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Blackwater Intrigue in the Pacific Northwest

By SusanUnPC on October 3, 2007 at 12:47 PM in Current Affairs, Iraq

“BREAKING” UPDATE AT 11:50AM PT, THURSDAY: The House has passed a bill — 389-30 — “that would make all private contractors working in Iraq and other combat zones subject to prosecution by U.S. courts.” Senate Democratic leaders will rush through similar legislation and get it to Bush ASAP.

THURSDAY UPDATES: The Seattle papers (and NYT) have the contractor’s name, location, and attorney statements: “Iraq killing suspect in Seattle” (Seattle PI/NYT) and “Charges for Blackwater ex-guard? Lawyer doubts it” (Seattle Times). Andrew J. Moonen is “a 27-year-old former Army paratrooper from Montana who now lives in Seattle, where he spends much of his time renovating his small home” (P.I.) in “Seattle’s South Park neighborhood, just west of Boeing Field, [which] he purchased in January 2006 for $273,000″ (Times). His Seattle attorney says there are “jurisdictional issues” and “factual issues, including the issue of self-defense.”

ORIGINAL: Both Seattle newspapers lead today with the same A.P. story on the now-infamous Blackwater contractor who, last Christmas Eve in a drunken stupor, killed a 32-year-old guard to Iraqi Vice President Adil Abd-al-Mahdi. Blackwater terminated the man and within 36 hours the State Department allowed him to be taken out of Iraq. That man now lives somewhere in Western Washington. And in what psychological and physical condition is that man as he lives amongst us? (More about that below.) From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

Blackwater’s local link
Somewhere in our region lives a former Blackwater contractor who might under normal circumstances be on trial for a high-profile killing in Iraq. [...]

Amid an outcry from Iraqis who questioned how an American could kill someone in those circumstances and return to the U.S. a free man, the Justice Department announced it would investigate. The case has been turned over to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Western Washington, where the man lives, Bush administration officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Mark Bartlett, the first assistant U.S. attorney in Seattle, said Tuesday he had no comment, joining a long list of federal officials here who would not confirm or deny anything about the former contractor’s case. Robbie Burroughs, a spokeswoman for the FBI, said she could say only that the man is not in custody.

The story details the complex and confusing legal obstacles facing the Seattle U.S. Attorney’s office:

Federal prosecutors and legal experts interviewed by The Associated Press noted the incredible complexity in trying to determine who has jurisdiction over crimes committed by U.S. citizens in Iraq, let alone the logistical difficulties of actually building a case, accumulating evidence and deposing witnesses.

After listing the limited options available to the U.S. attorney’s office, the story concludes with a damning sentence:

The Bush administration has been hostile to the notion that the conventions apply in Iraq and the war on terrorism.

On the flip side: I just ran across this ABC News story that, while it in no way begins to explain away what happened last Christmas Eve, sheds light on an important side effect of such employment that may have contributed to the man’s drunkenness and actions: “PTSD a Factor in Blackwater Killings?”

Along with congressional hearings on allegations of recklessness against Blackwater USA security forces in Iraq, questions are also being raised about the way military contractors deal with traumatic stress while overseas and upon returning home.

The House began hearings Tuesday on the military contractor Blackwater following reports about the company’s employees in Iraq who were linked to the killings of 11 Iraqi civilians in September and the murder last year of a vice president’s bodyguard by a drunken employee.

[...]

Stress-Related Conditions

In light of the high-profile incidents, possible explanations for the company’s actions are emerging, including psychological harm such as post-traumatic stress that led to erratic behavior by some contractors.

“I have never heard of a company offering psychological counseling,” a military contractor who works for another company said on the condition of anonymity because of his firm’s involvement with the Blackwater investigation.

“Blackwater might have a house shrink, but I’d be surprised if they do. Anyone who has spent more than a few months in Iraq is bound to have mental health issues,” he said. “You put a bunch of jittery guys into a situation where everyone wants to bomb or kill Americans and that’s a recipe for a really bad situation.”

Blackwater declined to comment on the psychological services it provides employees.

Chris Taylor, a former Blackwater vice president now studying at Harvard University’s Kennedy School, said the State Department — with which Blackwater has an exclusive security contract to protect diplomats — requires the company to screen all its personnel for mental health problems before deployment.

He said employees in the field are regularly reviewed by their peers and leaders and the company had recently hired a former Marine chaplain to provide counseling services. He also said Blackwater employees’ insurance covers post-traumatic stress treatments once they return home.

Taylor would not comment on specific Blackwater incidents. He did say, however, that in “combat environments, mental stress effects people in a wide variety of ways. Blackwater has a good safety net for dealing with PTSD type disorders.”

Like soldiers, civilian contractors often suffer the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, leaving them prone to depression, thoughts of suicide and erratic behavior. Unlike soldiers, however, who can access resources through the military and the Department of Veterans Affairs, companies typically provide contractors little in the way of counseling on the ground or treatment once they return home.

“There are thousands of guys coming home untreated,” said Paul Brand, a psychologist who consults for DynCorp, one of the few companies that offer post-traumatic stress screening and in-country counseling to its employees. “These are private businesses out to make a profit. Most companies make money by not putting systems in place to take care of their employees’ mental health& Frankly, it is a travesty that not enough has been done to give contractors the support they need.”

Psychologists who treat contractors say the lack of immediate resources for employees in Iraq augment the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and can lead to erratic and dangerous behavior.

Early Treatment Key

“PTSD if treated right away can be staved off,” said Robert Brizendine, a psychologist who has treated many contractors returning to California from Iraq.

“The problem is two-fold in many cases. There is the manifestation of a brain injury and secondary emotional problems. Frontal lobe injuries, caused by small head injuries just from getting bounced around the way these guys do regularly can lead to real impulse problems the sort where people go out and kill people.”

Brizendine said he had treated patients who described wanting to kill themselves or other people. …

Read all.

Living somewhere near me — in the same town? in a nearby county? — is a man who murdered a 32-year-old Iraqi guard, was fired from his job, whisked out of Iraq, and is now reading in the newspapers that he may be charged by the U.S. attorney’s office. What is his mental state? Does he have a wife and children, and how are they faring? Do his neighbors know? Do local law enforcement officials know who he is? Has he received ANY treatment since his firing?

Does he have traumatic brain injury besides his obvious psychological problems and stresses? Does he have a doctor, and does that doctor know?

http://cujo359.blogspot.com Cujo359

This is yet another example of what the rampant secrecy and lawlessness of the “War On Terrorism” have done to us. If this guy were an illegal alien you’d bet there’d be lots of conservatives up in arms about this one.

