Black Voters See Generation Gap And A Question On Assassination

As the story below illustrates, there is a growing divide between the black's who gained their civil rights, and the youth who are able to enjoy those hard won rights, with less of a struggle.

When civil rights elders signed on to support Hillary Rodham Clinton's run for president, it was seen as a coup in the competition for the black vote, especially in the Deep South.


Yet many younger black voters seem to be shrugging off the sway of leaders such as Rep. John Lewis and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, siding instead with Barack Obama's history-making bid to be the nation's first black president.

There will continue to be a fight over race, and over these very important voters to the Democratic Party. I have also wondered from the start, what the effect of a "black" winning the nomination, and possibly the Presidency on this nation. Here is the question, What are the odds of a Black President surviving his first 90 days in office. I know the candidate must think about the fact that there are still people in our nation, who are so racist and/or sexist, that they would attempt to kill, the first black, the first woman, the first Jewish, the first (fill in the blank) President! I am sure many of you have also thought about this, but in this election, there is the very real possibility that this will occur, and we will have a black, a woman, or perhaps both as :President and Vice-President. Will the Secret Service be ready for the threats, as these will be single source, and probably more organized attempts on our President's life then anytime in our history!

I do not wish ill on anyone, but these concerns have been with me for quite awhile, and I wonder how you feel about this subject, and hope you will voice your opinions. Thank you, and Have A Great Weekend!


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Blackwater Lawsuit

The following story is about Blackwater and indicates that a lawsuit against government contractor Blackwater Worldwide accuses its bodyguards of ignoring a direct order and abandoning their post shortly before taking part in a shooting in Baghdad that killed 17 Iraqi civilians.


Filed this week in U.S. District Court in Washington, the complaint also accuses North Carolina-based Blackwater of failing to give drug tests to its guards in Baghdad, even though an estimated one in four of them was using steroids or other "judgment altering substances."

For a quick overview of what Blackwater is all about I have included this post that I wrote shortly after the killings occurred of the Iraqi civilians:
It seems that Blackwater's luck is running strong as it is being reported that, the State Department promised Blackwater USA bodyguards immunity from prosecution in its investigation of last month's deadly shooting of 17 Iraqi civilians. The immunity deal has delayed a criminal inquiry into the Sept. 16 killings and could undermine any effort to prosecute security contractors for their role in the incident that has infuriated the Iraqi government.

Blackwater USA, is the private security firm that has become controversial for its extensive role in the war in Iraq, allegedly opened fire on and killed several Iraqis seems to be the last straw for Iraqi tolerance of the company. Iraqi government officials have promised action, including but not limited to the suspension or outright revocation of the company's license to operate in Iraq.

Pulling Blackwater's license may be all the Iraqis can do, although as of this moment, Blackwater refuses to leave. Should any Iraqis ever seek redress for the deaths of the civilians in a criminal court, they will be out of luck. Because of an order promulgated by the Coalition Provisional Authority, the now-defunct American occupation government, there appears to be almost no chance that the contractors involved would be, or could be, successfully prosecuted in any court in Iraq. CPA Order 17 says private contractors working for the U.S. or coalition governments in Iraq are not subject to Iraqi law. Should any attempt be made to prosecute Blackwater in the United States, meanwhile, it's not clear what law, if any, applies.

Scott Horton, who chairs the International Law Committee at the New York City Bar Association, said "Blackwater and all these other contractors are beyond the reach of the justice process in Iraq. They can not be held to account, there is nothing the Iraqi government can do that gives them the right to punish someone for misbehaving or doing anything else."

This is outrageous, and it just shows how little Bush actually thinks of Iraq as A sovereign nation. There needs to be some accountability in regard to these killings, but it now seems likely that it will not occur! How sad for the victims and their families, and how sad for our country that we allow this to happen!

If the allegations in the lawsuit are true, then we not only have out of control mercenaries running around, doing "our" business, we have impaired mercenaries running around, doing "our" business. Great news, Right! It continues to be one of the underlying "evils" of this war in Iraq, that we are paying mercenary "killers" obscene amounts of money, and they are not under our control, as they run around shooting up the scenery, and the civilians!! Bring these "loose" cannons home and if you cannot prosecute them for past deeds, at least change the law, so you can prosecute them for future conflicts they may be involved in (Iran), and crimes they may commit anywhere we allow them to operate on our behalf!! Personally, I think they should be put OUT OF BUSINESS, but with the ties, and influence they have in Washington, that isn't going to happen!!


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Blackwater Promised Immunity

It seems that Blackwater's luck is running strong as it is being reported that, the State Department promised Blackwater USA bodyguards immunity from prosecution in its investigation of last month's deadly shooting of 17 Iraqi civilians. The immunity deal has delayed a criminal inquiry into the Sept. 16 killings and could undermine any effort to prosecute security contractors for their role in the incident that has infuriated the Iraqi government.

