Blackwater Lackey Darrell Issa Falsely Claims Waxman And Pelosi ‘Go After Our Troops’
Blackwater Lackey Darrell Issa Falsely Claims Waxman And Pelosi ‘Go After Our Troops’
Yesterday, while the House was debating a resolution to condemn the State Department for withholding details on corruption in Iraq, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) defended Blackwater USA against charges that “they murdered in cold blood defenseless civilians” at Nisour Square in Baghdad on September 16. “in order to believe that,” Issa argued, “you have to believe the Ministry of Interior.”
Issa then attacked Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), accusing them of “go[ing] after our troops” by pressing for oversight of private contractors in Iraq:
In order to believe that combat veterans, special forces veterans, Green Berets and Special Forces S.E.A.L.S., now out of the military and back in harm’s way in Iraq working for Blackwater, in order to believe that they murdered in cold blood defenseless civilians in an intersection just for sport just after a bomb went off, you have to believe the Ministry of Interior. And Mr. Waxman would have had the committee believe that on Tuesday. […]
So Mr. Speaker, what i would say is, Mr. Waxman and the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi cannot have it both ways. They cannot go after our troops in harm’s way, our contractors serving in those capacities, similar, most of them if not all of them veterans…and then say, but this group is so corrupt, we must leave
Watch it:
As he’s done before, Issa is attacking his colleagues with false claims in order to defend Blackwater.
While it is true that Iraqi Ministry of Interior has concluded that Blackwater’s guards were “unprovoked” in the shootout that led to the death of 17 Iraqis, their conclusion has been backed up by both independent investigations and the U.S. military:
- An independent assessment by Newsweek of the Iraqi National Police’s “extensive evidence file” on the Sept. 16 incident finds that “there was no apparent reason for the firing to begin.”
- “A report compiled by the first U.S. soldiers to arrive at the scene” found “no evidence that Iraqis had fired weapons” and concluded that the incident was “criminal event.”
- Interviews with Iraqis at the scene of the incident indicate that Blackwater guards “began shooting at the people.”
In order to attack Pelosi and Waxman as “go[ing] after the troops,” Issa is willfully ignoring the testimonial of the very troops he sanctimoniously claims to be defending.
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64 Responses to “Blackwater Lackey Darrell Issa Falsely Claims Waxman And Pelosi ‘Go After Our Troops’”
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that guy looks like another bathroom stall toe tapper
October 17th, 2007 at 12:27 pm“Issa is willfully ignoring the testimonial of the very troops he sanctimoniously claims to be defending.”
But those are the phony troops!!
October 17th, 2007 at 12:27 pmStrawman alert!
“They cannot go after our troops in harm’s way, our contractors serving in those capacities, similar, most of them if not all of them veterans…and then say, but this group is so corrupt, we must leave”
He puts our troops in the same category as Blackwater. I am sure most of our troops would like to receive pay in the same category as a Blackwater employee.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:30 pmHe’s a Repukian Fascist Brownshirt Lockstep Lemming Pig, what do expect but lies?
Buck Fush
October 17th, 2007 at 12:32 pmIssa’s the cat that started the recall of Grey Davis. Ahnald et all, recognizing and easy mark, let him spend $7million of his own money then came in and ate his lunch.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:35 pmIs Issa still dealing in stolen cars?
October 17th, 2007 at 12:36 pmAre you still around Darrell? After putting everything on the line to recall Gray Davis and then getting dumped like a sack of dogsh*t by your own party for Arnold? You’ve got one hell of a sense of pride, Darrell. When you I get to screw you in the rear and leave you in a ditch?
October 17th, 2007 at 12:37 pmIssa - “Facts!? We ain’t got no facts. We don’t need no facts! I don’t have to show you any stinking facts!!â€
October 17th, 2007 at 12:38 pmIssa: “Facts are state secrets, you know. Facts have to be managed very carefully. Trust me, I’ll give you the facts I think you need.”
Issa is another chickenhawk shouting for war with others peoples kids doing the dirty work.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:41 pmOctober 17th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
“in order to believe that,†Issa argued, “you have to believe the Ministry of Interior.â€
And about 57 eye witnesses 3 Kurds on a roof who witnessed everything. Then there is the US military who said they found no shell casing other than Blackwater’s. But, right wingers like Issa couldn’t let facts get in their way.
Regarding Pelosi and Reid supporting the troops, the American public knows now who supports the troops and it is not the Republicans.
