Survivor Recalls Blackwater Shootings

[kurth]

Survivor Recalls Blackwater Shootings
By BUSHRA JUHI – 4 hours ago

BAGHDAD (AP) — Lawyer Hassan Jabir was stuck in traffic when he heard Blackwater USA security contractors shout "Go, Go, Go." Moments later bullets pierced his back, he said Thursday from his hospital bed. Jabir was among about a dozen people wounded Sunday during the shooting in west Baghdad's Mansour neighborhood. Iraqi police say at least 11 people were killed. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki described the shooting as a "crime" by Blackwater, a N.C.-based company that guards American diplomats and civilian officials in Iraq.

"No one fired at them," Jabir said of the Blackwater guards. "No one attacked them but they randomly fired at people. So many people died in the street."... Jabir, whose left arm and chest were bandaged, said he was driving toward the Ministry of Justice when he found the road clogged with traffic. He saw several armored vehicles with armed guards on the roofs parked ahead of the traffic jam. Three black SUVs were behind them. "After 20 minutes, the Americans told us to turn back," he said. "They shouted 'Go' 'Go' 'Go.'... When we started turning back, the Americans began shooting heavily at us. The traffic policeman was the first person killed."

The shooting set off a panic, Jabir said, with men, women and children diving from their vehicles, trying desperately to crawl to safety. "But many of them were killed," he said. "I saw a 10-year-old boy jump in fear from one of the minibuses. He was shot in his head. His mother jumped after him and was also killed." Suddenly, Jabir felt two bullets strike his back — one pierced his left lung and the other lodged in his intestines. "I kept on driving my car because if I left it, I would die," he said. "Then I was hit with two other bullets, one in my right hand and the second in my right shoulder just under the neck. ... I was rescued by Iraqi special forces" who rushed to the area.

"I swear to God that they were not exposed to any fire," Jabir said of the Blackwater guards. "They are criminals and thirst for blood."...

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hmrLJfBttBSuJiT0K5tiQvlB47dA

[malaise]

1. WTF

It's going to get real ugly.

[scarface2004]

2. they are criminals with a thirst for blood!!

that's why they got torched and strung up from a bridge in fallujah. they got what they so richly deserved.

[YOY]

5. Of course they were only called "contractors" when they happened

So the emotional/logical connection of viewers at home would associate them with plumbers, roofers, or outside accountants.

Not "psycho f***ing mercenaries with chips on their shoulders"...a slightly better and more accurate title.

[TornadoTN]

9. Psycho is right

There's a family (i use the term loosely) where I used to live that were employee's of Blackwater. The father and the two sons were crazy extremist types, always talking about survivalism and their guns they were storing in their "compound" since it was only a matter of time before the government came after them (according to them). They kept their house surrounded by guard dogs and razor wire - imagine growing up like this. I used to drive by it every day on the way to school and marvel at all of the equipment that they had on their property. Scary people all around - they were well known for just being brutally disgusting in their visions of violence towards people and animals. Add to it that they were Jesus freaks.

Sometime in early 2001, the oldest son took a job with Blackwater and the other's followed right behind them. They wore their BDU's and Blackwater T-shirts everywhere, always with a gun around their waist or leg. A buddy of mine has told me that some of the stuff they have openly spoke about having happened in Iraq would make anyones blood curdle. I can believe it, as I imagine all of Blackwater to be filled with these types.

[YOY]

12. Only a matter of time before they start pushing us around

Personally, anyone who doesn't have a badge or is a member of the armed forces and that waves a gun about like an authority figure should be open target.

[FreakinDJ]

3. They punish US troops for War Crimes - what about Blackwater

I'm going to enjoy watch Cheney trying to defend this group

[Tom Joad]

4. Will you get 70 Senators to condemn Blackwater? Even 15?

do i hear 5? 5 honest senators?

[TheUniverse]

7. Bingo.

The Senate has more important things to do than condemn legitimate political speech.

[EFerrari]

6. We have to be the memory of what has happened.

Because we will have no peace without justice and our government doesn't care about either.

[klyon]

8. immune from prosecution

can't touch them
soon to be in a neighborhood near you

[appal_jack]

10. i know that's the RW talking point but....

If you read Article 1 of the Constitution (part of Section 7 posted below, but of course the parenthetical comments are mine - the rest is the US Constitution as posted at http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.articlei.html#section7)it says that Congress has the power :

To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against the law of nations;

(i.e.- Congress can and SHOULD prosecute Blackwater for their crimes)

To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water;

(i.e.- enough about this 'Unitary Executive' shit)

To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years;

(i.e.- since Congress is using OUR tax dollars to raise and support Blackwater, they are subject to all oversight and discipline)

To provide and maintain a navy;

To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces;

(ditto)

To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

(end of quoted section of our beloved Constitution)

So Congress, DO YOUR FUCKING JOB!!!!

-app

[appal_jack]

11. k&r

As an American citizen (and North Carolinian), i am deeply ashamed that these crimes are committed in our name...

-app