Waxman to Blackwater Head: Let's Have a Chat

[babylonsister]

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004250.php

Waxman to Blackwater Head: Let's Have a Chat
By Spencer Ackerman - September 20, 2007, 4:58PM

In the wake of the ongoing Blackwater scandal, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) wants to have a frank discussion with Erik Prince, the company's founder. His House oversight committee will hold a hearing on Blackwater on October 2. And it just won't be a party if Prince doesn't attend.

Waxman sent Prince a letter today requesting his appearance at the hearing. The little-seen Blackwater official probably won't take kindly to Waxman's intent to question "whether the specific conduct of your company has advanced or impeded U.S. efforts."

The Blackwater hearing offers Waxman the opportunity to link the issue with a different investigation his committee is undertaking. Waxman is also looking into whether the State Department's inspector general, Howard "Cookie" Krongard, obstructed an inquiry into allegations that Blackwater, on a State Department contract, was illegally smuggling weapons into Iraq. Krongard has been invited to an October 20 hearing before the committee.

Dear Mr. Prince:

The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hereby requests your testimony at a hearing on Tuesday, October 2, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 2154, Rayburn House Office Building.

The hearing will focus on the mission and performance of Blackwater USA and its affiliated companies in Iraq and Afghanistan. One question that will be examined is whether the government’s heavy reliance on private security contractors is serving U.S. interests in Iraq. Another question will be whether the specific conduct of your company has advanced or impeded U.S. efforts.

The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is the principal oversight committee in the House of Representatives and has broad oversight jurisdiction as set forth in House Rule X. Information for witnesses appearing before the Committee is contained in the enclosed Witness Information Sheet.

If you have any questions, please contact Theodore Chuang or Christopher Davis of the Committee staff at [phone].

Sincerely,
Henry A. Waxman
Chairman

[kurth]

1. Send the asshole to Fallujah

[Gabi Hayes]

2. I'm so sure he'll show up....

then what?

another line in the sand?

can you imagine what the pugs would have done with all these REFUSALS to respond to congressional/senate subpoenas?

what if Hillary had snubbed them back when hubbo was pres?

[babylonsister]

3. I wonder if the dim one would give him executive privilege. He's done

that before with people not a part of his admin. I want to see this happen!

[hootinholler]

4. Why does this only have 8 recs?

This is encouraging.

-Hoot

[OzarkDem]

5. The routine is old and stale

Dems in Congress have no intention of doing anything. They go through a few motions, have a hearing or two to keep the troops rallied. Then they cave and do nothing the first time Bush or someone else from the GOP says something.

Grassroots Dems are tired of the rollercoaster and the scam that Dem leaders in Congress are running. They're not going to do anything before the 2008 election.

A lot of us are realizing its a waste of time to get our hopes up with this crew, though you're welcome to.

[Gabi Hayes]

6. cause everybody knows where this will go

[hootinholler]

7. How true. n/t