zed

Good job, Marcy!

Hnnah Arendt is looking down on this affair, shaking her wise head. I was in HS when she wrote her New Yorker articles about the Eichmann trial. Eichmann was different from Hill, but I’m afraid there are some frightening similarities. I’m sure Iraqis watching this can’t be feeling very charitable toward this group of people – Blackwater and other “contractors”. It is obvious that we’re not getting anywhere in this fucking hearing. Not as awful as the Tillman show, but bad enough.

emptywheel! Thanks for liveblogging.

This is very hard to listen to… the validating what BW had and is doing because they are “proud Veterans”.

OMG how much does it cost…. WHERE is he putting in his 25-50% profit in that calculation?

You guys are the BEST.

Just what is Mica’s function? For whom does he work? Is this really 1984?

Nice of Rep. Mica to widen the blame — notice how he slipped in Al Gore into his talking points?

They spent a lot of time and energy on prep work, likely every day since the 16th, in order to get this coordinated.

Rayne @ 6

Nice of Rep. Mica to widen the blame — notice how he slipped in Al Gore into his talking points?

They spent a lot of time and energy on prep work, likely every day since the 16th, in order to get this coordinated.

it’s alarming!

THen how did you get the contract???

Erik Prince: the Laurita Doan of Blackwater.

Crap!! Kucinich asks about DeVos family involvement!! I didn’t expect that, although I’m glad for it!

Did anyone else catch this?

Didn’t Prince say he didn’t know about the false story in the media about it being a soldier killing the guard as opposed to a Blackwater guy?

If so, then how could he know the false story in the media only lasted a few hours? Sounds like a lie to me, and a bad one.

Ugh, wish I could email Waxman and have him read it.

theWalrus @ 9

Erik Prince: the Laurita Doan of Blackwater.

at least someone is willing to use the name “DOAN”, Prince is covering for her, too.

Rayne @ 10

Crap!! Kucinich asks about DeVos family involvement!! I didn’t expect that, although I’m glad for it!

Go, Dennis!!

Prince hesitated on that Waxman question about the company being put together and then put on the GSA list

hmmm…

Wouldn’t Doan be the one responsible for the apparent open ended no-bid contract?

Shays: I was a Peace Corps volunteer.

(What does that have to do with the hearing?)

Wow. Shays must be getting a big backdoor payoff from Blackwater…

Shays: “You have a perfect record, and you don’t get any credit for it. Come up here, son, I want to give you a big hug. Followed by a big kiss. Thank you for the amazing job you do.”

It’s amazing how these BS companies are “self qualified” to fulfill these contracts. They do a smoke and mirror proposal and BANG they get a 300 million dollar contract…

Hmmmm let’s go procure now… we have 300 million for this contract.

Who are the idiots who award these contracts? Most home owners perform more due diligence when they have their bathroom remodeled.

You don;t get any credit for it, except for $500 millions dollars I mean.

I asked this question at #153 downstairs, but since most everybody’s gone there, I’ll ask it again here:

I thought that part of the problem is that the contract itself helps to obscure the path to justice. For instance, I thought the contract specifically excludes Blackwater from being subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Is this correct?

Also, how extensively have we used mercenaries in previous wars?

Sparkles the Iguana @ 18

Shays: “You have a perfect record, and you don’t get any credit for it. Come up here, son, I want to give you a big hug. Followed by a big kiss. Thank you for the amazing job you do.”

Since he’s on the short list to lose is job in Congress to a Dem, he’s just buttering up his future boss

Sooo….have I got this right? What Blackwater does is A-OK with the Republican members of this committee?

Jeebus…and now Shays straps on the industrial knee pads for the young Prince.

Ugh. Making me nauseous with his effusive bullsh*t.

Pertinent to the hearing:

The private military industry was an answer to these political problems that had not existed in the past. It offered the potential backstop of additional forces, but with no one having to lose any political capital. Plus, the generals could avoid the career risk of asking for more troops.

