tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.comments2023-05-30T05:01:44.848-04:00Blackwater FactsStandishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090424171740692709noreply@blogger.comBlogger230125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-31685228544811941122009-02-19T10:50:00.000-05:002009-02-19T10:50:00.000-05:00I agree! We have to remember, though, that Blackwa...I agree! <BR/><BR/>We have to remember, though, that Blackwater or Xe are contractual servants of the US government. The government calls the shots (even if it lets the contractors take the fall). The State Department controls the Iraq diplomatic security contract, and it hasn't decided whether or not to issue it to Xe or to any other entity. Nobody will know until the officials decide, so everybody will be on pins and needles until then.<BR/><BR/>Blackwater has done its best to stand by its people, and has provided a lot of support that get no publicity. I don't see why things would be any different under Xe. But you are right - the company needs to do what it can to reassure the security contractors and their families. Let's see how things play out.Standishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06090424171740692709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-30096361617662799932009-02-17T14:46:00.000-05:002009-02-17T14:46:00.000-05:00A new name and branding sounds like a great new wa...A new name and branding sounds like a great new way for BW to get out from under the unfair stereo type of rogue ex-warriors on the rampage at home and abroad with more advanced weaponry than our own military. <BR/>NOW, it sure would be nice for "Xe" to have a heart-to-heart with it's contractors in Iraq who have, along with Blackwater, suffered unfair criticism and public outcrys for their heads to be delivered on a platter to Iraqi civilians. Unfortunately, to date, the only news my family (and all the other BW contractors' families) have heard about the fate of their contracts have been from main stream media...the SAME main stream media that has forced BW's hand to change the name! How pathetically ironic! <BR/>It really would be nice, especially considering the state of our economy, if "Xe" would not keep it's current Blackwater contractors in the dark about their future come May 6. Surely "Xe" hasn't so soon forgotten the men and women who have worked so hard and willingly been so harshly scrutinized to make this company the company it is today! <BR/>What Say YOU Standish?<BR/>~PROUD BLACKWATER Spouse~Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-52063675666259716212009-02-17T10:59:00.000-05:002009-02-17T10:59:00.000-05:00Glad you found the terminology interesting. A guy ...Glad you found the terminology interesting. A guy who calls himself "Pap" and labels his own smear as a "Pap Attack" is just begging for a rejoinder. Especially because "pap" is also a synonym for "nonsense." <BR/><BR/>The Princeton dictionary defines "pap" as "worthless or oversimplified ideas." Pap can also mean a bland paste or porridge, like pabulum or pablum, which are yet further synonyms for worthless chatter. Lighten up!Standishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06090424171740692709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-85563973190843179302009-02-14T15:23:00.000-05:002009-02-14T15:23:00.000-05:00Isn't that interesting you use such interesting te...Isn't that interesting you use such interesting terminology, pap smear isn't that an annual medical procedure for females only. Along with ultrasound or mamogram? Unless it is completely necessary I don't suggest those so called medical procedures be done. What type of annual male procedures do they suggest, I have some if they're not in place.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-17164352952520493622009-02-12T07:51:00.000-05:002009-02-12T07:51:00.000-05:00This is a good article, well grounded in facts and...This is a good article, well grounded in facts and laid out in a logical rebuttal. I'd like to see more of the same.<BR/><BR/>I passionately support BW although I have the objectivity and moral courage to have been critical of some of their decisions. It's important to differentiate between isolated events where a company's employees make mistakes and painting the the entire organization with the same broad brush. This is where the journos really drop the ball. They take the easy way out and just make the corollary between the actions of a few and the org as a whole. <BR/><BR/>As you rightly point out the word 'mercenary' is a loaded term even though it actually has a clear and specific definition, legally speaking. It's reckless and irresponsible to use that word unless it is warranted. In the case of BW specifically or in contractors in Iraq generally we do not meet that