Blackwater Makes Excuses for Killing Civilians

[babylonsister]

http://alternet.org/blogs/peek/#63828

Blackwater Makes Excuses for Killing Civilians
Posted by Richard Blair on September 28, 2007 at 5:57 AM.

This post, written by Richard Blair, originally appeared on The All Spin Zone

Someone tell me what's going on - and if the government is supporting Blackwater's assertion that the company is "an extension of the military"?

What? WHAT??

The families of the four killed contractors filed suit against the company in January 2005, saying that Blackwater's cost-cutting measures led to the deaths. That lawsuit is still pending as a federal judge tries to determine whether it should be heard in arbitration or in open court.

Blackwater has argued in court that it is immune to such a lawsuit because the company operates as an extension of the military and cannot be responsible for deaths in a war zone.

Yep. The neocons have set up their own private army, answerable to no one but government contract officials, apparently.

I wonder what the General Petraeus has to say about Blackwater's assertion?

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

1. First, I completely REJECT the notion private companies cut costs to us.

That is, has and will always be complete bullshit.

Second, a private company NEVER operates as an extension of anything other than its profiteering self.

Where the objective behind 'public service' IS SERVING THE PUBLIC INTEREST, a private company's objective is to take as much advantage of the public as possible to make money e.g. to make as money as possible.

[angstlessk]

2. You are exactly right...the cost for uparmored SUV was paid for by the contract (US taxpayers)

but they failed to purchase them in order for the CEO to make more profit.

[Ezlivin]

3. And NONE of the Blackwater mercenaries swear an oath to uphold the Constitution

When I served in the military we did all of the work; from running the mess, to running supplies, to delivering the mail. There was accountability every single step of the way. And every single one of us raised our right hands and swore an oath to uphold the Constitution against all enemies, both domestic and foreign.

All these Blackwater mercenaries swear allegiance to is their next paycheck.

[shadowknows69]

4. The base I live nearby outsources gate security

tell me those guards aren't making about 5 times as much as if they posted a regular soldier there. Our troops aren't happy about shit like this either. It's all by design though. If they leave the army their next logical job, after being paid to be a killer for 5+ years is to go to Blackwater. Our gov is treating our own guys and gals so bad that they aren't reinlisting. The neocons private army grows and ours diminishes.