Issa should start thinking about retiring because it’s unlikely he is going to be re-elected.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:44 pmGive it up, Issa! Issa he a sycophantic bushwipe or issan’t he?
October 17th, 2007 at 12:45 pmZero Credibility At this Point = Pissant Issa!
October 17th, 2007 at 12:45 pmHe puts our troops in the same category as Blackwater. I am sure most of our troops would like to receive pay in the same category as a Blackwater employee.
Comment by Art
I agree about the pay, but I think our troops would be horrified to be seen as the same as Blackwater. Our troops hate those guys and know that they cause more harm than good.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:46 pmSince Blackwater is about to move their corporate headquarters to Dubai, they are about to be NOT an American corporation by definition. Eric Prince continues to say “we’re an American company working for America.” If he goes ahead and moves to Dubai, he is a Dubai corporation, not American.
Do we really want a company from Dubai given the responsibility to look out for our diplomats?
October 17th, 2007 at 12:48 pmPelosi and Waxman should take to the floor and denounce Issa’s comment in no uncertain terms (for that matter, so should each presidential candidate). Congressional democrats have a very, very bad habit of not defending their own. And a very stupid habit it is.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:48 pmSince when are Blackwater “our troops”? Pretty disrespectful to those who actually wear a uniform.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:48 pmIssa looks to me to be military material. After his sorry ass is booted out in 08, he can enlist in the Marines or Army and back up his bullshit with some real action.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:49 pmwell, ya know what, if pelosi and waxman cannot successfully defend themselves against this moronic loser, they deserve the slurs thrown against them.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:50 pm“Support the veterans who are now mercenaries”?
That ranks right up there with “They hate us because of our freedom”.
http://video.google.com/ videoplay?docid=2752979222404168783&q=blackwater&total=2281&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=9
October 17th, 2007 at 12:50 pmNot every piece of crap is republican, but every republican is a piece of crap.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:52 pmWhat a Nazi… he’d fit right in, inside the Third Reich… goosestepping right along with the powers that be…
October 17th, 2007 at 12:52 pmissa, haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3occoCSSVaY
October 17th, 2007 at 12:53 pmImperial bullies and pricks… as long as they can get other people’s kids to fight their wars of corporate aggression.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:53 pmIsn’t this guy the clown that invented the awful car alarm: another worthless, annoying modern technology that is basically pointless…
October 17th, 2007 at 12:57 pmHas anyone ever called the cops because some car alarm has gone off?
Our troops hate those guys and know that they cause more harm than good.
Comment by bilbobaggins
Agreed. All the troops I communicate with over there find the Blackwater folks unprofessional and rude to the locals. The common thread is Blackwater makes their jobs more difficult and more dangerous because locals think all Americans are drunken cowboys - so the locals treat them accordingly. All of the good work bringing locals into our team is ruined by Blackwaters arrogance and shoot first mentality.
I thought it was unConstitutional for the President to have his own standing army. Doesn’t the Congress (House) have the consitutional authority to raise an army? How can blackwater have as many men in Iraq as our own armed forces? Who controls them?
October 17th, 2007 at 12:57 pmIraqis don’t differentiate between any of the coalition forces, whether they be contractors or soldiers. They are all occupiers.
The NYT has a really great video op ed up today. Know Thine Enemy
Here’s more info about the upcoming documentary it’s from.
October 17th, 2007 at 1:09 pmMeeting Resistance
http://www.meetingresistance.com/
Geez — where to start here.
Issa claims the Ministry of the Interior is incapable of the truth? That we must always assume they are lying? What about our own military? Are they lying, too?
Issa believes that we should accept the word of Blackwater unconditionally — regardless of any evidence contrary to what they tell us?
Issa screams the old “you hate the troops!” line because sensible people want to get to the bottom of this? Does he know just how pathetic that line of defense sounds?
Even if Blackwater IS innocent of murdering civilians, they are harming any PR work we are trying to do in that area, and thus they are demoralizing our military by creating a more hostile environment for them.
Blackwater is doing more harm than good over there, and they know they can do whatever they want because they are accountable only to the State Dept., who acts the role of indulgent parent.
It’s time for Blackwater to leave. If this leaves us without the troop force necessary to meet Bush’s objectives, then Bush can bloody well reinstate the draft.
And one final thought — what IS it with the people of San Diego? Why do they elect people like Darrell Issa and Duncan Hunter to represent them?
October 17th, 2007 at 1:11 pmIssa is just another Republican crybaby. There isn’t a liberal woman in any level of American government today who hasn’t more courage and fortitude than Issa, Boehner, BHW Bush and all the rest of the tearful little repigs.