That is, there was no outcry whenever contractors were called up and deployed, or even killed. If the gradual death toll among American troops threatened to slowly wear down public support, contractor casualties were not counted in official death tolls and had no impact on these ratings. By one count, as of July 2007, more than 1,000 contractors have been killed in Iraq, and another 13,000 wounded. (Again, the data is patchy here, with the only reliable source being insurance claims made by contractors’ employers and then reported to the U.S. Department of Labor.) Since the troop “surge” started in January 2007, these numbers have accelerated — contractors have been killed at a rate of nine per week. These figures mean that the private military industry has suffered more losses in Iraq than the rest of the coalition of allied nations combined. The losses are also far more than any single U.S. Army division has experienced.

Hence, while private losses were just the “cost of doing business” for a firm in Iraq, they actually had an undisguised advantage to policymakers. The public usually didn’t even hear about contractor losses, and when they did, they had far less blowback on our government. For all the discussion of contractors as a “private market solution,” the true costs that they hope to save are almost always political in nature.

And when we weigh the devastating consequences that the Iraq war has had on America’s broader security and standing in the world, this enabling effect of the private military industry may be its ultimate cost. The underlying premise of the Abrams Doctrine was that, if a military operation could not garner public support of the level needed to involve the full nation, then maybe it shouldn’t happen in the first place.

Sure, self-determination for Iraq?

If Shays was a CO he should have volunteered and trained for medic duty in the military. He could have transported the wounded. Was he another one suddenly claiming to be a CO to avoid service. There were lots of CO’s putting their body on the line. Hiding out in the Peace Corp wasn’t a place to be.

True to form, he loves BW and praises them. Shays is such a selfrighteous coward. I didn’t see him in prison for his CO status.

Rayne @ 24

Jeebus…and now Shays straps on the industrial knee pads for the young Prince.

Ugh. Making me nauseous with his effusive bullsh*t.

on the bright side, he’s getting a little old for all this cheerleading. Maybe he’ll pull a muscle…

why doesn’t anyone have the video of BW guys shooting and laughing from the back of a pick-up truck?

WOW is Shays a creep. What is it with these people. Have they no shame?

Ann in AZ @ 21

I asked this question at #153 downstairs, but since most everybody’s gone there, I’ll ask it again here:

I thought that part of the problem is that the contract itself helps to obscure the path to justice. For instance, I thought the contract specifically excludes Blackwater from being subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Is this correct?

Also, how extensively have we used mercenaries in previous wars?

They were used pretty extensively in the Balkans.

Ann in AZ @ 21

I asked this question at #153 downstairs, but since most everybody’s gone there, I’ll ask it again here:

I thought that part of the problem is that the contract itself helps to obscure the path to justice. For instance, I thought the contract specifically excludes Blackwater from being subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Is this correct?

Also, how extensively have we used mercenaries in previous wars?

BW is not subject to the UCMJ.

SanderO @ 29

WOW is Shays a creep. What is it with these people. Have they no shame?

They have no sense of decency!!!!

SanderO @ 29

WOW is Shays a creep. What is it with these people. Have they no shame?

Nope. and the Dems have no balls. A winning combination.

They have no shame. No conscience. No morals. No ethics. But they do have loads of greed. Put a cap on Prince and you have a German SS agent.

If I’m a civilian required to go to Iraq, I’d sure want Blackwater defending my rear end. Read Rich Galen’s travelogues in Iraq at http://www.mullings.com .

theWalrus @ 33

SanderO @ 29

WOW is Shays a creep. What is it with these people. Have they no shame?

Nope. and the Dems have no balls. A winning combination.

Exactly. I have a (sinking) feeling that the firepups could run a better hearing than these folks. We can keep Waxman though.

Should BW be liable for the employee’s actions?

I love the way prince talks about Iraqi death compensation. Meaning Iraqi’s death = 5,000. How is this determined? It’s just a nebulous “Iraq-wide policy” says Prince.

If killing is your business, the CEO should know the amount his company paid out to cover up the killings of innocent people. He doesn’t know, so he says.

Can Waxman call on the FBI and DoJ to prosecute Blackwater? Unless a criminal complaint is filed against them, Blackwater will do what they always do.

I think Mr. Prince is on the short list for the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Why do we have to pay private security to guard the state department in Iraq and not in Mexico City?

Sparkles the Iguana @ 41

I think Mr. Prince is on the short list for the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

I think he’s hoping to be President

And why can’t we get better value if we do outsource? Why do we pay so much more to these contractors.

