2008 Woodie Awards
If It's Brown, Drink It Down
Private security firm causes problems in an already turbulent Iraq.
Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: Opinion
Until about a month ago, many people had more than likely never heard the name Blackwater, unless it was in reference to old adage about Mexican drinking water.
Most of the country first heard the name when it was tied to a report about Iraqi civilians being shot and killed by employees of a U.S. contractor. Witnesses claimed the shooters were unprovoked.
Blackwater is a private security company based in North Carolina which has been contracted by the U.S. government to escort VIPs while visiting in Iraq. Comprised mostly of former U.S. Military commandos, the company's Web site also advertises its training programs for "law enforcement, military and civilian personnel."
If Blackwater is training U.S. Military personnel, then a couple questions come to mind: Why does the U.S. military need outside help to train its soldiers? Why aren't Blackwater employees working for the U.S. military?
The answer to the first question is that the people that would normally make the military their career and train the next generation of soldiers have taken jobs with Blackwater.
The answer to the second question is that Blackwater pays better. It can afford better armor, weapons and vehicles to protect its employees.
This fact raises another question: Who has more money for equipment than the U.S. government? The answer is Blackwater CEO and former-U.S. Navy Seal Erik Prince, heir to an auto parts company fortune which was worth $1.3 billion when the company was sold in 1993.
Prince used the money in 1997 to start Blackwater with other former-U.S. soldiers. Prince and Blackwater have been criticized for their ties to the Republican Party and more specifically the Bush administration in relation to the company receiving more than $1 billion in government contracts.
This controversy is similar to that of Halliburton because Prince was a White House intern in 1991 under former-President George H. W.
Bush. The current Bush administration is also fighting a bill from the House of Representatives aimed at placing all contractors in combat zones under the jurisdiction of the U.S. judicial system.
Most of the country first heard the name when it was tied to a report about Iraqi civilians being shot and killed by employees of a U.S. contractor. Witnesses claimed the shooters were unprovoked.
Blackwater is a private security company based in North Carolina which has been contracted by the U.S. government to escort VIPs while visiting in Iraq. Comprised mostly of former U.S. Military commandos, the company's Web site also advertises its training programs for "law enforcement, military and civilian personnel."
If Blackwater is training U.S. Military personnel, then a couple questions come to mind: Why does the U.S. military need outside help to train its soldiers? Why aren't Blackwater employees working for the U.S. military?
The answer to the first question is that the people that would normally make the military their career and train the next generation of soldiers have taken jobs with Blackwater.
The answer to the second question is that Blackwater pays better. It can afford better armor, weapons and vehicles to protect its employees.
This fact raises another question: Who has more money for equipment than the U.S. government? The answer is Blackwater CEO and former-U.S. Navy Seal Erik Prince, heir to an auto parts company fortune which was worth $1.3 billion when the company was sold in 1993.
Prince used the money in 1997 to start Blackwater with other former-U.S. soldiers. Prince and Blackwater have been criticized for their ties to the Republican Party and more specifically the Bush administration in relation to the company receiving more than $1 billion in government contracts.
This controversy is similar to that of Halliburton because Prince was a White House intern in 1991 under former-President George H. W.
Bush. The current Bush administration is also fighting a bill from the House of Representatives aimed at placing all contractors in combat zones under the jurisdiction of the U.S. judicial system.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Freedom is not Free
posted 10/10/07 @ 9:52 AM PST
The truth of the story is that U.S. Law DOES NOT stretch outside its own borders. I dont see the problem with Blackwater doing the job they were contracted to do. (Continued…)
thepeasantsarerevolting
posted 10/10/07 @ 3:35 PM PST
you watch too much american tv
the u.s. controls much of the globe militarily, for $ profit.
blackwater is a thug to effect the above
clearly, it's not your family being shot
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