I’m also pessimistic about the chances that Blackwater employees get counseling. I have no inside knowledge, but in general corporations aren’t all that understanding of psychological trauma or illness. To them, it’s an expense they can do without.
sheerahkahn

From what I’ve seen of vets…and people, who’ve been through similar situations and have not found a way to deal with the guilt, and memories is they turn to the bottle, drugs, or mind-numbing agent of favor; And become increasingly aggressive or reclusive eventually committing a crime which has become known as Suicide by Law Enforcement, or he’ll commit suicide by recklessness behavior or purposeful action.
Either way, by the time this is finally decided as to what should be done with him he’ll have either made his peace withhimself, and stand for his crime…or…he’ll be dead.
cathy

There was a case here in Portland about an Iraq war vet who displayed road rage on the freeway here. Heard the story once and never again. This will sadly be all too common in the future.
mudkitty

What ever happened to the idea of Sunshine Government? Oh yeah…Florida 2000 is what happened.
http://robinstorm.blogspot.com Rob

You know this is totally unfair… Ok the guy committed a crime or reported crime. Unfortunately this is a legal gray area that needs to be closed up….And Bush ain’t help’in….

But go ahead and keep the pressure on this guy… just made because of the continued spotlight he will do himself and even if your lucky take some else who is innocent with him….How would that be for the 6 O”clock News…?

Let DoJ and the FBI deal with this otherwise who the hell are we to convict someone?

Delia

Let DoJ and the FBI deal with this otherwise who the hell are we to convict someone?

Um, as American citizens, a jury of his peers? Or has that part of the Constitution been revoked, too?

John Witherspoon

“Um, as American citizens, a jury of his peers?”

You have to be selected for the jury, its called ‘jury selection’. Then you have very strict rules to follow after reviewing all of the evidence and hearing all of the testimony, before you can make a judgement. Its called due process, something our opponents are trying to be rid of. lets not join them, eh?

I also live in western washington; i’m not scared. Sure seattle papers want to sell papers, so they lead with a big scary headline. Oh noes.

http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

It helps need to read the article in its entirety. It goes into how very difficult it will ever be to prosecute this man, perhaps not at all.

P.S. John, I’m not personally scared. But it is unnerving that Blackwater apparently has zero after-service care for its employees who are put in highly stressful situations. (Veterans don’t have adequate care but at least there is some, and people like Sen. Patty Murray are working non-stop to make it better.) It would also seem that Blackwater would take extra lengths to get someone who murdered an innocent Iraqi to be in an intensive after-service program. It’s a known fact that such people are far more likely to commit violent acts in civilian life, either against themselves or others.

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/ Leslie

Why hasn’t this guy been charged with anything yet? He should be in jail awaiting trial. Just saying….

Hey, did you hear that Vermont and the South want to secede [for different reasons]? Maybe the west and east coasts could join the secession movement and leave Jesusland/Bushieland?

http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

The article explains why, including that the Justice Dept. just now took action and notified the U.S. Attorney’s office. But, although Justice dragged its heels (surprise, surprise), it’s going to be very tough to find a law with which to charge him.

Shirin

“it’s going to be very tough to find a law with which to charge him”

That’s entirely by design, Susan.

Have you read or heard Jeremy Scahill on the subject of Blackwater? He literally wrote the book, and I doubt there is anyone who is as well versed on the subject as he is.

http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

Of course, Shirin. But the law is what it is. Until it’s changed.

Shirin

Yes, true, Susan, and the law will not change as long as people do not talk about it, and object to it.

http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

I’ve heard/seen reams of material on this, and so has everyone else here. We’re all aware.

Further, it is why Henry Waxman held hearings this week which, for once, were widely publicized by the media.

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/ Leslie

Balkinization has several posts about how Blackwater abuses might be prosecuted here, here and here.

Lack of will plays a large role, not to mention that the DOJ and the State Dept. are politically corrupt. With the State Dept. acting as a co-conspirator with Blackwater.

Shirin

Susan, if you are aware of how Blackwater has treated the families of the four who were killed and whose bodies were desecrated in Falluja in 2004, then you know everything you need to know about Blackwater vis a vis their concern for the lives and humanity of the people who work for them.

In fact, the circumstances that led to those four being in Falluja in the first place gives a pretty good hint about how much Blackwater cares for the lives of the people who work for them.

Eric Prince and the rest of the Blackwater “team” are driven by a combination of religious and “patriotic” ideological fervor, and a lust for profit. One of the most dangerous combinations going, in my view.

http://robinstorm.blogspot.com Rob

Give it a break! The man is Catholic not evangelical…. and I am sure that 99.9% of his Tier Ones are not very religious at all…

Besides Blackwater is a for-profit company its suppose to make money. We need to regulate the industry yes of course, shut it down absolutely not……

MEP

You might need to check your facts. First of all there are evangelical Catholics. I know a bunch. Some what of the beaten path but they are out there. Secondly there is documented evidence that says Erik’s Daddy provided a good chunk of the original seed money for the Moral Majority. Google the two, should be easy to find. Don’t have my copy of Blackwater handy or I would give you Scahill’s sources because he does source the book quiet well. And in my case I am giving you a break by responding to your claims and rebuttals which never site any sources.

Shirin

I believe Mel Gibson is one.

MEP

Thank you Shirin for the confirmation.
http://robinstorm.blogspot.com Rob

What the hell has Mel Gibson got to do with this? Now we are reaching for straws…. Whats next?

Shirin

My goodness, Rob, you DO get exercised easily, don’t you? Just calm down. I was merely confirming what MEP said – Mel Gibson adheres to an extremist sect the members of which could be called evangelical Catholics. I was merely providing a well-known person as an example. It’s all cool. No big deal, so take deeeeeeeep breaths and let them out slowly.
Centrocitta

Sorry folks but you are all wrong. There are no Evangelical Catholics. But there are Charasmatic Catholics, of which Mel Gibson is most likely a member. However, Catholics of all sects do not care to be associated in any way with phoney TV healing evangelists and would never refer to themselves Evangelicals.

http://robinstorm.blogspot.com Rob

Listen this administration pisses on the Constitution as it is. The last thing we need are folk like you pissing on it as well. When your called for jury duty then you sit in judgement until then your opinion means little…and you do not sit in judgement of anyone except yourself….

Grow up.. What this Country needs is more adults in control of it not emotional right and left wing nuts…

Delia

It’s only a free press putting stories like this into the public sphere that give us half a chance in hell of saving the Constitution. If the press had been doing its job in 2002, hadn’t been bought and paid for by rightwing corporations we might not be this mess. Bush can’t get away with as much anymore in part because blog sites like this do research and support stories in the mainstream press.

So if you’re really more than a rightwing troll who’s trying for some undeserved credibility by pretending you don’t like Bush, try actually thinking about these issues before you start blathering.

http://robinstorm.blogspot.com Rob

Get lost… I am a realist… and a retired USNR Lt.CMR… so give me a break on this right or left wing crap! because that is exactly what it is crap. When someone disagrees why is it that they are labeled right or left depending on the wingnut making the charge?

