Mishandled by the government on purpose to get their buddies at Blackwater off? Ha! Things like that don’t happen outside the movies. That’s crazy talk!
A federal judge has dismissed criminal charges against five guards working for the security firm Blackwater who were accused of killing 17 unarmed Iraqi civilians. The killings strained US-Iraq relations and sparked an outcry over the military’s use of private contractors.
Judge Ricardo Urbina said US Justice Department prosecutors improperly built their case on sworn statements that had been given under a promise of immunity. The judge did not rule on the substance of the charges against the security guards. As government contractors, the Blackwater employees were required to speak to an investigator after a shooting.
Judge Urbina said the use of these statements violated the defendants’ rights against compelled self-incrimination.
[…]
A Democratic congresswoman, Jan Schakowsky, who has in the past sponsored legislation that would prohibit the hire of private military contractors, said she was dismayed by the news. ”A question I’ve been asking for a long time is, ‘Can these private military contractors actually get away with murder?’ This indicates that the answer is yes.”The news of the dismissal prompted warnings in Bagdad that it could further damage US-Iraq relations.
Hopefully private security companies such as Blackwater will become powerful enough that we can hire them to protect us from the government. I’d like to have Blackwater personnel at my disposal, to fight off tax collectors and such. 😉
“..US Justice Department prosecutors improperly built their case on sworn statements that had been given under a promise of immunity.”
Oops! Must have attending a political rally the day the professor covered that. My bad.
This is the reason so many right wing nuts, such as Dick Cheney, don’t want the Guantanamo detainees tried in a proper court. They know all the evidence of any wrong doing would be tainted.
Ain’t it a bitch how the American Constitution works? Well, except for those who hate America.
Uncle Dave, are you suggesting this was an inside job? I thought I read that you don’t believe in conspiracy theories. Indeed I have read comments by you scoffing at 9/11 conspiracy facts and theories. But let’s examine this idea a bit… If no conspiracies ever happened anywhere, logically this would also mean that police detectives never uncover crimes involving more than one person. And that gangs don’t exist. And there are no mafias anywhere. And JFK was hit by magic bullets that stopped in mid-air and changed direction, instead of by CIA-funded assassins. And it would mean that 9/11 wasn’t perpetrated by the US security services after all, despite the mountain of evidence pointing to that, nor even by hijackers since that too would be a conspiracy.
This country is employing mercenaries to carry out policy under hidden black ops funding. It is an insult to all the vets that fought and died under our flag. In fact it is an insult to the Americans voters. We got blood on our hands by keeping electing these assholes because they delivery the pork to their districts.
If it takes an war to insure national security, then by God give them one. Pakistan is compromised by the Taliban. Both Pakistan and India has had shaky command and release authority on nuclear weapons. NATO is next to useless, they’ll shed some blood, but with minimal commitment. It would take several years to build up forces through a draft and rearm. Then a lot of people are going to die, and it would take a miracle to prevent release of WMD’s. Somebody better get a hold of some real diplomatic skills fast. Maybe we could just turn the weapons over to Israel and let them do it.
@4: You’re confusing me with Adam Curry. I don’t believe in ALL conspiracy theories.
It’s good to know our ruthless mercenaries are receiving proper legal council.
Anybody remember when we used to be the good guys? Or was that just John Wayne in some Hollywood propaganda flick?
@5
Blackwater has been active inside the USA as well.
But it’s not just them.
On Jesse Ventura’s TV show “Conspiracy Theory” it was revealed that 70% of the US spy budget is now going to private companies. So their profit levels are linked to the “terror threat level”. More fear, more profit.
#3-Mr Fusion-…Dick Cheney, don’t want the Guantanamo detainees tried in a proper court.
What are you blathering about?
If given the chance, each detainee would murder you where you stand.
OK, I have mixed feelings about that, but the smart thing to do is place them all in a plane (preferably Nancy Pelosi’s) and dump it in the Atlantic Ocean followed by a great big WHOOPS.
No one here paying any attention to the fact that the Justice Dept can refile charges within 90 days?
No Uncle Dave,
Not buddies of Blackwater but the same type of incompetent morons that are going to run the Gov Healthcare program you and your leftist buddies on here desperately want.
#9, Dr. Dudd,
Maybe now you are starting to understand the problem with evidence obtained improperly. Because Cheney screwed the pooch with his torturing, how much evidence is fabricated?
Oh, you don’t care if innocent people are tortured into saying something untrue. You don’t care if innocents are jailed or even executed. No, in your little screwed up world, the bad guys are anyone YOU don’t like and are expected to be dealt with summarily.
And you denied advocating genocide earlier?
#12-Mr Fussion
All right then. After the trial and the detainees are found innocent then they can all come live with you.
Problem solved.
Two thoughts came to me after reading this story.
“Judge Ricardo Urbina said US Justice Department prosecutors improperly built their case on sworn statements that had been given under a promise of immunity.”
But, wait, isn’t that what Jack Bauer does at least once an episode? And, after he gets the information, the people are either screwed or killed off by the big bad so problem solved.
And second, along those same lines, we can’t use statements that had been given under a promise of immunity, but we can use statements that are given under duress or torture? So that was the mistake, we should have just waterboarded these guys instead of telling them everything would be ok?
#13, Dr. Dudd,
I’m already paying for their keep because of like minded creeps like you. What’s wrong with your house, would your elderly mother object?
This is bullshit. You can make the statements inadmissible without throwing out the case.
#15-Mr Fussion
I presented my solution, but for some reason you want to treat these put-upon murderers like they were picked up watching the Rose Bowl Parade.
Yes, your home is perfect for these guests from the Middle East. Seeing up close what they are really like would shatter the rose colored glass around your liberal world.
Apparently Iraq will appeal the verdict.
#3 You may be correct in which case the present administration is going to look like worse incompetents than they already do.
Blackwater is rotten, but they are but one of many similarly immune mercenary companies.
Erik Prince, scumbag though he is, is right in claiming his organization is being singled out.
The money will now go to other companies who the media never mentions.
And it’s all on your dime.