Liveblogging of Blackwater Hearing
By Nicole Belle Monday Oct 01, 2007 11:32amMarcy is liveblogging the House Oversight Committee's hearing on Blackwater over at FDL. Part One and Part Two available here. You can stream C-Span 3 here. More to come...
The Gavel is putting up videos as quickly as they can. Here are Chairman Henry Waxman's opening remarks:
AP is reporting that the FBI is asking the committee to curb questions on the Sept. 16th killing of 11 Iraqis so as to not inhibit their investigation. Or maybe they just don't want us to know...
On another note, Christy is liveblogging the Goldsmith testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
UPDATE: Here's Dennis Kucinich grilling Blackwater CEO Erik Prince. 
Download | play QT Later.
I also want to remind you of a little fact that doesn't seem to make it traditional media: Blackwater's VP is advising Romney's campaign.
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1. What must be understood, is that once allowed, private armies (mercenaries) these Huge corporations will have a need for there to BE war for their very existence. (without war, there is no need for them).
2. American service people are asked if they would take up arms against their own country if asked to do so by the commander in chief.
Mercenary forces are not asked this and could care less. (Think if Cheney and Bush didn't want to give up office and used these forces against the US. citizenry, do you doubt that they would try this?)
yeah, I trust the FBI as far like I trust Efram Zimbalist Jr.'s ghost.
Thanks C&L
He knows how much he pays the employees but not how he got the contracts or how much profit his company is making? My ass!!
OMG you have to get footage of Waxman putting Issa in his place. Issa is caught trying to defend businesses when they are called republican and Waxman nails it! Get the video!
Oh, forgot to mention the Blackwater group is run by a guy who is a leader of a Fundimentalist Christian Organization.
Oh boy! Another congressional hearing that will produce absolutely NO RESULTS! Everyone knows Dems are pussies (no balls, get it?) and these hearings won't do a damn thing to change nuthin.
"Post 9/11 world"........snooze.
America employs hired killers... Just how we want to be known in the rest of the world. Say good-bye to our "good guy" status. Oh, that's right, we've already done that.
Most corrupt adminstration ever -- an amazing feat when you consider some of the competition.
Waxman has been teh awsomeness today.
I am at a loss for words except to say that this country is in deep deep trouble and we need action from our elected officials not senate hearings and b.s. The storm troopers are waiting for their orders and the people that listen to rush and the rest think I'm the crazy one. God save us all.
These reps need to stop acting like children and snipping at each other and get on with the program.
Get the video of Waxman nailing Issa. Issa tried to demonstrate that Blackwater is non-partisan. But in so doing, he collected testimony that the founders of Blackwater are prominent Bush supporters. So while he weakens his own argument, he then goes on to say that he wants to criticism of Blackwater as a partisan company to stop.
Waxman comes back with "The only one here saying it is you!"
Thanks Issa !!!
Westmoreland needs to stfu.
Say what you want about the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform getting zero results.
They did provce that Lurita Doan broke the law in January of this year.
Bruce Brailey is absolutely outstanding. He is kicking ass right now. And he has the Blackwater CEO pinned down under hostile fire. Go Bruce!
westmoreland can only remember 3 of the commandments so his contribution here is only cosmetic. he actually asked "do you fire an employee for doing a good job?" what community elects such a dolt?
Show of hands! Does anyone expect something to be done about Blackwater? Sure, and Bush will be living on the ranch when he is out of office.
Braley's doing a great job. Prince can't or won't answer his questions.
OK. The do-nothing committee has just proven that Blackwater hires 3rd nation nationals. Gee. I wonder what countries they might be hiring from. Irrael? France? The UK?
Go Braley Go
Braley is Senate material. he reminds me a little of Sheldon Whitehouse. Prosectutor.
It is about time Blackwater and any and all contractors answer up. Engagment rule could have been placed in the contracts language. Hopefully one thing that comes out of such hearings is that future Vlackwater contracts will legally obligate Blackwater and its employees to some sort of conduct standard that is punishable by ourlaw since taxpayers have to pay for the survivors of those Blackwater has indescriminately killed.
Hope to see more posted clips from this hearing.........................!
Prince: Your charts make my head hurt!