Remember this..WE MODERATES OUT VOTE BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT WINGS…

So sit on it sister…

MEP

I just keep waiting for you to source your rebuttals. Surely a retired Lt. CMR can throw out a few reliable references for those of us not so blessed with such clear vision.

Shirin

Any kind of reference, even an UNreliable one, would be a welcome change.

http://robinstorm.blogspot.com Rob

Kicks …

Ask yourself this question Shirin. Where are you better off? Here where you have the protection of the a written Constitution like none other or over in the ME where they make it up as they go?

Shirin

Rob,

1. Talk about a non sequitur! What possible relationship does that question have to do with this conversation?

2. That is just about the most boringly self-satisfied, jingoistic question on earth.

3. You know nothing about me or my life now or in the past, and you know very little about my views, and nothing about how they have developed.

4. You clearly don’t know anything real about the Middle East.

http://robinstorm.blogspot.com Rob

Listen…

You read the spot report? Or do you have a reading problem? Maybe you should go back to school. That is an indication that this story is far from complete. I will wait until all of the facts are in and the investigation is over before I make my decision..

This is why war is suppose to be a last resort. A lot can go wrong and we owe both our military and our contractors the due process that we as American citizens are entitled too.

Not being tried by the press or keyboard cowboys like yourself and others.

MEP

“Listen…” Damn, that sounds like a command to me. Sorry Charlie but I don’t step to your drum nor do I listen upon command to you or anyone else. And yes I have read “the” report. Who authored that report Rob? Let me see, “Blackwater contractor wrote government report” source, CNN. Of course the State Dept. has warned that this was just an initial report. Gee Rob, would State have even offered that caveat if they had not had their shorts jerked down on the first report? Help those of us of lower intellectual capacities. Pardon all of us that obviously do not share your lofty IQ. The current State Dept. does not, in my opinion, deserve any credence. And it has been noted by this bumbling old fart that for someone of such superior educational background you seem to have problems with sentence structure and spelling. I too at times suffer from the same problems, but it is to be expected from one of the “Rabble”. And Rob, once again I need to point out that you have been asked specific questions of which you respond with personal attacks. And to quote you again, “excuse me”, but I owe nothing to the contractors. They do however owe something to the American public, the truth. “We the People” are paying for them in many ways. They owe us, not the other way around. That is my opinion. Once again if you would choose to answer any of the questions or rebuttals that have been offered with sourced support please do. If not, to quote you once again, “Sit on it”.

http://robinstorm.blogspot.com Rob

CNN? Right… I will wait for the FBI report. But I am sure you will have a problem with that report too…

I am not saying Blackwater is right or wrong here. But what I am saying is that we owe these Americans the rights we all enjoy at home. Instead of getting caught up with news reports and hearsay.

Remember Richard Jewel? We sure as hell convicted him with hearsay and everyone was wrong. We put that man through hell.

How would you like it done to you? Bet you would run right to the ACLU and scream bloody civil rights violation…

Lets all wait and see what develops besides ones politics.

Or maybe you prefer Lynch Mob rule….

MEP

At least it was a source. More than you offer.
MEP

To quote Ronnie “There you go again”. I’m already on record here stating that the guy needs to have his day in court. The problem with that is the State Dept and some at the Pentagon do not seem so inclined. Still waiting for a rebuttal with sources Rob. And see if you can get a little more creative with the personal attacks, you really are getting boring.

Shirin

Rob, I have read the Spot report.

Don’t you find it even slightly troubling that it is directly and seriously contradicted by all the testimony given by non-Blackwater witnesses, and that the evidence seems to contradict it as well? Are you aware that the Spot Report was written by a Blackwater employee? Does that change your apparent confidence in the accuracy and veracity of the Report at all?

Delia

Well, I think I already said this, but I guess I have to repeat it and clarify it. We now have a government that’s repeatedly shown that it has no interest in seeking justice, then you have to rely on the press. At least the press is beginning to wake up a little. This is not the least bit like the Richard Jewell case. He was a little guy who was piled on by the FBI and the media. In this case we have a private corporation that’s been operating outside the law with the full cooperation of the State Department and there would be no investigation at all if the press weren’t involved.

To see Keith Olbermann’s report from the other night, go here.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/

Click on the link Rules of Engagement to watch the video.

http://robinstorm.blogspot.com Rob

Love how all you sitting in your nice warm homes with nothing else to do but point fingers without any common knowledge and or facts and make false accusations that this country has no intent on seeing justice done…

Hey I hear housing is pretty cheap in Burma these days….. Anyone want a flight ticket?

Keep this up and heck i just might start supporting the FBI spying domestically….
Shirin

Another intelligent, substantive rejoinder from Rob.

I’m with MEP. You are getting really boring.

Shirin

I DO agree with the objection to the constant hurling of the left wing/right wing epithet. I find it meaningless in any case, and not helpful. It is often – thought not always – a way of dismissing opposing views without even considering, let alone dealing with them. Very few people fit neatly into either category ni any case, and even if they did, views rarely divide cleanly along a right wing vs left wing boundary line.

http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

I like reading other POVs on this. I don’t learn much from reading only opinions that make me nod my head. (Well, except people like Kim’s.) Rob has an important perspective, and a lot of knowledge to share.

http://politickybitch.blogspot.com/ nunya

Shit Oh Dear Grandmother, they are all over San Diego, sometimes employed as trigger-happy cops, sometimes sleeping on the streets.

Blackwater wants to open a new training camp a few miles from the border. DynCorp poached the local Border Patrol agents for use on Iraq’s borders, they hit on my blog looking for employment. Some of the hits came from Columbia. Columbia?
http://noquarterusa.net/blog/ Leslie

I’m still roiling from revelation upon revelation about how Blackwater is guarding the FBI investigating them, Blackwater wrote the State Dept. investigation report about themselves [meaning the State Dept. is a co-conspirator], etc., etc. And just who is in charge of overseeing Blackwater and what laws apply to them?
http://1boringoldman.com Mickey

While Mark Bartlett was the Assistant US Attorney that fired USA John McKay recommended to replace him, I still wonder about that Washington DOJ office. The interim, Jeff Sullivan was recently made U.S. Attorney there by the . It’s hard not to see the US Attorneys as part of the Bush Machine since Rove’s “U.S. Attorney Plan.”

http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

Very good point. We shall see, won’t we. Did you read any articles or commentaries in the Seattle press (including the weeklies) on those appointments? If there were any, I missed them.

