'Our blood is cheaper than water': Iraqis' anger over Trump pardons

[sabra]

Source: The Guardian

Joe Biden to be lobbied to reverse Trump decision to pardon security guards jailed over massacre

Iraqis have reacted with outrage to Donald Trump’s move to pardon four security guards from the security firm Blackwater who had been jailed for a 2007 massacre that sparked an outcry over the use of mercenaries in war.

The four men were part of a security convoy that fired on civilians at a central Baghdad roundabout, killing 14 people including a nine-year old child and wounding many more.

The four guards – Paul Slough, Evan Liberty, Dustin Heard and Nicholas Slatten – opened fire indiscriminately with machine guns, grenade launchers and a sniper on a crowd of unarmed people at a roundabout, known as Nisour Square.

The killings were one of the lowest points of the US-led invasion of Iraq, and the convictions had been seen by many Iraqis as a rare occasion where US citizens had been held to account for atrocities committed during the aftermath. Baghdad residents who spoke to the Guardian described the outgoing US president’s announcement as a “cruel slap” and an insult.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/23/our-blood-is-cheaper-than-water-iraqis-anger-over-trump-pardons

[exboyfil]

1. Extradite them to Iraq

Probably couldn't get it done, but they should have been tried in Iraq anyway.

[Eugene]

8. They are immune.

Contractors were immune under the Status of Forces Agreement in effect at the time.

It was up to the United States to bring American criminals there to justice.

[hlthe2b]

2. I wish he COULD overturn them. It is way past time for some limits to be set on pardons.

and those were absolutely horrifying.

[LiberalLovinLug]

3. "Joe Biden to be lobbied to reverse Trump decision to pardon security guards"

I didn't think this was possible.

If it was, and Trump got Pence to pardon him, or pardoned himself, Biden could simply reverse it. If that is possible, you'd think the MSM would have been all over that.

[karynnj]

4. I don't think it is either - unless there were other charges not charged for other war crimes they

did.

What I also wonder is whether the ICC could charge them because of what Trump did. I know the US is not in the ICC, but it seems likely these guys may travel. Could they be arrested outside the US?

[PoliticAverse]

5. In a Supreme Court case the ruling was a pardon could be reversed until the point it was actually

delivered to the recipient.

[Turin_C3PO]

11. Yeah,

I don’t think Biden has the option to reverse the pardon. Presidential pardon rights are very clearly spelled out in our constitution. I support pardon power, in general, but it’s clearly being abused by Trump. I don’t know what we can do though.

[keithbvadu2]

6. The Trump legacy... war crimes are ok when done by America.

In the long run, Trump will be gone and it will be: 'America condones war crimes'.

Whenever America brings up enemy war crimes, they will have a ready-made response.

The Trump legacy... war crimes are ok when done by America.

Donald has given them a strong propaganda tool.

[Initech]

7. Yup - Family Guy nailed it.

[llashram]

10. total, complete

Last edited Sun Dec 27, 2020, 12:46 AM - Edit history (1)

racist travesty by a sitting POTUS. The story after the father opened the door to the car after Blackwater mercenaries opened upon it and his child fell out, "his brains spilling out at his father's feet". Many more enemies made with these pardons.