lies under Iraq? Oil.

Corporations run America. They buy politicians to do their bidding, pay the money to get them elected then rake in the gold while the rest of us poor schmucks have to work for them for whatever pennies they decide to throw at us.

The US has to have some of the dumbest voters on the face of the Earth.

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Call your House representative 202-224-3121

The votes are getting closer and so it does matter.

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If "beck," who always has something to say here, is right, someone should have taken care of this problem already. Everytime Blackwater fires a shot (whether, presumably in self defense, defense of a friend, or otherwise) someone who also has a gun should have immediately shot them.

And, of course, Blackwater should have just let their assailants shoot them, in order to prevent from shooting Blackwater someone reacting to the Blackwater shot.

For decades, I have opposed, both real action and the written and spoken kind, the waging of war by CIA proprietary companies and so called "civilian military" (nice euphemism for "mercenary," huh?). In my opinion, you see, moral war - if there is such a thing - is fought by people who have such justification that they would send their own sons (that they will send their daughters is symptomatic of how sick as a nation we've become) to kill and be killed. The military in such "just wars" is conscripted by draft assuring that every citizen of the nation somehow takes part. The war is fought all-out (i.e, without concern for collateral damage, so called), and brought to a conclusion as swiftly as possible (no matter how cruel that may sound, statistical analysis reveals that total loss of life is less).

No one who has ever been in war or any lethal fight expects soldiers - including Blackwater mercenaries - to do what we are demanding of them in Iraq. A man defending his life - every soldier in a war zone - cannot be expected to refrain out of concern for what may happen to bystanders from shooting someone trying to kill him. More, people who make such demands ought be drafted and delivered to a combat zone - in order that they might demonstrate their great humanity first hand.

People like "beck" represent a number of people in that class.

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Eric Prince is VERY ideological, so I'm
positive he has his own clear concept of how he'd like the U.S. to be governed. It appears he's building a cadre of Blackwater storm troopers he can use to intimidate into silence or otherwise eliminate the opposition to some future Eric Prince-minded demagogue (maybe himself!) who is poised, by election or other means, to take power in the U.S. Prince and his
Blackwater army are a serious, future threat to
a democratic USA.

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Blackwater is necessary because most of America's military officer corps are too insular and well-schooled in Constitutional powers to support a wholesale reversal of American Constitutional process. Eventually, there will be a breaking point.

Furthermore, all those new prisons going up throughout the U.S. portend a need for a special kind of policing the military is neither legally nor professionally suited for.

It's actually the same problem Hitler had.

And while the military are constitutionally prevented from domestic policing, local police agencies usually employ the naturally-thuggish in sufficient numbers to keep civilians cowed. But somebody's got to direct all that.

As Blackwater moves in against Americans, the current military officer cadre (who by definition have a dangerous tendency towards backing U.S. Constitutional precepts) are being scattered overseas, commanding undermanned, overdeployed forces in endless skirmishes that last just long enough to consume excess manpower and resources (time to re-read our '1984').

The exception, of course is the Navy officer corps, who live to kiss the butts of the influential when they're not lolling about on U.S. golf courses.

But they've been slipping, missionwise, for some time, and I imagine aren't looking too threatenting to Blackwater domestic thugs -- such dissent would endanger those free houses on Admirals Row, BX privileges -- and might put them in harm's way not to mention muss those spanking white ice cream suits.

It's clear 'the law' means little when it comes to corporate America paying for their crimes. They're already 'above it.'

But the military is another story, and if history's a guide, any check on Blackwater power in this country will ultimately come down to decisions made by military commanders.

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Blackwater sure looks like it. Do we even know how many people are employed by this outfit? This bunch is dangerous as hell. This crooked administration could well use these guys to enforce MARTIAL LAW if they decide they don't like how the coming Presidential election is going to end. They look like the SS, act like the SS, and talk like the SS: Bush/Cheney's personal army of storm troopers.

A very ominous group of people in a time we'd better watch our backs!

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Revolutionary War for Independence. Nearly all empires in history have had to resort to private armies and paid killers. The Red Coated Hessians were the same type of organization as Blcakwater.

Most third world, struggling countries also have private armies. This is just another step in the direction of America becoming a banana republic.

