2 ex-Blackwater guards charged with murder

Los Angeles Times ^ | 1/7/10 | LAT

[granite]

Both Cannon, of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Drotleff, of Virginia Beach, Va., have said in recent interviews with the AP that they were justified when they opened fire on a threatening vehicle last year. Blackwater, now known as Xe, fired both men after the shooting for failing to comply with the terms of their contract.

[oneolcop]

FReepers should check out Sipsey Street Irregulars. Some interesting things going on there

[sinsofsolarempirefan]

But members of Blackwater are technically civillians, and not subject to the US Military Justice Code?

[La Enchiladita]

The U.S. DOJ, i.e., Eric Holder.

Just damn.

[soycd]

The punks of obama no nothing of battle heat, much less how to
defend themselves in a life or death situation. I’m sure if
Holder’s or obama’s guards stopped some of the residential trash
of DC from harming them with force, their guards would not be charged
with murder.

Anyone still defending obama and his gestapo are either stupid or willfully criminal.

[OldDeckHand]

"But members of Blackwater are technically civilians, and not subject to the US Military Justice Code?"

Yes, they are indeed civilians. There isn't anything technical about it. But, The Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act specifically provides for the prosecution of civilian contractors working on behalf or in support of the US Military overseas, in US Federal Court.

Also, language inserted into the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act expanded those provisions and allowed for civilians working on behalf of the DOD to be prosecuted under the UCMJ.

I should point out that there was some (and continues to be) debate with respect to the ability to prosecute these private contractors who are not working for the DOD, but for either State or CIA. This has not been fully tested in court. If it holds up on appeal, is really anyone's guess.

Lastly, there is some additional gray area in this field for several different reasons. One reason includes certain Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA) that have been negotiated with these "host" countries. As an example, because of a provision is some DOD agreements prior to 2007, these Blackwater contractors (and others) were operating under a kind of blanket immunity, which really didn't allow for either US or Iraqi prosecution of these Blackwater contractors. With the negotiation of the latest SOFA agreement in Iraq, this immunity has been lifted.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

WE ARE IN A FRIGGIN WAR AGAINST TERRORISTS!!!

WTF!

[LearsFool]

Can they do this to civilians who allegedly committed an ordinary crime abroad?

Not exactly an "ordinary crime abroad", given the circumstances of war, but...

War being a political affair, politics always has and, IMHO, always ought to play a part in military affairs whether regular or mercenary. (And I use the term "mercenary" strictly, to refer to hired military, which, I believe, fits Blackwater. And with no desparagement of Blackwater whatsoever.)

So if Blackwater elects to be part of a military operation (viz. Afghanistan or Iraq wars), they'd better do so only after considering the political climate, fully aware that they may be sacrificed not only in the performance of their agreed-upon duties, but also as political pawns.

That's been the nature of the business throughout history, and shows no signs of changing so long as man makes war upon man.

This is not to excuse Obama nor Holder; they ARE the political climate in this case, deplorable though it be. It is only to say you'd be foolish to sign a contract without knowing all that you're getting into.

War hasn't changed, and IMHO, never will. Neither will the politics that oversee it.

[dools007]

I thought the case against the Blackthorn guys was thrown out a couple of weeks ago.

[halfright]

Yea, The echo was terrible! :)

[khnyny]

With crap like this happening and all the other attacks against the CIA proper, why would any American lay their life and reputation on the line for the service of their country?

As another FReeper noted, it does not bode well for our future unless this f’d up mess is fixed.

[gaijin]

“He who is kind to the cruel is soon cruel to the kind...”

[element92]

we should have left Iraq long before the incident happened.

[Whine Lover]

Maybe they can lock them up in Guantanamo where they belong, with the rest of the terrorists.

[Dahoser]

WE are at war with the terrorists, but the Obamao clymers are not.

[Enchante]

this one happened in Afghanistan

[RaceBannon]

this started under bush, make no mistake

[RaceBannon]

that doesn’t matter anymore. BUSH passed a law where the DOJ had complete jurisdiction over personnel in war zones, all civilians under any capacity

[RaceBannon]

How many terrorists are charged with murder?

...real food for thought in THAT question...

[IntolerantOfTreason]

Murder? They killed muzzies. I’m not seeing a problem.

[ScottinVA]

Murder? They killed muzzies. I’m not seeing a problem.

I'm thinking maybe cruelty to animals or something, but not murder.