Wordsmith @ 31

Ann in AZ @ 21

I asked this question at #153 downstairs, but since most everybody’s gone there, I’ll ask it again here:

Also, how extensively have we used mercenaries in previous wars?

BW is not subject to the UCMJ.

Actually, they exist somewhere in Cheney’s mysterious 4th branch,between the military and the private sector, claiming the legal immunity our military gets but ignoring the legal obligation they are bound by.

And that’s not snark.

SanderO @ 42

Why do we have to pay private security to guard the state department in Iraq and not in Mexico City?

ssshhhhh, don’t give ‘em any ideas…

Wow. Blackwater thugs are crack shots, nay, perfect shots according to Prince. The ONLY time they EVER kill a civilian is via richochet. They NEVER EVER miss, even when in full auto and “spraying and praying” (quote from military personnel who observe the “product” of Blackwater service).

They NEVER kill innocents except by accident. I’m also certain that the film released to the internets a year ago where they put to music their spraying and praying at ANY vehicle that approached “too closely” to their vehicles (that is, anyone with the gall to approach the general 50 yard vicinity of a Blackwater car on a friggin highway).

SanderO @ 42

Why do we have to pay private security to guard the state department in Iraq and not in Mexico City?

They’ll get around to it.

I read a news item the other detail detailing Blackwater’s lobbying of a number of state governments to provide services normally the province of the National Guard.

SanderO @ 19

It’s amazing how these BS companies are “self qualified” to fulfill these contracts. They do a smoke and mirror proposal and BANG they get a 300 million dollar contract…

Hmmmm let’s go procure now… we have 300 million for this contract.

Who are the idiots who award these contracts? Most home owners perform more due diligence when they have their bathroom remodeled.

See: Custer Battles.

jess @ 40

Can Waxman call on the FBI and DoJ to prosecute Blackwater? Unless a criminal complaint is filed against them, Blackwater will do what they always do.

Seems like DOJ, Military and Iraqis do nothing when there’s a crime, ex. X-mas shooter. 9 months nothing about shooter. No rules, no accountability. Even though Prince is now listing “rules” they could be accountable for.
Love the way Shays says BW dies every year. So we shouldn’t question, for ex: competence.

By the way what era is Prince’s haircut from?

Does anybody know if there are other means of obstruction of justice or avoidance of lawful incarceration for the benefit of BW buried in their contract? Something that would make them not subject to either Iraqi or American laws regarding murder and mayhem in addition to their not being subject to the UCMJ.

Prince says that OUR military call BW to save them when they have problems….. IS that not like call 911 to save your life while being a patient in a hospital?

Waxman – Says military doesn’t appreciate BW. Hard when BW has no accountability. Do you answer to the military? Under same rules as US military. Prince is proud of the added value BW gives to military. Waxman counter Prince’s sttement. 100 and what operating in Iraq? Did someone get this> That’s a lot of private security companies.

You know, if I was a civilian required to go to Iraq, I guess I’d want Tony Soprano to guard my ass.

Waxman is in the pocket of oil….

Pathetic!!!!!

JEP @ 45

Wordsmith @ 31

BW is not subject to the UCMJ.

Actually, they exist somewhere in Cheney’s mysterious 4th branch,between the military and the private sector, claiming the legal immunity our military gets but ignoring the legal obligation they are bound by.

And that’s not snark.

Sounds right to me! We seem to be getting more and more of this crap. Do you think Congress will ever catch on?

Yes. Military contractors suck Waxman. Outsourcing sucks. Its wrong.

The Iraq war is illegal. Anything done in its name is illegal. Anyone hired in its service was hired illegally and acted illegally.

I wish they would ask some of the following questions:
1. How many Iraqis killed by Blackwater?
2. How many wounded?
3. How many people fired from Blackwater, and what for? If they did something we would consider illegal here in the U.S., how many went through any legal process of any kind?
4. What sort of screening do you have for your people? Do you do criminal checks? Mental health checks? How in-depth?
5. Do you have any complaints process where an Iraqi could complain about treatment? How are these complaints resolved?
etc. etc. etc.

