Jeremy Scahill on DemocracyNow: Obama has been at forefront on Blackwater issue in the Congress

[HamdenRice]

I just wanted to post this because I felt the "*NEW* Clinton Cosponsors Legis to Ban Use of Priv. Sec. Contr..." post presently on the Greatest Page is disingenuous.

It gives the false impression that Hillary is on the forefront of this issue and that Obama has no position and has merely voted present on her proposal.

According to Jeremy Scahill, author of "Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army," and hence probably the country's leading expert on Blackwater and Bush's mercenary armies, Obama has been at the forefront on this issue. To be fair, in the interview with Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzales, Scahill criticizes both Hillary and Obama for refusing to rule out the use of mercenaries if elected. But this is in the context of acknowledging that Obama had already sponsored legislation extending the rule of law and legal liability to mercenaries in Iraq, making him one of Congresses few leaders on this issue:

http://www.democracynow.org/2008/2/28/jeremy_scahill_despite_anti_war_rhetoric

And the reason I focus on Obama instead of Hillary on this is because Barack Obama has actually been at the forefront of addressing the mercenary issue in the Congress. In February of 2007—this was way before the Nisour Square massacre, where Blackwater forces killed seventeen Iraqis and wounded twenty others—in February of 2007, Barack Obama sponsored legislation in the Senate that sought to expand US law so that—

JUAN GONZALEZ: This is just after he got into the Senate, right?

JEREMY SCAHILL: This was in 2007. This was a year ago. And so, this was a major piece of legislation by Obama, and it was done in concert with Representative David Price from North Carolina in the House, a Democrat. And Obama’s legislation basically said we realize that there are loopholes in the law that allow Blackwater and other contractors to essentially get away with murder, and so what we need to do is make it so that US law applies to not only Defense Department contractors, but State Department contractors like Blackwater. If they murder someone in Iraq, we can prosecute them back in the United States.

Now, that legislation hasn’t passed at this point, and it may never pass. I mean, the fact is that the Bush administration actually issued a statement opposing that legislation, and I want to read to you what Bush said. He said that law would have, quote, “intolerable consequences for crucial and necessary national security activities and operations."

<end quote>

The remainder of the article is a BALANCE AND FACTUAL look at whether Obama or Hillary will be able to reduce troop levels in Iraq. But it doesn't play stupid games, as Hillary's camp seems to be doing, coming late to the issue in the middle of crucial primaries, and pretending to be a leader on the issue.

[caseycoon]

1. K&R Very informative. Thanks for posting this! n/t

[HamdenRice]

3. You're welcome! Facts as opposed to spin and lies are useful

It's getting harder and harder to have any respect for Hillary when she pulls stunts like this, and her camp disseminates blatantly misleading memes.

[caseycoon]

5. True...

I have a hard time believing anything she says.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

2. you mean having Mark "Blackwater" Penn as advisor

doesn't put Hillary on the "forefront"?

[HamdenRice]

4. LOL! Yup. Classic Rovian tactics

Attack you enemy on your own weak points.

[Vinca]

6. Sorry, Obama legislation doesn't count.

:rofl:

[Arkana]

11. Right.

Clearly because it's only preferred by "activists" and black people.

[babylonsister]

7. Thanks, and rec'd. nt

[Major Hogwash]

8. How much corporate money from personal security companies was donated to Hillary's campaign?

Since she won't release her tax records, maybe that information is available.

[Voice for Peace]

9. Thanks!

I'm enthusiastic about Obama but with reservations and this is a good
example. But one of the reasons I am hopeful is that I think he will
be responsive to the citizens -- if we continue to make sane demands in
large numbers. I have less confidence that either Hillary or McCain
will do the same, as I think they offer more of the "we know what is
good for the American people, just trust us." I think Barack is in the
business of listening to people, and consulting his conscience.