October 17th, 2007 at 1:19 pmWasn’t Issa involved with a car theft ring?
October 17th, 2007 at 1:20 pmWhat we need to see is a coordinated attack on these military contractors.
Yes, many of their personnel are prior military. However, the military maintains discipline through strict accountability (at least at the lower levels), strong supervision of junior officers and NCO, constant training and education. I would suggest that Black Water fails to live up to those standards to the same degree as the active military. Additionally, Black Water lacks the same disability, medical treatment and survivor benefits as the military. (Yes, I know the problems with the system but believe that the contractors have far less.)
This leads to the type of over reaction that we have seen from Black Water troops. They know that they can not be held accountable under military law. They lack the comprehensive training and discipline of the active military. They know that they have far more to lose in taking a hit for the team than an active duty soldier. It is a recipe for disaster.
The matter is made worse because they are paid more than active duty troops and are made to feel that they are a special force beyond the restrictions of the official military. Thus we see an arrogant swagger that presages such incidents.
This ought to be the talking point of every Democrat. One would think that the active duty military should be willing to assist in bringing down such a mercenary army.
October 17th, 2007 at 1:21 pmAnd one final thought — what IS it with the people of San Diego? Why do they elect people like Darrell Issa and Duncan Hunter to represent them?
Comment by missmolly
And don’t forget Duke Cunningham (R- Ranch Santa Fe). I live in San Diego and it is constantly frustrating to have these representatives screwing up my life. I would only add that San Diego is a military town - always has been. That will create advantages for voters and candidates who value authoritarians. Military folks love to be told what to do. “Thank you sir, may I have another?”
October 17th, 2007 at 1:24 pmAnd one final thought — what IS it with the people of San Diego? Why do they elect people like Darrell Issa and Duncan Hunter to represent them?
Comment by missmolly
They are either very wealthy or they earn their living through the military industrial complex.
October 17th, 2007 at 1:25 pmDoes anyone else think he looks like one of the Monty Python guys? It’s making it even harder than usual for me to take it seriously.
October 17th, 2007 at 1:25 pmAdditionally, Black Water lacks the same disability, medical treatment and survivor benefits as the military. (Yes, I know the problems with the system but believe that the contractors have far less.)
Actually, this part of what you said is not exactly true. I read the other day that our government is paying a very generous death benefit (way more than a military family gets) for Blackwater (and other security contractor) employees who die in Iraq. Considering the huge amount of our taxpayer dollars that go to Blackwater, they should be the ones paying this benefit, not us.
October 17th, 2007 at 1:29 pmIssa is just another Republican crybaby. There isn’t a liberal woman in any level of American government today who hasn’t more courage and fortitude than Issa, Boehner, BHW Bush and all the rest of the tearful little repigs.
Comment by Lefty Patriot — October 17, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
i’ll bet he got beat-up a lot in school.
October 17th, 2007 at 1:31 pmbtw, i wonder if he was a cheerleader too, like dumbass.
So since Issa says we can’t believe the Iraq government, then just why the Hell is he in favor of keeping them propped up-ala Saddam-with US military and financial help?
I bet Issa’s answer would be more show more logic of the head-twisting kind that Linda Blair showed in The Exorcist
October 17th, 2007 at 1:34 pmI don’t know about “ring” but he was charged but not convicted:
Issa was charged in San Jose car theft
October 17th, 2007 at 1:39 pmhttp://www.sfgate.com/ cgi-bin/ article.cgi?f=/ c/ a/ 2003/ 06/ 25/ ISSA.TMP
JMOHR
It is truly amazing, if not downright scary, how you can come across as a full fledged Christian Pharisee on one thread and a dyed-in-the-wool progressive in another. You are either one incredibly mixed up person or a brilliant satirist. I’m really hoping for the latter because otherwise I have to seriously worry about meeting you in real life someday.
October 17th, 2007 at 1:40 pmWhen Blackwater troops do not have to follow regular military rules why should they be given the same respect? They are mercenaries fighting the for buck and lovin the freedom to kill without punishment.
If you remember we have Marines in jail right now, for killing innocents why is Blackwater given a “get out of jail free card?” Maybe for the excessive contributions made to Satan Bush?
October 17th, 2007 at 1:52 pm“I live in San Diego and it is constantly frustrating to have these representatives screwing up my life.”