definition. Period. <BR/><BR/>I just want to commend you for this article as it is a balanced and logical argument and not the typical 'hair on fire' stuff I see in defense of BW...at all costs and with no level of objectivity. No org is perfect, not BW, not Triple Canopy, not DynCorp and by the way not GE, Siemens, Kraft, Exxon, GM, Ford, certainly not Bank of America, CitiGroup, etc, etc. The point is not that firms or their employees won't make mistakes its how will the org respond to those mistakes when (not if) they are made. That is the hallmark of a well lead organization. <BR/><BR/>SF<BR/><BR/>JakeJakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07884597076606569906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-87567996598394637122009-02-08T14:05:00.000-05:002009-02-08T14:05:00.000-05:00Thanks for posting this kind of stuff, it's apprec...Thanks for posting this kind of stuff, it's appreciated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-32396490996094091982009-01-27T10:17:00.000-05:002009-01-27T10:17:00.000-05:00Somebady should sent this link to Mr. Papantonio.h...Somebady should sent this link to Mr. Papantonio.<BR/><BR/>http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/detail/65322.html<BR/><BR/>(Yes, a UN website)<BR/><BR/>There he will find this paragraph from Mr Jose Luis Gomez del Prado (UN's Working Group on Mercenaries):<BR/><BR/>"Gomez: For instance in Iraq, even with the definition, even if the US had been a state party to the Convention by the mere fact that in the definition it states that the mercenary has to be from another country, US citizens cannot be taken as mercenaries. So it is extremely difficult and this is why we have engaged in this process of proposing to the international community something that is additional to the International Convention on Mercenarism."<BR/><BR/>But I am pretty sure that this time a statement from a UN's official won't be enough for the journos...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-76829094000313931232009-01-27T06:23:00.000-05:002009-01-27T06:23:00.000-05:00He sure didnt mind when BW was protecting him in A...He sure didnt mind when BW was protecting him in Afghanistan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-49693287534029695652009-01-25T15:38:00.000-05:002009-01-25T15:38:00.000-05:00Outstanding rebuttal to Sizemore's article. I cou...Outstanding rebuttal to Sizemore's article. I couldn't have said it better myself. The sea war during the Revolutionary War, in which we used privateers to a great extent, is little talked about. Thanks for bringing it up, and it would be interested to see what Bill has to say after this one. Cheers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-90643689151611262092009-01-13T18:09:00.000-05:002009-01-13T18:09:00.000-05:00yes its about time now people can leave them alone...yes its about time now people can leave them alone. people in blackwater dont kill for the fun of<BR/>it they know what there doing and why there doing it. yes i hope you guys get off safe for sure and they<BR/>dont disrespect you again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-10213547438626291102009-01-12T16:42:00.000-05:002009-01-12T16:42:00.000-05:00I agree with Toby also--Until you have your facts ...I agree with Toby also--Until you have your facts straight you should spout off --Mercenaries are in it for money--to the highest bidder--that's not the case (at all ) with contractors <BR/><BR/>Blackwater employees pay their own taxes, medical care(they are only covered by health care while they are working on the job--not on leave--and they dont' get paid leave), they make their own plans for retirement. People think that you make money in this job--YOU DON'T --It's just like any other job -Only you have to pray that you have bought your family enough life insurance to see them through if something happens to you --cause you have to pay for that too--<BR/>When you figure out how much money you spend so that you can work--It almost make sence to just come home and work where you won't get shot at --so the only thing that makes it worth it is honor and a drive to serve those in need. <BR/><BR/><BR/>These men are heros--to their country, to the people that they protect, to their families--Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-36098122120194895802009-01-12T16:04:00.000-05:002009-01-12T16:04:00.000-05:00Funny that the article mentions --Santa clause is ...Funny that the article mentions --Santa clause is coming to town playing in the kiosk--I guess that they can be thankful they can celebrate Christmas publically in their Muslim country. <BR/><BR/>They hate Americans, Hate Blackwater but love all the things that we have and represent--Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-34110202240000516312009-01-02T00:22:00.000-05:002009-01-02T00:22:00.000-05:00Bless this man, who deserves far more than this de...Bless this man, who deserves far more than this desicration of who he is. shame on anyone who thinks less... He will prevail and be proven innocentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-81256129838852352212008-12-28T00:35:00.000-05:002008-12-28T00:35:00.000-05:00TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:This is a copy of an email ...TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:<BR/>This is a copy of an email I just recived from my fiance, thought it might interset you...