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Republican Darrell Issa (CA-49) continued his cheer-leading for disgraced controversial mercenary private contractor Blackwater USA yesterday at the House Oversight hearings. This time around it was the unintended comedic effect of Issa defending Blackwater from charges they are a Republican (r) company. As Chairman Waxman adroitly pointed out no one at the hearings had actually uttered those charges till Issa had brought it up but if the shoe fits...to laughs and guffaws from the audience.

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Issa: I think you're exactly right. That in fact, being identified as [artisan Republican appears to have been what all companies do---ahhh---which is in fact operate to do the job they're doing in a non partisan way and I would hope that this committee and the public takes note that labeling some company as Republican oriented because of family members is inappropriate and I would hope we not do it again. And I yield back back.

Waxman: Well the only one that's done it is you. Maybe that's why all the Republicans are defending the company...

Nonetheless, this was a step up from the depths Issa had sunk to in February when he attacked widows of four private security forces who had the temerity to accuse Blackwater of failing to provide promised protections for their loved ones, and do so in Congressional Hearings. Quite the piece of work is Darrell Issa.

John Amato: Rep. Issa just learned that It's not a good thing to have rehearsed lines ready to go in a hearing and use them when they make you look like a laughing stock.

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126 Comments
Lollimom's picture

What a shill for Blackwater. What a inept, stupid, propagandistic tool.

rickeagle's picture

Man...Talk about projection....wow...trying to get out in front of the issue and actually creating the very thing he is trying to avoid...what a dumb-ass....

xargaw's picture

Actually, it was a tie. Their was a GOP idiot from North Carolina that was equally as bad.

IrresistibleB1tch's picture

i hate to say this, but Issa later produced a memo from Waxman's office, issued in preparation of this hearing, which called Blackwater a republican party, making Waxman look bad. it's obviously true that Blackwater supported republicans, but Waxman's comment just gave Issa ammunition - not a good idea.

Jack Damage's picture

Good grief, did I see Mr. pantywaists lower lip start to droop at the end when the chairman called him on this shit??? Could be... So,gee Darrell, tell on yourself much as a kid??? Or maybe you just liked to spin bullshit for the hell of it instead... What a goofball, where are your brothers, Larry and Larry you doofus! JD

EconAtheist's picture

*snort*

What a dumbass.

Dr. Matt's picture

More proof that reich-wingers are anti-facts, anti-intelligence, and anti-common sense.

moondancer's picture

Issa did more damage to Prince than any dem. He is a dipshit. I hope if I ever get on the wrong side of the law, Issa is my prosecutor.

Blaed's picture

Henry Waxman for President!

Simon White-Thatch Potentloins's picture

That was an amazingly stupid move.

He made the repubs look like total dipshits.

I'm loving it.

The Carpenter's picture

Somebody get this man a red metal box with a handle because he certainly is a tool.

EMPY's picture

IrresistibleB1tch @ 4:

i hate to say this, but Issa later produced a memo from Waxman's office, issued in preparation of this hearing, which called Blackwater a republican party, making Waxman look bad. it's obviously true that Blackwater supported republicans, but Waxman's comment just gave Issa ammunition - not a good idea.

If that is true, wouldn't the proper response been in the form of a memo back to Waxman? No one brought this up during the actual hearing. Issa, the genius, brought it up and layed out very clearly why all the repugs were there to defend and not to investigate. I say kudos Issa, thanks for being a complete dumbass!

The Carpenter's picture

...and tools belong in tool boxes....

sconset's picture

Issa is involved in the corruption case of Brent Wilkes and Duke Cunningham and he is up to his ass in it. "He was subpoenaed last week and has ignored the subpoena so far.

I would love to see him nailed along with his other corrupt pals, Drunken Hunter, Patterson and Dolittle. They are all up to their necks in this mess.

The Carpenter's picture

...usually red painted metal with handles is the point I'm trying to make....your classic toolbox...what someone would picture if you asked or you know brought up a toolbox. That a tool would go in. Like this guy is.

Find out how much fool Issa, the Republicans and the "so called thinktanks" are profitting.
And we get to the bottom of every mystery.

Which brings me to an article I read...
America is Under Attack from Within

It isn’t “Radical Islam” that is attacking the very fabric of our society, it’s the people running our government, our media, and the people in the shadows that run the corporations and the banks, along with the so-called “think tanks” that make this illegal policy.

Americas that know are ashamed of it all.

Just as the State Department official, David Satterfield who is involved in the Blackwater scandal he IS ALSO named in a AIPAC espionage case. That little case that STILL has not come to trial.
http://www.antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=11695

We are ashamed that all of this bullshit has been going on for years.. that they covered up.
October Surprise, Iran-Contra, Iraqgate and Passportgate
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/100307.html

….and the Bush family and cronies just rolls on covering up, pardoning, making millions,
as our country and our families continues to sink.

Make no mistake... America is Under Attack from Within
heres another one.. from a group under the guise of...

Freedom's Watch: http://freedomswatch.org

Bradley A. Blakeman (president, a former deputy assistant to George W. Bush).
Ari Fleischer (board member, former Bush press secretary).
Matthew Brooks (board member, executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition).
Mel Sembler (donor, former ambassador to Italy who helped finance the 2000 Florida recount battle).
John Templeton Jr. (donor, board member of the Templeton Growth Fund and financier of Let Freedom Ring).
Sheldon Adelson (donor, CEO Las Vegas Sands Corporation and the third-richest American in Forbes magazine's rankings last year).
Kevin E. Moley (donor, former U.S. ambassador to international organizations in Geneva, and a senior adviser to Dick Cheney during the 2000 campaign).
Howard Leach (donor, CEO Leach Capital and former ambassador to France who also helped fund the Florida Recount).
Anthony Gioia (donor, head of Gioia Management and former ambassador to Malta).
Richard Fox (donor, co-founder of the Republican Jewish Coalition).
Gary Erlbaum (donor, owner of Greentree Properties).