The first part of his remarks are wrong and need to be challenged. The statement that the theory is that private companies can do the job better and cheaper is not a theory at all. That is the propaganda advanced by the fascist. The object of privatizing government is to make money for the few at to expense of the many. It has nothing to do with a better or cheaper job.
now cmon, they said they didn't do it!!! can't we take them at their word!!! never mind the man behind the curtain!!! i'm sure it will all be resolved after all they all seem like such decent, honest men
Dhalgren @ 15:
Doan still hasn't been punished for anything yet though. At least, none that I have read or heard about.
yet another scandal. yet another opportunity for the dems to demonstrate their invertebrate traits.
I guess any act of terrorism can be excused as long as your incorporated.
Prince keeps saying that his company's pricing is competitive but how is it competitive if he's awarded no bid contracts?
Dhalgren @ 19:
add south Africa and australia.
It is false to assert that the contractor costs are cheaper or relevant: Costs are one thing; effecitiveness/responsiveness to the law is something else.
The problem with Iraq-manning is there are not enough people to do the jobs. Arguing over the "costs of an inadequately manned operation" are meaningless.
I'm not buying McHenry's premise that hiring Blackwater is cheaper than using our Military.
The only person who can fire Doan is the President. But the committee totally exposed that she violated the Hatch Act.
It is important that we get the law-breaking by the Bushies into the Congressional record. No, they won't be punished. But the record (presumably) is permanent.
Think about thow many records the future GWB library will not be able to display or make available.
The examples of abuse exposed by Waxman since re-assuming the chair of this committee in January has been very impressive. It will provide a lot of value to historians who will be judging the Bush presidency.
I'll take that as a victory. It's all we're going to get.
,b>Follow-up
Blackwater needs to have the "document" it promised -- on costs associated with contractors -- audited; that document needs to be cross-examined/reviewed in light of the Army IG reviews of various Army Corp of Engineer problems with Katrina relief.
DoJ has not done an adequate review of war crimes. There are DoD internal investigators that review this. Where are they; and why is a DoD contractor pointing to DoJ: Where are the Department of Defense reviews?
Erik Prince has no basis to assert that Geneva Convention requirements should be ignored. Enforcing the law does not reasonably link with the "immunity" claim.
Live Questions
Eirk Prince does not appear to be a credible witness. He does not appear to have any legal background. Where is his legal counsel? Where are the records that he's using to establish legal policy for blackwater?
He's pointing at State/DoD legal personnel, and is not standing on the legal decisions of his own firm.
What reviews did he, as CEO, make of the contrat to ensure his internal policies were consistent with the legal requirements of Geneva?
Notice he keeps saying "believe" and "it's my understanding" many times. He is providing vague, unspecific information.
Notice his haircut: Army.
I wish Thomas Jefferson were around to slap these pols around with his Rules on proper discourse in Congress. I think Newt & Co brought the worst of the mistrust and bitterness to Washington. But, now both sides hurl insults at each other, impugning each other if not an entire political party. Of course, it doesn't help when you have childlike, simple-minded us-vs-then mentalities elected to Congress, who cannot seem to comprehend that disagreement does not equate to lack of patriotism. I'm quite sick of the words and wish the days of dueling were still in play so some of these tough-in-word-only pols could get their asses beaten to a pulp by a treehugger.
We haven't even touched the stroy of Blackwater operatives in NOL in the days after the levees broke.
Notice the youth of the personnel involved: Many appear to not have been born before Vietnam.
He doesn't know how many personnel are in Afghanistan?!? Need specifics. He's got funds going out. Manning should be his number one concern: How many people does he have.
Where else is he providing services to the US government?
it doesn't matter what Blackwater was "originally" established: they have a job today. The job of Prince is to manage this firm, not make excuses for being stuck with an outdated model.
Blackwater has between 50 & 60 contracts with the Federal government.
Now Issa is going after Waxman for the earlier takedown. Die.
Issa: On the Waxman, Page 5
Prince is former Navy Seal. Why did Prince, when he asnwered Issa's question, look at his notes: Are these questions orechestrated?
Questions about the bio, not the Blackwater conduct in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Man, I can't stand Issa. What a smuck.
