As everybody knows, the primary effect of Gen. Petraeus' testimony was to make Republicans and the right-wing feel better about the failed occupation in Iraq.
But that won't last long.
The unfolding scandal over the conduct of the Blackwater Security company in Iraq is a good bet to restart the process of Republican demoralization. According to Spencer Ackerman of TPM, the State Department has allowed Blackwater to operate with impunity beyond the reach of both Iraqi and American law. Last weekend, trigger happy Blackwater gunmen killed at least nine Iraqis and that might be only the tip of the iceberg.
If this scandal has legs, Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice will eventually have to answer for it. But the right is the only part of the American public that's going to be surprised.
Everybody else already knows how bad it is.
Update: Hearings on Blackwater begin on Oct. 2.
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6 comments:
I am just going to call you Professor Murtha after this post.
If you want to hurt me, call me the "Alberto Gonzales of bloggers."
As everybody knows, the primary effect of Gen. Petraeus' testimony was to make Republicans and the right-wing feel better about the failed occupation in Iraq.
Any statement that begins "as everybody knows" is nearly certain to be a steaming hot pile of doody. This one is no different. The testimony fulfilled a requirement of the law passed by congress. Unless of course, the Dems were courteous enough to include the provision so that the Reps would have something to feel warm and fuzzy about, but I doubt that's the case.
A preliminary Iraqi report says that the Blackwater guards involved with the shooting that killed 8 Iraqis were NOT ambushed.(http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/19/world/middleeast/19blackwater.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=washington&adxnnlx=1190282006-JuUoaQgZ0xV0onVv3AZxIQ&oref=slogin)
Blackwater operated under State Department authority and was exempt from US military regulations governing security firms. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/19/AR2007091902503.html?hpid=topnews)
So it appears that extending immunity from our own military,regulations in the middle of a civil war is not such a good idea.
Blackwater obtained its contract from George W and Cheney. Republicans had all the power and they send a bunch of psychopathic contracters over there and look what happened.
This incident is typical Republican cronyism. I suspect there will not be a happy ending on this issue. I think little will be done to address the actions of these murderers.
This is not the first time contracters have abused their unique status. They shouldn't even be there.
The other apalling aspect of this issue is the pay gap between military personall and contracter employees. According to the Government Accountability Office, there are now some 48,000 employees of private military companies in Iraq. These Blackwater employees and employees of other major U.S. firms, can clear in a months salary what some active-duty soldiers make in a year.
And here's a good one; As the country debates an Iraq withdrawal, Congress owes it to the public to take down the curtain of secrecy surrounding these shadow forces that undergird the U.S. public deployment in Iraq. The President likes to say that defunding the war would undercut the troops. Here's the truth of the matter: Continued funding of the Iraq war ensures tremendous profits for politically-connected war contractors.
Such widespread use of contractors, especially in critical operations, should have raised red flags among lawmakers.
As the country debates an Iraq withdrawal, Congress owes it to the public to take down the curtain of secrecy surrounding these mercenaries. The President likes to say that defunding the war would undercut the troops.
Here's the truth of the matter: Continued funding of the Iraq war ensures tremendous profits for politically connected war profiteers. Among that number who are or will enjoy huge profits obtained by the deaths of thousands are none other than..............YOU GUESSED IT. the Bush family, and DICK!
Sickening!
Blackwater obtained its contract from George W and Cheney. Republicans had all the power and they send a bunch of psychopathic contracters over there and look what happened.
This is a ridiculous statement, even for you. We shall dub you Commenter Murtha.
Todd - Why don't you look at the history of these types of contractors. They existed before Presidetn Bush took office.
You really need to get all of that hate out of your system. It is not healthy.
We await your campaign to defund the war. I beg of you.
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