Comments on: Blackwater Intrigue in the Pacific Northwest http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/925/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/ Sun, 27 May 2012 12:54:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Larry Johnson http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/925/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-32910 Larry Johnson Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:48:07 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/10/03/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-32910 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. 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.

]]> By: Centrocitta http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/925/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-31787 Centrocitta Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:47:39 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/10/03/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-31787 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. 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.

]]> By: Thinker http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/925/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-31693 Thinker Tue, 09 Oct 2007 02:55:41 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/10/03/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-31693 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? 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?

]]> By: Shirin http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/925/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-31477 Shirin Mon, 08 Oct 2007 07:08:20 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/10/03/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-31477 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. <b>Fired Blackwater Guard Found More Work</b> Oct 5, 6:15 PM (ET) By RICHARD LARDNER <i>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."</i> 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. 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.

]]> By: Fred C. Dobbs http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/925/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-31184 Fred C. Dobbs Sun, 07 Oct 2007 01:40:56 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/10/03/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-31184 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 www.lvi-usa.com" 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“

]]> By: Delia http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/925/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30912 Delia Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:33:38 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/10/03/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30912 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 . . . . 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 . . . .

]]> By: MEP http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/925/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30900 MEP Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:59:09 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/10/03/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30900 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. 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.

]]> By: MEP http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/925/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30895 MEP Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:50:55 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/10/03/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30895 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. 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.

]]> By: ybnormal http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/925/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30889 ybnormal Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:37:26 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/10/03/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30889 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. 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.

]]> By: MEP http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/925/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30836 MEP Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:07:16 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/10/03/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30836 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. 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.

]]> By: ybnormal http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/925/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30824 ybnormal Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:24:54 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/10/03/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30824 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. 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.

]]> By: nunya http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/925/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30817 nunya Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:46:29 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/10/03/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30817 Y mas, Y mas Y mas, Y mas

]]> By: MEP http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/925/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30816 MEP Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:36:39 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/10/03/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30816 The town of Libby comes to mind. The town of Libby comes to mind.

]]> By: nunya http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/925/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30814 nunya Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:33:27 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/10/03/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30814 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,

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.

]]> By: MEP http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/925/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30808 MEP Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:15:17 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/10/03/blackwater-intrigue-in-the-pacific-northwest/#comment-30808 Facts are so messy. Facts are so messy.

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