Has someone asked the payscale for regular troops vs. Blackwater employees. They should.

theWalrus @ 58

The Iraq war is illegal. Anything done in its name is illegal. Anyone hired in its service was hired illegally and acted illegally.

That is why in the Goldsmith hearing, he stated that the Administration is “really scared” about war crime accountability.

Recruits for our strained military?

Private contractor are another bad decision by this military. Tom Davis – defending the cost benefit of contractors. BW has no employee fatalities. That’s amazing.

Prince doesn’t want to lose his golden goose eggs – taxpayer welfare checks to keep BW in business.

go Tierney!

Is that right that no more soldiers get out of the service than they ever did, but that of those that do, more of them join up with BW and other contractors than what use to go into business? I thought the armed forces were bleeding people in greater numbers, which is why they keep saying they are having retention problems.

Great job live-blogging the hearing…thanks!

The crew in the short video on the net referred to in an earlier comment is/was Aegis, I think.

When water is ‘black’ it is often septic.
Definitely not healthy, so who is ‘drinking’ it? Maybe they get something to make it more palatable?

QuakerGirl @ 63

Private contractor are another bad decision by this military. Tom Davis – defending the cost benefit of contractors. BW has no employee fatalities. That’s amazing.

Prince doesn’t want to lose his golden goose eggs – taxpayer welfare checks to keep BW in business.

And not true. Fallujah, four Blackwater employees strung up over the Tigris and the families are suing BW. So how can he say no casualties?!

Prince encourages Congress to get cost-based analysis of activities in the field for comparison…

But Prince and corporatists like him never include in their own analyses the cost of the damage they do in the field as part of the real cost of doing business with them.

If the Blackwater attacks to date have increased the likelihood of attacks on all Americans, whether contractors or troops, the American public ends up paying that cost in the form of increased troop casualties and injuries, and longer occupation costs that Repugs will claim are necessary until security is assured.

Blackwater costs us far more than the amount they’ve been paid.

Ann in AZ @ 65

Is that right that no more soldiers get out of the service than they ever did, but that of those that do, more of them join up with BW and other contractors than what use to go into business? I thought the armed forces were bleeding people in greater numbers, which is why they keep saying they are having retention problems.

according to Erik Prince!
believe him,
or not!

I pledge allegiance to Blackwater, and the unmitigated killing of innocent civilians, and to the contract which Cheney stamps. One formation, under Prince’s God. with hollow point liberty and no justice, from the congressional halls.

mui @ 60

Has someone asked the payscale for regular troops vs. Blackwater employees. They should.

“In Aug. 2003, the Bush administration awarded Blackwater a $21.3 million contract to guard then Amb. Paul Bremer. The average senior special operations officer makes $50,000 a year from the U.S. government. Employees in private security firms in Iraq often make more than $1,000 a day from government contracts. This arrangement is “depleting the ranks of the special forces,” luring them into lucrative private jobs.”

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/…..ater-army/

James Joyce @ 55

Waxman is in the pocket of oil….

Pathetic!!!!!

What on earth makes you think that?

valletta @ 68

QuakerGirl @ 63

Private contractor are another bad decision by this military. Tom Davis – defending the cost benefit of contractors. BW has no employee fatalities. That’s amazing.

Prince doesn’t want to lose his golden goose eggs – taxpayer welfare checks to keep BW in business.

And not true. Fallujah, four Blackwater employees strung up over the Tigris and the families are suing BW. So how can he say no casualties?!

I thought the same thing. I suspect they meant that no casualties among those that they were protecting – as that is the point the goopers tried to hammer home every time they opened their mouths.

I hope Waxman doesn’t go to Iraq with Blackwater for his security detail.

mui @ 73

James Joyce @ 55

Waxman is in the pocket of oil….

Pathetic!!!!!

What on earth makes you think that?

Please, give us credible sources for this statement. I need to look into this. Thank you.

Prince: The enemy has come up with a perfect precision weapon:
a car, a rubber tire, a piece of wire and one malevolant “terrorist”?

Oh well I guess technology is dead.

QuakerGirl @ 76

mui @ 73

What on earth makes you think that?

Please, give us credible sources for this statement. I need to look into this. Thank you.

I can’t.