In watching the PBS program on WW2, I don't think I ever heard anyone say that they would be living forever in a post 12/7 world even though the implications of that event were far larger than 9/11. They wanted their war to end so life could return to normal, something no Repug has ever come close to suggesting with regard to the current 'war'.
I'm living in a post-1/20/2001 world, I wait for the day I can live in a post-1/20/2008 world.
Well, the Republican view has been clearly stated.
Our men and women in uniform suck. They are crap. Our military is crap.
BlackWater is the greatest thing ever!
What a way to support the troops!
Memo to Issa....if there are three companies that provide highly-skilled military security and helicopter services, and Blackwater is given a contract without the other 2 companies being contacted....and Blackwater has a history of maximum contributions to the Bush presidential campaigns....then it is relevant.
nawyecky @ 16:
If your name is George W. Bush, that's exactly the way you work. You fire people like Shinseki who actually are competent at their jobs and then reward/promote people like Wolfowitz who hasn't gotten a damn thing right.
Blackwater is STILL securing Pentagon contracts.
We have not seen anything like this. Ever.
Bush, Blackwater and many current and former Republicans thought there would be
no accountability.... not so..
America. A Great and Good Nation.
Thanks to the soldiers that upheld their oath who also blew the whistle on this.
How much more does our Country have to go through
before Bush and Cheney, the real culprits, are brought to Justice?
--> Look who Bush chose to lead Pentagon contracting investigation probes.
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Blackwater_USA_linked_to_Bush_administrati...
No wonder Americans, Soldiers, Veterans, Patriots, Citizens; Republicans, Democrats, Independent, Libertarian, Green, State & Federal Prosecutors, U.S. Atty's ARE Uniting to help our Country
Prince is former Navy Seal. Why did Prince, when he asnwered Issa’s question, look at his notes: Are these questions orechestrated?
Oh of course. Watch Braley come-in and ask Prince if he met with GOP congressmen before his appearance today. They coached Doan this past spring, and Braley exposed that.
If I was a Dem congressman on that committee, i would yield all my time to Braley.
Honerable mention to Carolyn Maloney, who exposed an act of homicide (manslaughter) by a drunken Blackwater employee during a Chrismas Eve party in the Green Zone.
Corporation By Laws
Blackwater may provide aviation and aviation training to any government through State Department. Price asserts license allegedly required from State Department required to provide services to other entities under Defense Trade Controls Act.
Foreign Internal Defense.
Who decides who is "approved" for a US contractor to provide assistance: Can the US government, bypassing Congress and Geneav, provide direct support to forces hoping to overthrow the Iranian government or interfere with the internal affairs of another nation in violation of laws of war?
Oath
Saying Blackwater employees "Swore the oath" is meaningless -- this President swore an oath, and Congress isn't enforcing it on issues of Geneva, FISA, or 4th Amendment search/seizures.
Demonstration/Validation Testing
What is the US Government plan to use blackwater/contractors to provide training for first responder-types in Louisiana; and this many years after Katrin, with this abysmal performance-results of cleanup, how are we going to evaluate the merits of the contrator approach to training/oversight? Doesn't look good.
Cooper! Proving that Blckwater could be hired by states and other countries to do pretty much anything and there is nothing in their charter to prevent it.
Breaking a strike, for example.
Killing New Orleans looters, another one.
Is the focus on Blackwater just one more distraction? The real problem is our illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq, something sold to the American public based 100% on known lies, something 100% unnecessary. If Cheney/Bush hadn't invaded and got the US stuck in the biggest disaster in the history of this country, there'd be no Blackwater in Iraq.
Blackwater wasn't the first private little army, if it goes away there will be a dozen just like them stepping up to replace them. Not to say that I want there to be anything like Blackwater as the idea of private armies is very anti-democratic.
Is the focus on Blackwater just one more distraction?
It is not a distraction if it is something the GOP would rather not talk about. We need to get this out into the open and into the Congressional record.
Amusing @ 30:
To say nothing of the fact that much of the training "overhead" has already been bought and paid for -- by the U.S. taxpayer -- when the people hired at Blackwater have already been trained by one of the branches of the U.S. military. And then the U.S. taxpayer is asked to give that training to the private company for free; and then they make a profit on top of that!
