Posted on 10/10/2007 3:18:35 PM PDT by RDTF
WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department may phase out or limit the use of private security guards in Iraq, which could mean canceling Blackwater USA's contract or awarding it to another company in line with an Iraqi government demand, The Associated Press has learned.
-snip-
The officials said Kennedy's team was not expected to recommend eliminating all private contractors because it would have a profound impact on how U.S. diplomats work in Iraq. The State Department's own Bureau of Diplomatic Security lacks both the manpower and equipment, notably helicopters, to do the job, they said.
The State Department has operated its own "air wing" with U.S. helicopters and planes for counternarcotics work in Latin America but has had to rely on contract pilots from Dyncorp to fly them.
-snip-
Under the terms of the department's Worldwide Personal Protective Security contract, which covers privately contracted guards for diplomats in Iraq, Blackwater, Dyncorp and Triple Canopy are the only three companies eligible to bid on specific task orders there.
-snip-
Of interest to the department is the possibility of forming Iraqi companies with Iraqi employees to protect U.S. diplomats as local guards do for embassy staff in other countries, they said. That would bring the guards fully under the jurisdiction of Iraqi law but is not a short-term option given inadequate training facilities.
The Pentagon has been reluctant to provide security for diplomats but another alternative might be joint State-Defense department patrols. Yet another would be hiring Blackwater and other private guards as temporary U.S. government employees, the officials said.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
In that case the people doing the work on the ground will likely be the same. They'll just get their paychecks from Dyncorp or Triple Canopy instead of Blackwater.
Wrong.This is the only unit that fires back when shot at with no question asked.It’s all about life or death.
(snip)
The Pentagon has been reluctant to provide security for diplomats but another alternative might be joint State-Defense department patrols. Yet another would be hiring Blackwater and other private guards as temporary U.S. government employees, the officials said.
Yeah, these ideas are really going to work. I wonder if they will expect Blackwater to train their replacements?
just like education reform, penalize excellence and and demand mediocrity.
ROTFLMAO!! I want KENNEDY to be the first guy who travels like that!
Any other suckers willing to be tortured to death?
unbelievable!
I find it kind of interesting in the change in tactics from the media and left.
Before they were attacking the military operation itself. Now that things are going better they have switched tactics. They are now attacking the security contractors.
If there was ever any doubt that they are traitors I think this should dispel it.
Blackwater should phase out the State Department!
And they should, it’s been revealed that they’re effective. Can’t have that in Government!
If the Bush Administration were around during WWII, the “surrender” on the U.S.S. Missouri would have been replaced with “dialogue” about what the defeated Japanese wanted to do.
Thank God himself that it was not Carter. you would be speaking Japanese.
LLS
“If there was ever any doubt that they are traitors I think this should dispel it.”
The left will own us soon enough... we are far too divided to stop the left from destroying our Nation. There is no check and balance left in this country... no accountability... no media to hold their feet to the fire... and an opposition party that has allowed itself to be destroyed from within... not only as a Party... but as a viable force in politics. Unless GOD himself performs a miracle... and Millions of us pray for this each day... well you tell me what you think will happen? I already know and it is giving me nightmares.
LLS
You've nailed it.
I too like the option, but Condi first!
This is so much BS.
The same “congresspersons” who want to tour the battle theatre are protected by Blackwater and they want to cut Blackwater off at the knees.
What contractor will build a school? a power plant? a water system?? Anything????? NONE!!!
Uhmmm....I think there’s a bit of a difference between those we hire to ride shotgun, providing protection to diplomats, and those whose job it is to rebuild the infrastructure. Just a minor point of order.
Sorry...we chose the last President by the trendiness of his speech? Please clarify.
It means (using sarcasm as a device) that some accuse certain candidates of being inferior because they speak too slowly... wear ill fitting or cheap clothing... or do not use current cultural slang in their banter... that unless one is a rock star like Tony Blair... wearing $2800.00 suits, $25,000.00 Bulgari Chronograph and $800.00 shoes... have the latest cosmetic procedures performed, along with botox injections, liposuction and hair die jobs... you have no chance at all in today’s Republican party. All of these things were enunciated on FR during the debate thread and in every other related thread since. I hope that you understand my point of intent.
LLS
Inquiring minds want to know, who is guarding Patrick Kennedy and his crew?