<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>In case you want to send to the folks over there<BR/><BR/>Since United States military operations in Iraq began in 2003, I have visited Iraq at least 15 times. But unlike politicians who visit, the question for me has never been why the U.S. got into Iraq. Instead, as the CEO of Blackwater, the urgent question was how the company I head could perform the duties asked of us by the U.S. State Department.<BR/><BR/>Last week the Department of Justice announced charges against six Blackwater security guards for a shooting incident in Baghdad in September 2007. But before the histories are written, it is crucial to understand the often mischaracterized role of security contractors in this unique war.<BR/><BR/>In Iraq, State Department civilians and U.S. soldiers have been operating in the same location in an active war zone. While the troops have been facing insurgents, the State Department civilians have been working to rebuild institutions and infrastructure. Blackwater's role in this war evolved from this unprecedented dynamic. The government saw a need for highly experienced, highly trained Americans to protect our civilians abroad, and so it selected Blackwater.<BR/><BR/>Every individual who has worked for Blackwater in Iraq has previously served in the U.S. military or as a police officer. Many were highly decorated. And from the beginning, these individuals have been bound by detailed contracts that ensure intensive government direction and control.<BR/><BR/>The U.S. government sets comprehensive standards for the selection and training of security guards. Blackwater's competitively awarded contract contains dozens of pages detailing requirements for each position and specifying hour-by-hour training for each individual. This is all before they set foot in Iraq.<BR/><BR/>I have seen firsthand how the security environment has vacillated considerably since 2003, when I would ride around Baghdad in thin-skinned vehicles rather than the military armored personnel carriers that soon became necessary amid the growing threat of roadside attacks. While still extraordinarily dangerous, the situation in Iraq has improved significantly since the time of the September 2007 shooting incident in Nisour Square.<BR/><BR/>According to a Department of Defense report to Congress, from mid-June to mid-July 2007 -- the time frame that preceded the September 2007 shooting incident -- Baghdad experienced an average of 43 attacks per day, more than double the attacks in any other province. During the week before the Nisour Square incident, one of Blackwater's helicopters was shot down, a separate team came under fire from armed insurgents, and a third team survived a roadside bomb. Even amidst such an aggressive and ubiquitous enemy, Blackwater's incident reports during that time period show that personnel discharged their weapons less than one half of one percent of the time.<BR/><BR/>Then and now, Blackwater personnel encounter myriad potential or actual hostile acts on a daily basis. Enemies attack with rocket- propelled grenades, sniper fire and car bombs. Responding to these attacks often requires split-second decisions, and so Blackwater's contracts include detailed rules for the use of force. Our teams operate under a government-prescribed process that involves a series of visual and audible signals to distinguish between approaching civilian motorists and insurgents attempting to get close enough to a convoy to ignite a car bomb.<BR/><BR/>The U.S. government currently has criminal jurisdiction over Blackwater and any other contractor accused of wrongdoing. In announcing indictments this week, Jeffrey A. Taylor, United States Attorney for the District of Columbia said, "It bears emphasis that today's indictment is very narrow in its allegations. Six individual Blackwater guards have been charged with unjustified shootings on September 16, 2007, not the entire Blackwater organization in Baghdad. There were 19 Blackwater guards on the Raven 23 team that day at Nisour Square. Most acted professionally, responsibly, and honorably. Indeed this indictment should not be read as an accusation against any of those brave men and women who risk their lives as Blackwater security contractors."