---> Find out how much the Republicans and the "so called thinktanks" are profitting.

IrresistibleB1tch's picture

EMPY @ 12:

IrresistibleB1tch @ 4:

i hate to say this, but Issa later produced a memo from Waxman's office, issued in preparation of this hearing, which called Blackwater a republican party, making Waxman look bad. it's obviously true that Blackwater supported republicans, but Waxman's comment just gave Issa ammunition - not a good idea.

If that is true, wouldn't the proper response been in the form of a memo back to Waxman? No one brought this up during the actual hearing. Issa, the genius, brought it up and layed out very clearly why all the repugs were there to defend and not to investigate. I say kudos Issa, thanks for being a complete dumbass!

i agree - the republicans put on a shameless display of corporate ass-kissing. but at the very least, Waxman should have ignored Issa's comments, knowing full well that his office had put it in writing, rather than giving Issa ammo to hold up on camera...

VeeKaChu's picture

I'm sure Rep. Issa's handlers got a stern email from Bill Kristol,

"RE:Talking Points
UR donig it wrng!"

Slocum's picture

IrresistibleB1tch @ 4:

i hate to say this, but Issa later produced a memo from Waxman's office, issued in preparation of this hearing, which called Blackwater a republican party, making Waxman look bad. it's obviously true that Blackwater supported republicans, but Waxman's comment just gave Issa ammunition - not a good idea.

That only makes Issa look stupider, not better. He got played by the same game republicans have been playing against democrats for years.

Ron's picture

You can't make a fool out of someone that is already a fool. Was he a fool before he became a fool?

Damien Duff's picture

Holy Jebus, they must have a special school they send these guys to. Nobody could possibly get to be so stupid left simply to his own devices.

I would like to see this guy run for Presidentcy of the US. I can just see it now.. "isn't it true Mr./Mrs. (insert Democratic Nominee here) that I am a lying corrupt idiot and my own mother wouldn't vote for me"
(Democratic Opponent) "Well if you insist..."

blackjack's picture

This just proves that Issa and the Republican party has been schills for the Blackwater, Corp:, all this time.

Dr. Matt's picture

Issa does a brilliant job in demonstrating that Blackwater clearly does has deep rooted ties to the reich-wing party; so, if it walks like a reich-winger, talks like a reich-winger.....

EMPY's picture

I wish Issa could have had more time. He could have exposed the Prince family Christian extremism if he only had another two minutes.

I have one question about corporations like Blackwater. Is it legal to arm and equip a private army in this country? What is their peacetime business plan?

EMPY's picture

Sorry that wuz two questions.

justabill's picture

Not a Republican company? I know no one in the hearing (save for Issa) suggested so but ...

Erik Prince is 37 years old. He founded Blackwater in 1997 with money he inherited from his father, Edgar Prince, the head of Prince Automative. The elder Prince and his wife were major Republican and conservative activists and funders. And Prince himself co-founded The Family Research Council with Gary Bauer and apparently provided the key early funding for the group.

According to Bauer, "I can say without hesitation that, without Ed and Elsa and their wonderful children, there simply would not be a Family Research Council."

Prince's sister, Betsy DeVos, is married is the former Chair of the Michigan Republican Party and her husband is Dick DeVos, failed candidate for governor of Michigan and scion of the DeVos family, founders of Amway and major funders of Republican and conservative causes.

Amway is privately owned by the DeVos and van Andel families. And to give some sense of the scale of their political giving, according to a 2005 Center for Public Integrity study, Dick & Betsy DeVos were the fifth largest political givers in the country during the 2004 election cycle. Richard DeVos Sr. & his wife were ranked third. And Jay Van Andel was ranked second.

Let's just say they give some real money to the Republican party and its candidates. And of course there are the DeVos Family Foundations which give money to conservative causes.

Back back to Betsy's brother Erik Prince, founder and CEO of Blackwater. Back in 1990 Prince interned for Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA). Blackwater's lobbyist in DC is Paul Behrends, a former Rohrabacher aide who he met when the two worked for the congressman. Later he interned in the first Bush White House. But after doing so, he and his father broke with President Bush and supported the insurgent candidacy of Patrick J. Buchanan. [...]

In addition to running Blackwater Prince also serves on the board of Christian Freedom International.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/054744.php

If it walks like a duck ...

calguy's picture

Just a thought-although it is not in Issa's district, the Blackwater West facility is close by. Any linkages there?

The Smiths Go To Washington's picture

I wonder how ISSA voted on this...

House passes bill to prosecute contractors. The House voted 389-30 to “make all private contractors working in Iraq and other combat zones ---> subject to prosecution by U.S. courts.
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/house-passes-bill-to-prosecute-contr...

A Good start....
America A Great and Good Nation.

Why are Americans: Soldiers, Veterans, Patriots, Citizens; Republicans, Democrats, Independent, Libertarian, Green, State & Federal Prosecutors and local Law Officials Uniting to help our Country?

--> Corrupt Politicians, Lobbyists, Corporate and War Profiteers are Destroying our Country, Constitution, our Democracy and Our Public Airwaves

redx's picture

Kind of like DieBold (you know the private company that counts votes) is a Republican company whose Prez says he will do what it takes to deliver OH to Bush. Scum.

Real Cause's picture

Issa was a major force behind the Recall of CA Gov. Grey Davis. His district includes portions of Riverside and San Diego and depends very much on defense contractors for his political support. By defending Blackwater's political donations and partisanship, he lets them know he is their man and his office is for sale. We'll see if the Justice Dept. will come down on him like they did against "Randy". On the other hand the Dept. lawyers will remember that the AG's office is willing to fire those who prosecute Republican corruption.

Symes's picture

Blackwater is opening a facility in Issa's district if memory serves me.

EMPY's picture

I strongly recommend Jeremy Scahill's book about Blackwater.

