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photo: Lara604 via Flickr
Back in the stone ages when I was a lowly State Department intern, export control laws were a big deal (or at least that’s how I remember things).
Today . . . not so big a deal anymore, apparently:
The company formerly known as Blackwater violated U.S. export control laws nearly 300 times, ranging from attempts to do business in Sudan while that country was under U.S. sanctions to training an Afghan border patrol official who was a native of Iran, the State Department said Monday.
The alleged violations were spelled out in documents released Monday by the State Department as part of a $42 million settlement with Blackwater that will allow the company, now known as Xe Services LLC, to continue receiving U.S. government contracts.
Why does this sound familiar?
Hmmm . . .
Parent: “I’ve told you hundreds of times not to do that! Hundreds!”
Kid: “Sorry.”
Parent: “Sorry? Sorry? You’ve lied to me about it — hundreds of times! Hundreds!”
Kid: “I said I was sorry. (pause) But I can still have my allowance and go play at my friend’s house, right?”
Parent: “OK. But don’t let it happen again.”
Yeah, that’s going to work.
27 Comments
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When was the last time the USG paid attention to ANY law?
i think , maybe you are assuming that the govt is actually has an interest in whether blackwater (xe, whatever) complies with US and international law. I dont believe thats their primary consideration, or whay isnt eric prince in jail?
Shorter State Dept.: “Yeah, we know you’re a bunch of corrupt and lawless cowboys but we still luvs ya”
Not all parents talk to their kids that way. And, yes, I know you were being sarcastic, or maybe perspicacious.
I recently told someone I know that it really bothered me how she speaks to her children. She often says, so “such and such”, or I’ll beat your ass.
She told me she didn’t really mean to actually do that, but you know everyone says that to their kids. She asked me, Really, tell me you never said that to your kids. I told her I never have and I don’t. She stopped talking to me.
It’s an attitude that too many Americans think is okay. Towards our children, towards our neighbors, the world. It’s a bully attitude. I don’t want to be a bully.
“Above the law,” with limited liability?
This is a typical example of how our legal system is rigged in favor of our corporate overlords, regardless of what the increasingly numbered onslaught of TV police shows tries to sell you about how just, fair, and functional our system is.
If an individual breaks a law, the consequences are almost always greater than the rewards they reaped from the illegal behavior.Get busted with $200 of marijuana? Kiss a year of your life goodbye. If you are lucky you will get away with $500+ in court costs, fees, fines, and program fees plus a couple hundred hours of community service.
For the Corporates, the punishment for them breaking the law is almost always less than the rewards of the behavior. Blackwater makes hundreds of millions off a illegal gun sales? It pays just 42 million back. Goldman Sachs recently settled a case where they made billions from the scam and only paid a few million as “punishment”.
“Above the law,” with limited liability?
Impunity?
Just because people think they are above the law, doesn’t mean they are. As, Reverend Wright said The chickens will come home to roost. I believe that. Eventually, we sleep in the beds we have made.
at least Italian Fascists had Italy,all we get is Salmonilla heaven
i dont see much hope of escaping the police state
built in cost of doing buissiness,see Toyota ,break problem,all about costs my freind
I thought I’d read a few times that you were going to move out of the US. Not a plan easily accomplished. The only other way to do it is the Matrix way….there is no
spoonfacist state. Just trying to stay sane here.anybody still here?
Ding!
im trying.need to prolly raise 250K,and brush up on my French,found a 12 acre farm,problem will be moving my pets,freighters dont take em,only the QE2 which is booked a year in advance
how could this have happened here? how?How did chimpy get into office,WHAT A FREAKIN NIGHTMARE
Good for you.
I’m reading a good book & just stopping by to drop in my 2 cents from time-to-time.
I’m 2 cents richer for that.
I just went outside to check my gardens and I smell smoke. Don’t see any, but, after the last two fires, I’m a bit oversensitive in the nose department. Enjoy your reading, E..
whatcha reading?
didja see this?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/17/homeless-man-life-sentence-freed
oh dear,that is frightening,be a little vigilant,but calm((((demi)))
Blackwater clearly has a serious trump card to play in this game. Pictures of the dean or something sordid.
going to go feed Levi,there has finaly come a break in the weather,from 100 degree temperatures,thank you Godess
i tell the fundies around here,we are being punished for destroying the Biblical place Iraq
I went and looked around, but don’t see anything. Last week I smelled a fire that was 50 miles away. Just being oversensitive, I guess. I have my soundscape music on and am aiming for calmness. Thanks.
oh my
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/54535
Blackwater is part of the government.
Halliburton showed Blackwater how easy it is to get away with exporting embargoed products to the “axis of evil” countries!
We have similar takes, however mine come from having 4 German Shepherds instead of kids.
I never watch the Dog Whisperer and hear him say, “rules, boundaries and limitations” without thinking that’s what our politicians need. Without it, chaos. Dangerous chaos.