Black Water Scandal

Americans kill Iraqis, Bad. Iraqis lie about circumstances surrounding Americans killing Iraqis,
Business As Usual. Is there anyone out there who thinks a group of former U.S. Special Forces troops fired on a group of unarmed civilians in Iraq? Is there anyone that monumentally naive out there, someone who knows a thing or two about warfare mind you, who thinks they are that blood-thirsty that they would risk an international incident to get their jollies by killing women and kids? I'm sorry.....I have to say it......GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK ALREADY!

Black Water USA is a well organized private security firm consisting of men from the U.S. Navy S.E.A.L's, Marine Force Recon, Army Rangers, Green Berets, and Delta Force soldiers. These men are well versed in warfare and risk assessment. They are dealing with a group of individuals who have no problem using women and children for cover to launch attacks on U.S. targets. They did it in Lebanon, they did it in Yemen, they did it in Afghanistan, and they're doing it in Iraq. One of their favorite tactics is to use a small band of men to attack an armed convoy, draw return fire, and fade away in the chaos among the retreating civilians. This is what they did with Black Water and our government's about to turn it into their greatest victory.

Did I mention that most Americans don't know what an insurgent is? I asked around out of curiosity what it meant. Of the hundred people I polled, only one, an American Veteran of the Vietnam War ( and my dad ) knew the correct answer. An insurgent is NOT, by definition, a foreign fighter, but an agent of rebellion and active uprising. I had people tell me they were everything from Afghan terrorists to Iranian soldiers sent in to start trouble. One conspiracy theory nut went so far to say they we the CIA. Most of the so called 'insurgents' the U.S. is facing in Iraq are ex-soldiers and, worse still, American policy allows them to be ARMED with automatic rifles. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.

It's easy for me to formulate a scenario for this incident. A Black Water security detail is escorting a diplomat through a hostile neighborhood. The 'insurgents', some of whom now occupy positions within the Iraqi government and security forces, know the convoy is coming.
Furthermore, they arrange the placement of every person in that square in preparation for the ambush. After their initial attack, when Black Water returns fire, they retreat, aided by everyone there, hiding weapons and bodies with equal aplomb. The rest is academic. They say Black Water opened fire without provocation and they own all the witnesses.

Similar tactics have been employed throughout history. Indeed, it is used here in America by small town insurance scammers. In this case, however, the outcome of this fiasco could destroy not only American lives, but give our enemies a frightening new weapon. If the government chooses to indict and try the Black Water operatives, terrorists the world over will set into motion similar operations designed to further erode confidence in America. This must not be allowed to happen.

To add insult to injury, it is my understanding the prosecutors are seeking to charge these men under a drug related statute concerning automatic weapons as though these men were common drug dealers and gang-bangers. The mandatory thirty year sentences are just as ridiculous. I am amazed we live in an America that can attempt to impeach a President for extra-marital sex, then turn a blind eye to one who starts a war under fictitious reasons, and then have the gall to try to prosecute American citizens on the whim of a superfluous and insignificant third world regime. Pathetic.