What a racket!
I heard a GOPers whining (Westmorlan?) about Democrats wanting to have their cake and eat it, too. It sounds to me that the same could be said for private companies that get subsidized by the U.S. taxpayer, which effectively reduces their operating costs; and then they turn around and use that operating cost as proof they are more efficient. It's a damn shell game!
Hodes: Lessons Learned From Iraq
This gives DoD IG a target set for the Defense Contract Management Command oversight.
Program management work breakdown structure in the DoD-State Department Contract. Showing problems with oversight: Lessons learned from Iraq operations appear not to be going back to CEO. he didn't say they had an ongoing review, but would be -- in the abstract -- a good thing to do in the future.
"I don't know when the contract would have ended."
"No idea how long the employee worked, profit, or the time the employee paid."
10-10.5% are the profits in the Cost Schedule Status Report- CSSR; cross check with the DoD-State Department IG review of Blackwater.
Notice Prince is looking at his notes about DoJ-related investigations; but other issues he's saying he has no idea. Suggests he's been coached on some legal issues; but counsel has not reviewed many other aspects of this hearing.
Bottom line:
The GOP support of Blackwater is a complete and transparent insult to our troops. It is also a waste of tax dollars (no surprise). And it harms our mission and our ability to win Iraqi hearts and minds.
Make no mistake - thanking Mr. Prince for his "service" in providing contracters who take-home $500 per day tax-free, or about 5-6 times the salary of an Army soldier is harmful to our troops.
Have the Republicans gone to lunch? This is the third Democratic questioner in a row. I see more empty seats on the committee.
Heard on NPR that the State Dept. has launched it's own investigation into the Blackwater Massacre. The not-so-funny irony being that they waited two weeks to investigate -- when they realized the FBI and others were looking into the case.
The unofficial response: Iraqi civilians were shot! Quick, somebody call a spin doctor!
Sarbanes: Consequences on Blackwater Employees For Alleged Misconduct
Courtmartial-like consequences under UCMJ. Interrupted by someone from RNC. Waxman restored time. Complainted that the interruption was inappropriate, "this is not a court".
Hah!! Good on Waxman.
Sarbanes: Costs High Cspan: Anyone have a better link? Seems to be cutting out.
Vote time.
What's that buzzing sound?
How in the hell does he not know how much money his own company is making??????
As fars the FBI gfoes in this .... they may be investigating - maybe.
Ed Schultz had an interview on yesterday withthe mother of a COntractor abducted almost a year ago. Neither she nor any of the other families have gotten ANY reply or updated from the FBI or their congresspeople lately.
http://www.themissing5.com/
Regardless of my particular views on Profiteering, I can't abide by any country not supporting its own hired personnel, NOC agreements aside.
Best question yet.
Will corporations hire Blackwater Mercenaries to beat down workers during a strike?
Kind of like Pinkerton did in the earlier part of American History?
I mean JUST LIKE MATEWAN?
Bastard, thug, killers. Operative word: KILLERS
Truthful description: MERCENARIES.
THEY OWE NO ALLEGIANCE TO ANY NATION.
THEY WORK FOR MONEY ONLY.
IF PUTIN OFFERED MORE THEY WOULD GO.
IF CHINA OFFERED MORE THEY WOULD GO.
THEY ARE NO MORE LOYAL TO OUR NATION THAN ANY OTHER CORPORATION.
OPERATIVE WORD: TRAITORS.
(PLEASE EXCUSE THE CAPS MY KEYBOARD IS STUCK)
Great hearing the chatter from Prince's lawyer
Blackwater and he US government have a major conflict of interst in iraq. It is not profitable for blackwater to promote peace in iraq. If there is peace, blackwater is out of work.
This makes me wonder if instability in iraq is a desired goal.
THEY OWE NO ALLEGIANCE TO ANY NATION.
THEY WORK FOR MONEY ONLY.
IF PUTIN OFFERED MORE THEY WOULD GO.
IF CHINA OFFERED MORE THEY WOULD GO.
THEY ARE NO MORE LOYAL TO OUR NATION THAN ANY OTHER CORPORATION.
