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Blackwater in the news again
Author: BobR
Date: 10/03/2007 12:34:20
It looks like the British are pulling another 1000 troops out of Iraq. Where does that leave us? How do we fill the void. More mercenaries?
Blackwater has been the main supplier of private for-hire soldiers, fullfilling the neocon dream of privitizing everything in the government, but - like most other neocon initiatives, this one is blowing up in their faces as well.
The House Oversight Committee filed a report on Monday that showed that Blackwater guards fired first 80% of the time.
Demanding some explanation they were told:
And now the latest revelation is that Blackwater's COO:
So the president once again appointed an industry fox to oversee the henhouse, who then left the White House to go wallow in the spoils (how's THAT for mixed metaphors?
). It's time for Blackwater to go.
Anyway - Try to smile - It's hump day!
Blackwater has been the main supplier of private for-hire soldiers, fullfilling the neocon dream of privitizing everything in the government, but - like most other neocon initiatives, this one is blowing up in their faces as well.
The House Oversight Committee filed a report on Monday that showed that Blackwater guards fired first 80% of the time.
Demanding some explanation they were told:
...In sworn testimony Erik Prince, a former Navy SEAL who founded Blackwater, acknowledged that his guards sometimes will fire first on Iraqis in an attempt to prevent "potential car bombs," although he insisted the contractors follow a strict protocol before resorting to lethal force. The House Oversight Committee met in the wake of a Sept. 16 shooting during which Blackwater guards are alleged to have been unprovoked when they opened fire on a crowd of Iraqis, killing between 11 and 20 civilians...
And now the latest revelation is that Blackwater's COO:
... has numerous links to the White House as well as many current and former Republicans. The connections include the firm's chief operating officer Joseph Schmitz, who was tapped by President Bush in 2002 to "oversee and police the Pentagon's military contracts as the Defense Department's Inspector General." The relevation was first reported by Ben Van Heuvelen in Salon. Serving until 2005, Schmitz went on to preside over "the largest increase of military-contracting spending in history" and joined Blackwater just a month after his departure from the Pentagon, according to Van Heuvelen...
So the president once again appointed an industry fox to oversee the henhouse, who then left the White House to go wallow in the spoils (how's THAT for mixed metaphors?
). It's time for Blackwater to go.Anyway - Try to smile - It's hump day!
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
TriSec on 10/03/2007 12:57:19
TriSec on 10/03/2007 12:57:19
Good Morning, comrades!
Pancake?
:oolong:
Coffee?
Pancake?
:oolong:
Coffee?
Comment by 
BobR on 10/03/2007 13:05:14
BobR on 10/03/2007 13:05:14
coffee.... definitely coffee.... :coffee:
Comment by 
livingonli on 10/03/2007 13:13:44
livingonli on 10/03/2007 13:13:44
I could go for pancakes. Especially Chocolate Chip ones.
Comment by livingonli on 10/03/2007 13:20:11
livingonli on 10/03/2007 13:20:11
Wow! That Denver talk show host. Gee, he really wishes we had a Hilter running the country. Nothing like good old-fashioned hard core anti-semitism. :evil:
We need the evil and Monkey emoticons.
We need the evil and Monkey emoticons.
Comment by TriSec on 10/03/2007 13:28:13
TriSec on 10/03/2007 13:28:13
*sigh*
Let our Boy Scout first aid merit badge counselor weigh in:
Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
*Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
* Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
* Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
* Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
Let our Boy Scout first aid merit badge counselor weigh in:
Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
*Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
* Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
* Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
* Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
Comment by 
Raine on 10/03/2007 13:31:06
Raine on 10/03/2007 13:31:06
Good morning!
Excellent blog today bobR
Comment by livingonli on 10/03/2007 13:34:27
livingonli on 10/03/2007 13:34:27
Someone should call in with the medical advice?
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 13:37:55
Raine on 10/03/2007 13:37:55
Oh dear... WHy dear lord, Why does Billo always headline RWW?
Comment by livingonli on 10/03/2007 13:42:17
livingonli on 10/03/2007 13:42:17
Is Hannity not mentioning Steph by name like Bill-O not mentioning Keith Olbermann by name?
Comment by livingonli on 10/03/2007 13:42:58
Because we are witnessing a slow descent into total and complete insanity.
livingonli on 10/03/2007 13:42:58
Quote by Raine:
Oh dear... WHy dear lord, Why does Billo always headline RWW?
Because we are witnessing a slow descent into total and complete insanity.