<BR/><BR/>One of these brave people is Derrick Wright. In April 2007, a rocket tore through the Baghdad living quarters where Blackwater personnel were sleeping. Fortunately, no one was killed. But many were seriously injured, including Mr. Wright, a West Point graduate, Army Ranger and father of three. He suffered grave injuries when a portion of his skull was shattered in the attack.<BR/><BR/>Stabilized in the Green Zone, Mr. Wright was airlifted to a hospital in Europe where his prognosis was bleak. When Mr. Wright's wife arrived, she found her husband coming out of brain surgery and described him as a man who "had one foot in this world and one out." He has since shown remarkable progress after extensive physical therapy, a cranioplasty to repair damage to his skull, and many other procedures.<BR/><BR/>Derrick Wright and the other team members injured that day were not in Iraq to fight the war. Just like every Blackwater professional who makes the trip to Iraq, they were putting their lives at risk each day to protect U.S. Department of State officials and other civilians working in the country. Yet somehow that role and the part they play in this war have been grossly misunderstood.<BR/><BR/>While some of our critics seize upon inaccurate labels, I doubt they have ever known one of our contractors personally or been protected by them. Our teams are not cooking meals or moving supplies. They are taking bullets. They are military veterans who have chosen to serve their country once again. Very few people know someone who would voluntarily go into a war zone to protect a person he has never met. I know 1,000 of them, and I am proud that they are part of our team.<BR/><BR/>---Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-64474003144492175862008-12-25T15:29:00.000-05:002008-12-25T15:29:00.000-05:00I agree with Toby9318 regarding anonymous and it's...I agree with Toby9318 regarding anonymous and it's uninformed view of what the truth is. I am a personal Friend of Art and worked with him back in the 80's as a fellow instructor. I recently was able to pay tribute on this Memorial Day to Art and fellow operators that I beleave are the unsung heros of past, present and future battles that we ingage everyday. Guardian337Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-38581660395901854282008-12-19T14:41:00.000-05:002008-12-19T14:41:00.000-05:00Standish,This is unrelated to Evan but I wanted yo...Standish,<BR/><BR/>This is unrelated to Evan but I wanted you to see the information that has FINALLY been released in the AP regarding the radio transcripts from Sept 2007. I think you will find it interesting that the prosecutors have had access to this information and have still pursued heinous charges against the men for political purposes.<BR/><BR/>Regards!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-67974380353173192982008-12-15T02:32:00.000-05:002008-12-15T02:32:00.000-05:00'How progressive!'very to the point, in my opinion...'How progressive!'<BR/><BR/>very to the point, in my opinion! I see so many radical and ignorant comments below every video on youtube.com concerned with BW, that I am astonished people are so quick to forget the crimes committed for so-called Progress as they set about attacking so-called 'reactionaries'!<BR/><BR/>keep up the good work, it is nice to know there are other articulate AMERICANS.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-13923768480603389782008-12-12T11:40:00.000-05:002008-12-12T11:40:00.000-05:00As far back as April, Schakowsky has been sucking ...As far back as April, Schakowsky has been sucking up to Blago(Chicago Sun-Times) to get the senate seat that BO had to give up. She's just another socialist witch with a corrupt husband. So, what did she know and when did she know it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-31096241737475500262008-12-11T23:55:00.000-05:002008-12-11T23:55:00.000-05:00There's no way this man can be guilty of what they...There's no way this man can be guilty of what they have said he is guilty of. A decorated veteran is not just going to go haywire and gun down innocent civilians. God bless this man and his family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-54089613856718035372008-12-10T10:30:00.000-05:002008-12-10T10:30:00.000-05:00Standish,Thank you for helping inform the public o...Standish,<BR/>Thank you for helping inform the public on who these five brave men REALLY are! The statements of support by people who actually know these men and can account for their character is overwhelming. <BR/>Now, many of us would like to have the sixth "sell-out's" bio and character witness statements as well! Who is this mysterious man who has either lied to the DOS at the onset of the investigation or is lying to the DOJ now to CYA!?