Posted on 11/27/2007 6:14:50 PM PST by RDTF
A quarter of Blackwater security guards in Iraq use steroids and other "judgment-altering substances," according to a lawsuit filed by the families of several Iraqis killed or wounded in a Baghdad shooting in September. Blackwater denies the charges.
The suit, filed Monday in Washington, accuses the company of fostering "a culture of lawlessness" among its guards and says the use of excessive force helps the company preserve a key selling point -- the fact that none of its protectees have been killed during the four-year-old war.
"I think there is a whole corporate culture there that essentially rewards the use of excessive force -- shooting first, asking questions later," said Susan Burke, the lead attorney in the case.
The lawsuit accuses Blackwater of war crimes, wrongful death, assault, negligent hiring and emotional distress. The plaintiffs include two wounded survivors of the September 16 shootings around Nusoor Square, in western Baghdad, and the families of five people killed in the incident. Iraqi authorities say the guards killed 17 people in an act of "premeditated murder."
-snip-
The lawsuit accuses Blackwater of failing to control the use of steroids among its guards -- an allegation Burke said came from "people in that community," and one she said would be backed up as the case progresses.
"The reality is that Blackwater has indeed fired people for steroid use, so they're on clear notice that there's steroid use," Burke said. She said Blackwater has marketed the idea "that their people are kind of tougher and bigger than anybody else," and has turned a blind eye toward "serious, repeated situations of excessive use of force."
Blackwater spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell rejected the steroid allegations, saying all company workers face drug tests during their application process and on a quarterly basis while working for the firm.
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
disgusted ping
In other news, 99% of US Senators and Congressmen use “judgment-altering substances,. Ted Kennedy and Chris Dood account for 53% of them
Are the lawyers pushing this lawsuit/attack on Blackwater ACLU affiliated ?
I heard 85% of Blackwater Guards like to look at hot chicks too!
They forgot the part where once accepted as a Blackwater employee, they take you to their compound in NC, where they erase all of your memory and then implant a computer chip in your brain where Eric Prince and his evil band of brothers then control their actions from a secret cave.
All that I know is that blackwater is doing a good job, for they have allowed none in their care to be murdered, so I support Blackwater. Give them a siren and tell all others to stay out of their way, and all will be well.
They are hired professional body guards.
Who cares if they are on steroids. More power to ‘em.
In other words, this is a left wing, anti-war fishing expedition.
Halliburton wasn’t doing it anymore as a boogeyman for the Left, so they’ve adopted Blackwater.
goes to show you what little this atty knows. No way this is going on as described in the world of security clearances.
“The lawsuit accuses Blackwater of failing to control the use of steroids among its guards — an allegation Burke said came from “people in that community,” and one she said would be backed up as the case progresses. “
someone needs to call that bluff
They aren’t even asking for specific damages. Most likely it will get tossed.
The amount of misinformation regarding all private security companies is mindboggling. It amazes me what gets passed off as fact. I suppose next we’ll be reading they eat small children and worship the Devil.
BW is trying to take over the world. I know this because I read it on the internet. /s
Maybe she is hoping for a settlement. She gives each family $50.00 and keeps the rest for all of her hard work.
that link above is probably her...
http://www.burkepyle.com/atty1.html
-snip-
The Abu Ghraib Scandal - Failure To Investigate and Prosecute
Presented during non-profit Renaissance Weekend panel discussions regarding civil liberties and human rights
December 2005
Regulating the Private Commercial Military Sector
Presented during New York University’s Institute for International Law and Justice
December 2005
Protagonist or Pawn? The Private Contractor in Foreign Affairs
Presented during the American Society of International Law’s 99th Annual Meeting
April 2005
Role of Private Contractors in Human Rights Abuses in Iraqi Prisons
Interviewed by MS-NBC, Philadelphia Channel 17 (WB), National Public Radio, other radio stations; New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and other newspapers
June 2004 - present
-snip-
just give them a couple of goats to each family,and some deodorant, hajjis, smell pretty bad
So since Blackwater fires people for using steroids, it must therefore be liable for people using steroids. The proof that its people use steroids is the fact that Blackwater fires them for it. This passes for logic among leftist attorneys and the dim bulbs who cover them in the press.
Do we really need to post anything from the commie news niwits?If nobody reads their shit they will go under.Some big guns are after BW and doing and saying anything to undermine their credibility.
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.