Geez. this all presupposes our occupation is and was justified, based on “fabricated” intelligence. That question is buried and ignored. It is a “cluster fuck” by design.

Here’s a question I’d like to hear addressed.

Since Blackwater acknowledges hiring experienced ex-military folks, why and how did those same folks get passed over when military called vets up for repeated tours of duty?

Seems to me that passing them over increases market demand, and hands the supply over to contractors on a silver platter. Also hands over freedom from accountability on a silver platter as well.

Yes Duncan-R!!!! You fiscal conservatives should be completely horrified by blackwater.
And why should troops pay for 5.00 water? eh?

re- perfect record…

Didn’t Prince claim 3 BW guys and 1 State Dept fatality in that grisly photo he held up?

I suspect they meant that no casualties among those that they were protecting -

Yep. See my 25 above.

This is who our mercenary companies attract.

Swaggering men addicted to violence, who now get to engage their lust for big money. The upshot should come as no suprise.

mui @ 81

Yes Duncan-R!!!! You fiscal conservatives should be completely horrified by blackwater.

Horrified!

And not true. Fallujah, four Blackwater employees strung up over the Tigris and the families are suing BW. So how can he say no casualties?!

Technically, he might be correct. Most of the BW mercenaries in Iraq are considered 1099 “private contractors”.

mui @ 78

QuakerGirl @ 76

Please, give us credible sources for this statement. I need to look into this. Thank you.

I can’t.

Sorry, Mui – I meant for the original statement by James Joyce @55. Didn’t mean to confuse.

Rep. John Duncan–Is this really a R I see behind his name? And if it is, can he seriously be being critical of BW? Is this a first this hearing?

Duncan: how much of Prince holdings are from federal funds?

Pri: “most”

Biodun @ 83

I suspect they meant that no casualties among those that they were protecting -

Yep. See my 25 above.

Yes Shays seems to think all the blackwater deaths are due to bravery and terra. And not say due to the kind of incompetence, that comes from smokie opie while driving DOD employees into an Afghan cliff. How’s that for cost-effectiveness?

rumi @ 82

re- perfect record…

Didn’t Prince claim 3 BW guys and 1 State Dept fatality in that grisly photo he held up?

yep, I think he did.

QuakerGirl @ 87

mui @ 78

I can’t.

Sorry, Mui – I meant for the original statement by James Joyce @55. Didn’t mean to confuse.

ees okay. Quakergirl. Im always confused.

Richard Blair @ 86

And not true. Fallujah, four Blackwater employees strung up over the Tigris and the families are suing BW. So how can he say no casualties?!

Technically, he might be correct. Most of the BW mercenaries in Iraq are considered 1099 “private contractors”.

Onward Christian soldiers!

Prince “it is not just about the money” That one will be on the front pages.

And we wonder why they hate us.

Yes Wm. Lacy Clay. Why are BW personnel worth more than regular troops. Get paid more etc. Why is that considered Cost Effective?

mui @ 94

Yes Wm. Lacy Clay. Why are BW personnel worth more than regular troops. Get paid more etc. Why is that considered Cost Effective?

lots of good questions asked and points made

James Joyce @ 55

Waxman is in the pocket of oil….

Pathetic!!!!!

Wrong Waxman

http://waxmanmedia.com/cgi-loc…..2258084206

Wm Lacy Clay: BW is poaching the army ranks luring them with salaries.

Kathleen @ 93

Richard Blair @ 86

And not true. Fallujah, four Blackwater employees strung up over the Tigris and the families are suing BW. So how can he say no casualties?!

Technically, he might be correct. Most of the BW mercenaries in Iraq are considered 1099 “private contractors”.

Onward Christian soldiers!

Prince “it is not just about the money” That one will be on the front pages.

And we wonder why they hate us.

Yep, those $1000 / day contractors are, for all intents and purposes, temps, and not direct employees of Blackwater.

mui @ 92

QuakerGirl @ 87

Sorry, Mui – I meant for the original statement by James Joyce @55. Didn’t mean to confuse.

ees okay. Quakergirl. Im always confused.

Between me and thee, I find this hearing grotesquely disturbing. I feel like I’m in a hearing by the German Parliament questioning the motives of the rising Nazi Movement. Talk about the need for brain bleach!