Shirin

Pardon me for not going all weepy with sympathy over the PTSD excuse for people who sign up to make big bucks as thugs and murderers in Iraq. What percentage of Iraqis do you suppose are suffering from major, major PTSD from nearly five years of unrelenting terror? And yet they are expected to be models of perfect behaviour at all times under circumstances that no one can even imagine.

http://robinstorm.blogspot.com Rob

Yeah well excuse me for not crying for sorry asses like you Shirin. If your located in the United States move. Yeah we have our problems here but we are light years ahead of 90% of the other countries on this planet. Start bitching about the Junta in Burma and some of the other ME countries that treat people like shit..

Gosh…. Asd far as Blackwater is concerned we created them…. its our problem to solve and solve it we must. But these PMC do provide a valuable service since this chicken shit country will not bring in a draft…. some way to fight a war….

http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

” its our problem to solve and solve it we must. But these PMC do provide a valuable service …”

Very true.

Even if Eric Prince were the devil incarnate, many of his employees are brainy, physically gifted, patriotic veterans of the most elite forces in this country. They’re highly skilled and trained. They’ve performed high-risk services that most of us will never know about. And they did it for very little money while their families also made considerable sacrifices.

If, as veterans who never earned much, they find themselves and their families in a situation where they need to earn a lot of money while risking their lives, then so be it. And we don’t have the government employees to do the jobs, so we need to hire contractors. That’s reality.

Re solving the problem: Republicans I’ve heard agree that there need to be more rules. Everyone is in agreement on this.

If they return from their employment in Iraq and have traumatic brain injuries and psychological problems, they need help as much as our veterans do. Imho, it is Blackwater that should ensure extensive post-employment services.

And their injuries inevitably become a community problem because they may exhibit behaviors, or even have violent tendencies (since brain injury can cause violent tendencies) that cause problems within their families and communities.

ybnormal

Susan, I’m with you on this one. Sounds like something’s potentially coming home to roost; and I don’t mean chickens.

Further, to confine an investigation to the one individual in this case, if that’s what happens, is bullshit. No excuse for the behaviour, but like it or not, people tend to adapt their behaviour to the group, which naturally brings accountability to the group. Remember The Stanford Prison Experiment?

http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

I took a psychology class from Zimbardo. Startlingly brilliant. He’s also done some very important writing on Abu Ghraib, as you surely know. (Btw, he recently retired. Has a new book out– he was on BookTV.org a couple months ago — and he showed the full photos from Abu Ghraib with no polite covering up of genitals. The photos were doubly shocking and troubling.)

lidia

“many of his employees are brainy, physically gifted, patriotic veterans of the most elite forces in this country. They’re highly skilled and trained. They’ve performed high-risk services that most of us will never know about.”

Hm, let me guess. Some of them tried to murder Castro. Or trained Bin Laden. Or recruted Posada. Or tutored some governments of Latin America in torture. Or hired contras to murder and rape teachers and doctors. Or organised “opposition” to tople Chaves. Or helped “freedom fighters” in Chechnia. Or did even more noble deeds. I am sorry, but for the majority of Earth population “the most elite forces” of USA usually mean not exactly the same it means for USA patriots
http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

I should have reread the Seattle PI article that I quote in the story. It says that Blackwater does provide services:

He said employees in the field are regularly reviewed by their peers and leaders and the company had recently hired a former Marine chaplain to provide counseling services. He also said Blackwater employees’ insurance covers post-traumatic stress treatments once they return home.

Delia

Yeah we have our problems here but we are light years ahead of 90% of the other countries on this planet.

We used to be, but things have changed. We are no longer the best educated, the healthiest, the longest-lived, the wealthiest per capita (no, you can’t just make a simple average). Hell, we’re not even the tallest anymore; the Dutch are.

We do, however, have far and away, the largest military budget per capita the world has ever seen. Hmm . . . I wonder if there’s a cause-and-effect relationship there.

And we do seem to excel at citizens who can do bullying, jingoistic rants. So I guess that’s something.
dancewater

we are light years ahead? then how come we started up a war of aggression against a country that never attacked us (or had the means to do so) and killed about a million of their citizens? and sent another 4 to 6 million into refugee status?

If we are “light years ahead” than what is Sweden? or a host of other countries that have not attacked, invaded, tortured, kidnapped, raped, or murdered?

I watched a video of Blackwater guys firing on men in Najaf a few years back. The main Blackwater guy looked like he was enjoying it. I never could figure out why they were shooting at the Iraqis who were not shooting back (in the video, anyway). What the hell are they doing on the other side of the world trying to kill people who did not attack us?
ybnormal

Rob, you’re not very convincing. You try to criticize Shirin for being one-sided by in effect saying ‘I know you are but what am I?’ or in your case by saying ‘I know I’m not but you are worse’.

No one is going to accept your demand to have your perspective understood when you obviously make no effort whatsoever to understand other perspectives.

You may not like what Shirin has to say, but if you can’t see beyond your own reality, maybe the personal in-your-face reality of someone who has a personal connection with Iraqis such as Shirin is exactly what you in fact need to listen to.

http://robinstorm.blogspot.com Rob

Gee Shrirn… maybe you would like it better under the Iraqi judicial system? Dang come to this country and get spoiled…. Then flap the gums without any facts. What would happen in Iraq if you did this?

Thank God for FREE SPEECH!

Shirin

Rob, don’t worry about it. As far as I know, no one has asked anyone – least of all you – to cry for me, so it’s all cool.

http://robinstorm.blogspot.com Rob

Shirin

Believe me I won’t shed any tears…..

anon

The odds are very good he is not here in Seattle. Normally that type likes the country to begin with and would not like the people here anyway. Probably out at North Bend or up North.
Yogi-one

Blackwater embodies everything that is wrong with the three-way marriage of big politics, big corporations, and big religion.

I can just imagine the off-the-record meetings that took place in which Prince was guaranteed immunity for his guys by powerful right-wingers while he was doing “God’s work” in Iraq.

Prince considers himself a Knight Templar. He sees his work as part of the Crusades.

It’s the ugliest kind of religious prejudice married to the ugliest kind of corporate-mafia allegiances.

Yes, I’m a Seattle-ite too. While its good that the Seattle Times prints these articles, they are equally guilty as every other major metro newspaper in co-operating in the White House propaganda blitz that led us into Iraq in the first place.

The sad truth about this guy is that he’s a victim as much as he is a perpetrator. That doesn’t excuse him.

I’m just pointing out that our society is creating monsters and turning them loose.

Guys like this are our problem. We create them, and not surprisingly, they end up dumped right back into our midst.

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/ Leslie

Yes, that’s what Susan is talking about. The military has lowered its bar too, accepting for example white suprematicists, then training them, sending them to Iraq, and then dumping them on our streets when their service ends.

