Oh crap...we're screwed....

[Tripledigitride]

Originally Posted by Outsider

I always think of Ravenwood from Jericho when I hear Blackwater. Blackwater's private air force... interesting...

Can anyone find a picture of this fighter and post it?

+1
I loved that show. I hope they bring it back. I'm not holding my breath, though. The barely had the ratings to finish the second half of the first season.

IMHO, Ravenwood and Blackwater are one in the same. Little more than highly paid rouge soldiers. Not forcing them to follow the same rules as our US Armed Forces is a huge mistake.

Every time I hear about Blackwater, this disgusting story comes to mind. It's a shame, because there is no way (I hope not anyway) an entire company could be such jerk-offs. There are plenty more horrible stories about BW as well.

"In 2006 a car accident occurred in the Baghdad Green Zone when an SUV driven by Blackwater operatives crashed into a U.S. Army Humvee. Blackwater guards disarmed the Army soldiers and forced them to lie on the ground at gunpoint until they could disentangle their SUV from the wreck."

How can BW justify holding OUR OWN SOLDIERS at gunpoint? It's disgusting.

[Fennellco]

Originally Posted by rlh2005

So, who's playing the role of Jennings & Rall?

Oilfield Technologies and Services - Halliburton

[Etta Place]

Originally Posted by Etta Place

I totally agree. They scare me. Their existence definitely threatens our liberty.

They just obtained a facility here in San Diego near the Mexican border. They are doing naval training. Residents here were totally against it, but a Federal judge ruled that they had the right to do it. They call themselves "vocational training."

Here's a photo from the facility I spoke of above.


EDUARDO CONTRERAS / Union-Tribune
Blackwater Worldwide employees (from left) Mark Irish, Andrew Morton, Bill Go and Shaun Odom fired weapons at the military contractor's training facility in Otay Mesa.

I guess they're going to train Navy guys how to shoot.

Blackwater permits OK, city auditor concludes
By Tanya Mannes
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
June 7, 2008

OTAY MESA – The city's internal audit of Blackwater Worldwide's military training facility in Otay Mesa found no evidence that the contractor misrepresented itself in its permit applications.

The city's internal auditor, Eduardo Luna, said in a report released Thursday and made public yesterday that “we determined that Blackwater did not misrepresent their identity.”

He based his opinion on the company's business tax certificate application filed Feb. 6 with the city of San Diego. The application identified the business as Blackwater and stated that the Otay Mesa warehouse would offer security training for the Navy.

Opponents learned of the project after building renovation had begun and said Blackwater deliberately avoided scrutiny by applying for permits in the names of affiliated companies.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders requested the audit May 5.

Blackwater has leased an industrial building near Brown Field where it has a federal contract to train Navy sailors at a shooting range, a simulated Navy ship and in classrooms. Training sessions began Thursday after a federal court judge ruled that the city could not stall the project for public hearings. The city's Development Services Department issued permits for interior improvements in March without public hearings under a routine administrative process.

Luna confirmed that Blackwater did not sign any of the building permit applications but said the company was not required to do so. The audit also upheld the facility's designation as a vocational school.

“I think the auditor's report is clear,” said Brian Bonfiglio, a Blackwater vice president. “It basically exonerated us from being misleading or intentionally doing anything inappropriately or incorrectly.”

Raymond Lutz, a Blackwater opponent and the Democratic candidate for the 77th Assembly District, said the audit was “conveniently timed to be released after the election, and omits the key issue at hand.”

He said the report never addresses whether the permits should have been issued as a routine matter in the first place.

Lutz is organizing a protest June 11 outside the facility.

The audit did find some problems with the application files, including omissions and missing documents. Kelly Broughton, development services director, agreed with the auditor's recommendations about improving procedures.

On May 19, Sanders attempted to require Blackwater's project to seek approval from the City Council and Planning Commission. Sanders cited a legal opinion by City Attorney Michael Aguirre in requiring the additional public review.

Blackwater then sued the city. This week, a federal judge blocked the city from holding up the project. The city's internal audit appears to support that ruling.

Aguirre said he plans to pursue the case, if necessary, to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

“The only thing at issue now is whether there should be a public process before the Planning Commission and the City Council before you can move an intense war training facility into an unsecured area,” Aguirre said. “We think that the city has an absolute right to review that.”

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Metro -- Blackwater permits OK, city auditor concludes

[IamCPTSpalding]

First an unsecured training facality outside your back door, next a "private" airfield and bombing range. When the bomb lands in your pool, who do you find responsible?