It would be really nice if Henry had invited some military brass to the hearing to get their “take” on Blackwater.

Was over at the other hearing.

Has this come up?

Blackwater to face arms smuggling investigation
Posted September 22nd, 2007 at 1:10 pm

What could make this week worse for Blackwater? If shooting Iraqi civilians and facing deportation pressure from the Maliki government weren’t quite enough, there’s also the looming investigation into illicit arms smuggling.

http://www.thecarpetbaggerrepo…..12971.html

*applauding Clay*

Here’s my question about Blackwater.. 1,099 contractors, 194 incidents under investigaton in about 36 months. Isn’t that kind of alot for only a thousand people? What.. Prince’s people TRY to pick a fight?

Blender @ 91

rumi @ 82

re- perfect record…

Didn’t Prince claim 3 BW guys and 1 State Dept fatality in that grisly photo he held up?

yep, I think he did.

I just found this

Three Blackwater USA private security contractors, along with a State Department security officer, were killed Monday in a suicide car bombing in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

Blackwater officials confirmed that the contractors worked for the Moyock, N.C.-based company, but did not release their names. The latest deaths bring Blackwater’s total fatality count in Iraq to 22, according to the Web site Iraq Coalition Casualty Count (icasualties.org/oif/).

The four were traveling in a three-vehicle diplomatic convoy, a spokesman for the U.S. mission in Baghdad said Tuesday. A lone driver pulled alongside the convoy and detonated an explosion next to the second vehicle.

I feel like I’m in a hearing by the German Parliament questioning the motives of the rising Nazi Movement.

I think it’s already been established that Blackwater = the Bush Crime Family’s™ brownshirts.

Prince just admitted that the military BY NECESSITY protects transports better. He said that the military can use some special laser thingy to disable missile(?), but they can’t…

Also, nobody has gotten to the essential issue on the guy who offed the VPs security guard – they weren’t required to hold or charge him, but they sure as h*** enabled his fleeing the country and therefore any justice. Sure they docked his pay for the airfare, but they got him the flight. If he was “fired” – why do him any favors?

And I don’t see how they consider a passenger in a plane is not under the pilots’ protection.

Mr. Tuter last I checked Ohio is not the “heart of it all” Ohio is the “tail pipe of it all”

Turner: how dare we oversee Blackwater! they are on our team!

Blub @ 103

Here’s my question about Blackwater.. 1,099 contractors, 194 incidents under investigaton in about 36 months. Isn’t that kind of alot for only a thousand people? What.. Prince’s people TRY to pick a fight?

Sorry – when I said 1099 before, I was referring to IRS form 1099 employees (temps / private contractors), not the number of BW contractors in Iraq. That’s contractually capped at somewhere around 1200.

theWalrus @ 58

The Iraq war is illegal. Anything done in its name is illegal. Anyone hired in its service was hired illegally and acted illegally.

It was approved by an Act of Congress, the signature of the President and had the blessing of the United Nations. I do not know what defines legality more than those entities.

QuakerGirl @ 87

mui @ 78

I can’t.

Sorry, Mui – I meant for the original statement by James Joyce @55. Didn’t mean to confuse.

Actions are alway louder than words are they not?. Waxaman’s own statement seems he accept American occupation in Iraq for 15 years. Listen to him….. Asselephants aka corpocratirepugs. If the limped dicked dems had a sack, like Dennis K does, this garbage would be over. Where you alive during Vietnam. The similarirties are overwhelming, yet we say there are few. Bomb Loas Bomb Cambodia, bomb Iran. I wonder what Ike would say. THis is gross and made grosser the the silence……….. just like Nazi Germany!!!!!

These REpublicans have indeed drunk the koolaid.
I feel like I’m in another universe watching this nation implode.

Turner now using the them or us black or white strawman.

Turner-Reptile. Is suggesting that we are all weeping over Al Quaeda agents killed by BW. AS if all Iraqis killed or even a good percentage were not civilians or tribal insurgents. Turner reptile blames Democrats for hampering BW out of something like ideological spite.

anne @ 108

Turner: how dare we oversee Blackwater! they are on our team!

don’t undermine them by holding them accountable for their actions.