Plus, the Bushies are underfunding local police, the FBI crime-fighting units, and simultaneously making it easier to get guns. A volatile combination!

http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

They ARE being dumped on our streets. That’s one reason I was glad to see the ABC News story on PTSD .. it’s not the first story on contractors who return to the U.S. with serious problems, but it needs to be highlighted over and over. Congress needs to enact laws that require private contractors to ensure after-care for these contractors.

And that INCLUDES contractors who drive trucks, serve food, etc., since they are also exposed to dangerous situations and probably have their own set of PTSD issues as well as possible traumatic brain injuries if there were heavy blasts near them. (Boy, it’s been shocking to me to learn that even nearby blasts can cause brain injury.)

“The Bushies are underfunding local police, the FBI crime-fighting units, and simultaneously making it easier to get guns.” Amen.
MEP

Might be interesting to look into the % of USA/orgin nonwhite employees for Blackwater and the rest of the PSC crowd. Seeing that some of these fine Corps are recruiting from the former South African Apartheid special ops/security forces, Central American SOA graduated Death squad members, drug cartel bubbas I think the American public has more to worry about than PTSD.

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/ Leslie

Yeah.

taters

Miltias and hate groups love these guys. They get all a twitter. ( Google Stormfront & Blackwater)
And WA, like any other state has their share. God knows we have more than our fair share of those creeps here in Michigan. (It’s no surprise to me that Prince is from western Michigan.) And I’m sure its not a stretch that they would gladly embrace and protect this murderer.
Here’s some groups in Washington state courtesy of the SPLC, although not diffentiated between western and eastern Washington.

http://www.splcenter.org/intel/map/hate.jsp?S=WA&m=5
MEP

I’ve resisted commenting on this thread for several reasons. One being that I have done so in the distant past on this subject and was ignored. Now that I’m over my attack of “I told you so” ego ponder this. During Vietnam there was a program called Phoenix. I will let those not familiar do their own research. The guys that carried out the action of this project were largely recruited by the CIA from the Army Sp. Forces, Navy Seals, etc. Well trained, patriotic, and highly motivated individuals. The majority of these guys believed that what they were doing was for a righteous cause. Only much later did the story emerge that they had been used and manipulated to commit mass murder. I have known a couple of guys over the years that I suspect were involved at the field level. These people did not admit to membership in the Phoenix Program, but during conversations they fiercely defended those that were. Not on the grounds that the mission was necessary or right, but that the field level guys that did the dirty work were duped. My point is this, the most patriotic, well trained, righteously motivated individual can be convinced/fooled, that the most vile of human behavior is justified under compelling circumstances. Do not focus on the recruits of US origin. Research from where else the Blackwater,Aegis Defence Services,Armor Group,Erinys,Control Risks,Oliver Group,Triple Canopy,Dyncorp…..etc are obtaining their talent. Any thoughts from the owner of this blog?

http://robinstorm.blogspot.com Rob

Well Phoenix got little out of control and was also poorly supervised…. people were getting whacked because they were not just liked or rather business rivals in some cases.

But you cannot equate BW with Phoenix… major differences but just the same BW and the PMCs need to be regulated…..

MEP

To quote you, “Well excuse me…” A little out of control????? You may pass that gas off on the other people here but not me. You obviously did not read me carefully or maybe you did. To make it clear if you do not have a well established chain of command things can and will go to shit. In any case I do and will equate BW with Phoenix. You can chose to disagree but take your all knowing BS and keep it in a warm dark place of your choosing. I will discuss anything with whoever but will not allow you or anyone else to dictate your view. I’ve offered refs and challenged people to do their own digging. You just make unsubstantiated rebuttals.
http://noquarterusa.net/blog/ Leslie

Rob
You keep talking about this as if a little regulation is all that’s needed.

But I, for one, have many more questions regarding the use of PMCs that go beyond regulations, which would lead me to believe that much more needs to be done.

For example: Blackwater’s presence in Iraq is contributing to the increased hostilities our troops are facing and undermining our stated mission.

Taxpayers are also paying for Blackwater’s services at exorbitant rates, in addition to paying for the military’s. We’re training people to become US troops, paying them meager salaries of about $50 a day, a fraction of what Blackwater employees make at about $600 a day. Blackwater has received over $1 billion in federal contracts, they just scored another big contract with the Pentagon, and they’re charging the federal government over $1,200 a day per protective specialist. Then consider how much BW charges for its services, adding perhaps a 36% markup, that’s pretty expensive and it’s being paid for by us. Why should we pay for these services?

MEP

Yo where did I mention “a little regulation”? Are you responding to me?? If so do not put words in my mouth. And hell yes they have increased hostilities against our troops. Have a few beers with damn near any enlisted Marine who was tasked with the original attacks on Fallujah after the Blackwater Hanging from the Bridge incident. Admittedly I have only talked to a couple but those guys hated the “Contractors”. And indicated in strong terms that their distaste for “Contractors” was wide spread in the Corps. Incidently, they did not call them contractors, they referred to them as fuckin mercs. A contractor is the guy pouring concrete for the $600,000 million dollar embassy. The dollar cost of these people seems to bother you Rob and rightly so. How do you feel about the human cost? And in the future do not put words in my mouth. If you are going to refer to something I’ve written, quote it, then you can give your take. But you assume you know what people mean, how about reading completely, if you have a problems, there are many Reading Comprehension CDs available cheap.

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/ Leslie

No MEP, my comment is directed at Rob. I wrote about the dollar cost as one example, not Rob. It was intended as one example of troubling issues over the hiring of mercenaries, but definitely not the only issue. The human cost is much more important.

MEP,
Are you having trouble seeing the words, because the comments decrease in size? Others have complained about the small type. Do you think you’re having trouble? Would this help, can you go to the top of your computer screen, under VIEW, and increase the size of the text or zoom in?

MEP

Leslie
I’m getting old and feeble. Responded to the wrong person. Guess I should take a break and go watch my “Reading Comp for Old Farts” CD one more time. Be back after my nap.

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/ Leslie

MEP,
Well, hurry back. Because you have a wealth of information and interesting things to add to the conversation.

http://robinstorm.blogspot.com Rob

Listen Leslie,

I am not going to defend the use of contractors to fight wars… Though this is not new. But I will defend every Americans right to due process. If found quilty then so be it… But to attack based on hearsay and press reports is rather foolish.

For the record I am opposed to the use of contactors as a offensive force… defensive is another thing and this is not the first time we have done this.