U.S. Gov? BW. Yourself for being in the way?

Still say the "organization" (business) should be under UCMJ restrictions just like any other honerable soldier, or shut them down, OR call them what they are.....Mercs.....

[Boanerge]

Originally Posted by Deerhunter

Quote "...and since they dont follow the same rules of war that other marines and soldiers have to follow...they are pretty awesome".

I couldn't disagree more.... I think the rules that our military follows is what sets them apart from the rest. They get the job done and they get it done with honor.

I believe theU.S.military and civilian contractors have slightly different missions; similar to the slight differences between, Patrolmen, Detectives, and S.W.A.T.

[Boanerge]

Originally Posted by drs1321

I believe that the problem with blackwater lies with the fact that they hire ex- special forces member who are trained to kill. This is an aspect of their training, as they are given advanced training in lethal force. So when you recruit these guys, and send them over as "security" against AK toting Iraqis, they do what is second nature to them when the situation arises. I may be wrong, but this is my .02.

Exactly, and That's why BW had the contract for protecting State Department Personnel. The U.S. Government uses the U.s.Military in IRAQ as Policemen, Civil affairs, diplomats, and a form of National Guard, and Anti-Terror activities. The U.s. military is a Jack of al Trades and a Master of none. Their sharpness as Warriors is being dulled by stupid collateral duties!!!!

[Boanerge]

Originally Posted by D-FENS

Blackwater is paid by our government and should be held responsible by our government. The FBI is investigating the shooting in Nisour Square. They do actually serve a purpose in this war. If they step out of line our goverment should hold them responsible. If our government fails to do this all bets are off. They do operate in the US and everywhere else. I believe anyone can hire them, but they are not above the law. The problem with their operations in Iraq is that they often are "the law". They Iraqi government says they would like them to cease operations within their country, but the US says they stay.
Blackwater waging war on American citizens is not likely. Blackwater being paid to defend our country if we come under attack is pretty much guaranteed.

I don't think are government is dumb enough to wage war on it's citizens. Not all out war anyways. Without us they would have to work for a living.

Iwouldn't be surprised, if the Ballon went up and we were invaded, the U.S. Government would hired and deploy Blackwater to organize and train us civilians to do some serious damge to the invading force!!!

[IamCPTSpalding]

Originally Posted by Boanerge

Iwouldn't be surprised, if the Ballon went up and we were invaded, the U.S. Government would hired and deploy Blackwater to organize and train us civilians to do some serious damge to the invading force!!!

Count me out. I do not need a GREEDY/BLIND corporation telling me who to put down, who to shoot, detain, let go, who the enemy is, etcetera, etcetera.....

I am a soverign individual. The constitution, put forth by my Fathers, pronounces my rights to the world and any elected official. Beware any organizing, registering, or licensing, especially to a rogue outfit such as BW. Do not be surprised if more likely they are organized to take your weapons, rather than "muster" you into service.

[RogueXD]

I guess I have to put in my 2 cents. We can probably all agree that having young men in women in a combat situation, thing will happen (simple killings). The US forces are abidding by "rules" of the game. Unfortuneately the "rules" do not allow us to use what ever means necessary to protect our brothers and sisters. Beating anyone in order to gain information to save my unit, I'll do. Unfortuneately again, I could get into trouble. So, to get the "dirty" work done and me out of trouble, I need a private firm to help. Please do take this the wrong way, but I don't care about the any man or his family if he is trying to kill me or my brother. We need to remember what our brothers are going through. Its like a soccer match and the opponant keeps kicking you in the face and the ref yells at you to keep your hands and feet to yourself. Sounds unfair? You bet is it. We my not like the approach that Blackwater offers, but the tactics are needed...

[SVThuh]

Originally Posted by Ishpeck

Hey, guys! Look at the bright side: If the Feds ever send Blackwater against you, chances are good that your state's National Guard and your local law enforcers will be on your side.

And since Blackwater isn't official US military, fighting them technically doesn't count as treason. You can hold the moral high ground to even against the die-hard loyalists.

In fact, if Blackwater ever DID mobilize in my state, Utah State's legal code would define THEM as the traitors. Pretty much means Blackwater's screwed.

Im thinking "Assault on Blackwater, Zion Park" I would be there waging a guerrila war against Blackwater if they ever tried to put their boots in my backyard.

The phrase "From my cold dead hands" comes to mind, and Im pretty sure I would be able to take a couple of them out at least before they got me.