I have no problem with what the Blackwater company originally was. They were a state of the art training facility providing services to military and law enforcement agencies that did not have a proper places to train.

It's the private army monster they have become. They are basically a very well armed wing of the republican party. How long before they are providing security for GOP events and POLS?

Val's picture

Damn, you cut off the video just before Rep John Yarmouth was about to take his turn.....he's our guy down here in Louisville. Is there somewhere I can go to see that part without watching the whole thing?

StirFry's picture

Yield back. Yes yield your ass back to your home state. Follow suit and retire like the rest of your dwindling party.
And forget about being a lawyer in your post-political career.

Blue Buddha's picture

Didn't Issa also bring up some bullshit about how the Dems were digging up dirt on Prince's sister, and how that had nothing to do with the case... and yet the only person who mentioned anything about Prince's sister in the hearing was Issa himself?

earl's picture

>Holy Jebus, they must have a special school they send these guys to. Nobody could possibly get to be so stupid left simply to his own devices.

...and yet they get elected.
Who are the fools?

justabill's picture

On C-Span's Washington Journal, Issa issued this not-so-veiled threat to Henry Waxman, the Democratic chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform which is investigating Blackwater:

If Henry Waxman today wants to go to Iraq and do an investigation, Blackwater will be his support team. His protection team. Do you think he really wants to investigate directly?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/10/3/14341/4883

Issa: Attack on Blackwater is Attack on... Petraeus
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004347.php

In Feb, during a hearing in which four mothers, wives, and daughters of four Blackwater security guards killed in Iraq testified in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Issa made controversial remarks, implying that the hearing was partisan and insinuating that the women's testimony was written by their attorney.
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/issa-dems-spar-on-iraq-testimony-200...

I'd like to know more exactly what ties Blackwater has to Issa. He's apparently their pitbull on the Hill.

hope's picture

justabill @ 26:

Not a Republican company? I know no one in the hearing (save for Issa) suggested so but ...

Erik Prince is 37 years old. He founded Blackwater in 1997 with money he inherited from his father, Edgar Prince, the head of Prince Automative. The elder Prince and his wife were major Republican and conservative activists and funders. And Prince himself co-founded The Family Research Council with Gary Bauer and apparently provided the key early funding for the group.

According to Bauer, "I can say without hesitation that, without Ed and Elsa and their wonderful children, there simply would not be a Family Research Council."

Prince's sister, Betsy DeVos, is married is the former Chair of the Michigan Republican Party and her husband is Dick DeVos, failed candidate for governor of Michigan and scion of the DeVos family, founders of Amway and major funders of Republican and conservative causes.

Amway is privately owned by the DeVos and van Andel families. And to give some sense of the scale of their political giving, according to a 2005 Center for Public Integrity study, Dick & Betsy DeVos were the fifth largest political givers in the country during the 2004 election cycle. Richard DeVos Sr. & his wife were ranked third. And Jay Van Andel was ranked second.

Let's just say they give some real money to the Republican party and its candidates. And of course there are the DeVos Family Foundations which give money to conservative causes.

Back back to Betsy's brother Erik Prince, founder and CEO of Blackwater. Back in 1990 Prince interned for Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA). Blackwater's lobbyist in DC is Paul Behrends, a former Rohrabacher aide who he met when the two worked for the congressman. Later he interned in the first Bush White House. But after doing so, he and his father broke with President Bush and supported the insurgent candidacy of Patrick J. Buchanan. [...]

In addition to running Blackwater Prince also serves on the board of Christian Freedom International.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/054744.php

If it walks like a duck ...

justabill @ 26:

Not a Republican company? I know no one in the hearing (save for Issa) suggested so but ...

Erik Prince is 37 years old. He founded Blackwater in 1997 with money he inherited from his father, Edgar Prince, the head of Prince Automative. The elder Prince and his wife were major Republican and conservative activists and funders. And Prince himself co-founded The Family Research Council with Gary Bauer and apparently provided the key early funding for the group.

According to Bauer, "I can say without hesitation that, without Ed and Elsa and their wonderful children, there simply would not be a Family Research Council."

Prince's sister, Betsy DeVos, is married is the former Chair of the Michigan Republican Party and her husband is Dick DeVos, failed candidate for governor of Michigan and scion of the DeVos family, founders of Amway and major funders of Republican and conservative causes.

Amway is privately owned by the DeVos and van Andel families. And to give some sense of the scale of their political giving, according to a 2005 Center for Public Integrity study, Dick & Betsy DeVos were the fifth largest political givers in the country during the 2004 election cycle. Richard DeVos Sr. & his wife were ranked third. And Jay Van Andel was ranked second.

Let's just say they give some real money to the Republican party and its candidates. And of course there are the DeVos Family Foundations which give money to conservative causes.

Back back to Betsy's brother Erik Prince, founder and CEO of Blackwater. Back in 1990 Prince interned for Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA). Blackwater's lobbyist in DC is Paul Behrends, a former Rohrabacher aide who he met when the two worked for the congressman. Later he interned in the first Bush White House. But after doing so, he and his father broke with President Bush and supported the insurgent candidacy of Patrick J. Buchanan. [...]

In addition to running Blackwater Prince also serves on the board of Christian Freedom International.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/054744.php

If it walks like a duck ...

Let's also remember Blackwater has ties to that mysterious group that Cheney just met with. The one that doesn't allow any info out about where or when they meet or who attends the meetings. This group is purported to include people like Dobson, Robertson, etc.
Plus you also have the fact that this company has been legally represented by both Fielding and--ta-da!!!--Kenneth Starr.

orion's picture

REPRESENTATIVE IZZA AND FOOL ARE SYNONYMS! I am astounded each time this guy gets air time as he makes a larger buffoon of himself each time. Get ridda izza quick!! He's a disgraceful buffoon.