OPERATIVE WORD: TRAITORS.
That is correct. They would go anywhere and do anything for the right amount of cash.
They would kill strikers in China.
They would kill protesters in Russia.
They would kill Palestinians in Israel.
They haven't yet. Or we don't think they have done it yet.
They are a dark, private army. And there is nthing to stop them from being deployed on US streets.
Oh wait, they were. New Orleans 2005.
Nice post - but I wonder if this is the highest use of waxman at the moment.
God what a smug ass Prince is.
Welch: Finances -- Price Appears To Be Getting Goosy
10-fold increase in Blackwater, Price: "Not sure":
2001 contracts, $736K
2006 $593M
493M - no competition; 300M were limited awards
Prices says some of the figures aren't accurate, but he does not emphatically dispute.
$1B Blackwater contracts in Iraq; Price consulted. Rought Order of Magnitude. Price says the figures aren't accurate; appears to be delaying by asking for copies of what reading from, even though already answered questions.
Issue: $60K for employee, $445K overall costs.
Blackwater has benefited from tax-payer financed. Blackwater contracts increased/surged/grew alot/were much bigger since 2003. Issue appears to be concern that GOP was given funding: Was Blackwater used to launder money for GOP?
90% of Blackwater from US; $1B in contracts, with 10% is $100M in profits; Price says on some contracts they make/lose money. However, on a "cost plus" contract, Blackwater would not lose money if a helicopter crashes, but get reimbursed.
Price answers with "could be" alot on financial issues.
Price was paid more than $1MM for his services.
Price is arrogantly saying that he is "private" company; but despite getting DoD contracts is not specific with full finanicals. OK, then what is basis for the costs to US government; and the asserted cost margins?
Encourage you to review and amplify the sound here -- Private convo can be overhead: Referencing a table, "need to clarify what you are doing"...just before "Sorry, go ahead" by Price. and "Let me ask the qeustions again"
Blackwater and he US government have a major conflict of interst in iraq. It is not profitable for blackwater to promote peace in iraq. If there is peace, blackwater is out of work.
And there is a second major issue - Blackwater hires former US military personnel who recieved their original training and experience at taxpayer expense.
So in effect, the taxpayers pay Blackwater TWICE. Blackwater's training is minimal and cheap. The bulk of training was paid by the public. Then Blackwater wins big contracts to use those personnel (over $1 Billion collected since 2001). So the cost of training is socialized, and Blackwater reaps the private profits.
Price is throwing up a smokescreen on finances. He's talking about depreciation. This is a Cost Plus Award Fee, and he should be able to discuss in general terms of annual profit.
Price appearse to be arrogantly suggesting he will only respond to written questions on these sensitive issues Congress has a reasonable basis to dig into. "Private firm" does not mean "immune to any questions".
The Repukes stand up for this outfit at their peril. Nobody likes hired goons.
I mean, when's the last time you saw a "Support the Mercenaries" sticker?
"I'm not a finance-driven guy." - Prince
So he doesn't know his company's net profit for 2006? Amazing.
Lynchg : Inherent government Function
Look at the [ A-76 ] efforts on Google under "inherent government function" for background.
STFU Stephen Lynch! A Democrat from my home state. But he is going on and on about his 'problem' in criticizing Blackwater. Lynch, we have established that over 5% of Blackwater's employees are not US nationals. You don't have to express your conflict while on the mic. This is easy to figure out!
Lynch [D-MA]: Difficulty Of US Government OVerseeing Blackwater
Members of Congress has a "problem" criticizing Blackwater because Blackwater provides protection. Lynch argues that State Department Personnel, because they are protected by Blackwater, are in a position of conflict: they cannot credible oversee a contractor who provides them protection.
Could Blackwater, if there was a Department of State/Defense pressure to oversee, back off an not provide full protectioN?
Lynch refers to internal e-mails from Blackwater.
Just yield your time to Braley, Lynch. You suck.
Memo to Lynch - the art of interrogating involves asking actual questions.
Shut up !
Lynch: Concern With Blackwater Ending Investigations'
They have quick settlements, without an adequate method to ensure practices change. Who, other han Congress, is overseeing the entire DoS-DoD contracted effort to ensure lessons learned are injected into Blackwater operating procedures?
