Heat Builds On Blackwater: Congresswoman Moves To Ban Private Security Contractors

[babylonsister]

Heat Builds On Blackwater: Congresswoman Moves To Ban Private Security Contractors
Michael Roston

November 1, 2007 01:22 PM


The congressional vice-grip is tightening on Blackwater and other contracted defense firms.

Next Wednesday, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) will introduce legislation to phase out the use of tens of thousands of private security contractors deployed on battlefields where American troops are present. The Stop Outsourcing Security Act intends to effectively put Blackwater and their ilk out of business.

"After 9/11 we thought airport security was so important that it shouldn't be contracted out and we created the Transportation Security Administration," said Peter Karafotas, a spokesman for the Congresswoman. "The writing's on the wall that Blackwater needs to go, and contracting is on its way out."

Private contractors should not be used "for functions that should be reserved for U.S. military forces," Schakowsky argued in a "dear colleague" letter to fellow House members earlier this month. Half a dozen fellow members of Congress, including Reps. Bob Fillner (D-CA), Jim McGovern (D-WA), and Nick Rahall (D-WV), have since signed on as co-sponsors, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) may introduce a companion measure in the Senate.

Schakowsky acknowledges that the security contractors could not be given their walking papers immediately, since "our armed forces have been so overtaxed" and now rely on their assistance.

But she has moved up the date for a complete phase-out of contractors to June 1, 2009, from her original proposal of 2012, after consultation with military experts, her staff said. The bill would apply to all places where Congress has authorized the use of force.

One expert on private security companies says that while the question of contracting has been treated in a partisan manner, there were reasons why reigning in such firms could be supported by both sides.

more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/01/heat-builds-on-blackwater_n_70716.html

[crickets]

1. YES!

It should never have gone this far. Thank goodness someone has the sense to try to get military use of contractors stopped.

K&R :dem:

[spag68]

2. I heard

one of Jack Cafferty's e-mailers claim to be a gi and spoke out about protecting the diplomats who were protesting being sent to Iraq. That really astounded me since we all know that these private "contractors" are providing protection for even our brave Generals that go there.

[LiberalFighter]

3. There needs to be separate legislation attached to a tax bill

taxing any Blackwater or related security firms and their employees at a much higher tax rate. Enough to dissuade them from working as mercenaries.

[Eric J in MN]

4. We should email our Rep and both our Senators, asking them...

...to support this bill.

[babylonsister]

5. Yes! We need an 'action'! I think it's too late tonight. nt

[begin_within]

6. Right on

[fedupfisherman]

7. Is this even realistic or possible?

Just asking

[babylonsister]

8. Yes. Someone has to start somewhere. nt

[Adsos Letter]

9. Agreed...no president needs his own private "standing army"...

which is what these guys amount to.

[awoke_in_2003]

25. All Ceasars need their Praetorian Guard. nt

[sandnsea]

21. It's essential

We cannot have tens of thousands of people in war zones doing who knows what with no oversight, no rules of engagement, no code of justice, nothing to answer to at all. I can't believe we ever let this happen to begin with.

[Drum]

10. I agree and support the Congresswoman.

These contractors shame, bankrupt, and endanger us...and they do worse yet to others.

:(

[midnight]

11. Send our troops home. N/T.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. If they keep this up

little boots will have no choice but to transfer power on January 20th, 2009

This is the kind of REAL pushback by our disfuncitonal congress to start repairing the damage

This is actually bringing to heel private paramiliary forces that have no supervision or accountability.

I will buy this woman a drink... and for god sakes don't fly.

[babylonsister]

13. Thanks; I thought this was really important. Push back, finally! nt

[Pastiche423]

14. How does one find out the number of the bill?

Couldn't find it googling.

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. Until it is introduced it doesn't have a number

once it goes in... it gets a number

[Pastiche423]

16. So that means Kucinich's HR 333 has already been introduced?

Thank you, btw.

[BlueIris]

17. Niiiiice.

[jimshoes]

18. Yes,

There is no place for mercenaries with no loyalty to country in the United States of America. Private armies are anathema to freedom.

[mmonk]

19. Add that

to HR 2740 and we're heading in the right direction.

A link to HR 2740

http://price.house.gov/apps/list/press/nc04_price/100407.shtml

[seafan]

20. Great news, babylonsister! Here's a cross-post re Blackwater's new Idaho acquisition..

BlackwaterUSA acquires Idaho-based Backup Training Corp (online police-training video company), October 18, 2007


We HAVE to put these mercenaries out of commission. Pronto.

These people are the malignant transformation of the small pockets of radical right wing militias in Idaho and other areas, only now these guys number in the thousands and rake in taxpayer money to fund international murder and mayhem.

Anyone who does not realize what danger we face in the near future from these mercenaries acting in our own cities, towns, counties and states is willfully blind.


They MUST BE STOPPED.



Heat Builds On Blackwater: Congresswoman Moves To Ban Private Security Contractors, November 1, 2007

[OzarkDem]

22. Good job, Rep. Schakowsky

I wonder if this is what put Bush in such a petulant mood earlier, prompting his speech about Democrats & MoveOn?

[aikoaiko]

23. I assume this is just posturing to get more accountability/regulation

I support accountability for contractors working for the US.

[KharmaTrain]

24. This Is How Its Done...

Put specifics on paper...set a date and then force the vote. Hopefully Congresswoman Schakowsky will get this to the floor for a vote before the holiday break...and if it doesn't pass this time, bring it up again and again.

The contractor issue is this regime's real achillies heel. Without them, the military either has to compensate with more troops or have its infrastructure collapse. It's defunding the war at its worst point...the profiteers and scavengers who have enriched themselves with the blood of our soldiers and thousands of other people.

I'd like to hear all the candidates plans on how to withdraw troops...how they'd do it and who they'd work with in doing so...(cabinet members, emesarries and other key players). It's all well and good to talk the talk, I want to see how they expect to walk the walk.