Jenny'O's picture

if i had had c-span when i was a little kid i'm sure i'd be a senator today--maybe decades ago. what we got than was bits of questions, some answers, whatever they choose to put on the evening news. if i'd only known how stupid, how utterly just plain dumb you can be and be a congressperson or senator--fooey on being gov. i coulda been a contender.
anyway whose side is issa on anyway? thanks mr. stupid bob dumbass pants for putting a salient but off topic killer point about blackwater into the record. if a democrat had done it they would have been viciously attacked.
i heart this guy, he's too easy. what an ultra maroon, what a nin-cow poop.

orion's picture

Blackwater Prince is the largest numbskull, skinhead nazi I've ever seen in any hearings on Capital Hill. Thanks for all of the info on this freak! It explains a lot and really makes a case for illegal fringe activity which has strong ties to Bush's House of Horrors.

Blue Buddha's picture

hope @ 38:

Let's also remember Blackwater has ties to that mysterious group that Cheney just met with. The one that doesn't allow any info out about where or when they meet or who attends the meetings. This group is purported to include people like Dobson, Robertson, etc.
Plus you also have the fact that this company has been legally represented by both Fielding and--ta-da!!!--Kenneth Starr.

Al Queda?

jimmiraybob's picture

What is their peacetime business plan?

Peacetime Business Plan (Blackwater)

1) Downsize

2) Work hard to re-elect Republican War Party

3) Upon reinstatement of Republican War Party, upsize & collect contracts.

Jenny'O's picture

Mr. Issa would also like to state that he is not gay.

justabill's picture

Symes @ 31:

Blackwater is opening a facility in Issa's district if memory serves me.

That's it! Thanks.

As Blackwater Comes Under Fire in Iraq, So-Cal Turns Up Heat to Stop Blackwater West
As US Congress and Iraqi government officials probe recent killings of civilians by the notorious private contractors in Baghdad, local opponents to the expansion of Blackwater USA will stage a major rally and encampment at the gates of the proposed “Blackwater West” site in Potrero, a tiny town in east San Diego county on Saturday, October 6th - Sunday, October, 7th. The event will happen just days after Blackwater founder Erik Prince is scheduled to testify before the US Congress. ...
http://la.indymedia.org/news/2007/09/207773.php

Looks like it won't be IN his district, but very close by.

Heres a good analysis of who all of these crony bastards are all connected with...
Follow the DeVos trail...
http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=22340

and the money trail...
http://www.mediatransparency.org/funderprofile.php?funderID=17

earl's picture

>and yet the only person who mentioned anything about Prince’s sister in the hearing was Issa himself?

*cough* AMWAY *cough*

tyree's picture

justabill @ 26:

Not a Republican company? I know no one in the hearing (save for Issa) suggested so but ...

Erik Prince is 37 years old. He founded Blackwater in 1997 with money he inherited from his father, Edgar Prince, the head of Prince Automative. The elder Prince and his wife were major Republican and conservative activists and funders. And Prince himself co-founded The Family Research Council with Gary Bauer and apparently provided the key early funding for the group.

According to Bauer, "I can say without hesitation that, without Ed and Elsa and their wonderful children, there simply would not be a Family Research Council."

Prince's sister, Betsy DeVos, is married is the former Chair of the Michigan Republican Party and her husband is Dick DeVos, failed candidate for governor of Michigan and scion of the DeVos family, founders of Amway and major funders of Republican and conservative causes.

Amway is privately owned by the DeVos and van Andel families. And to give some sense of the scale of their political giving, according to a 2005 Center for Public Integrity study, Dick & Betsy DeVos were the fifth largest political givers in the country during the 2004 election cycle. Richard DeVos Sr. & his wife were ranked third. And Jay Van Andel was ranked second.

Let's just say they give some real money to the Republican party and its candidates. And of course there are the DeVos Family Foundations which give money to conservative causes.

Back back to Betsy's brother Erik Prince, founder and CEO of Blackwater. Back in 1990 Prince interned for Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA). Blackwater's lobbyist in DC is Paul Behrends, a former Rohrabacher aide who he met when the two worked for the congressman. Later he interned in the first Bush White House. But after doing so, he and his father broke with President Bush and supported the insurgent candidacy of Patrick J. Buchanan. [...]

In addition to running Blackwater Prince also serves on the board of Christian Freedom International.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/054744.php

If it walks like a duck ...

this reads like a nazi script, when the head of this gestapo orginization is finaly convicted and hung for treason will his family serve time in prison too, one can only hope!

Doug's picture

What's interesting is that Blackwater wants to build a training facility in Issa's District.
I wonder If he has taken any contributions from Blackwater?

WoW's picture

Like a box a rocks. Dumb!

wijg's picture

How embarrassing for him! LOL!

justabill's picture

tyree @ 48:

this reads like a nazi script, when the head of this gestapo orginization is finaly convicted and hung for treason will his family serve time in prison too, one can only hope!

Invoking Godwin's Law by throwing around words like nazi and gestapo weakens the any argument against anyone (unless you're actually talking about Hitler's Germany) and debases this entire discussion.

Turk Meister's picture

Issa's still suffering from when he got the ball rolling on recalling Gray Davis using part of his ill-gotten fortune and then having Arnold interlope the governorship.

hope's picture

Blue Buddha @ 42:

hope @ 38:

Let's also remember Blackwater has ties to that mysterious group that Cheney just met with. The one that doesn't allow any info out about where or when they meet or who attends the meetings. This group is purported to include people like Dobson, Robertson, etc.
Plus you also have the fact that this company has been legally represented by both Fielding and--ta-da!!!--Kenneth Starr.

Al Queda?

Nah, you may be close but it's the "Council for National Policy". Interesting article at Salon entitled "The Bush Administration's Ties to Blackwater". Hmmm...Bush Administration...now that wouldn't be republican ties, now would it?