Lynch not timely responsive to calls for him to end questions.
Dhalgren @ 82:
Agree.
Save us Elenor Norton. You are the penultimate questioner.
What an smup prick that Prince is. Two more questions and let's be done with it? Well, excuse us for wanting some answers and accountability.
*smup = smug
OT, but...Let's give a BIG round of applause for authorizing another $150 BILLION to fund Herr Dumbya's wars of choice.
We're $10 TRILLION in debt but that doesn't seem to matter!
How will the insanity be stopped?
Norton [D-DC]: Mercenaries
Implicit Separation of Powers Problem when have mercenaries: Not responsive to Congress [rule making], courts [ laws of war], only to Executive.
Hah!! I love the fact that she's asking about his employees being subs.
applause for the idiots in Congress, that is...
Subcontractors don't get employee benefits.
IgnoranceIsNotBliss @ 88:
or smup = smug prick
Blackwater CEO Erick Prince of Darkness.
Since the contractors collect their pay tax-free, they are assumed to obtain health & dental insurance and retirement plans themselves. And Blackwater saves $$$ by not having to provide benefits outside of death and disability insurance.
Norton's time is expiring. So time for one more question...
Nice try Jan but it will never happen. To much money to lose.
Norton [D-DC]: Benefits
Norton is confused whether Blackwater is meeting legal requirements that would apply to combat-related legal requirements. What law, if any, these companies and employees should answer to? Price says the FBI investigation shows that accountabilty "is" in place. No, oversight is not a prosecutorial issue, but legislative. FBI "findings" does not exonerate Blackwater or the legal question of oversight.
Sorry, having a hard time understanding the concern with benefits; or where this line of questions are going. Is she arguing for Blackwater to get paid more? Asks independent contractors hired to avoid legal responsibility? Price: They like working for a private contractor because the vacation-scheduling.
Curiously, Price can find details, sometimes -- Price says they have 401K. Wow, what does this have to do with ensuring Blackwater is complying with laws of war?
Dr. Acula @ 94:
Better yet. LOL
Last questoioner - Jan Schakowsky - she will be introducing legislation to end the hiring of private armed contractors.
OMG Those bastards hired Pinochet's KILLER MANIAC THUGS?
Sounds like a Negroponte operation HUH?
Amusing @ 98:
Pandering to the mercenaries' union?
I don't see how a company that subs out it's work can get away with supplying health insurance and 401K plans and not pay SS for that sub.
Schakowsky tries to establish the link to Blackwater to former employees of the Pinochet dictatorship (1973-1995 Chile)
I want to slap that God-damned smirk of that motherfucker Prince's face. Son of a BITCH.
He's getting snippy. He was told two more questions and they ain't letting him go.
They need to keep him longer. He didn't answer the questions to my satisfaction damnit.
We need another hearing.
Why do these bastards get to TIME THE SENATORS?
Why aren't they on the hot seat LONGER?
We need to hear more.
We need to end MERCENARY ARMIES INSIDE OUR BORDERS.
THESE PEOPLE ARE CRIMINAL KILLERS.
"leave my Mitty alone"-Hugh Hewitt to anyone pointing out his ties to Blackwater
Schakowsky
1. 9-11/DHS Issues
High Public Trust Clearance: US Embassy runs their name. . . Oh, like pre-9-11 "checks". Schakowsky wants this process to get more review. When, the plan, and who has the action item in Congress to review and ensure DHS concerns are reviewed?
2. Chilean Personnel Abuases
Prosecutor Trap: Did Chilean contractors get a clearance? If yes, Blackwater provided classified information to non-cleared; if no, not all Blackwater employees are cleared.
Focusing on Chile. Price does not challenge that he has no qualms with Chilean getting hired. Chilean "vendor" had a problem. Security clearance. WPPS.
3. Yugoslavians
Blackwater allegedly hired war criminals in Croatia. Price asserts never employed anyone from those countries; did not discuss the war crimes issues. Only talked about Romania.
Interesting fine line in where Blackwater can and cannot operate. Prince says that Blackwater cannot operate in countries that are not 'approved' by the USA. But what is an approved country?
