Is Blackwater subject to Posse Comitatus?

[Doctor_J]

At present, if Bush has not signed a Signing Statement dissolving it, Posse Comitatus prohibits the government from ordering the US military to enforce laws/perform military action against US citizens inside our borders. Since Blackwater is a private company, if Cheney or Rove decided to use them as a private police force here, would that be in violation of the law?

[Kagemusha]

1. I'll make it very simple for you.

Private companies cannot be given police powers. If you want a comparison, look at the Pinkertons. They could do a lot of things legally, but they were not and could not be police.

I'm not going to touch the 'perform military action' part because it's irrelevant to the main question and I don't want to dilute the point.

[MrMickeysMom]

2. In my opinion, it would not...

... which is why we need to dissolve this relationship.

Of course, by design, it's the intention to have entities like Blackwater when you're a facsist regime hell bent on al totalitarian state.

And the law.... there is not pattern of these thugs ever letting the law get in the way of controlling the masses (did you get that NSA?)

[jaysunb]

3. You're right about needing to "dissolve" this relationship

but I'm not too worried about this gang on a national scale...too few of them, too many Americans w/ guns and an aversion to facism---once they see it. :evilfrown:

[w4rma]

4. I'm concerned that too many wouldn't recognize facism for facism. (nt)

[jaysunb]

6. Americans have always risen to the occasion...

usually late, but they get there.

[MrMickeysMom]

5. Geez, I hope you're right. n/t