Blackwater USA, is the private security firm that has become controversial for its extensive role in the war in Iraq, allegedly opened fire on and killed several Iraqis seems to be the last straw for Iraqi tolerance of the company. Iraqi government officials have promised action, including but not limited to the suspension or outright revocation of the company's license to operate in Iraq.

Pulling Blackwater's license may be all the Iraqis can do, although as of this moment, Blackwater refuses to leave. Should any Iraqis ever seek redress for the deaths of the civilians in a criminal court, they will be out of luck. Because of an order promulgated by the Coalition Provisional Authority, the now-defunct American occupation government, there appears to be almost no chance that the contractors involved would be, or could be, successfully prosecuted in any court in Iraq. CPA Order 17 says private contractors working for the U.S. or coalition governments in Iraq are not subject to Iraqi law. Should any attempt be made to prosecute Blackwater in the United States, meanwhile, it's not clear what law, if any, applies.

Scott Horton, who chairs the International Law Committee at the New York City Bar Association, said "Blackwater and all these other contractors are beyond the reach of the justice process in Iraq. They can not be held to account, there is nothing the Iraqi government can do that gives them the right to punish someone for misbehaving or doing anything else."

This is outrageous, and it just shows how little Bush actually thinks of Iraq as A sovereign nation. There needs to be some accountability in regard to these killings, but it now seems likely that it will not occur! How sad for the victims and their families, and how sad for our country that we allow this to happen!


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Blackwater Must Leave Iraq

There is a story indicating that the Iraqi government still wants Blackwater removed from their country.

The Iraqi government remains determined to expel the Blackwater USA security company and is searching for legal remedies to overturn an American-imposed decree that exempts all foreign bodyguards from prosecution under local laws, officials said Wednesday.Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government accepted the findings of an Iraqi investigative committee that determined Blackwater guards, without provocation, killed 17 Iraqis last month in Nisoor Square in western Baghdad. Iraqi investigators declared that Blackwater should be expelled and $8 million should be paid as compensation for each victim.

I mentioned before that if President Bush wants to show that he actually meant for Iraq to be a democracy, then he would abide by their request (demands) and get these mercenary butchers out of their country. If they refuse to leave by legal means, I believe the Iraqi government should take the obvious step that any sovereign nation would and use their brand new military to force them our of their country or kill all of them. That is my advice to al-Maliki. He has been more than respectful to our President and has gotten nothing but the middle finger for long enough on these mercenaries, and needs to force this issue with violence, as diplomacy has gotten him nowhere. Personally, I hope Blackwater puts up a fight, so they can put these creeps down for good, and we won't have these loose cannons back in this country shooting up neighbors and such!



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State Department May Rethink Blackwater Contract

In a story I was reading moments ago, it may be that our government is actually listening to the reasonable demands by the Iraqi government to force Blackwater out of their country.


The State Department may phase out or limit the use of private security guards in Iraq, which could mean canceling Blackwater USA's contract or awarding it to another company in line with an Iraqi government demand, The Associated Press has learned. Such steps would be difficult given U.S. reliance on Blackwater and other contractors, but they are among options being studied during a comprehensive review of security in Iraq, two senior officials said.



The shooting has enraged the Iraqi government, which is demanding millions in compensation for the victims and removal of Blackwater in six months. It also has focused attention on the nebulous rules governing private guards and added to the Bush administration's problems in managing the war in Iraq.

We should know more about how this is going to turn out later in the week, but surely as I wrote the other day. If we really are creating a sovereign, "democratic" country in Iraq, and not just use those words for effect, when Bush is making a speech, then when they tell us they want one of our companies out of their country, then there should be not an argument, or a refusal to comply, by the company, or our government!!

Blackwater really is the villain of this piece, and Bush's unwavering support for them is telling in itself, as to how much he respects a "sovereign" nation!!


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Iraqis Want Blackwater Out NOW

In a story currently being reported the government of Iraq is telling the United States government, that they want Blackwater out of their country .

Iraqi authorities want the U.S. government to sever all contracts in Iraq with Blackwater USA within six months and pay $8 million in compensation to each of the families of 17 people killed when the firm's guards sprayed a traffic circle with heavy machine gun fire last month. The demands, part of an Iraqi government report examined by The Associated Press, also called on U.S. authorities to hand over the Blackwater security agents involved in the Sept. 16 shootings to face possible trial in Iraqi courts.