I just got done reading Hillhouses “Outsourced” .. scary book…. All should read it…

MEP

I find it odd that you demand “due process” seeing how the State Dept. has asserted that Blackwater and the other Mercs under contract do not fall under the Military Code nor the US judicial system. I commented earlier that I also think that the guy should be judged only by a court. And let me clear the air on my views and opinions. This most recent incident involving Blackwater is just fuel on my existing fire. I am against the use of Mercs period. Thats right, mercenaries. Look up the definition, seems to fit. The issue is not just the home grown recruits working for Blackwater. How do you feel about Tim Spicer?
http://noquarterusa.net/blog/ Leslie

Rob,
My comment to you had nothing to do with due process, nor was it an attack on you. In addition, my citation or link was to Rep. Waxman’s Oversight Committee and the Blackwater hearings, hardly hearsay.

Speaking of backing up your comments with facts, where are your links Rob?

http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

SEE my updates this morning at the top of the story. The Seattle papers have much more…. and, if you have time, click on both stories and scan them. There’s a lot there.

MEP

Great! Now he’s going to be tried in the press. The guy and the public deserve a “Due Process” investigation. On that note,”Wish in one hand and spit in the other, observe carefully which one gets full first”. Of course like past potentially damaging incidents, Blackwater and the State Dept. will hide behind “one bad apple”. This guy may be innocent, but he will be used as a straw man to hide the real issues. On another slant I find it interesting that his place of origin is western Montana. The areas around Kalispell and Flathead are known havens for neo-fascist nuts. Having fished the area years ago and as a product of the south, I was rather surprised by the fact that if one looks, you will count more Confederate flags than found in the normal Richmond Virginia History shop. And no I don’t think the flags are displayed for historical purposes. Yes, wild speculation, but there have been many rumors of Neo gang infiltration of the Military. Remember Tim McVea???? While everyones attention is partly focused I encourage those with the time to expand their info of PSC and research Tim Spicer. Ask yourself why this cottage industry has suddenly obtained, “We can’t operate without them” status. Was the void they fill created intentionally? And if you have not yet read “Blackwater” by J. Scahill, Just DO It!!!! I’ll probably be accused of receiving a Commish for promoting the book but as of now it is the best info source out there. you don’t have to believe me or Scahill, check the refs and do your own damn digging. I’ll say it one more time, the privatization of special ops(some call it security) and intell gathering is an incredibly real threat to the Republic. WAKE THE FUCK UP! Any comment from Larry?

http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

‘”The guy and the public deserve a “Due Process” investigation.”

Very true. According to today’s stories, he wasn’t fired by Blackwater immediately for murder but for carrying and using a weapon while he was intoxicated*. Which goes to show that Blackwater does take action, at least at times. In one excerpt of Prince’s testimony, he said that 122 (?) employees have been fired — that’s good too.

—–

*Whether or not he murdered the Iraqi guard needs to be determined in a court of law. His attorney is suggesting it may have been in self-defense. Regardless, Blackwater was correct to fire him for using a weapon while drunk.

+++++

Yes, Montana — like Alaska — attracts a lot of outsider types. Including hippies (snort). Most of its citizens, however, are as “mainstream” as you and me. And we don’t know what his family and upbringing were like, so we can’t pre-judge his political tendencies yet. His father’s remarks are interesting (in the P.I./NYT story):

Moonen’s father, Alvin Moonen of Kalispell, Mont., where Andrew and his seven brothers and two sisters grew up, said that his son did not speak about his duties in the military or at Blackwater. “He said he was in the 82nd Airborne and that’s all he told me,” the father said Tuesday.

Asked about the accusations that his son was involved in the fatal shooting last December, Moonen’s voice fell. “They train these guys like they do, and then they’re surprised?” he said.

But many, many states have problems with militia types, including Washington state and several states in the South. Yesterday, BBC’s new America-focused one-hour news show (it’s on at 4pm PT on BBCAmerica, and it’s pretty damn good) featured a segment on John McCain’s candidacy while he’s campaigning in South Carolina. They interviewed many devout Republicans who oppose McCain solely because of his stance on immigration — one Republican was interviewed in his livingroom, which was full of “patriotic” decor, including a big painting that said “God Bless America” and a big Confederate flag.

MEP

Agreed, as I stated and labeled it speculation I found his origin interesting. And of course the vast majority of the pop. in the area are as you define Mainstream. However I did not run into many tiedyed free love types, in the area I referenced. In fact none. Don’t know many nonviolent types that hang the Stars and Bars off the old front poarch. That was twenty yrs ago so maybe the demographics have changed. And a warning Susan, many would not like you considering me “Mainstream” including my kids.

http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

Maybe the hippies are in Whitefish? Maybe they left after one bad winter? Dunno. It’s been 25+ years since I went there. Stunningly beautiful area. One thing that bugs me about the anti-government nuts is that they don’t want federal protection of land, natural resources, wildlife, etc.

No, you’re way too hip to be mainstream, MEP. My sincerest apologies!

MEP

I’m not sure the kids or the neighbors would refer to it as “hip”.

MEP

Loonie has been used. Still don’t know what I have in common with the Canadian dollar? can someone help me after the nap?

http://neufneuf.blogspot.com 99

This nesting of replies thing is too weird for me…. I piped up, but it’s at the bottom of the thread now….

Delia

I grew up in the Rocky Mountain area though I no longer live there. The neo-nazis in northern Idaho and western Montana are not natives. They’ve moved in from outside because they’re isolated areas with low populations, not much money, and a tradition of distrust for the Feds. There are people who are moving into these areas from all over the country to build their fortresses.

http://robinstorm.blogspot.com Rob

Good let them move there and then have the USG put out a RFP for security fencing….. or better yet we’ll just move the fencing from our southern boarder….

This is starting to get real boring… Any of you guys have a life? Or do you all just sit around and piss and moan all day?

Rememeber my offer for flight tickets (one way) to Burma is good until the end of the year…..

Try and have a better night and remember the FBI, CIA, NSA, DIA and the Bogey man so not live under your beds…..

You guys can be exhausting…. Take a euthanasia and call me in the morning…..

MEP

Sorry you have to go. Next visit bring some sources with you.

http://robinstorm.blogspot.com Rob

Last comment on this subject… Why all you’ll do is shoot them down.. Better yet lets wait for the FBI report… Oh yeah I forgot you don’t trust them either…. Hell with that repoort and source…

Remember Burma is very nice this time of year and you’ll get box seats to the next monk slaughter

http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

SEE THE LATEST UPDATE at the top of the story:

“BREAKING” UPDATE AT 11:50AM PT, THURSDAY: The House has passed a bill — 389-30 — “that would make all private contractors working in Iraq and other combat zones subject to prosecution by U.S. courts.” Senate Democratic leaders will rush through similar legislation and get it to Bush ASAP.

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/ Leslie

Good! Bush will veto it, of course.
Shirin

If they really considered Iraq a sovereign state, they would make them answerable under Iraqi law as well.
MEP

That is a hell of a good start. But how will charges be brought? The Justice Dept. has not exactly been a well of enlightenment. Still it is a step in the right direction. Should be interesting what is in the draft and what W will do when and if the bill hits his desk. Any betting people out there?