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/10/02/blackwater_bush/

jan's picture

What a riot. Issa thought he would take the pressure off Prince by defending Prince as a political-free Company. It also took the smug, cocky look off of Prince's founder.
Give me a frickin' break. The DeVos and the VanAndel families have been the hugest Republican backers of the Bush family since before old man Bush was our psuedo president, and before Ford took office (He's from Grand Rapids Michigan also). Dick DeVos has his private jet on the ready for GW 24/7. Come to Grand Rapids Michigan and witness all the downtown buildings that DeVos and VanAndel have "supposedly" payed for, (love those HUGE tax breaks) and everyone of them is named for a Republican...pretty soon they will have more buildings named after them than God...and we're known for having a hefty amount of churches here in GR.
The DeVos family especially are a bunch of arrogant snobs. They put on the act for the occassion. If you think that the Prince Company went from being a one million dollar company 6 years ago to a Billion Dollar Company today without the help of the Whitehouse, you're an idiot with an empty soul. Our military has paid a price unfathomable so that Prince could reek it's profit. The only companies making money on the wars are ALL republican connected. Baby Princes Dad in also a multi,multi millionaire from Holland Michigan......Don't believe this???? FOLLOW THE MONEY$$$$$
P.S. NO DeVos or VanAndel has or is serving in the military. I wonder if we can find out how the head of Prince got into and out of the services (the time frames don't make sense) ...probably the way little prince Georgie Bush did......$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and influence.

Lollimom's picture

justabill @ 52:

tyree @ 48:

this reads like a nazi script, when the head of this gestapo orginization is finaly convicted and hung for treason will his family serve time in prison too, one can only hope!

Invoking Godwin's Law by throwing around words like nazi and gestapo weakens the any argument against anyone (unless you're actually talking about Hitler's Germany) and debases this entire discussion.

No, it doesn't.

The similarities between the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany, the way the people/sheeple let it happen, and what is happening in the United States are striking. It's happening here. You can choose to be blind to it, but it is happening here.

Nazism isn't only about the slaughter of millions of people. It was a culture, too.

Don't forget the words of Karl Rove: One-party rule. He meant it, and the neo-cons and the republican party are GOOSE-STEPPING to that tune.

MargeAggedon's picture

One of the more appauling things about the repug take over of the govt. is the fact that they're all so completely ignorant.
The kind of folks who read an almanac to determine what the weather is rather than stick their head out a window and find out.
Here's a prime example.
He's probably reading from notes he took in some secret bathroom repug policy meeting where they told him that his job was to hate on those who suggested blackwater was repug owned.
Looks like he forgot to wait until they actually did it.
Premature objectulation? :D

Naturlized's picture

wijg @ 51:

How embarrassing for him! LOL!

You’re correct; don’t know what is in the mind of this Issa person.
is he thinking that people outside of Washington leaves in 19th Century ? ….and they won’t be able to find out the Facts about the subject within time….
How did CA send this guy to DC ?

ThunderMonkey's picture

That was awesome... Waxman is my hero.

I like how Prince had to get a consult from an attorney or Party official on how to answer the question about Blackwater being a strictly Republican company.

It's either 'Yes' or 'No'. Or as Gonzo would have said: "I don't recall."

justabill's picture

Naturlized @ 58:

How did CA send this guy to DC ?

How did CA send this guy to DC?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWClB1snOG4

He makes Issa look reasoned and intelligent.

Fran Taylor's picture

Drop the whole Hitler and Nazi thing. Mussolini and the fascists are much more relevant.

Before Issa got to this point he had already held up a little copy of the moveon ad to get that on camera one more time. He's just one of the many water carriers.

justabill @ 37:
<blockquoteIssa: Attack on Blackwater is Attack on... Petraeus

I was watching this with the sound off and saw him waving the ad around. Made a note to donate to his opponent next year.

Honest George's picture

Under Republican rule everything is open to contractors, Blackwater being the most visible. Now they're putting out helicopter contracts for leased helicopters and crews for use in Afghanistan. Will they be armed?

Robt's picture

This Issa is a wealthy nut case that could not even compete in in California for Govenor. Tried and failed really bad.

Issa was involved in removing Govenor Gray Davis over Enron's energy fiascos effecting Calif and inserting Repub Govenator Schwartzenegger.

Issa has tried to change laws to allow Govenator Arnold to run for President. Change the law for his repbu guy. Not gaining any momentum for this yet.

Issa was connected with the latest attmept in republican election fixing with the failed proposition of giving seperate districts in the Presidential race to maybe give a Repub President candidate an electorial advantage not given in any other state.

Issa is not a piece of work, he is a piece of something else.........................

Naturlized's picture

pissed off patricia @ 62:

Before Issa got to this point he had already held up a little copy of the moveon ad to get that on camera one more time. He's just one of the many water carriers.

so I guess he is building his resume for next Election campaign Fund Raiser for Rep Business donors

nm's picture

Issa is not a dumbass. He's a high school dropout who somehow went out to create a fortune of about $400 million dollars.

you don't make that kind of money by being "dumb"

Jo's picture

justabill @ 45:

Symes @ 31:

Blackwater is opening a facility in Issa's district if memory serves me.

That's it! Thanks.

As Blackwater Comes Under Fire in Iraq, So-Cal Turns Up Heat to Stop Blackwater West
As US Congress and Iraqi government officials probe recent killings of civilians by the notorious private contractors in Baghdad, local opponents to the expansion of Blackwater USA will stage a major rally and encampment at the gates of the proposed “Blackwater West” site in Potrero, a tiny town in east San Diego county on Saturday, October 6th - Sunday, October, 7th. The event will happen just days after Blackwater founder Erik Prince is scheduled to testify before the US Congress. ...
http://la.indymedia.org/news/2007/09/207773.php

Looks like it won't be IN his district, but very close by.