Let's say an oil tycoon in Russia hires Blackwater for his family's security. Would that be allowed? (Now granted, it probably wouldn't happen - but it is an interesting question).
The next panel before the committee will explain why highly paid contractors are necessary as opposed to our public soldiers. That will be interesting.
So we are not done here.
He seems uncomfortable answering questions.
Fetch him a pitcher of water -- and strap his ass to a board.
Is anyone confused as to the real purpose of these mercenary pretorian guards?
Caesar needs them to fend us off should we want our country back.
Second Panel
Protestors can be heard: Audio amplification may help.
Witnesses sworn in under oath. Written statements entered; oral statement for 5 minutes of testimony.
OK - we start with a bit of interesting info. Blackwater has protected US State Department officials in Israel / Gaza / WB
Written testimony of Panel II not available in advance on website.
Why?
David Satterfield: "A black Suburban does not equate Blackwater."
Um, not, but what you said was interesting - private people have hired Blackwater around the world.
So about that hypothetical Russian oil tycoon.......
This is Jason Bourne stuff. Black ops for hire.
Satterfield Testimony
Not conviced the reviews are "regular" or timely or "thorough". A "thorough" review would have independently acted, not require outside pressure. Rice originally blocked information to Congress on Blackwater. Suggesting she wants to get facts or find out is not compelling: She's blocking Congress from doing its job.
CPA17 order: They're delaying with claims of "oversight". This is designed to bury this review. Congress has the role to do this; we've learned through FISA and Abu Ghraib what happens when US government "allowed" to conduct a "review": The misconduct continues. Look at Guantanamo -- the abuses continue.
I have been WONDERING just WHO in our government these MERCENARIES work for.
answer:
CONDOLESSA RICE.
Makes sense. An officer of the OIL COMPANIES, becomes head of the State Department, and controls America's biggest MERCENARY army to guard the theft of Iraq's oil in the name of:
got it?????
CONOCO
Waxman: Neither of the other two witnesses have opening statements.
Oh, so I can go to another country, get drunk and kill someone and expect to be jettison out of that country within 36 hours????
Waxman: Oversight Absent
Waxman: Subjects of investigation should be kept in country to follow policy of Ambassador Kennedy. Facts of case different than State Dept response. State Department knew there was a problem, discussion of $250K, reduced to $15K. State had "time" to discuss and transfer person; but "no time" to follow the Embassy policy.
Witness: Cannot "prejudge" -- what a load of non-sense. Witness claiming, on the basis of ignorance, that there is a "good reason" to have not followed policy. Focuses on what "prosecution" options the Congress. Note, the "lack of clarity"-argument is one Cheny during Iran-contra used to shift attention from President to Congress.
Yellowbird @ 121:
Veddy interesting.
CONoco.
NEOCONoco.
Does anyone remember a year or so ago when a young female law student tried to corner Bush on what laws goverened the comportment of contractors in Iraq? Bush shuffled his feet and then said he'd talk to Rumsfeld and then let people know. Of course, in the meantime they have been doing everything they can to create an extra-legal, supranational merc army that answers to none of the traditional civilian laws or codes of military conduct.
Whether these people are "cost-effective" is beside the point. The next sane president we have should rip out these corrupt, extra-legal mercenary services root and branch (of course I'm not holding my breath for this to happen). The men and women in our armed forces deserve praise for the hard, crappy work they do to defend our country (even when they are misused by thugs like Bush and Cheney). Military contractors on the other hand are in it for the money and answerable to no one. The fact that Blackwater was deployed in New Orleans should trouble everyone. If they had gotten trigger happy there like they have in Iraq, would the same lack of legal oversight apply?
Waxman
The witness responses sound like the Goodman e-mails from DoJ: To Gum it to death, and assert they were following the standards, despite evidence that it was the policy to ignore the legal requirements.
Why, if Iraq is soverign, does the witness keep focusing on the "referral" to DoJ on the investigation? More delays.
Davis: [R-VA]
Issue of whether contractors should or should not have been used. "An immediate need" is a BS-argument -- the invasion of Iraq was long-planned.
I don't much care for Tom Davis either. Suck up.
