What’s with Blackwater these days? Do you recall how Blackwater was involved in a shoot-out last September on the 17th at a Baghdad intersection that left 17 Iraqis dead? Do you recall how Iraq’s outrage and how American public outrage called for Blackwater’s dismissal from Iraq?

Background: I selected some items for a brief recap on Blackwater in Iraq from my original article, “Tell Me Blackwater Ain’t So, Ma,” posted October 25th, 2007 on b4b and from my other related comments.

The Brief Recap:

• I think this (news media stories) are a coverup of a coverup. Then comes a smooth-it-out job.
• …are they leaving or are not leaving Iraq? The U.S. is supposed to be into arranging departure terms….

• So are they going to stay or not? Time will tell, and that’s about what it is: timing this thing out so everyone forgets about it, especially the Iraqis.
• …four investigations, (including) the Department of State’s, the FBI investigation, Pentagon’s, even an Iraq’s investigation which found Blackwater Guilty as charged.

• a televised Congressional investigation … with Eric Prince, the head of Blackwater…
• ..20 minutes after the incident, the U.S. Army does an on-the-scene investigation; the “facts” are revealed 29 days later.

• (see cartoon on b4b re “Blackwater Interview” by Norman Jung posted October 25th, 2007.)
• Blackwater has protected journalists, visiting foreign officials (U.S. Congressmen and Senators) and U.S. military operations and military personnel, even General Petraeus. And thousands of construction projects in Iraq. –it earns mega bucks!

Results? The whole mess rattles Condoleezza Rice of the Department of State and Robert M. Gates of the Department of Defense but doesn‘t faze President/Commander-in-Chief George W. Bush a whit. And the appointed “War Czar” guy–?? And General Petraeus–??

Keywords: control? /Overwatch? /immunity /no U.S. charges /contract to lapse /license-to-kill revoked /withdrawal /Black Listed /….

The True results? What happened? Of course “they” did their cover-up and “they” did their smooth-it-out job. And with a little insider help from their outstanding PR people and with discreet lobbying, Blackwater stays in Iraq.

Blackwater’s contract was up for renewal this May, AND THEIR CONTRACT WAS RENEWED FOR ANOTHER YEAR. Blackwater goes back to the escort/guard business as usual in Iraq. Same old, same old. Good Gawk!

What happened to bids from other security firms? Someone was supposed to replace Blackwater. DynCorp or Triple Canopy? In the end, I suppose it was another no-bid arrangement for Blackwater.

Why? Why? Visiting diplomats and congressmen or women are aware that any travel in Baghdad could be sudden-death, a Deadman’s walking tour without Blackwater!

A question: Okay, so no one can replace the services of Blackwater which is composed of ex-Navy Seal men, but consider this: what about the Navy Seals guys already on Uncle Sam’s payroll? Say, a small group of Navy Seals for the elite diplomats and the visiting presidential wannabes. And say, other rent guards and escorts from some company other than Blackwater for the regular security work. Wouldn’t that work?

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