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 13:45:21
Raine on 10/03/2007 13:45:21
Oh the lifeline screening ad.... I owe my life to you
{i]I'm one lucky guy
:rolleyes:
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 13:46:45
Raine on 10/03/2007 13:46:45
Quote by Raine: Oh the lifeline screening ad.... I owe my life to you I'm one lucky guy :rolleyes:
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 13:47:32
Raine on 10/03/2007 13:47:32
WOrd up!!! :banana:
Comment by BobR on 10/03/2007 13:48:59
BobR on 10/03/2007 13:48:59
:evil:, :monkey:, :chimp:, :sprint:, and 
emoticons have all been added
emoticons have all been added
Comment by BobR on 10/03/2007 13:49:24
YEOW
BobR on 10/03/2007 13:49:24
Quote by Raine:
WOrd up!!! :banana:
YEOW
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 13:50:48
Raine on 10/03/2007 13:50:48
I knew that. Tufted Titmouse... Bird. 
Comment by livingonli on 10/03/2007 13:50:49
Yay!
livingonli on 10/03/2007 13:50:49
Quote by BobR:
:evil:, :monkey:, :chimp:, :sprint:, and
Yay!
Comment by livingonli on 10/03/2007 13:54:08
livingonli on 10/03/2007 13:54:08
I want to see Rush in a dodgeball game with the "phony" soldiers. He would be cold-clocked within 5 seconds.
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 14:00:35
Raine on 10/03/2007 14:00:35
Speaking of Phony Soldiers.... THIS is a phony soldier!
Comment by livingonli on 10/03/2007 14:02:03
livingonli on 10/03/2007 14:02:03
Bush has vetoed the children's health bill.
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 14:04:20
Raine on 10/03/2007 14:04:20
F8cker.
Comment by 
wickedpam on 10/03/2007 14:07:36
wickedpam on 10/03/2007 14:07:36
Morning! :hug:
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 14:09:43
Wow... That is strange... picture changed... 
let's try that again 
Raine on 10/03/2007 14:09:43
Quote by Raine: Speaking of Phony Soldiers.... THIS is a phony soldier!
let's try that again
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 14:10:46
:hug: morning!!!
I love that Pointer sister's song...
Raine on 10/03/2007 14:10:46
Quote by wickedpam: Morning! :hug:
Comment by wickedpam on 10/03/2007 14:11:44
wickedpam on 10/03/2007 14:11:44
Never heard that one. I like Fat Boy Slim's "Because We Can Can Can" though
Comment by livingonli on 10/03/2007 14:14:01
livingonli on 10/03/2007 14:14:01
Bush will be speaking at 11:30 in PA. Let me guess, at a military base. 
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 14:14:21
I have heard southern and northern dumb guy accents...
USually after they speak... you will hear the following... after they speak *waronterra™ , fight them over there... Kill the alKayder's*
Raine on 10/03/2007 14:14:21
I have heard southern and northern dumb guy accents...
USually after they speak... you will hear the following... after they speak *waronterra™ , fight them over there... Kill the alKayder's*
Comment by livingonli on 10/03/2007 14:15:02
livingonli on 10/03/2007 14:15:02
I remember that song from when I was a kid. I haven't heard it in years though.
Comment by livingonli on 10/03/2007 14:16:53
Don't forget GWOT! GWOT!
livingonli on 10/03/2007 14:16:53
Quote by Raine:
USually after they speak... you will hear the following... after they speak *waronterra™ , fight them over there... Kill the alKayder's*
Don't forget GWOT! GWOT!
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 14:18:17
Raine on 10/03/2007 14:18:17
WHA?!?!?!?
Did I hear that correct?
Puta gigante?!?!?!
:rofl: that is so so wrong....
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 14:20:55
Raine on 10/03/2007 14:20:55
I bet the sales for Shower Massager's go thru the roof in Alabama. I can see it now a shower head run at all the Walmarts.... 
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 14:37:40
Raine on 10/03/2007 14:37:40
Ah Chris's ORgan... IT is just beautiful.
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 14:39:55
Raine on 10/03/2007 14:39:55
So what is the GOP these days?
Comment by TriSec on 10/03/2007 14:43:23
TriSec on 10/03/2007 14:43:23
Well, I don't know about you, but Lady Liberty is HOT!
Well, maybe not.
Well, maybe not.
Comment by livingonli on 10/03/2007 14:44:16
I think they have become a full-blown fascist party.
livingonli on 10/03/2007 14:44:16
Quote by Raine:
So what is the GOP these days?
I think they have become a full-blown fascist party.
Comment by livingonli on 10/03/2007 14:45:57
livingonli on 10/03/2007 14:45:57
The Weiner Savage is an extra bucket of crazy. Should he share a rubber room with Bill-O?
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 14:55:40
Raine on 10/03/2007 14:55:40
Go Obama!
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 14:57:23
Raine on 10/03/2007 14:57:23
I want a president who will stop the privatization of Government.
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 15:08:24
Raine on 10/03/2007 15:08:24
I am so darn sleepy today... I did not sleep last night.
HEy wasn't Momma's doctor appointment yesterday? Did she mention anything about how it went?