Comment by StratRat — October 17, 2007 @ 1:24 pm
I feel your pain. I live in North Carolina and was for too long represented by Jesse Helms.
October 17th, 2007 at 1:52 pmDo we really want a company from Dubai given the responsibility to look out for our diplomats?
Comment by Ret. Col. Jack Ripper — October 17, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
What’s happened to the USA Col.? My uncle Frank was a Marine since the Korean war (he met my aunt at Guantanamo City), and I’m sure he would never approve of this situation. Is Erick Prince’s money worth more than the honor of the US armed forces?
October 17th, 2007 at 2:00 pmA republicon LYING? oh my what a freaking surprise!
October 17th, 2007 at 2:00 pmAll we as democrats want is to leave Iraq. So be it if we have to tell a few stories and mislead the public. Who cares? The majority of democrats are very ignorant and if we didn’t bend the truth as much as possible they may start voting conservative. Why do you think Hillary comes up with a new way to buy votes every other day? Duh!!! All I can say is that we will never win the white house unless we keep up the constant birage of lies and misquotes we continue to use against the Republicans. We also need to keep the Mexican border open. Every illegal living off our welfare is a democratic vote.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:01 pmI like how everything for the republicans goes back to disrespecting the troops. Comparing Blackwater to US troops is pretty low. Then again a party who will attack children is already swimming in the gutter.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:06 pmIssa is one of those sanctimonious bastards you just want to slap. But let’s not miss the finer point in his statement. He is calling Blackwater contractors “troops.”
October 17th, 2007 at 2:08 pmSomeone need to tell the moron that Black Water has independent contractors. They are not and never have been our troops.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:09 pmAnd one final thought — what IS it with the people of San Diego? Why do they elect people like Darrell Issa and Duncan Hunter to represent them?
Comment by missmolly
Isn’t Blackwater trying to build a new training facility somewhere near San Diago? I kind of remember reading something about that not long ago? Anybody hear about this?
October 17th, 2007 at 2:14 pmWe also need to keep the Mexican border open. Every illegal living off our welfare is a democratic vote.
Comment by chriswyse — October 17, 2007 @ 2:01 pm
You are neither Christ-like nor wise. Your sad attempt at sarcasm has failed miserably! Pick on the lowliest and you will always gather a Republican crowd. Unfortunately for you, that crowd is made up of people who are going to be wiped out from the American political scene in the very near future. As they say: dinosaurs don’t live forever!
October 17th, 2007 at 2:20 pmIt seems like the 24% ers will back anyone who is against America, Bush pushing the Supreme Court to allow a confessed killer of two teen girls to be fed for life rather than put on death row. Allows two Border Agents to be jailed for defending themselves against a drug smuggler.
Does Bush ever do anything for Americans ?
October 17th, 2007 at 2:27 pmIsn’t Blackwater trying to build a new training facility somewhere near San Diago? I kind of remember reading something about that not long ago? Anybody hear about this?
Comment by APEC not OPEC — October 17, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
Yes, Blackwater is trying to build a training facility about three miles north of Potrero, a little California border town. Potrero is actually in Congressional District 51 — a new district, currently represented by Bob Filner, a Democrat. However, this patch of land used to be in District 50 when it was represented by Duke Cunningham, and currently lies very close to District 52, currently represented by Duncan Hunter.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:30 pmYes, Blackwater is trying to build a training facility about three miles north of Potrero, a little California border town. Potrero is actually in Congressional District 51 — a new district, currently represented by Bob Filner, a Democrat. However, this patch of land used to be in District 50 when it was represented by Duke Cunningham, and currently lies very close to District 52, currently represented by Duncan Hunter.
Comment by missmolly
Thanks missmolly. do you know if going to happen or is there resistance?
October 17th, 2007 at 2:38 pmIssa has always been a miserable embarrassment to the great state of California. Members of the US military don’t have a choice as to whether or not they are deployed to a war zone. Blackwater employees do however. They chose to go to Iraq as an employee of a private company. But that doesn’t stop dickhead from trying to use their past service as a shield to the alleged crime they are now being accused of. Issa is still bitter because he never became the governor of California. He’s the one that started the recall of Davis in order to get himself elected governor. Did you see the press conference where he was sobbing like the pussy he is when he didn’t get the gop nomination? Ask him what he did during Vietnam. Add him to the pile of pussies that didn’t have the balls to serve but bang the drum for war.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:44 pmCongressional District 51 — a new district, currently represented by Bob Filner, a Democrat. However, this patch of land used to be in District 50 when it was represented by Duke Cunningham, and currently lies very close to District 52, currently represented by Duncan Hunter.