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/ Leslie

MEP,
Sure, you’re on: I bet the bill passes the House, barely squeaks past the Senate, reaches Bushie’s desk and he vetoes it.

What’s your bet?

P.S. What are we wagering? LOL.

MEP

Well hell you took my position. Should no better than to leave the table. It should be interesting to see who shows guts in the Senate. They all know the Shrub will whip out the old pen and flip the bird. I’m still in shock that over a 100 Repubs in the house voted for it. As to what I would have been willing to wager?????? How about a very worn copy of Common Sense. Not to worry I have a back up.

http://neufneuf.blogspot.com 99

The areas around Kalispell and Flathead are known havens for neo-fascist nuts.

Those areas have long since become known havens for yuppies and movie stars. The actual Rez part of the Flathead is shunted off to a not-so-scenic corner, and only really rich neo-fascists can afford to live anywhere near there now.

And, yep, Scahill knows his stuff.
http://neufneuf.blogspot.com 99

Well, and I guess I ought to expand on part of my point. The locals were darn chuffed about being priced out of home, and were put on the defensive about their hunting ethic and their logging jobs… pretty [righteously] pissed about that too. So this guy might very well not have any fascist sentiments, per se, just seething anger, existential rage, that ended up finding the wrong way to express itself.

MEP

Thanks for the updated demographics. Like I said when I was fish wrestling (long story which will not be told here) up there it was 20 odd years ago. At that time there was nary a yuppie I could find. But I might attract the neo types with the smooth southern accent. Has happened before in certain geographic areas adjacent to good bars. And for those of you wondering, W’s accent is not West Texas, I have it from good sources it has been traced to Andover and Yale drama class with a bit of “Go team’ to boot. Your depiction of the possible reasons for seething anger,I can identify with. If the guy is clean he will probably be railroaded to show how open and responsible Blackwater/Dept of Just. is. And yes, that is opinion and speculation on my part.

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/ Leslie

MEP,
You were a fish wrestler? Did you know that my great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great Aunt Tischke, who invented the bagel and roller skates and was the only Jewish Pilgrim to help settle Plymouth Rock, used to wrestle gefilte fishes in her bathtub?

MEP

Sounds messy. Did anyone sell tickets, cause my buddies did for my match. It was ugly and the damn trout won and I damn near drowned.

http://politickybitch.blogspot.com/ nunya

MEP,

Yes, and more. There are some idiotic Libertarian and Republican types who consistently vote against their own best interests. Montana has a history of mining interests with incerdible control over a mojority of the residents/workers. The Unions had major battles with big corporate mining management there. There’s a few superfund sites that have been successfully ignored or exploited for clean-up money, and then not cleaned up. Like most asthetically beautiful places in America, there’s some really ugly shit going on, if you scratch the surface or look beyond the tourist brochures.

MEP

The town of Libby comes to mind.

http://politickybitch.blogspot.com/ nunya

Y mas, Y mas

MEP

Still waiting for a general comment on the PSC subject from the owner. Hows about it Larry, share your thoughts.
Thinker

Susan, the guys they send to Iraq have plenty of rage in ‘em. That’s why they are there. I think the murdering security contractor will be thanking God he was American and not Iraqi as outcomes would have been very different.

In time guilt will kick in. A day, a year, a lifetime….who knows, but the guilty always suffer a personal burden as much as they try and justify what they have done.

As you are probably aware, I do not believe in punishment as guilt is punishment enough in itself. But as for protecting society that is a different matter. And this is the great debate, can world ever heal itself while it locks up loonies? I guess we are all selfish enough to insist on safe lives at all costs, but I am raplidly coming to the conclusion (in my unfinished book) that evil needs to be done to demonstrate good. I digress, I appologise…..where was I?

Ah….this is the key observation “The Bush administration has been hostile to the notion that the conventions apply in Iraq and the war on terrorism.”

Just change in Iraq and the war on terrorism to anywhere and you have a clearer message.
Shirin

Oh my, Rob! Yet another report to contradict your precious “Spot Report”, which was of course conveniently authored by a Blackwater employee. And this time it is not from some Iraqi eyewitness – after all, we all know that it is part of Iraqi culture to lie by habit and by preference – but from the U.S. military!

“U.S. military reports from the scene of a shooting incident in Baghdad involving security contractor Blackwater indicates its guards opened fire without provocation and used excessive force, The Washington Post reported on Friday. [Excuse me, I am a bit confused. Isn't this redundant? I mean, if there was no provocation, then ANY amount of force was excessive, was it not?]

“Citing a senior U.S. military official, the Post said the military reports appear to corroborate the Iraqi government’s contention that Blackwater was at fault.

” ‘It was obviously excessive.[Excessive?! What is an appropriately non-excessive level of force to use against a bunch of unarmed people who are not shooting at you?] It was obviously wrong,’ a U.S. military official speaking on condition of anonymity told the newspaper.

” ‘The civilians that were fired upon, they didn’t have any weapons to fire back at them. And none of the IP (Iraqi police) or any of the local security forces fired back at them, the official was quoted as saying.

“The Blackwater guards appeared to have fired grenade launchers in addition to machine guns, the official told the Post. He said U.S. soldiers had reviewed statements from eyewitnesses and video footage recorded at the scene.”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071005/ts_nm/iraq_contractors_report_dc&printer=1;_ylt=Aj39ruuFU06JQsslBNb2CGpg.3QA

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/ Leslie

Rob says above that he doesn’t rely on news reports…the facts are always liberal you know.

MEP

Facts are so messy.

Delia

Yeah, turns out the military doesn’t like Blackwater, either. What a surprise.

But Rob said he was going away. I suppose that will turn out to be another broken promise . . . .

MEP

An interesting observation for the curious to ponder.

cbs5.com/worldview/local_blogentry_276210237.html

“Coming soon to an office near you?”
ybnormal

At this moment, this blog post has the highest comment score on the noquarter home page; so people have a lot to say.

It’s worth reviewing fundamentals at this point. The U.S. military, in spite of all the money it spends, is primarily driven by government policy. Meanwhile private contractors, are primarily profit driven. Note that one of the ancestors of private military contracting, Knights Templar, was also an ancestor in the founding concepts of modern banking. They created a process of issuing encrypted letters of credit to travelers, who could then redeem them for lodging and traveling expenses, along the journey to the area now known as Israel.

Back to the point, this fundamental difference in motivation naturally brings up the question of how the drive for profit drives the government policy which in turn drives the military. It seems to me that this justifies establishing a very high bar of accountability for PMCs.

In general, I find the arguments that accountability is currently far below an effective level, to be much more convincing than the arguments that accountability is currently working.