Security Contractor = Mercenary Killer.

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He works protecting oil interests in North Africa and elsewhere in the region.

One of his favorite stories involves the first time he killed someone.

Basically they were notified by Marines in the local area that they had spotted an ambush being setup via an aerial drone. Their team went out and ambushed the ambush.

"So we're firing on these guys and one of them is running, and I shot him 3 times in the back - bam, dead."

The oil companies give the governments of the nations in question enough kick backs that they basically have free reign to kill as many "terrorists" or poor people as they want without having to answer any questions.

Not that any of this is new. This sort of thing has been going on since the colonial days. Except they mostly used government troops back then. The only difference is:

1. The internet allows you commoners to hear about it.
2. You actually care.

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Trying to compare these guys to something really really dispicable, with the purpose of making them look worse, wont work any more, for them, the bush regime or any other individual or group of slime balls. The issue has become transcendental. Meaning, beyond the ability of the thinking process to even find a category for these monsters. We have become numb to the onslaught of seemingly endless vile behaviour. One of the best sayings in this regard , which seems to apply under all conditions past and present is "If you aren't outraged, you aren't paying attention"

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I know how I would feel if I was in the army and knew how much money those Blackwater people were making. And then to think while I have to follow rules, and to know that they abide by no rules. I know that my ability to continue to do the right thing would be compromised. This is not fair to our troops. And all we hear is how these people have the utmost respect for our troops, and that since we do not support the war, we somehow do not support the troops.
And this is only one issue, what about the lack of body armor for our troops, the comprimised care they have recieved once they are home, the PSTD problem. My God, we are failing our own military who are accountable, and rewarding the people who are not accountable.
Freedom is not free. Freedom requires responsibility.

veros

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I don't want to know any more killers my quota of killers is full. In fact I would be doing the human race a service if I terminated them.

Therein lays the problem. Who shall guard the guardians? If we don't eliminate them, eventually they will get around to eliminating us and our children. I will not go hunting them but, I keep a spiked and bismuth weighted baseball bat by the door.

Getting shot hurts like hell at first and you are afraid you might die. Then after hurting like hell for a couple weeks or months you are afraid you won't die. If one of these ass holes comes to your door crush his skull and take his weapon, it is the only chance you will get however, because then they will snipe you from a distance like the cowards they are.

Or better yet and imminently more sane; move out of the country to a saner safer one. Find one of the first world nations because this pigsty has become a NAZI stronghold. These Sturmbhan Fuhrers are everywhere!

We helped create, and then hired them! Don’t bitch folks every one of us caused this to take place. We have nothing to do but keep slurping up the world’s oil like there was no tomorrow. So eat your fossil fuels and love the taste!

Or, ride these Nazi bastards and their keepers out of our country on a rail tarred and feathered.

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Is it really a surprise that our military AND national guard have both been depleted just as a company like Blackwater floats to the surface? Was it an accident that Blackwater was employed to deal with civic management issues in New Orleans during Katrina.
Who out there thinks it is wise to have a private mercenary firm working with FEMA, the only organization that can declare a national state of emergency and initiate martial law?

I am not saying that there is a grand plan to take over the U.S.(that I know of), but I am saying that we as a people are putting ourselves in an untenable position and everyday our "rights" have less weight and value.
If money is god then your life has no worth in the marketplace.

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Blackwater is entirely similar to Hitler's SS private bodyguards... a private army, they swore an oath of loyalty to the German leader, but were paid by public (state) funds... just like Blackwater is not responsible to the US government at large, just to those in the administration who shovel so many billions of tax dollars their way.

Blackwater's operation is based on the model of the Fugitive Slave Hunters of the ante-bellum era (slavery era), private bounty hunters who had license to kill (and/or torture) any slaves who resisted capture. Bounty hunters were usually paid to bring slaves in alive, but if an especially threatening group of runaways was on the loose, the local plantation owners and local governments (same thing) would pay to exterminate the threat.

This legacy is why it is so natural for the radical, reactionary Right-Wing to tolerate the gross corruption and death-squad ruthlessnes of Blackwater and other "private contractors" in Bush's wars overseas.