I believe that is Duncan Hunter's dist.

jr's picture

Dear 49th district of CA voters,
Stop voting for mouth-breathers who don't care about human life while they put culture war carrots on sticks in the lead up to every other november

Just a thought. Did Waxman set him up with that memo? Once Issa thought Waxman was going to mention it, he wanted to get it out in front of it. Waxman let him do his dirty work for him and kept his hands nice and clean. If this is how it happened, Issa punked himself. Cool!

slippytoad's picture

justabill @ 52:

tyree @ 48:

this reads like a nazi script, when the head of this gestapo orginization is finaly convicted and hung for treason will his family serve time in prison too, one can only hope!

Invoking Godwin's Law by throwing around words like nazi and gestapo weakens the any argument against anyone (unless you're actually talking about Hitler's Germany) and debases this entire discussion.

Godwin's law is a copout. It lost any power it had years ago, when Internet dweebs started trying to "end" arguments by posting: "Godwin's Law! You lose! *snort* *snort*" It's not based on any logical fallacy, just an observation by Godwin years ago that a thread where people started calling each other Nazis rapidly lost significance thereafter.

But we REALLY ARE talking about a fascist movement that has very clearly followed much of the script originally followed in the last days of the Weimar Republic. A cult of personality. A toxic entanglement of business, authoritarianism, religion, messianic hysteria, and corrupt governance. A ritualistic shredding of the Bill of Rights.

Telling people that they can't invoke comparisons because of some putz named "Godwin" for reasons that no one can adequately explain is stupid, and insulting. Godwin's law is hereby repealed.

You may go about your business.

jan's picture

Oh, nm, but you DO make that kind of money being dumb.... George Bush is a flaming example....all you have to do is lie, cheat, steal, kill, and defend yourself by telling lies, cheating, stealing and killing........a dyed in the wool (sheep's clothing) of the republican party.

Jano's picture

A good first step is the Houses's action passing a bill making American contractors subject to prosecution under our laws. But the next and biggest step ought to be to defund these Blackwater rogues. Jobs like these should be conducted by our military. The final step is to get the hell out of Iraq post-haste.

Janet's picture

Why did he keep comparing this to the MoveOn ad and Betrayus? No matter how you feel about Betrayus, he has NO control over Blackwater. That is where the problem lies. Nobody has control over them. I wish someone would have called him on that.

In the meantime I heard that it will be US troops taking the FBI around Iraq instead of Blackwater. Not really sure that helps since its been said that the Iraqis can't tell the difference.

Badfinger's picture

When you do Nazi things, you are a Nazi.

If they bring them under our laws now, can that be retroactive to include past crimes they have committed? My first thought is that it won't.

One big question is why were they never under any sort of law? Didn't anyone see the potential for problems?

ZappaFrank's picture

Issa is a douche. This is the guy who bankrolled the recall effort against Gray Davis from his own pockets, paying idiots to stand at a supermarket and collect signatures. Proof that private money influences the outcome of elections. He is a model wingnut and it sucks that he lives in my hometown of San Diego, as well as Duncan Hunter. As a matter of fact, it seems that San Diego is home to alot of douche Republicans, like Duke Cunningham.

Janet's picture

Just like no one can be prosecuted for torture because they made that law be retroactive. Although I don't know why they needed to since Dana Perino said repeatedly today that we don't torture. Then she went on the attack. She asked the press why they asked these questions and said if we were under attack you would be asking "How did you let this happen?" Way to spin Dana. That was pretty much an admission of guilt. Didn't bush admit we had secret prisons? Are we to believe that it really was some kind of Club Med? I hope they all get what they deserve.

Ex-Canuck's picture

issa is a jerk!!! Way to go Henry Waxman.

Blackwater got all of its lucrative contracts, unbidded contracts, simply because of its repuke owners and its repuke supporters in the WH and in Congress. This should be obvious to anyone with an IQ approaching 3 digits.

Blackwater seems to be as eager to kill innocents in Iraq as are bush and cheney, and they do it at an exorbitant fee. Wonder if the mercenaries they employ get bonuses for scalps?

oZer's picture

his sister is a pioneer for bush?
does she drive a Subaru wagon?

Verum's picture

I sure hope Rep Issa is put in charge of staging the Republican convention. That was as dumb as it gets. The Repugs in the CA 49th must be proud.

Arroyo's picture

Darrell Issa is the guy that made his 1/2-Billion fortune in the car alarm security business.
No wonder he's apologizing for Blackwater.

SassySandy's picture

He did look like a damn idiot because no one else had brought this up in the hearing itself. Waxman is very good with these slapdowns. He does it quite often.

BIGBONEDED's picture

Big mouth always in high gear while brain is stuck in 4 wheel low .

Heliogabalus's picture

Don't be too hard on Issa, he is probably one of the few of Lebanese descent
who is in the pocket of Aipac & Israel lobbies . That's a pretty tough job.....

Martskers's picture

Issa's a turd (that's well known). What I want to know is what Joni Mitchell (or her body double) was doing sitting behind the young mercenary leader)

Col Kilgore's picture

I'm trying to recall the last time a Republican didn't open their hole and make a fool of himself or insert a penis in it. Need help.

Arroyo's picture

Martskers @ 86:

Issa's a turd (that's well known). What I want to know is what Joni Mitchell (or her body double) was doing sitting behind the young mercenary leader)

That's not Joni Mitchell, that's Jane Curtin

soul surfer's picture

Symes @ 31:

Blackwater is opening a facility in Issa's district if memory serves me.

I think that's actually Duncan Hunter's district, but I'm really just splitting hairs here, these hacks are all the same. I don't doubt that there's at least some connection there, as the districts are adjacent to each other.

revko's picture

Issa bckwards is Ass, I

hmmm

Eric in Ottawa's picture

I think this is where I say:

Ha ha!

phillip's picture

Issa's comments bring to mind another organization that is regularly labeled to one party based on the incidental party affiliations of many of its members: the ACLU.

I applaud Issa's principled declaration that we should start judging the ACLU and other organizations by their principles, not their members' party affiliations.

