DOJ moves toward charges in Blackwater shooting.
By on Aug 17th, 2008 at 9:04 am
DOJ moves toward charges in Blackwater shooting.
The Washington Post reports that federal prosecutors “have sent target letters to six Blackwater Worldwide security guards involved in a September shooting that left 17 Iraqi civilians dead, indicating a high likelihood the Justice Department will seek to indict at least some of the men, according to three sources close to the case.” A final decision “on whether to indict may not be made until October, about a year after the incident.”
View Most Popular
Advertisement
What We're About
What We're Fighting For
What We're Fighting Against
Featured
Subscribe to the Progress Report
Topic CloudView topics sorted by popularity
Afghanistan
Bachmann
Beck
Boehner
Business
Cheney
Civil Rights
Congress
Corporate Ethics
Dobbs
Economy
Education
Election
Energy
Environment
Ethics
Fox News
Gingrich
Glenn Beck
Global Warming
Health Care
Immigration
International Relations
Justice
LGBT
Lieberman
Limbaugh
Media
Military
O'Reilly
Obama
Palin
Pelosi
Politics
Race
Radical Right
Religion
Sports
Steele
Stimulus
Tea Parties
Tea Party
Terrorism
Veterans
Women's Rights
Visit Our Affiliated Sites
Reports
In-depth studies on select topics
Got a hot tip?
Have a hot news tip? We'd love to hear from you. Use the form below to send us the latest.
ArchivesBlog Roll
While not totally comfortable with private mercenaries under the hire of a corrupt administration, I understand the need for these security professionals.
If these men took things too far and murdered all of these people, I certainly hope they are held accountable and are punished for their actions.
I will be shocked if something doesn’t come out of the White House instructing the DOJ to back off! So far the DOJ has shown it exists to massage the Bush Administration, nothing more.
I want these Blackwater people to pay their freaking taxes as well cause we all know they have been hiding their incomes etc.
August 17th, 2008 at 9:51 amI hope the Iraqi victims families get high powered American attorneys to lighten Christofascist Erik Princes’ coffers a bit.
August 17th, 2008 at 9:53 amThis is the extent of what the DOJ will do, keep the public busy with anticipation of possible justice forthcoming…Never mind arresting the real bad guy’s cheney/ bush and this administration for starting the genocide…..Yah! be sure and send out more letter’s, that will work, sure you betcha…NOT…Just a bit more of Sunday morning madness to keep their media busy in case some arn’t watching the olympic’s or they are tired of over doing the Edward’s story……Blessings
August 17th, 2008 at 9:54 amAG Mukasey won’t even indict Monica Goodling for breaking the law (or the rest of that crew) in a cut and dried case, so why the hell would the DOJ go after Blackwater personnel when they can argue immunity (thanks to Bremer) whilst working for the State Department (also ‘immune’)?
I think this move may be tied to the State of Forces Agreement currently being negotiated. It would help Mailiki if the Blackwater mercenaries were prosecuted. The mercs can be sacrificed and serve as a gesture without upsetting anything else–just as the Abu Ghraib convictions had no repercussions for the policy of torture still in place to day.
August 17th, 2008 at 9:55 amThe mercs can be treated as a special case and thrown under the bus. I see no reason to believe this will be anything other than a dog and pony show, given Mukasey’s record, Blackwater’s cheerleaders in congress and the strategic interests of the administrations neocons.
BestGovEmp
You haven’t watched bushco in action the last eight years. He NEVER protects the little guy. He’ll sign their death warrants without comment. It’s when GOP uber-supporter Prince gets in trouble that cheneys pet monkey will step in. Elitist to the end, it’s class warfare.
August 17th, 2008 at 9:58 amWe’ll see what comes of this. I’m as pessimistic as anyone here, but keep in mind that everyone entrusted with enforcing the law in this country isnt a bush crony. If they were, scooter libby wouldnt have put on trial and been found guilty. And no, theres no way these guys will get pardoned, pre-emptively or otherwise, by bush. Bush doing so would destroy an enormous amount of the goodwill our taxpayer funded, multibillion dollar bribes to insurgents have created in iraq…
These steroid addled thugs are just pawns, the powers that be wont sacrifice Betrayus’s hard Bought gains in iraq for mere pawns.
The civil lawsuits against Blackwater should be interesting as well, again, I doubt congress will try and give Blackwater immunity, for the abovementioned reasons. Doing so, and thereby denying the iraqi defendants releif, would do damage to americans standing in iraq simialr to what abu gharib did…
August 17th, 2008 at 10:05 amThis is what happens when you have an illegal occupation of a sovereign nation where you don’t feel the need to honor American laws. Blackwater, Halliburton, KBR and others are having a free-for-all over there in Iraq and are getting their much needed training so they can use it on Americans here in our country at some point.
Right wingers like having no laws and this is why when America has a right wing president, he tries to convince Americans that this is best for our country. Completely ignoring what our Forefathers set out to do long ago.
August 17th, 2008 at 10:17 amDon’t forget that these are republican appointees, just like the courts. Who will appoint judges that will not support the crime family, republicans, nader, I don’t think so.
Vote democratic this year if you want to see new people making these decisions.
Remember, a 3rd party spite vote is a vote for the republicans.
August 17th, 2008 at 10:21 amI thought DoJ had agreed to wait until after the election? Mukasey slip up?
August 17th, 2008 at 10:24 amUh. Could this wait until after the election?
/snarky
August 17th, 2008 at 10:29 amWhat is the need for these security professionals as they are called?
We have never had them before, why are they so necessary now.
When you use mercenaries…..really, what do you think is going to happen? This was as predictable as our failing economy.