I know that this war will be a long one but, the way our politicians flinch anytime a muslim bucks at us not only are we prolonging it but we are fueling it. The Jihadis have to be laughing at us. Our finest are there sacrificing and spilling their blood and anytime an accusation is thrown out there they throw our guys to the wolves, no questions asked. They can extort and manipulate at will.
Bingo. We have a winner.
If you do the research...you’ll find that Blackwater’s chief executives and board members have the same connections as...the State Department investigators who are investigating...Blackwater. Those same connections also show when you look at...NCIS and JAG... Those same connections also show up when you look at...FEC reports and lobbyists...and Moveon.org and...oh, well...why bother...
There’s more going on here than just, “If the Dems are again’ it, I’m for it.”
As a matter of fact, that’s playing the game the Dems want you to play...
Dems: “Lookee here! Nuthin’ up muh sleeve...”
Pubbies: “...uh..gee... Do it again! Do it again!”
Meanwhile, you keep wondering why they think you’re so stupid...
Can’t say that your post was at all clear.
All State Dept. offices should be targeted next.
Once neutralized we should win this war. Muslims want to drive oil prices up I say the next target should be Greenpeace and the Sierra Club.
Drill for oil domestically while demanding Canada and Mexico to open up more. Tell the mullahs to piss off, leave Israel and US interest alone or we will show them the truth about the afterlife (One can only day dream).
What I meant (employing irony as my own device) is that one could hardly accuse our Commander-in-Chief of winning by way of rock-star status or the phony emulation thereof. I certainly don’t see Mitt as the only fix to the Hildebeast option.
For anyone to intimate — sarcastically, glibly, fascetiously, or otherwise — that this “trend” (as you see it) somehow merits the consideration of the co-opting of government by a home-grown, corporate mercenary force borders on reckless, in the very least. It only serves as cannon fodder for those who wish to portray FReepers as frothy-mouthed wingnuts. I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt.
LLS
New letterhead.
LLS
LLS
Take your leftist crap to the DU! I have friends that work for Blackwater... and they were ALL SF. I told you 100% of the truth... you revert to leftist tactics.
LLS
LLS
LLS
LLS
Thank you... that’s all that I am saying. Thank you!
LLS
I’ll take that as - No, the constitutional oath is not a condition of employment.
However, as tax payer dollars are paying some if not all of those contracts, our Constitution SHOULD have a hell of a lot to do with it.
Your answer says a lot.
Tell us, given that these employees are not governed by the U.S. Constitution, is Posse Comitatus also to be disregarded if the stockholders so desire?
[Blackwater is keeping a third of the Iraqi government alive]
Because it is politically expedient to do so. Much simpler than marshalling the support of the American people and raising the level of U.S. military forces to the number required to accomplish the mission without using mercenaries.
[It's all about the money]
Did you know that Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal became the largest shareholder of Citibank on the day the ground war started in the Gulf War? Most people don't.
Yes, despite the honorable beliefs of individual heroes and their admirers it often is, all about the money. The hegemony of the Petrodollar is worth protecting - carpet baggers are not.
There are reasons profiteering used to be illegal.
LLS
What rock are you stuck under? They ARE NOT mercenaries, fool.
[They ARE NOT mercenaries]
Riiight.
Sorry if you disagree, but prolific posting and kicking in some cash on occasion doesn’t equate to instant credibility — not in my book, anyway. You are, ultimately, what you say you agree to — what you espouse. That a few FR wingnuts just so happen to be “our wingnuts” is completely beside the point...and I think you know it. Or, if you don’t, perhaps you should take this to heart.
To implicitely or explicitely advocate (or even to turn a blind eye or deaf ear to) the rantings of anyone who thinks that government should be abolished and replaced by a for-profit, paramilitary force is to place oneself on the very outskirts of the fringe, teetering on the abyss. Talk like that smacks of blind fear and strategic desperation, not a reasoned search for solutions. The GOP may very well spend the next two decades as a party wandering in the American political wilderness because too many either followed, humored or blithely ignored “our wingnuts.”
