AlterNet: Overkill in New Orleans (Blackwater Mercenaries)

[katinmn]

Ugh.

http://www.alternet.org/katrina/25320/
Heavily armed paramilitary mercenaries from the Blackwater private security firm, infamous for their work in Iraq, are openly patrolling the streets of New Orleans. Some of the mercenaries say they have been "deputized" by the Louisiana governor; indeed some are wearing gold Louisiana state law enforcement badges on their chests and Blackwater photo identification cards on their arms. They say they are on contract with the Department of Homeland Security and have been given the authority to use lethal force. Several mercenaries we spoke with said they had served in Iraq on the personal security details of the former head of the U.S. occupation, L. Paul Bremer and the former U.S. ambassador to Iraq, John Negroponte.

"This is a totally new thing to have guys like us working CONUS (Continental United States)," a heavily armed Blackwater mercenary told us as we stood on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. "We're much better equipped to deal with the situation in Iraq."

Blackwater mercenaries are some of the most feared professional killers in the world and they are accustomed to operating without worry of legal consequences. Their presence on the streets of New Orleans should be a cause for serious concern for the remaining residents of the city and raises alarming questions about why the government would allow men trained to kill with impunity in places like Iraq and Afghanistan to operate here. Some of the men now patrolling the streets of New Orleans returned from Iraq as recently as two weeks ago.

snip
Two men we spoke with said they plan on returning to Iraq in October. But, as one mercenary said, they've been told they could be in New Orleans for up to six months. "This is a trend," he told us. "You're going to see a lot more guys like us in these situations."

[jimshoes]

1. Who do these guys answer to

in the event they, oh I dunno, blow away a carload of nuns or something?

[sam sarrha]

5. the "Black" part is a Mr Black in the CIA...old deep resident i understand

[tofubo]

6. don't worry

mr negroponte will just report back that everything is fine

[CottonBear]

2. This should be illegal if it's not already.

No mercenaries in the USA.
This is chilling:
"You're going to see a lot more guys like us in these situations."
:scared:

[katinmn]

4. It paints a very scary picture indeed.

Try to imagine these people who kill for money taking over the streets of Minneapolis, Chicago, Seattle, Memphis. If Bushco has their way, that's where we're headed.

This must be an added stressor for local law enforcement. I'd be leery since they answer only to Homeland Security.

I hate what the right wingers have done and this is especially noxious.

[Why Syzygy]

3. Hired killers

to "protect" the people. How novel. :sarcasm:

Sounds like someone who stole a couple of elections.