Witness: Griffin
A. Pre Iraq Invasion Funding Coverup
Witness is ignoring the DoD-State Department planning cells which should have reviewed these known requirements -- well discussed by CIA in 2002 -- as forwardly-known requirements well into 2008-9.
B. Planning Lead Time Excuses
Witness compalining about "time" required to get people cleared: this was the same excuse we heard for delays with training of Iraqis.
C. US Presence in Iraq
"When mission winds down" . . .huh? Congress is ramping up long-term funding; and facility funding is growing/entrenched. This is bizarre: Congress, even the DNC, is providing funding; but the questions of the witnesses act as if the Iraq operation is slowing down with contract clean up efforts.
Moser
He's appealing to ignorance. "how do we amortize. . ." Oh, they still don't know?
GAO discussions.
Tierney, D-MA
1350 staffers. Griffon on board 2 years. Investigative agents brought in around world. Numbers are not just for Iraq. Why doesn't he know? That's the topic today, isn't it?
Tierney, D-MA
Griffin says there are 1150 total personnel; 195 incidents, 1.5/times per week. Griffin does not respond to a simple question whether Embassy has been involved with that many shootings. His confusing responses imply high stress.
Special use of force policy allows personnel to do things: Shoot at cars "near" motorcade. Is this "policy" lawful: They're using deadly force, but is there adequate warning to the local population that there is a convoy; or that personnel, if they get "too close" to convoy, that they can be killed? Sounds very much like British abuses in Colonies pre-1776.
Are 845 troops required instead of contractors? That's not a solution: US need to determine how it will give advance warning to innocents to prevent needless deaths. Circular: "Oh, we can't do that because it might warning the enemy..."
"Fair warning" includes Iraqi constitution of the law: Shall not be
Investigation Documents
What was being investigated?
Can Congress get a copies of the investigation?
Griffin: "We will provide you copies of every investigation done."
More effective to use active duty than contractors?
US troops do not have adequate Training; but "Professional security" personnel do. This implies the "training problem" is that all trained personnel have become contractors; and there isn't enough time to train US troops, so US relies on trained contractors. This is circular non-sense, and no leadership to ensure [1] enough troops; or [2] trained personnel; or [3] adequate oversight; or [4] legal compliance.
Moser: Contracts for Security
"urgent" and "compelling" reasons is non-sense: Iraq-invasion planning was not time-constrained, but a timeline the US chose. This entire argument of "oh, we are under time constraints" is an illusion. There was no 9-11-realted emergency in 2002-3 when this Iraq planning was finalized, and should have been known. CIA well disclosed to US government the risks, likely requirements, which the US government ignored.
"rely on advise of programmaic people" -- ha!
It would be nice if these people would bring copies of documents to the hearings with them but I guess that would screw up their stalling methods.
Moser certainly sounded a little confrontational during that rant didn't he?
Waxman gives Burton more time for questions.
This Griffin guy could put me to sleep.
Here we go again. A half billion dollar contract and more, and he "doesn't remember" who he talked to about this or how it happened? And we're expected to believe that?
Nothing like Shays directing the course of the answers.
Shays getting pissy with a witness who normally would be an ally of his. He's totally putting words in the mouth of the witness, getting him to say that if security personnel were Army guys, then he wouldn't be able to command them. So Blackwater is better than public employees because they are low-profile, drive in black SUVs rather than Humvees, and can be commanded by the officials they are hired to protect.
Shays doesn't want to put answers in someone's mouth? ROFLMAO. That's all he ever does.
Are Blackwater witnesses now appearing before the Senate, while the House Oversight is examining Panel II; or were the Senate questions from another day, earlier?
Shays loses his temper if he throws softballs that don't get hit out of the park. So he had to hit them for the witness.
When, oh when, is someone going to point out that Blackwater is stocked with all sorts of Republican friends of Bush including that pornographer Ken Starr. See the following article:
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/10/02/blackwater_bush/
Now they are getting pissy over a film?
Cummings
Concerned that Iraqis not clear whether personnel are US troops or contractors. Similar to the confusion at Guantanamo: Are the interrogators FBI agents; or are they our lawyers; or are they with the military?
Is Price back before the House; or is he now appearing before the Senate at a different hearing?
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