There is going to be much more to come in this story and the full facts need to come out without any of the lies or spin, that is put on most stories from our government about what is happening in Iraq. The second link is the story of the Rabee family and what happened to them on August 10th and is titled: Iraqis tell of guards' reckless behavior

And begins with Residents of Hillah awaiting answers and justice in the slayings of two men. They believe those responsible for the deaths were Blackwater employees.

The young biology student pulled his car to the side of the busy traffic circle when he saw a fast-moving line of SUVs approaching from behind. As they flew past, he recalls, the lead vehicle appeared to intentionally smash into his sedan. But the worst was yet to come.

As the convoy sped off, a gunner inside the last sport utility vehicle sprayed the traffic circle with bullets. Pedestrians ran for cover. Seated in the car closest to the SUV, student Ali Karem Fakhri Hilal thrust his hands into the air to show he was unarmed.

But four cars behind him, Hussein Salih Mohammed Rabee, a retired businessman active in a local peace committee, was fatally wounded.

Let us find justice for these people and until this all shakes out we need to remove Blackwater from Iraq as that "sovereign" nation has not just asked, but demanded. If we truly want the government to govern, then listen to them when they tell us they DO NOT want Blackwater on "their" soil, or stop lying about wanting "democracy" for Iraq!!





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Iraqis Say Blackwater Killed 17

There has been much made of the Blackwater killings that there has not been much reported about the Genesis of the over reaction and unprovoked attacks by Blackwater on civilians. The root of this over-reaction and murder of civilians can surely be traced to the killings of Blackwater employees in 2004, and the desire to NOT let that type of occurrence happen again. I am not defending Blackwater employees, as I believe this is pre-meditated killing, but I can see from their past interactions with iraqi "civilians" how they could be put in the position of over-reacting to anything that they assumed was threatening to them.


On March 31, 2004, four men working for Blackwater USA as security guards, Scott Helvenston, Wesley Batalona, Jerry Zovko and Michael Teague, were ambushed by insurgents in Fallujah. They were killed, their bodies burned and mutilated, and two were strung up on a bridge over the Euphrates. The insurgents made their own video of the attack, broadcasting the images around the world. Almost overnight, the issue of private contractors in Iraq was put on the map. The Marines in charge of the area didn't know the Blackwater team would be traveling that day into the dangerous city of Fallujah, but four days later they were ordered to invade the city and find the killers; this was not the original plan they had had for quelling the insurgency in the area.

The Blackwater mission was to provide security for trucks belonging to a food caterer, ESS. The empty trucks were being sent to pick up kitchen equipment from the 82nd Airborne. But the Blackwater men were uneasy. One team member, former Army Ranger Wes Batalona, complained to a friend that the team had never worked together before. And contractually, Blackwater was to supply two SUVs with three guards per vehicle. Instead, the men set out that morning with just two men per car, each short a rear gunner.

After the killings, concerns mounted about the regulation and accountability of private security companies. In a case that is being closely watched by contractors, the families of the men filed wrongful death lawsuits against Blackwater in January 2005. The suits charge Blackwater "knowingly and intentionally" sent the men out "without the needed and promised protections" such as equipment, personnel and maps.

But in a privatized war,it's hard to determine who can be held responsible; disentangling the chain of contracts behind the mission is difficult and has so far obscured any final accountability. Blackwater denies responsibility for the contractors' deaths and says it doesn't know who directed the March 31st mission. Blackwater was contracted through a Kuwaiti company, Regency, to a Cypriot company, ESS, the food caterer. This is the Genesis of the kill anything that "seems" threatening attitude. It is truly a "Get them, before they get you" mentality that is governing the actions of current Blackwater employees.


Which brings us back to today where an official Iraqi investigation into a deadly shooting involving Blackwater USA security guards raised the number of Iraqis killed to 17 and found the gunfire was unwarranted, the government said Sunday. It also said the shootings amounted to a deliberate crime and recommended those involved face trial. The Blackwater guards are accused of opening fire on Iraqi civilians in a main square in Baghdad on Sept. 16. They claimed they came under fire first. The Iraqi investigative committee, which was ordered by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, found that convoys from the Moyock, N.C.-based security company did not come under direct or indirect fire before the men shot up the intersection. "It was not hit even by a stone," government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said in a statement.

The FBI will investigate security contractor Blackwater USA over the Sept. 16 shootings in Baghdad that killed at least 11 Iraqi civilians. "The results of the investigation will be reviewed for possible criminal liability and referred to the appropriate legal authority," said Special Agent Richard Kolko. A report prepared by the majority staff of the House Oversight Committee says Blackwater has been involved in 195 shooting incidents since 2005, or roughly 1.4 per week. The overwhelming majority, 162, involved property damage, while there were 16 Iraqi casualties. In 84% of the "escalation of force" incidents, Blackwater guards fired the first shots. The Georgia North Carolina's company's contract with the State Department stipulates that it use defensive force only. "In the vast majority of instances in which Blackwater fired shots, Blackwater is firing from a moving vehicle and does not remain at the scene to determine if the shots resulted in casualties," according to the report. Tomorrow the Oversight Committee holds a hearing to look into how private security contractors are used in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There is going to be some answers in this case and if you have the time please go to the full report, which is very interesting! May the Iraqi civilians who were murdered receive justice, and may the murderers at Blackwater be held accountable.