[HamdenRice]

12. That's how I look at it also. Very few politicians are my heroes

The point is that Obama, using his background as an organizer, has created grassroots momentum. He will, by necessity, be more responsive to that movement when he is president.

By contrast, Hillary began her run on the basis of elite fundraising and inevitability, virtually guaranteeing that she would be immune to popular demands.

I don't care what Obama "really thinks" in his heart of hearts. What I care about is the way this Chinese proverb will affect Obama's presidency:

"He who rides the tiger had better not dismount."

[Voice for Peace]

15. "He who rides the tiger had better not dismount."

Thanks, this is an excellent proverb and I'm in agreement with you on this.

[1776Forever]

10. From his Senatorial Website: Obama Demands Answers on Blackwater Immunity Deal

Obama Demands Answers on Blackwater Immunity Deal
Tuesday, October 30, 2007

http://obama.senate.gov/press/071030-obama_demands_a_2/

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, United States Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) sent the following letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice demanding answers on reports that State Department officials offered Blackwater guards immunity from prosecution, which may hinder a criminal investigation into the September shooting that killed at least 17 Iraqis.

Obama has introduced legislation in the Senate to make private security contractors in Iraq subject to federal criminal law; this bill has already passed the House. Obama has also called for the head of Blackwater to testify before the Senate. In February, Obama introduced comprehensive legislation to increase oversight on private security contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan; part of his legislation requiring reporting to Congress on the role of contractors passed the Senate last month.

Below is a copy of the letter:

Dear Secretary Rice:

I am deeply troubled by news reports that the State Department promised guards employed by Blackwater USA immunity from prosecution as part of the Department's initial investigation into the September 16 shooting of 17 Iraqi civilians.

The seriousness of this incident – and its effect on the American military's reputation in Iraq – necessitates the prosecution of the appropriate Blackwater personnel if they are found to have committed crimes. However, a full investigation and prosecution will be difficult when all of the Blackwater guards – both in the vehicle convoy involved in the shooting and the helicopters above – were apparently given immunity by investigators from the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, an arm of the State Department. According to a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation said, "Once you give immunity, you can't take it away."

Although this matter has now been turned over from the State Department to the FBI, prosecutors will have to prove that any evidence they use in bringing charges against Blackwater guards was uncovered independently without using the guards' statements to Bureau of Diplomatic Security investigators. As any prosecutor knows, this is not impossible, but it is extremely difficult.

Because the decision to give immunity to Blackwater guards was a serious one and may potentially jeopardize any prosecution of those involved, I ask that you respond to the following questions:

1) Were you aware of the decision to provide immunity to Blackwater guards? If not, who made this decision?

2) Was the FBI or the Justice Department consulted before immunity was provided to Blackwater guards?

3) Do you agree with the decision to provide immunity to Blackwater guards?

I ask you to provide responses to these questions by November 6, 2007. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama
United States Senator

***************

My personal pick for VP would be Senator Jim Webb of VA - Webb: Commission on Wartime Contracting Will Move Forward In Expeditious Manner http://webb.senate.gov/

With these two patriots in the same Administration I think that the American people would have a real chance to stop the privatization of our military and other Government agencies such as influence in the CIA. We must do this soon and for this reason alone I would support Obama over McCain.

[HamdenRice]

14. Notice the dates!

Months ago. Hillary has indeed come late to this issue.

[peacebaby3]

13. K & R! Very informative. Thanks. n/t

[trashcanistanista]

16. K&R thank you

for pointing this out. I read Jeremy's book and it is one of the most frightening that have come out lately. I didn't know this about Obama.

[Zhade]

17. Clinton, lie? NEVER! Just because she's trying to cheat doesn't mean she can't be trusted!

:sarcasm:

[krkaufman]

18. Re: Gonzalez: JUAN GONZALEZ: "This is just after he got into the Senate, right?"

No, Juan. February of 2007... 2 years after Obama's Senate term began in Jan. 2005.