Richard Blair @ 109

Sorry – when I said 1099 before, I was referring to IRS form 1099 employees (temps / private contractors), not the number of BW contractors in Iraq. That’s contractually capped at somewhere around 1200.

thanks for clarifying.. I think he did testify that there’s about a thousand mercs under contract in Iraq now presently… so the question still applies: 194 incidents per thousand seems like a very high rate of questionable shootings.. or shooting periods, for security contractors

Turner wants to change the military so that BW can have what they want more easily?OMG!

Kathleen @ 114

don’t undermine them by holding them accountable for their actions.

which kind of sums up the state of virtually all public policy under shrub, anywhere or anything.

Watson needs to bypass the moveon/Rush stuff. Oh thank you, now she goes onto privatization.

James Joyce @ 55

Waxman is in the pocket of oil….

Pathetic!!!!!

With Waxman heading this hearing, why would you put this on the thread? Nevermind. I really want to spend my energy on the hearing.

Look at Prince’s smirk while Watson speaks and says US military should be paid accordingly (peance according to BW.). Why do troops families have to live in subsidized housing, go on welfare. Meanwhile BW gets $$$$ for crashed helicopters.

Anybody else notice how Prince gave a justification for wingnut welfare — he basically said we owe our troops a living at doing what they learned to do in the service, and he’s a provider.

So basically Prince is a make-work provider for our troops once they’ve bailed out of the service and decided to earn a few times more than they made for Uncle Sam…

Jeebus.

(BTW, nice of Rep. Watson to refer to Oxy-moron as “Rush Limbo”…)

lambchops492003 @ 116

Turner wants to change the military so that BW can have what they want more easily?OMG!

Little known fact: BW has been given the contract to guard the Liberal Detention Camps that are being built right now all around the country.

as an embarrassed Ohioan, I want to remind everyone that we also produced Kucinich, Brown, and that wonderful guy from Youngstown whose name escapes me at the moment.

Privatizing the occupation of other nations.

Ms. Watson allow Prince to stick his own foot in his mouth… please

Watson: What’s so special about BW vs. regular troops? Eh? Why can’t our troops “specialize” like BW. (Aren’t you full of BS prince, admit it.)

the Walrus @122

yes, i recall reading about them getting that. It is sickening.

Prince keeps mentioning that the cost of a BW person is actually cheaper than a military person, due to support personnel costs. I’m sure someone has actually done a cost analysis of this. Where is that number?

Who actually has oversight over the State Dept. and when is Condi going to come and answer some of these questions? Can’t the committees over the State Dept. and DOD get together and get some of these answers? They should get Gates and Condi and Prince all on the same panel and have them have a go at it.

BQ @ 124

as an embarrassed Ohioan, I want to remind everyone that we also produced Kucinich, Brown, and that wonderful guy from Youngstown whose name escapes me at the moment.

Issa: Army’s mission doesn’t historiclaly guard VIP.
BULLSHIT. Since when? What do you think Gen. Patton and Churchill used?

so was Prince just reviewing the answers to the questions he would get from Issa?

What time/period in history is ISsa referring to when he says the Army doesn’t guard VIP?

Watson’s questioning seemed kind of pointless to me. ‘our troops should be paid more, be more specialized – shouldn’t we do that?’

well, yes, but that isn’t Blackwater’s job. It’s Congress that needs to step up to the plate at force the proper legislation, or put on the pressure, no?

BQ @ 123

as an embarrassed Ohioan, I want to remind everyone that we also produced Kucinich, Brown, and that wonderful guy from Youngstown whose name escapes me at the moment.

Tim Ryan?

I like him. Wish my rep was as good. He’s new and…well, he’s new.

liz @ 127

Prince keeps mentioning that the cost of a BW person is actually cheaper than a military person, due to support personnel costs. I’m sure someone has actually done a cost analysis of this. Where is that number?

Who actually has oversight over the State Dept. and when is Condi going to come and answer some of these questions? Can’t the committees over the State Dept. and DOD get together and get some of these answers? They should get Gates and Condi and Prince all on the same panel and have them have a go at it.

In Bu’ush World, public oversight of contract expenditures is disallowed because it would reveal “proprietary information.”

Issa: just be glad you don’t make a diabetic drug…

WTF? He’s off his rocker!

