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So They Kill Innocent People, So? So, We're Already Deep in Debt to Pay for Them, So? So?

Submitted by davidswanson on Sat, 2008-04-05 12:49.

U.S. extends Blackwater's Baghdad work for one year

U.S. private security firm Blackwater's deal to protect American diplomats in Baghdad will be extended for a year while the FBI investigates a 2007 incident in which the company's guards are accused of killing 17 Iraqis, the State Department said on Friday.

"I have requested and received approval to have task order six -- which Blackwater has to provide personal protective services in Baghdad -- renewed ... for one year," the head of diplomatic security, Gregory Starr, told reporters.

The September 2005 shooting incident in Baghdad enraged the Iraqi government and triggered an investigation by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation into what happened and whether any crimes might have been committed.

A measure issued by the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority in 2004 prevents foreign security contractors from being prosecuted in local courts. It is unclear whether they could be prosecuted under U.S. law.

After the incident, the State Department changed several elements of the contract, including tightening up rules of engagement, putting cameras on all convoys and having a diplomatic security officer ride along with the detail.

Starr said Blackwater was operating with the agreement of the Iraqi government and he did not know when the FBI's investigation of the incident would be completed.

Asked whether the Blackwater Baghdad deal could be scrapped if the FBI investigation found wrongdoing, Starr said: "We can terminate contracts at the convenience of the government if we have to."

"I am not going to prejudge what the FBI is going to find in their investigation. I think really, it is complex. I think that the U.S. government needs protective services," he said.

"Essentially I think they do a very good job. The September 16th incident was a tragedy. It has to be investigated carefully," he added.

"I am concerned (about the Iraqi response) and yet at the same time there have only been about three incidents, three escalation of force incidents, since September 16," he said.

(Reporting by Arshad Mohammed and Sue Pleming, editing by Philip Barbara)

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All they do is just... wait.

Submitted by willyloman on Sat, 2008-04-05 14:32.

When an unbeleivable story comes out these days, whether it's Carl Rove or Blackwater just killing people, all they do now a days is just wait.

They just wait for it to blow over (like the Iraqi President demanding Blackwater gets out of his country) and continue as if nothing happened.

They knew a story like this would come out when they got their contract renewed, they just figure they will ride out the storm, sit back and keep collecting their govenment intitlement checks, our tax money and our grand kids tax money.

They know the story will eventually be killed and the outrage won't last. So they just wait.

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Waiting out the "official" (cover) story of 9/11

Submitted by taoistblockhead on Sat, 2008-04-05 17:17.

Kind of like the rogue elements attempting to wait out the "offical" cover story of 9/11, eh Willy? Remember, it's the "official" story of 9/11 that gave the fascists in control the green light to invade the Middle East. 9/11 was the PNAC's "new Pearl Harbor" that they needed to justify their illegal wars and occupations of sovereign nations.

The Truth will prevail and when it does we hope to see the neocon war criminals brought to justice. In the meantime we suffer under a presidential dictatorship and live in the greatest police state the world has ever known.

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." -Samuel Johnson

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"...I think that the U.S.

Submitted by Darwin26 on Sat, 2008-04-05 17:05.

"...I think that the U.S. government needs protective services," he said.
uhhhhhh What happened to the Marines?
This is insane. ALL of Blackwater should be frogmarched to Guantanamo Who needs these hired vigilantes. Do they swear to up-hold the US Constitution or some oath to a paramilatary corporation???

Darwin26
Viet Nam drafted Combat Veteran WIA '68
Co-State Coordinator PDA Montana
Billings Peace Seeker, member
MPFI, partner
PDA Fair Trade & Impeachment Teams
www.pdamontana.org
www.williamsstudiogallery.com

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repeated injuries and usurpations

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2008-04-06 06:02.

The establishment of an absolute tyranny over this earth.

George W. Bush is, at this time, transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to compleat the works of Death, Desolation, and Tyranny already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and Perfidy, scarcely parraleled in the most barbarous Ages and truly unworthy the Head of a civilized Nation.

Declare independence, impeach.
Dissolve the Political Bands that have connect George W. Bush with America.

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