Blackwater is Cheney and Rumsfeld’s fantasy of a grand privatized and politicized military, unaccountable for all action, above the law, it seems, in all aspects and extremely secretive. The money exchange between the company and Republican officials and contracts keeps them each loyal to one another. It is the “fostering of the belief that violence must be used to further a peculiar ideology rather than defend a democracy.” Even during his internship with Bush Sr. Prince voiced discontent with his “liberal” policies, stating, “I saw a lot of things I didn’t agree with – homosexual groups being invited in, the budget agreement, the Clean Air Act, those kinds of bills. I think his administration has been indifferent to a lot of conservative concerns.” Prince is undoubtedly much happier with the next generation administration.
Daniel Callahan, who represents the families suing Blackwater has stated, “Blackwater is able to operate over there in Iraq free from any oversight that would typically exist in a civilized society. As we expose Blackwater in this case, it will also expose the inefficient and corrupt system that exists over there.”
When Presidential hopeful Barack Obama was asked about Blackwater, he stated that contractors are “operating with unclear lines of authority, out-of-control costs and virtually no oversight by congress. This black hole of accountability increases the danger to our troops and American civilians serving as contractors.”
It will be interesting to note the outcome of the lawsuits this company is facing, as they may be ground-breaking and precedent setting outcomes. The fact that this company is so huge, and so secretive and so well-funded by the Bush Administration should be of utmost concern. It is to all of our benefits to have the outcomes of these lawsuits and details of the sketchy contracts revealed to the American people, as we can’t fight against what most of us do not know even exists. The blatant use of this company sets a very terrifying scene for the future in this country.
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