The Other Three Had a “Bad Attitude” (Blackwater/Iraqi Shootings)

[Demeter]

http://fanaticalapathy.com/2007/11/14/the-other-three-had-a-bad-attitude/

By Adam Felber on November 14, 2007 at 9:40 am

From The New York Times:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 — Federal agents investigating the Sept. 16 episode in which Blackwater
security personnel shot and killed 17 Iraqi civilians have found that at least 14 of the
shootings were unjustified and violated deadly-force rules in effect for security contractors
in Iraq, according to civilian and military officials briefed on the case.

The F.B.I. investigation into the shootings in Baghdad is still under way, but the findings,
which indicate that the company’s employees recklessly used lethal force, are already under
review by the Justice Department.

Prosecutors have yet to decide whether to seek indictments, and some officials have expressed
pessimism that adequate criminal laws exist to enable them to charge any Blackwater employee
with criminal wrongdoing…

Investigators found no evidence to support assertions by Blackwater employees that they were
fired upon by Iraqi civilians.

So… 17 dead, at least 14 of them “unjustifiably so.” Given that there’s “no evidence” of the Blackwater guys being fired upon, I’m not quite clear on what those other three did to deserve being shot dead. My guess is that it involves “criminal snarkiness.” Those Iraqis don’t realize that words can hurt just as badly as bullets. But they can. They can.

But aside from the three justifiable homicides, this will not stand! Those other guys must and WILL answer for their… hold it…

State Department Grants Immunity to Guards Investigated for Shooting Iraqi Civilians

October 30 - ABC News has learned the exact wording of the immunity deal the State Department
granted Blackwater security guards involved in a September shooting incident that left 17
Iraqis dead…

Now, before you all get your panties in a bunch over this, let me warn you that those liberals are going to try to use this as an opportunity to create a socialized military. Yes, you heard me. If they have their way, they will try to nationalize the defense industry, placing our well-being in the hands of government bureaucrats. I’m not kidding - that’s what they want. Rather than letting the marketplace determine who can and can’t shoot you, and when, they’d let the government decide.

Do we really want that? Really? Write your congressmen. Tell them you don’t need Big Government butting into military affairs.