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Rice And Blackwater

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ordered federal agents on Friday to ride with Blackwater USA escorts of U.S. diplomatic convoys in Baghdad to tighten oversight after a shooting in which private guards are accused of killing 13 Iraqi civilians. She also ordered video cameras installed in Blackwater vehicles.

The steps will require the State Department to deploy dozens of additional in-house Diplomatic Security agents to accompany Blackwater guards and are the first in a series of moves Rice is expected to take to boost control of contractors the agency relies on to protect diplomats in Iraq.

If you go to their corporate site this is what you first see: Blackwater Worldwide efficiently and effectively integrates a wide range of resources and core competencies to provide unique and timely solutions that exceed our customers’ stated needs and expectations.

We are guided by integrity, innovation, and a desire for a safer world. Blackwater Worldwide professionals leverage state-of-the-art training facilities, professional program management teams, and innovative manufacturing and production capabilities to deliver world-class, customer-driven solutions.

Our leadership and dedicated family of exceptional employees adheres to an essential of core corporate values- chief among these are integrity, innovation, excellence, respect, accountability, and teamwork.

Here is more information about Blackwater: Blackwater USA is a private military contractor, co-founded by former Navy Seal Rik Prince.

Blackwater USA offers "tactical training," firing range and target systems, and security consulting under the company's subdivisions: Blackwater Training Center, Blackwater Target Systems, Blackwater Security Consulting and Blackwater Canine. According to its website, Blackwater provides "a spectrum of support to military, government agencies, law enforcement and civilian entities in training, targets and range operations as a solution provider." Their slogan is: "Providing a new generation of capability, skills, and people to solve the spectrum of needs in the world of security."

Blackwater USA received no-bid contracts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and post-Katrina New Orleans from the current Bush Administration.

Perhaps there would be many Iraqi civilians still alive if Bush/Rice and company had put restrictions on these "cowboys" sooner! Anyway, it is better than nothing, and hopefully the Oversight committees will get their acts together and change the laws on how private contractors operate and how they are to be punished when wrongdoing occurs!



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Blackwater Mercs In Trouble

After another series of computer problems I am able to do some modest posting and am hoping my Acer is back by week's end.

There is so much going on in the news, from O.J. to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's upcoming speaking engagement at Columbia University, that it is tough to be missing out on so much commenting.

In a very distrubing story that is unfolding over the latter part of this week , it seems that our "Hessians" have attacked civilians unprovoked. It also seems that we haev paid this company over $800 millions dollars for a mission that should be done by our own troops, or not done at all.

Iraqi investigators have a videotape that shows Blackwater USA guards opened fire against civilians without provocation in a shooting last week that left 11 people dead, a senior Iraqi official said Saturday. He said the case was referred to the Iraqi judiciary. Iraq's president, meanwhile, demanded that the Americans release an Iranian arrested this week on suspicion of smuggling weapons to Shiite militias. The demand adds new strains to U.S.-Iraqi relations only days before a meeting between President Bush and Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

There needs to be a thorough "Real" investigation and prosecution if the story is true, and we need to stop outsourcing this war. Either "We" should be fighting it or we need to find another way.

I have an idea which I will flesh out more this week...I may have found a way to solve our troop problems as well as our illegal immigration crisis!!



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Blackwater In Iraq

in a very interesting developement over the last few days, we have gone from hearing that the mercenary company, Blackwater was going to be kicked out of Iraq, to the story today which backs away from that position.

The United States on Tuesday suspended all land travel by U.S. diplomats and other civilian officials in Iraq outside Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, amid mounting public outrage over the alleged killing of civilians by the U.S. Embassy's security provider Blackwater USA. The move came even as the Iraqi government appeared to back down from statements Monday that it had permanently revoked Blackwater's license and would order its 1,000 personnel to leave the country, depriving American diplomats of security protection essential to operating in Baghdad.

There needs to be better accountability for these companies, and why are they being used anyway, when our military could provide this level of protection for a tenth the cost! There should be an investigation into Blackwater and Haliburton and anyone else who is getting rich off of our tax dollars, when they take traditional jobs provided by the military, and the military personnel in those M.O.S.'s (Jobs) have nothing to do. Sounds like someone is profiteering at all of our expense, and actions should be taken immediately to correct this unethical activity!



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