And with respect to the image-oriented “past versus present,” don’t kid yourself. The first time I ever voted was for Ronald Reagan back in 1980 — I had just turned 18 before the general election — and there was no shortage of brand marketing, with emphasis on sleek visual appeal and slick delivery. The telegenic factor caught fire in 1960 with the Nixon/JFK debates, and it hasn’t slowed since. Down-home folksiness popularized by GWB and even Jimmy Carter — and how well it plays to the NASCAR audience — is just another variation on the same theme.
I apologize in advance if this turns into a duplicate posting...
Sorry if you disagree, but prolific posting and kicking in some cash on occasion doesn’t equate to instant credibility — not in my book, anyway. You are, ultimately, what you say you agree to — what you espouse. That a few FR wingnuts just so happen to be “our wingnuts” is completely beside the point...and I think you know it. Or, if you don’t, perhaps you should take this to heart.
To implicitely or explicitely advocate (or even to turn a blind eye or deaf ear to) the rantings of anyone who thinks that government should be abolished and replaced by a for-profit, paramilitary force is to place oneself on the very outskirts of the fringe, teetering on the abyss. Talk like that smacks of blind fear and strategic desperation, not a reasoned search for solutions. The GOP may very well spend the next two decades as a party wandering in the American political wilderness because too many either followed, humored or blithely ignored “our wingnuts.”
And with respect to the image-oriented “past versus present,” don’t kid yourself. The first time I ever voted was for Ronald Reagan back in 1980 — and yes, I know that makes me a pup by your accounts. I had just turned 18 before the general election — and there was no shortage of brand marketing, with emphasis on sleek visual appeal and slick delivery. The telegenic factor caught fire in 1960 with the Nixon/JFK debates, and it hasn’t slowed since. Down-home folksiness popularized by GWB and even Jimmy Carter — and how well it plays to the NASCAR audience — is just another variation on the same theme.
Any perceived fixation with a candidate’s polish, or lack of it, is not the problem.
I will NOT vote for rootie or mitt... I am 10,000% pro-life... pro second amendment... a supply side tax cutter... for smaller more efficient government... Closed and secure borders... I support the Military 100%... I donate to Sean and Colonel North's group to help the children of fallen soldiers... I support the USO and the VFW... I support Adopt a Platoon (Tommy Franks)... I support the EM clubs at both our Navy and Air Force bases... I support College Republicans... Believe what you will... but many here on FR know me and know that I am as solid an American Conservative as anyone breathing. You are free to believe whatever you wish. I never questioned your motives or position in the movement.
Try to have a good weekend and find someone else to play with. I have enjoyed all of the insults my poor aching head can endure.
LLS
Look, LLS...I’m not impugning your credentials, friend; I’m simply pointing out what should be the obvious: that providing one’s political/financial resume doesn’t excuse one’s lazy or even “joking” indulgence of some FR moron’s mercenarial fantasies. Not when the future of the GOP is at stake.
Bottom Line: I believe we have messed up, in a major way. We weren’t a “movement,” as your post suggests — we WERE “government.” In every corner. And our duly-elected leaders have squandered a clear mandate that we handed to them. We placed all of our eggs dreamily into the basket dangled in front of us. We were told to follow them to the promised land, and they have led us to...where? Record debt, record trade deficits, diminished international standing, a military that’s been exhausted and largely subborned to a swarm of soldiers-of-fortune who don’t answer to our government or to international law?
What and who the hell AREe we anymore, anyway? Here we sit, with the threat of Islamo-fascism encroaching not just upon our foreign interests, but our lives here at home, and I honestly can’t say that I feel those who are sworn to protect us (civilian, NOT military, I must note) are as interested in that responsibility as they are in holding power.
Your philosophical holdings are, in many respects, squarely up my alley. I did three years active duty and another three on active reserve, in the combat arms (albeit, thankfully, during peacetime). I am a tireless advocate for fiscal responsibility, for secure borders and for honest-to-goodness free-market capitalism. I, too, support local and national candidates and pester my elected representatives endlessly (at town hall meetings, they know me by name). But I think our disagreement lies in that I believe the only way to get us back on track is to put a great deal of distance between those of us who value small, responsible, responsive and Constitutionally-derived governance and personal responsibility from those who simply want to control everyone and everything around them.
And you’d better get used to hearing from those like me, because we are taking our party back from those who drove it into the ditch. I’m NOT saying that means you. I trust that you have always had our best interests at heart. But we have ALL been taken for a ride.
Just my two cents...or three. Cheers.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.