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HiPointDem

(20,729 posts)
Tue Jul 2, 2013, 01:13 AM Jul 2013

No, Monsanto actually DIDN'T buy Blackwater.

So easily debunked I don't know why the OP saying the opposite hasn't been corrected.

1. Academi (the latest new name for Blackwater) is a privately held company. Monsanto is a publicly held company that trades on the stock exchange, which means if Monsanto owned Academi, that would be stated publicly, in their official documents, annual reports, etc. It's not.

2. There's no representation on Academi's board from anyone connected to Monsanto, which would be unusual if Monsanto owned Academi.

3. Sourcewatch says that Academi is owned by two private equity firms, Forte Capital Advisers & Manhattan Growth Partners, at least one of which has ties to Blackwater founder eric prince.

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Academi#Leadership_and_Ownership

4. Here's an article debunking the story & explaining it as a product of the internet rumor mill:

http://redgreenandblue.org/2010/10/16/too-much-of-a-bad-thing-monsanto-did-not-buy-blackwater/

5. Most tellingly, there is NO evidence WHATSOEVER in the article titled "Yes Monsanto actually DID buy the Blackwater Mercenary Group" that supports that title. The article says HIRED Blackwater, not that it bought it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023138368#post29

There is a false claim that "Jeremy Scahill revealed" Blackwater was sold to Monsanto, but that misrepresents what Scahill reported in the Nation, which was, again, that Monsanto had HIRED blackwater, not bought it.

“One of the most incendiary details in the documents is that Blackwater, through Total Intelligence, sought to become the “intel arm” of Monsanto, offering to provide operatives to infiltrate activist groups organizing against the multinational biotech firm.”

Just putting this up because the OP has not yet corrected his post or even addressed the evidence against the claim from other posters.

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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No, Monsanto actually DIDN'T buy Blackwater. (Original Post) HiPointDem Jul 2013 OP
Thank you. silverweb Jul 2013 #1
so monsanto is hiring "mercenaries" to sabotage anti-monsanto groups. does this include murder? nt msongs Jul 2013 #2
that's a different and more interesting question. it actually makes more sense that monsanto HiPointDem Jul 2013 #3
It's an unholy alliance, either way. silverweb Jul 2013 #4
I'm all for accuracy in reporting shit that we need to be pissed off about Scootaloo Jul 2013 #5
It's those Goddam contractors... bluedeathray Jul 2013 #6
kick HiPointDem Jul 2013 #7
kick HiPointDem Jul 2013 #8
No, Monsanto actually DIDN'T buy Blackwater. eggy1943 Mar 2016 #9

silverweb

(16,402 posts)
1. Thank you.
Tue Jul 2, 2013, 01:18 AM
Jul 2013

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]I found that OP very alarming initially, but because I couldn't confirm it in any semi-mainstream, reputable source, I was skeptical.

Thanks very much for taking the time to research this and post the correct information.

 

HiPointDem

(20,729 posts)
3. that's a different and more interesting question. it actually makes more sense that monsanto
Tue Jul 2, 2013, 01:32 AM
Jul 2013

would *hire* blackwater rather than buy it. if they owned it, no arms-length relationship so monsanto would be responsible if there were a scandal.

the point of all these subcontracting relationships is so there's no oversight & no culpability if anything goes wrong/comes to public attention.

silverweb

(16,402 posts)
4. It's an unholy alliance, either way.
Tue Jul 2, 2013, 01:40 AM
Jul 2013

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]But I found it at least slightly comforting that one isn't owned by the other.

eggy1943

(1 post)
9. No, Monsanto actually DIDN'T buy Blackwater.
Thu Mar 17, 2016, 12:57 PM
Mar 2016

The question is Monsanto Responsibility. They may not have bought "Blackwater" but they hired them and directed their actions. Monsanto hired the gun then directed the fire. Monsanto is responsible for everything Blackwater did under their contract.

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