Posted on 07/01/2007 7:28:37 AM PDT by Ladycalif
Blackwater USA is trying to bring a training camp for its private security forces to Potrero, and now a crew from Al Jazeera's English-language TV station has shown up at the site.
Former American network news correspondent Rob Reynolds greeted a News 8 camera as he interviewed a Potrero resident for his new boss -- the 24-hour Al Jazeera English TV channel, which launched last fall. The Washington-based reporter was in town to do a story on the controversial proposed Blackwater military training project, which would be built on a vacant 800-acre chicken ranch.
Once the three-person unit spotted our camera while they chatted with Blackwater opponent Steve Kowit, they quickly moved out of sight. Minutes after packing up their SUV, they left town after spending just three hours in the area.
"They understood that you guys wanted them to be the news story," Kowit said.
Kowit, who says the Blackwater project promotes fire danger and is environmentally disruptive, felt the crew was fair.
"They asked me absolutely appropriate questions, they were professionals like you are, and I suspect nothing will be slanted," Kowit said.
Gordon Hammers is the chairman of the Potrero Community Planning Group. He says he spoke to the Al Jazeera crew about how Blackwater would help revitalize the local economy. In the back of his mind, however, he had lingering questions about the objective of their visit.
"What are you doing here in the first place," Hammers said. "This is a local land use issue. You really have no business putting this into international politics."
It was unclear when a story about Blackwater would air on Al Jazeera. The news crew refused to speak with News 8.
Al Jazeera at the border ping
Too bad the state isn’t mentioned in posts like this.
California, I presume?
Al Jazz a recon unit
Blackwater should tell Al Jazeera that the training is being done just outside of Hancock, New York. Go there and get all the video you want.
Yes, look at the first picture.
He equates the U.S. with the NAZIs, and somehow thinks the Palestinians will be more virtuous? A severe case of moonbatism.
Just thought this needed to be repeated.
I think they are more interested in what goes on at the Mexican Border.
I just bought Scahill’s book, which is supposed to be a scathing indictment of Blackwater. So far, what Scahill hates about them is what I like about them.
The problem is that Scahill buys into all the hype. Does Eric Prince donate money to right wing causes? Sure, he’s conservative and in a financial position to put his money where his mouth is. Somehow the press (Scahill writes for The Nation) doesn’t find it newsworthy to cast left wing donors in the same conspiratorial tones.
Maybe they’ll have Todd Jarret come out and do some pistol classes here like he does at their school in VA. I’d sign up for those.
Erik Prince
Erik PrinceAKA Erik D. Prince
Born: 1970
Birthplace: Holland, MI
Gender: Male
Religion: Born-Again Christian
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Business, Military
Party Affiliation: Republican
Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Blackwater USA mercenary firm
Military service: Navy SEAL Team Officer (1993-96, Bosnia, Haiti)
Erik Prince is a billionaire right-wing fundamentalist Christian from a powerful Michigan Republican family. His wealth came from his father, Edgar Prince, who headed Prince Automotive, an auto parts and machinery manufacturer.
A major Republican campaign contributor, he interned in the White House of President George H.W. Bush and campaigned for Pat Buchanan in 1992, finding time to intern for arch-conservative congressman Dana Rohrabacher as well. Prince founded the mercenary firm Blackwater USA in 1997 with Gary Jackson, another former Navy SEAL
Blackwater USA is the most comprehensive professional military, law enforcement, security, peacekeeping, and stability operations company in the world.
Blackwater USA comprises nine separate business units to offer the most comprehensive professional security, peacekeeping, and stability operations company in the world.
VISION
To support security, peace, freedom, and democracy everywhere.
MISSION
To support national and international security policies that protect those who are defenseless and provide a free voice for all with a dedication to providing ethical, efficient, and effective turnkey solutions that positively impact the lives of those still caught in desperate times.
Blackwater is committed to the foot soldiers — the men and women who stand on the frontlines of the global war on terror and who believe in a peaceful future for their communities and nations. Whether serving in or out of uniform, Blackwater is committed to providing these men and women with the very best in training and tactical support to ensure they are fully prepared to meet current and future global security challenges.
Thanks for the info. We need more conservative billionaires : )
B U M P
Yep, Scahill thinks it's bad that Prince is a born-again and makes all Blackwater employees take an oath to defend the Constitution.
Oops. Here: www.psc-looking-glass.blogspot.com
Thanks, but I spent a year working in Iraq for one of the big American PSCs, and have many friends who work and worked for Blackwater. I don’t need someone who wasn’t there telling me how it is.
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