Up until the Civil War rudely interrupted the Deep South's embrace of "involuntary servitude" slavery culture was the foundation of almost half of American society, including 12 of the first 15 US presidents.

In complete contrast to White propaganda over the generations, Mt. Vernon, Monticello, the Hermitage, and other presidential mansions were entirely built by _SKILLED_ slave labor.
President Washington had slaves run his farms, stills, fisheries, mills, and almost all estate functions, and was known as a stern taskmaster. President Jackson _exterminated_ or cleansed runaway slaves and Indians from the Carolinas, and had at least 2 of his own slaves whipped to death.

Of course helping a slave escape to freedom was a capital crime in the Deep South, the crime of "aiding violent insurrection" - todays equivalent of being "soft on terror" if not "aiding terrorists."

Towards the end of the slavery era, Whites found it inconvenient for their propaganda to acknowledge that slaves were real humans, and could read, write, learn arithmetic & other languages, etc.... so they passed laws OUTLAWING the education of slaves, enforceable by corporal or capital punishment administered by the above bounty hunters.

Thus the use of "private contractors" to ENFORCE violent social codes and public "laws" should not be underestimated, either today or historically.
This culture of private violence enforcing cheap wages for the benefit of the wealthy is at the roots of the Right-Wing anti-education, anti-intellectual agenda of today, even while the Right attempts to mask itself in a patina of "MORAL VALUES." For example, Florida is one of the wealthiest states in America, but ranks dead last (or 2nd worst) in per capita student spending for public education.
And of course the bible-thumping morality preachers of today - the Falwells, Robertsons, Bob Jones U., Hagees, etc. - are the direct lineal descendents of preachers thumping their bibles to defend slavery (and the violence and inhuman degredation attendent to it) 150 years ago.

For more on how so much of the Bush-Cheney radical right-wing agenda comes directly out of the slavery and segregation (violent lynch-mobs) era agenda, see
"Made in Texas: George W. Bush and the SOUTHERN TAKEOVER of American Politics."
http://www.amazon.com/Made-Texas- Southern-Takeover-American/dp/0465041213

"Southern" as in neo-Confederate - unapologetic about slavery, much less segregation, much less disenfranchisement, much less private mercenary armies, monster national deficits (which devalue the savings and worth of average citizens), expanding wars overseas, and the desire to create a war-time dictatorship (police state powers) in America itself - just like the Bounty Hunters had.

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Antonia missed the greatest potential danger facing America from mercenary armies like Blackwater.There will come a time when they will not only bite the fingers which feed them, that is, the $ doling fingers of the US Government, but bite off their arms and legs, abrogate the US Constitution, disarm the US Armed Forces, declare martial law, raid the Treasury and blow up Capitol Hill and shift the US Capital to Dixie Land! Oh,what fun it will be!

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Antonia missed the greatest potential danger facing America from mercenary armies like Blackwater.Yes, to the US because there will come a time when they will not only bite the fingers which feed them, that is, the $$ doling fingers of the US Government, but bite off their arms and legs, abrogate the US Constitution, disarm the US Armed Forces, declare martial law, raid the Treasury, blow up Capitol Hill and shift the US Capital to Dixie Land and convert FOX Inc into a Ministry/Department of Information with Rupert Murdoch as its first Secretary.

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If Blackwater is 'above the law' then they are also not 'protected' by the law..they are fair game, both in Iraq as well as in US.

dboy

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Dictator Bushes Private Police (SS) squad. Welcome to the new regime!

JT
Ultimate Anonymity

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Blackwater has been nominated in Corporate Accountability International's Corporate hall of shame for killing unarmed Iraqi civilians, hiring paramilitaries trained under military dictatorships, and using its close political and financial ties with the Bush Administration to secure lucrative contracts.

Check out Blackwater and the other nominees and cast your vote at:
http://www.stopcorporateabuse.org/cms/page1651.cfm

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Blackwater has been nominated in Corporate Accountability Internationals 2008 Corporate hall of shame for killing unarmed Iraqi civilians, hiring paramilitaries trained under military dictatorships, and using its close political and financial ties with the Bush Administration to secure lucrative contracts.

To vote for Blackwater and check out the other nominees check out: http://www.stopcorporateabuse.org/cms/page1651.cfm

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