MEP

Timely of you to mention the Knights Templar. A little searching will reveal that Joseph Schmitz, Blackwater Exec, is a proud member of the Order of Malta. You might find his job prior to Blackwater also of interest.

ybnormal

I hope people don’t go too far off into this Knights Templar or Order of Malta thing. The name used by these people seems to be more about nostalgic name recognition as opposed to political or military intervention. The public face they try to present is charity activity.

There’s loads of current legends ranging from dramatic to delusional, none of which are easy to either prove or disprove.

Looking at it another way, some people just get off on wearing funny costumes while engaging in community service.

MEP

Agreed on most of your comment but consider this. I was once told years ago that the Federalist Society posed no threat and were a purely Fraternal society. Never delving into active politics and would never try to influence the social dialog. At the time I bought it. Now consider Mr. Schmitz, do a bit of research on this guy. He appears to be much more than your garden variety Neocon. Any org. that recruits his ilk is highly suspect, and from what little I’ve read on the group they are very picky as to their inductees. Not a pay your money, and get your funny hat kind of group. Growing up in Texas during the 50s and 60s we had a healthy dose of Birchers running around. they too were depicted as harmless.

MEP

Forgot to mention the established links between the Order and the P2 scandals of yesteryear. Some of the court transcripts of the P2 trials have now been translated and are available. The story and related trials were not hardly covered in the states at the time. Find the court transcripts, they are interesting reading.

Fred C. Dobbs

New hog at the Trough:

(new to me, anyway)

Monday, October 1, 2007

“MCLEAN, VA— U.S. Government Intelligence and Defense Veterans Form Company Backed By Private Equity Laguna Ventures, Inc.

Posted: 10/1/2007 @ 4:19 PM

Laguna Ventures, Inc. (LVI), a newly formed management company with private equity backing, announced that it intends to create and grow an industry player serving the U.S. intelligence community and the U.S. Department of Defense. LVI intends to purchase several high quality companies who have a track record of exceptional technical and customer service in these markets.

LVI is led by William M. Senich, an experienced federal industry executive and former partner with IBM’s Global Business Services National Intelligence practice. Mr. Senich’s prior positions include Vice President at L-3 Communications (formerly Titan Corporation) and he also held sales, marketing and engineering positions at Harris Corporation, Hughes Aircraft Company and Aerospace Corporation.

William M. Senich, LVI, CEO commented: “Our customer’s mission has never been more critical in the community’s history. LVI’s team combines leadership-level experience on key national security programs from both the customer and industry environments.”

“We plan to grow rapidly and become an industry player with a singular focus on providing exceptional support to our government intelligence and defense customers’ critical missions, including providing secure information exchange solutions and technical operations support,” Mr. Senich continued.

Mr. Senich also announced LVI’s partnership with CM Equity Partners (CMEP) a private equity firm who will assist in deal structuring and transaction financing.

Peter M. Schulte, a CMEP Partner, commented, “We are betting on Bill and his phenomenally talented and experienced team to grow this new company and increase its presence in the community. We think this is the right team, at the right time that can grow a very strong company while providing excellent support to U.S. intelligence and defense customers,” said Mr. Schulte.

About LVI

Laguna Ventures, Inc (LVI) (www.lvi-usa.com) is a privately held firm based in McLean, Virginia, that seeks to acquire companies that provide multi-level information assurance and cross-domain information exchange technology, engineering, development, training and technical operations support as well as database and information technology and program management support services, both directly and indirectly, to the U.S intelligence community and the U.S. Department of Defense.

About CM Equity Partners (CMEP)

CMEP is a private equity investment firm which makes investments in private middle-market companies that operating primarily in the federal services sector.

Since 1993, CMEP has completed more than 40 acquisitions, with more than half in the federal services sector. CMEP’s investments in this sector include AverStar, Inc., Resource Consultants, Inc., RGS Associates, Inc., ICF International, Inc. (Nasdaq: ICFI), and 3001 International, Inc., among others.

For more information, please visit http://www.lvi-usa.com“
Shirin

I believe I mentioned that it is not unusual for a mercenary to be fired and quietly spirited out of Iraq only to reappear on the scene a few weeks later working for another mercenary company.

Fired Blackwater Guard Found More Work

Oct 5, 6:15 PM (ET)

By RICHARD LARDNER

WASHINGTON (AP) – The State Department may have withheld critical information from the Pentagon about a fired Blackwater USA guard, a misstep that allowed the man to find work in the Middle East two months after he allegedly killed an Iraqi security worker, a senior House Democrat said Friday.

“In an Oct. 5 letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., also questioned the accuracy of statements made by Blackwater’s top executive and State Department representatives at a hearing Tuesday by the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, chaired by Waxman.
According to Waxman’s letter, he and other committee members were told Andrew Moonen was fired by Blackwater after the Dec. 24, 2006, shooting incident and had his security clearance canceled.

“As a result, his employment prospects, especially with a defense company, should have been very dim. He was drunk when he shot the guard.
But two months after Moonen was whisked out of Baghdad, he got a job with Combat Support Associates, a Defense Department contractor that provides logistics support to U.S. troops at bases in Kuwait, said Waxman, who cited a CNN report.
That report was backed by a Feb. 13, 2007 e-mail from an Army criminal investigator who reported seeing Moonen in Baghdad, according to Waxman.

“A representative from Combat Support Associates could not be reached.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Richard Griffin, head of the department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security, said his office maintains records of fired guards to ensure they don’t return to work with another security company with a State Department contract.

“It is hard to reconcile this development with the State Department’s claim that, ‘We are scrupulous in terms of oversight and scrutiny not only of Blackwater but all of our contractors,’” Waxman wrote Rice.

“Whatever steps were taken, Waxman said, they “were apparently insufficient to prevent Mr. Moonen from securing re-employment in the Iraq war.”

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20071005/D8S3BG3G0.html

According to a number of sources, this incident is anything but an anomaly. Apparently it happens quite frequently.
Thinker

Hmmmm, thanks Shirin. The tlop thinkens….now that’s what I call CV building! When I went to mercenary school, they told me the whole point of the thing was killin’ folks.

This guy took it the whole way. He didn’t even care what side they were on, which I understand, BTW, was the whole problem with Rwanda. Everyone guessed which side they should be on – a kinda lottery Hutu verses Tutse. The kinda of lottery that was going in Baghdad, perhaps still is?
http://NoQuarterUSA.net Larry Johnson

I’m a bit surprised at the reaction to many of Rob’s comments. I thought his comments reasonable and fair. He’s not arguing that we should have a pro-Blackwater policy, but he is acknowledging an uncomfortable fact–we don’t have the military or state department resources to provide security for our diplomats operating in high threat environments. Ergo, we are going to use contractors, like it or not. Key for me is getting appropriate oversight in place.