.. wait, that's not what he meant? oh.

justabill's picture

phillip @ 92:

Issa's comments bring to mind another organization that is regularly labeled to one party based on the incidental party affiliations of many of its members: the ACLU.

I applaud Issa's principled declaration that we should start judging the ACLU and other organizations by their principles, not their members' party affiliations.

.. wait, that's not what he meant? oh.

You meant the same ACLU that succesfully defended Rush Limbaugh, Oliver North and Jerry Falwell?

patthemonkey's picture

Should have written his notes phonetically.

Arroyo's picture

soul surfer @ 89:

Symes @ 31:

Blackwater is opening a facility in Issa's district if memory serves me.

I think that's actually Duncan Hunter's district, but I'm really just splitting hairs here, these hacks are all the same. I don't doubt that there's at least some connection there, as the districts are adjacent to each other.

Issa is from Vista, not far from San Diego and Duncan Hunter and "Duke" Cunningham.

Trittydi's picture

Issa is so incredibly good in the "idiot" roll - stands to reason the repiglicans rely on him. Someone has to go out there and say these brain-dead things.
*

RickinSF's picture

Real Cause @ 30:

Issa was a major force behind the Recall of CA Gov. Grey Davis. His district includes portions of Riverside and San Diego and depends very much on defense contractors for his political support. By defending Blackwater's political donations and partisanship, he lets them know he is their man and his office is for sale. We'll see if the Justice Dept. will come down on him like they did against "Randy". On the other hand the Dept. lawyers will remember that the AG's office is willing to fire those who prosecute Republican corruption.

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Blackwater planning on building a "training facility" in Issa's district?

Also, Issa was clearly trying to "slime" the proceedings as a Democratic persecution of righteous Republicans. Pity, he tripped over his own tongue trying to innoculate Prince.

RickinSF's picture

Ooops, I didn't see 31.

bmw 528's picture

Looks like some village in California district 49 is missing an idiot. If this chump had a brain he would be very dangerous.

bilhelm-X's picture

Hell, it is a Republican company! Who the Hell else would hire a private mercenary army for more money than it costs for regular US personel to do the same job? Republicans! What percentage of Blackwater employees could one supsect were right-wing Repuglican war thug/pigs, hmmm??? I'm banking on +98%. Prove me wrong!

Terrible's picture

There is NOTHING the least bit funny about this!!! Generally when a person denies a charge that has NOT been made it is because they are guilty of it!! If it is indeed true that blackwater is a partisan military arm of the Republican party AND taking federal taxdollars then that is a very SERIOUS matter!! A very serious LEGAL matter!! I certainly hope the matter is recieving the serious investigation it deserves somewhere.

Rhl's picture

After Issa's stupid comments the gallery should have begun chanting, "Darrell, Darrell, Darrell . . . " Apologies to Darryl Strawberry.

sah's picture

this DIPSHIT..I mean 'congressman'....is no doubt on BW payroll. christ, maybe on their board of directors......GO WAXMAN !!!!!!!

TC's picture

John Mica (FL) and Dan Burton (IN) who tried to give Prince the chance to answer a question when he didn't even have the floor and when the rep's five minutes were over because supposedly the line of questioning was an attack (which it wasn't). Craptastic.

peaceful easy feeling's picture

Maybe Issa was the first to bring it up in this hearing, but it's indisputable there's a lot of "guilt by association" being thrown around by both sides in the blogosphere.

Paul's picture

What a fucking idiot. I wonder how much in bribes campaign contributions he has accepted from those murdering, brownshirted thugs Blackwater?

Limp-Dick Blimpaugh's picture

Waxman slapped the partisan Reslug down like any dirty, pesky gnat should be.
Hilarious!!

Old Billy's picture

patthemonkey @ 94:

Should have written his notes phonetically.

Funny!

Old Billy's picture

IrresistibleB1tch @ 4:

i hate to say this, but Issa later produced a memo from Waxman's office, issued in preparation of this hearing, which called Blackwater a republican party, making Waxman look bad. it's obviously true that Blackwater supported republicans, but Waxman's comment just gave Issa ammunition - not a good idea.

Then Issa shot himself in both feet.

The Waxman memo only mentions Bush contributions in the context of how Blackwater got the huge no-bid contracts. Any more attention brought to this is a good thing. Is Issa really trying to make the case that Waxman or anyone else is only attacking Blackwater's conduct in Iraq because they are Republican? Like we don't have a problem with the Democratic-leaning death squads - er, security contractors?

Bluestater's picture

rickeagle @ 2:

Man...Talk about projection....wow...trying to get out in front of the issue and actually creating the very thing he is trying to avoid...what a dumb-ass....

Exactly! LOL!!!

After taking the ball in and selfishly dribbling it all the way down court without a thought of passing it off, Issa drives to the hoop only to get his shit get slapped away ala a Wilt Chamberlain confronting a rookie Lew Alcindor in their first confrontation. That shit went four rows deep. Ha-ha!

What a dumbass is exactly right.

Andy K's picture

C&L-

I beg to differ with the assertion of your headline:

Rep. Issa makes a fool of himself during Blackwater hearing

This is a patently false assertion.

Rep. Issa was born a fool.

Thank you,

Andy K
Somewhere In Cyberspace

Che&#039;s Lounge's picture

Symes @ 31:

Blackwater is opening a facility in Issa's district if memory serves me.

No the facility is in Potrero, which is in Bob Fiilner's district. And he is non too happy about it.

But Issa was a key player in attempting to get exclusive contracts for Qualcomm to provide CDMA communications technology in Iraq early post invasion, thereby removing the existing systems, which prevented Iraqi first responders from communicating through non american cell phone systems. This led to breadkdowns in communications, preventing warnings to Iraqi police, and american troops, of insurgent activities, which may have directly led to unecessary casualties in the opening months of the war. Issa worked closely with John Shaw, the undersecretary of defense later investigated for curruption in the matter of awarding private reconstruction contracts in Iraq.

nm's picture

jan,

if you make $400 million, you are a pretty smart person. Bush is worth about $20 million which he made by selling off his stake in the texas rangers.