Issa what is he talking about with Smith Klein diabetes. Was a shareholder is that why he’s so p.o.ed?

I have been noticing that the Democratic Reps have been upholding Robert Gates as the Secretary of Defense, while the Republicans are siding with BW. Is BW Bush43’s own chosen military? Are these Republicans attempting to destroy our military?

Today On Washington Journal Rep. Issa described the responsibility of the oversight via this hearing and investigation of Blackwater “it is not our job to be the cops and to figure out who started the fist fight”

When a Rep describes the serious crime of indiscriminate killing of innocent people as a “fist fight”. There is no need to wonder why there has not been any serious oversight under the Republicans.

What the hell is Issa talking about? This guy is nuts!

Prince: BW is not a partisan co. We give contributions (always to Reptilicans.), but no we are not partisan.
Issa: It’s inappropriate for people(democrats) to cast such horrible aspersions on BW.
Waxman: the only one who’s done it is you.

NICE try!!! Issa

Will Issa bring up the MOve on add again?

BQ @ 123

as an embarrassed Ohioan, I want to remind everyone that we also produced Kucinich, Brown, and that wonderful guy from Youngstown whose name escapes me at the moment.

Paul Hackett ?

Waxman just showed how easy it is to ridicule a Republican. I wish he would do it more often.

Oh. Nice. Anybody want to check Issa’s campaign contributions for donations from Avandia?

That was a nice little piece of advertising for them.

Prince/BW is a huge GOP contributer and could account for the support he’s getting

QuakerGirl @ 120

James Joyce @ 55

Waxman is in the pocket of oil….

Pathetic!!!!!

With Waxman heading this hearing, why would you put this on the thread? Nevermind. I really want to spend my energy on the hearing.

Because it is entirely possible? Perceptions vs realities. Maybe it should have been a question”?,” Spend time on the hearing, you need it.

Issa: Blackwater is not a Republican company, ppl should stop calling it that.

Wax: the only one who is doing that is you

Issa: (rumbles some protest)

Wax: “maybe that’s why all the Republicans are defending the company.”

pwned!

theWalrus @ 142

Waxman just showed how easy it is to ridicule a Republican. I wish he would do it more often.

I was completely distracted by something at work…bummer.

What did Waxman say?

Blackwater Liveblog #3

theWalrus @ 143

Waxman just showed how easy it is to ridicule a Republican. I wish he would do it more often.

That was a completely sophomoric maneuver on Issa’s part. Issa should go back to the frat party.

Biodun @ 136

Issa: just be glad you don’t make a diabetic drug…

WTF? He’s off his rocker!

I can’t quit laughing.

Watch out Move on might start rhyming again..

Issa is pissin on oversight again!

new thread upstairs

Time to watch V for Vendetta again. A good reminder of where we are headed.

lambchops492003 @ 138

I have been noticing that the Democratic Reps have been upholding Robert Gates as the Secretary of Defense, while the Republicans are siding with BW. Is BW Bush43’s own chosen military? Are these Republicans attempting to destroy our military?

Privatize. Follow the money. OF COURSE the repigs. like BW, they get kickbacks. in the form of campaign contributions. AND it keels them and their kids out of a draft.

Marcy 3:

House Oversight: Blackwater Liveblog Three

We are down to “only” one liveblog but still request that folks stay ontopic on Marcy’s thread, thanks.

Prince: Blackwater mercernaries can not show up “naked”.

Heavens no naked is only for the prisoners under the US miliary’s watch at Abu Gharib.

Erik Prince says that his employees are not “mercenaries” and that is true. But he himself is certainly a war profiteer– he “fills the ol’ coffers” by trafficking in human misery. Why is the American taxpayer asked to give more money to this plutocratic vulture?

So it’s no big deal to Mica that two people survived the crash and weren’t recovered until they were dead. Way to go Mica! I call that supporting the troops.

I found it interesting how Blackwater went from a minor player in Government contractors earning only $700,0000 in 2004 and transitioning to the next year’s contract of $500/700 million.

Check my numbers and dates, but I’m sure they’re close.

COrrected numbers and years.

Blackwater had less than a million in Gov. contracts in 2000, in 2003 they received a $300 million no bid contact.