Comment by wickedpam on 10/03/2007 15:09:05
wickedpam on 10/03/2007 15:09:05
I was wondering about Steph's appointment too.
Comment by TriSec on 10/03/2007 15:13:11
TriSec on 10/03/2007 15:13:11
heh. You missed it, she mentioned it right out of the gate at 9:00 this morning.
she's not dying, but there's no word on the underlying cause of said insomnia.
She also got heartburn and hart attack confused; this led to a rather large argument with Chris, and my old EMT instincts kicking in below.
she's not dying, but there's no word on the underlying cause of said insomnia.
She also got heartburn and hart attack confused; this led to a rather large argument with Chris, and my old EMT instincts kicking in below.
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 15:17:59
Raine on 10/03/2007 15:17:59
Thanks for the update tri!
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 15:21:48
Raine on 10/03/2007 15:21:48
I like what Randi says about the candidates, she says she is gonna go after all of them now and say as much as she can now becuase once the candidadte is chosen... She will throw all her energies behind getting the dem elected.
I just hope and pray I don't have to hold my nose doing it.
Comment by livingonli on 10/03/2007 15:24:37
Same here.
livingonli on 10/03/2007 15:24:37
Quote by Raine:
I just hope and pray I don't have to hold my nose doing it.
Same here.
Comment by 
starling310 on 10/03/2007 15:24:54
Please let it not be Hilary. Please let it not be Hilary.
starling310 on 10/03/2007 15:24:54
Quote by Raine:
I like what Randi says about the candidates, she says she is gonna go after all of them now and say as much as she can now becuase once the candidadte is chosen... She will throw all her energies behind getting the dem elected.
I just hope and pray I don't have to hold my nose doing it.
Please let it not be Hilary. Please let it not be Hilary.
Comment by livingonli on 10/03/2007 15:27:17
I can't believe she's that far ahead in the polls when most lefties I know don't support her.
livingonli on 10/03/2007 15:27:17
Quote by starling310:Quote by Raine:
I like what Randi says about the candidates, she says she is gonna go after all of them now and say as much as she can now becuase once the candidadte is chosen... She will throw all her energies behind getting the dem elected.
I just hope and pray I don't have to hold my nose doing it.
I can't believe she's that far ahead in the polls when most lefties I know don't support her.
Comment by starling310 on 10/03/2007 15:28:01
starling310 on 10/03/2007 15:28:01
BBOX! Shout out to BBOX!
Comment by BobR on 10/03/2007 15:33:10
BobR on 10/03/2007 15:33:10
Sorry for not participating too much this morning - I am working on the FireFox stuff... 
Comment by starling310 on 10/03/2007 15:34:45
I always wonder "Is she really though? Who are these polls talking to? CNN viewers?" I wonder if you polled people who listen to Progressive talk and read a newspaper for their "news" if the results would be different.
I am exasperated with the MainStream coverage of this campaign. It's all about money and it's all about "making history" by electing a woman or a black candidate. In my humble opinion, Barack, nor Hilary are the correct choice for new direction. We will trade Corporate Republicans for Corporate Democrats in electing either of them!
I'll repeat what I just said on AAP in terms of Barack. It's very easy for him to stand back and expound on how he would not have voted for the Iraq Invasion. He talk s about the President needing to make the right decsion and "Who made the right decision back then?" Dennis Kucinich made the right decision. That's who. Obama didn't vote for the war because he wasn't in the Senate. Maybe I should run for President because, hey, I didn't vote the "war" either.
starling310 on 10/03/2007 15:34:45
Quote by livingonli:Quote by starling310:Quote by Raine:
I like what Randi says about the candidates, she says she is gonna go after all of them now and say as much as she can now becuase once the candidadte is chosen... She will throw all her energies behind getting the dem elected.
I just hope and pray I don't have to hold my nose doing it.
I can't believe she's that far ahead in the polls when most lefties I know don't support her.
I always wonder "Is she really though? Who are these polls talking to? CNN viewers?" I wonder if you polled people who listen to Progressive talk and read a newspaper for their "news" if the results would be different.
I am exasperated with the MainStream coverage of this campaign. It's all about money and it's all about "making history" by electing a woman or a black candidate. In my humble opinion, Barack, nor Hilary are the correct choice for new direction. We will trade Corporate Republicans for Corporate Democrats in electing either of them!
I'll repeat what I just said on AAP in terms of Barack. It's very easy for him to stand back and expound on how he would not have voted for the Iraq Invasion. He talk s about the President needing to make the right decsion and "Who made the right decision back then?" Dennis Kucinich made the right decision. That's who. Obama didn't vote for the war because he wasn't in the Senate. Maybe I should run for President because, hey, I didn't vote the "war" either.
Comment by Raine on 10/03/2007 15:35:33
Raine on 10/03/2007 15:35:33
Ok, callers need to stop freaking out momma. The canca talk is NOT helping.