Issa did not have bush's political connections. He made his money the hard, scrabble way.

Rosanne's picture

orion @ 39:

REPRESENTATIVE IZZA AND FOOL ARE SYNONYMS! I am astounded each time this guy gets air time as he makes a larger buffoon of himself each time. Get ridda izza quick!! He's a disgraceful buffoon.

issa is a assa bwahhaaahaaahaaaa

vivek's picture

washington posts dana milbank does a beautiful commentry on the hearing with donations from defense contractors in brackets against each congressman in the hearing. dont miss it.

Proud American's picture

What a moron.......too funny.

Dana's picture

Issa is the fucking asshat that is responsible for the Recall in Cali.
It was his hopes to become the governor, but when the powers
that be chose Schwarzenegger instead Issa cried like a little girl.

richmanpoorman's picture

Issa is my congressman and a complete douchebag in the pockets of the defense industry like his good buddy Duke and future cell mate Bilbray. Oh, wait... I forgot that Carol Lam was fired.... nevermind... guess Duke is the only one who will see time.

Issa is also former car thief who made bundle selling car alarms. These thugs love their irony.

The sunshine is the only thing we have to be proud of in San Diego...

:( padres.... chargers.... corrupt tools... :(

new word otter's picture

nm,
i've know more than a few folks who've made that kind of money and while you can't be 'stupid' you also do NOT have to be smart.
what you do have to be is ruthless and aggressive. did i mention ruthless?

new word otter's picture

damnit, i've 'known'....

steambomb's picture

I say uh... Somethin' just aint right about that boy.

whtt's picture

So how many of these facts were in the hearing or coverage?
.

...on Oct. 2, Erik Prince, the founder and CEO of Blackwater, testified for four hours at the House Committee on Oversight and Government Operations, chaired by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA). The same day, Salon.com magazine published reporter Ben Van Heuvelen's outline of the ties between Blackwater and the Bush-Cheney administration [here]; including part of Jeremy Scahill's 2007 book, Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army. Both document Erik Prince's ties to the Christian fundamentalist fascists and neo-conservatives that make up the support for the Dick Cheney/George Shultz war party.

These are the same networks—the notorious International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem, and their American Enterprise Institute allies who use the phrase "Islamofascism," to justify the mass killing civilians in Iraq or Afghanistan. Could this pseudo-religious insanity be a factor in Blackwater's killings?

The Blackwater ties to the Christian Zionist fundies include: funding by Erik Prince's billionaire father Edgar Prince, of the Council for National Policy, the secretive religious-right high-command group which hosted Dick Cheney on September 28 for a bomb-Iran talk in Salt Lake City. The senior Prince was rightist guru Gary Bauer's personal sponsor and the main funder of Bauer's and James Dobson's Family Research Council. Blackwater's Erik Prince put $500,000 into Charles Colson's Prison Fellowship Ministries.

Erik Prince branched off from his father's extreme-right Calvinist sect, joining the pro-fascist Black Nobility wing of the Catholic Church. He has funded the Legionnaires of Christ, part of the neo-fascist Synarchy networks in Spain and Mexico. Blackwater got the $27.7 million contract for personal security for Iraq viceroy L. Paul Bremer, a fellow Catholic rightist. Erick Prince's "Freiheit Foundation" gave $30,000 to the right-wing Christendom College in Virginia; and $500,000 to Colson's Prison Fellowship.

Challenged by reports on its abuses, Blackwater employed Alexander Strategy Group to run its public relations, until that lobbying firm—the main agency of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's "K Street Project" -- closed its doors with DeLay's indictment and Jack Abramoff's imprisonment in 2006.

Joseph Schmitz, who is now Blackwater's General Counsel and chief operating officer, was the Defense Department Inspector General from 2002-2005, from where he covered up the crimes of torture in Iraq, and the corruption of Richard Perle, head of the Defense Policy Board. The Schmitz family are international leaders of the notorious Federalist Society—theorists of the "unitary executive"--along with Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia and the William F. Buckley family [see "Federalist Society Infiltrates Germany", EIR, January 19, 2007].

Blackwater has now hired as its attorney Joseph Schmitz's close political partner, Kenneth Starr, the "grand inquisitor" for this apparatus in the late-1990s attempt to purge U.S. President Bill Clinton.

stolen from LPAC

This is worthwhile too:
Man Bush chose to lead Pentagon contracting probes left under fire to become Blackwater COO(chief operating officer)

ysbaddaden's picture

Badfinger @ 75:

When you do Nazi things, you are a Nazi.

I always wondered how parading Nazis avoided kicking each other in the butt.

Joseph's picture

Not Much To Say

When the Republican Party initiate there own kick in butt, it serves as a priceless example to being familiar with the line of questions that characterize their Party. It a shameful dynamic they will never admit. I love this video because it speaks to the very nature of how dishonest the Republicans Party is, and it is on tape for the world to see just what their own members expect out of their representatives.

Joseph

ysbaddaden's picture

Issa's Californian representative. He must've just come from a joint session. He was last seen heading for the dessert cart.

Thomas Stone's picture

Issa's an ass. His district is right next to mine. He made his fortune selling car alarms. He's one of these extreme-right-wing nut jobs who believe that government should be abolished because it gets in the way of business and since a loser like him can make it, anyone can make it - the extension of that is that whover doesn't make it has only themselves to blame.

Of course, it you lose your job and cancer wipes you out, it's your fault because you didn't live a life that allowed you to be cancer free. If you're shot in the head accidently in Iraq by Blackwater, it's your fault for living in Iraq., etc., etc.

Unfortunately, the abundance of right-wing morons down here in San Diego county allows Issa's to go to Washington and ruin our country.

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