Comment by missmolly — October 17, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
missmolly, are you saying that Blackwater would like to operate in a US territory which resembles the Pakistan-Afghanistan border? Very interesting concept indeed.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:47 pmThanks missmolly. do you know if going to happen or is there resistance?
Comment by APEC not OPEC — October 17, 2007 @ 2:38 pm
There’s PLENTY of resistance from Potrero. However, the people of Potrero are being treated as if they are irrelevant — sort of like native species of wildlife on wetlands somebody wants to use for development.
I can’t find anything current on where the project stands — April 2007 is about the most recent. Here’s a RawStory item from that time:
http://rawstory.com/ news/ 2007/ Massive_security_contractor_faces_growing_protest_0403.html
And here’s an article about Potrero and Blackwater:
http://www.sdreader.com/php/cityshow.php?id=1566
Hope this helps. I’m sorry I don’t know if the San Diego County Supervisors have ruled on this yet.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:51 pmmissmolly, are you saying that Blackwater would like to operate in a US territory which resembles the Pakistan-Afghanistan border? Very interesting concept indeed.
Comment by foreyes — October 17, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
It does seem that way, doesn’t it? Right now, they are headquartered here in my state (NC) in a very marshy, swampy area near the Atlantic Coast. Not exactly terrain resembling the middle east.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:54 pmIs Erick Prince’s money worth more than the honor of the US armed forces?
Comment by foreyes — October 17, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
Only to Republicans. It’s always about the money with those money-grubbing cowards.
October 17th, 2007 at 3:02 pmPatriotic Liberal: Yes, it was satire. It is so unfortunate that it rings so true for so many that it is indeed hard to recognize the snark from so many in our society. I was in the military as a JAG. I also was a civilian attorney for the Air Force for almost another 10 years. I did government contract litigation and I was in the reserves.
I traveled (TDY) often and spent much time on military bases both here and overseas. There always was a sense of serving a higher purpose, especially when hearing taps at the end of the day or watching aircraft take off from the flight line at the end of the day.
My progressive bent did come from the military. You were dedicated to serving a common good. Rank mattered and affected pay. However, pay disparity was nothing like in the civilian world. Benefits were fairly apportioned despite rank. There were faults in the system but it did seem to do far better than our current society.
October 17th, 2007 at 3:04 pmOnly ultraright ideologues and idiots (about 28% of the population) believe this stuff any more.
October 17th, 2007 at 3:08 pmI remember as recently as one President ago that members of Cobgress were banned from attacking their fellow Congressmen by name on the floor of Congress.
Since then, we’ve had a parade of Republicans attacking Democrats by name, always injecting falsehoods to make their case.
All part of that “Uniter not divider” and “spirit of bi-partisanship” that the GOP promised us.
October 17th, 2007 at 3:24 pmWhat a *bleeping* TOOL.
October 17th, 2007 at 4:31 pmThere’s a strong probability that Blackwater are legally considered “unlawful combatants” under International Law. First of all, because the majority of them are operating under State Department contracts (not Pentagon) and are not governed by either military law, U.S. law OR Iraqi law. They also carry weapons, which is permissable, but use them OFFENSIVELY, which is not.
“The designation of lawful and unlawful combatants is set out in the Geneva Convention.Lawful combatants are nonmilitary personnel who operate under their military’s chain of command. Others may carry weapons in a war zone but may not use offensive force. Under the international agreements, they may only defend themselves.”
http://www.latimes.com/ news/ nationworld/ nation/ la-na-blackwater15oct15,0,3330051.story?coll=la-home-center
As for Issa, campaign contributions are probably his largest motivation for supporting Blackwater, despite actual evidence of wrong doing. His flaying around to blame the supporters of this bill as “not supporting the troops” is a complete straw man. While many of these contractors are ex-military, they are EX-military…no longer the “troops.” Our active duty troops in Iraq don’t like them and don’t trust them. I guess that means our troops “don’t support the troops” either.
October 17th, 2007 at 4:37 pm>Issa argued, “you have to believe the Ministry of Interior.â€
yeah they do body counts too, ones relied upon by our military for part of thier data about the successof the so called surge.
funny i dont see him questioning their credibility in that regard..
October 18th, 2007 at 12:25 amHaven’t you heard, impeachcheneythenbush? The Geneva Convention is, well……”quaint”.
October 18th, 2007 at 12:33 am