<BR/>It is only fair to give this man facetime as well and let the American and Iraqi people see just who this 'man' really is. Where are his statements? Have they been released by the DOS or DOJ? Where is this man now residing? Has he paid his debt ot society yet for what he says HE did in Baghdad? What do his parents, siblings, former teachers/coaches, and employees say about HIS character? It is not fair to make all this information public about these five and shield the one who is the accuser!<BR/>If he stands behind his statement he must feel he's done the 'right thing'. Let him be put on display for the general public to form opinions regarding his character and actions as well!<BR/>Thanks!Tim~Caree~Sadie~Gavinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02292448479936505460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-38469381194220365532008-12-09T17:08:00.000-05:002008-12-09T17:08:00.000-05:00I wish the best for them, and I hope that the lega...I wish the best for them, and I hope that the legal team can protect the ICs against a bunch of burocrats who are prosecuting them for doing their job protecting diplomats in the most dangerous city in the world.<BR/><BR/>Maybe they can use the video that an Iraqi filmed and distributed via Youtube, it shows that Nisoor Square was filled with Iraqi "cops" and that only one car was left in flames. And of course no images of those 34 killed and injured civilians, only Iraqi cops hanging around with their weapons and vehicles.<BR/><BR/>http://www.intelpage.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=772&p=7764#p7764Oveja Negrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10171304589136047973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-67812064569229045792008-12-08T08:57:00.000-05:002008-12-08T08:57:00.000-05:00Have you heard of any 'defense fund' or any organi...Have you heard of any 'defense fund' or any organization that is helping these contractors fight the indictments? <BR/><BR/>I have linked to your postings and would like to be able to help these guys out if possible.<BR/><BR/>http://bearcreekledger.com/2008/12/08/justice-shoehorning-the-facts-to-indict-blackwater-contractors/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-75715051729064320642008-12-08T00:52:00.000-05:002008-12-08T00:52:00.000-05:00I'm not sure where anonymous gets his/her/its fact...I'm not sure where anonymous gets his/her/its facts but until you actually know a contractor, it's best not to discuss the money side of the equation. Blackwater contracts run for 60-80 days with 30 days back in the states. The 30 days off is without pay. The contractor is responsible for all taxes just like anyone else who is self employed. There is no medical coverage or tax free status. And by the way, mercenaries perform a combat function. Blackwater provides personal security for diplomatic personnel. I doubt the woman who was protected on January 23, 2007 and survived to go home to her family is dickering about titles such as "mercenary or war profiteer". So shut your pie hole and whine about something else.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-51775032842437748762008-12-07T03:12:00.000-05:002008-12-07T03:12:00.000-05:00A pleasure! Great idea for the post. I'll put up s...A pleasure! Great idea for the post. I'll put up something soon. Stay tuned.Standishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06090424171740692709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008211204955877187.post-62683320588116934592008-12-06T14:38:00.000-05:002008-12-06T14:38:00.000-05:00Standish,I am proud to say, My husband is a member...Standish,<BR/>I am proud to say, My husband is a member of BW. We have been following this ridiculous case of injustice aimed at BW heroes whom the DOJ is now using as scapegoats. Our family & friends are wondering what we can do to show our support for our BW Brothers during this time? I appreciate your efforts on this blog and you have many spouses who follow your work. Now it is time for us to put our money where our mouth is and stand up for our members by showing our support with a spirit of solidarity for these men and their families'. I know how draining it is to have to constantly defend my husband and the work he does for BW because the general public believes everything they hear from 'news' reports. It's not an easy task thanks to the biased media. I can't imagine what these family members are facing in terms of criticism and unfair judgement at this time. Please create a post letting us know who we can contact, what we can do, where we can be and when in order to show our brothers and their families that we support them 100%.<BR/>Thanks Again for Your Efforts!Tim~Caree~Sadie~Gavinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02292448479936505460noreply@blogger.com