Founded to Save Lives

Touring Blackwater's sprawling headquarters in North Carolina, Washington Times columnist John McCaslin captures the paradox between the company's image and the reality of its existence. He quotes from a Blackwater official:

"'Blackwater is defined in the press, and by extension the public, by two events that resulted in the loss of human life. The first, Fallujah, resulted in the loss of four Blackwater lives. The second, on 16 September 2007, resulted in the loss of 17 Iraqi lives.

"'The irony here is that it is a company that was founded and exists to save lives. Everything done is in the interest of safety: training troops to defend themselves; building armored personnel carriers to keep troops alive in battle; building airships for surveillance to detect the bad guys; teaching cops how to effectively and safely rescue a hostage; helping people in executive-protection roles avoid an ambush in a vehicle; building an aviation division capable of performing rescue missions in war zones and natural disasters. The list goes on.

"'My point is that the press quantifies the loss of life, but fails to account for the sparing of life because of Blackwater. In Katrina alone, 128 people were pulled to safety before a contract was ever awarded. In more than 20,000 diplomatic missions, no one protected by Blackwater has ever even been seriously injured.'"

(Pictured: Three American missionaries joyfully celebrate their Blackwater rescue from Islamist extremists in Kenya.)

State Department cannot account for camera denial

The State Department is having trouble telling reporters why it denied Blackwater's request in 2005 that the company be allowed to mount cameras on its diplomatic security vehicles. The security people wanted the cameras to record their movements on the streets and to chronicle any attacks or possible misconduct.

According to the Washington Times, "Asked why the department had rejected Blackwater's request, spokesman Tom Casey said on Thursday [October 19]: 'I have no reason to believe that actually occurred. ... I've never heard that that idea was ever proposed.'

"Later that day, a Blackwater official said the company had received an indication from DS that Mr. Casey's remark would be 'corrected.' Mr. Casey was given an opportunity to do that on Friday, but said he had nothing to add to what he had said the day before."

President Bush praises Blackwater's service

The day after Blackwater CEO Erik Prince noted the State Department's lack of defense of his company, President George W. Bush praised the firm to reporters.

At an October 17 White House news conference, the president said he is awaiting an analysis of the diplomatic security provider's performance, but as the Washington Times reports, he quickly added his own personal praise.

"I will tell you, though, that a firm like Blackwater provides a valuable service," said President Bush. "They protect people's lives, and I appreciate the sacrifice and service that the Blackwater employees have made."

The Associated Press also carries the president's supportive comments.

Blackwater chief won't let Iraq arrest his men

Standing by his embattled men in Iraq, Blackwater CEO Erik Prince tells the Washington Times that he will not allow Iraqi authorities to arrest his people there.

"We will not let our people be taken by the Iraqis," Prince tells the papers reporters and editors.

"In an ideal sense, if there was wrongdoing, there could be a trial brought in the Iraqi court system. But that would imply that there is a valid Iraqi court system where Westerners could get a fair trial. That is not the case right now," Prince said.

While defending his people until all the facts are in about the September 16 tragedy at Nisoor Square, Prince has acknowledged the possibility of misconduct on the part of some of the guards. He is presuming them innocent until proven guilty. He has not been reticent in the past to fire personnel for misconduct (even for having dirty weapons or un-approved scopes), and has turned over some suspected of crimes to federal authorities.

Is the State Department plotting to sell out its guards?

It looks like some weak-hearted State Department officials are preparing to betray their very own bodyguards who protected them successfully on more than 16,500 missions.

The Washington Times reports that Blackwater CEO Erik Prince "accused the State Department of not coming to the company's defense despite Blackwater's fullfilling every part of its contract and never having lost a State Department client in years of protecting them.

Here's the big clue that a sellout is in the works: silence from the cleverlings.

"'For the last week and a half we have heard nothing from the State Department,' said Mr. Prince. 'From their senior levels, their PR folks, we've heard nothing — radio silence.'

"'It is disappointing for us. We have performed to the line, letter and verse of their 1000-page contract,' he said. 'Our guys take significant risk for them. They've taken a pounding these last three years.'"