August 17th, 2008 at 10:34 amChocolate Jesus Says
The libby charade didn’t mean a thing – it provided distractions at critical points for this administration. He protected cheney and bush. It gave the administration a legitimate-sounding excuse to clam-up.
He was pardoned and a defense fund paid for the expenses – given the magnitude of the criminality, libby walked from the whole thing, taking the heat off rove and the rest of the criminal cabal.
Everyone doesn’t need to be a “bush croney” – just a few in the justice department and courts can undermine or dismess any and all prosecutions.
Besides, despite the “support our troops” rhetoric, they have nothing but contempt for those that serve. The war was launched on lies, the troops are given toilet water to drink, BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS are unaccounted for, soldiers were given diffective equipment and armor, and a backdoor draft is used to keep solders there long beyond acceptable terms of duty…
I could go on and on, but you get the point.
August 17th, 2008 at 10:35 amI understand the need for these security professionals.
It might be reasonable to have private security agents guarding buildings and the like, but they shouldn’t be engaged in anything resembling combat. They shouldn’t be providing bodyguard service, and they shouldn’t be out on patrol acting like soldiers.
August 17th, 2008 at 10:36 amWe have in the last 5 years, with the help of bush and the republicans entered “The Post American World”
This incident and the involvment of blackwater is an example of why this is happening to us.
This will not stop until we take the power away from the regressives.
August 17th, 2008 at 10:39 amFred, the dems have not provided any meaningful accountability to day. In fact, they continue to capitulate to the most unpopular president in modern (and perhaps all-time) US history.
Congress’ historically low approval rating is a direct result of pelosi’s “impeachment is off the table” and the fact that they have not done anything more than send nasty letters while the criminality continues.
The dems even stood-down when one of their own was railroaded into prison.
Does anyone really think this will change when they have refused to provide meaningful accountability when it mattered most, when the crimes were still being committed?
August 17th, 2008 at 10:40 amDOJ employs far more career professionals than political appointees. I hope and believe that many career prosecutors at DOJ are waiting for a new administration before going after Gonzo and the rest.
If Obama wins and appoints Patrick Fitzgerald attorney general, look for the DOJ to come out with a raft of indictments. Fitzgerald seems especially good at prosecuting criminal conspiracies, with huge victories in prosecutions of corrupt politicians, Mafioso, and (real) terrorists. He did a masterful job getting a conviction against Libby for perjury and obstruction, charges that are often difficult to prove.
August 17th, 2008 at 10:46 amAnother Joe Says:
Your solution seems to be that there is no solution. I disagree.
This never happened before the republicans had power and there is no reason to believe that it will continue under democratic control.
You site a few incidents where they did not have the power to change things and so you seem to want to make sure they never do have it.
Two words for you to consider: Supreme court
Who will appoint more regressive judges and who will not?
You give the democrats just enough advantage to be able to do nothing and then you seem to want to blame them for the crimes committed.
This is insanity and you offer no alternative. Just doom and gloom.
August 17th, 2008 at 10:50 amAnother Joe, what are you suggesting? Not voting at all? Throwing away your vote on a meaningless third party candidates? At the least you should vote for Obama, if only to prevent McCain from taking office.
I agree that the Democrats have repeatedly dropped the ball. But they have been in a precarious political position. I am giving them one more chance. Once they have sewn up large majorities in both the House and Senate, and gained control of the White House, we will learn whether they are serious about re-establishing the rule of law. If they let me down during the next Congress, I will forswear the party. But for now I will vote the straight ticket. We need to destroy the GOP, and the best way to do it is by voting for Democrats in November.
August 17th, 2008 at 10:53 amYou almost seem like you are rooting for the republicans. This congress has done much more for us than the previous republican congress and the unpopularity that they are enduring is a leftover from that republican congress and thier continued ability to stonewall any democratic effort to change things….
The impeachment is off the table is unpopular among progressives but it is not what is driving the overall impression of congress.
August 17th, 2008 at 10:55 amAnother Joe Says:
You almost seem like you are rooting for the republicans. This congress has done much more for us than the previous republican congress and the unpopularity that they are enduring is a leftover from that republican congress and thier continued ability to stonewall any democratic effort to change things….
The impeachment is off the table is unpopular among progressives but it is not what is driving the overall impression of congress.
August 17th, 2008 at 10:56 amSorry for the double post…..I don’t know why it happened.
August 17th, 2008 at 10:58 amFred, not saying solution is no solution – think you know that too.
It is not a solution to proclaim that those that refuse to stand up to this administration when it really matters, when they have the power and public support to do so, will somehow will provide a “solution” when the criminal cabal is no longer in the White House and news cycles.
Talking about accountability… it hasn’t happened yet and it becomes less likely with the passing of each year.
Supreme Court? Just how many more appointees to you see coming up in the next 4 or 8 years? Clinton got 2 and the republicans played hardball approving each of them.
The dems, no the otherhand, rubber-stamped each of the bush appointees – it was actually conservative republicans that shot-down the appointment of harriet miers.
Those that refuse to provide accountability have some culpability in ongoing crimes – the rules of law demand that subpoenas be enforced.
Just – where are rove, miers, and bolton?
But we can agree to disagree – judge the actions of dems by their rhetoric if you prefer, but please don’t criticize liberals and progressives that judge based on outcomes.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:02 amFred – “impeachment is off the table” is just the most offensive violation of the public trust. Democrats ran in 2006 as providing “oversight” and we have seen little or none.
That is what is driving the disapproval rate.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:04 amJust saying that if you cannot talk about basic facts as they relate to the deficiencies and shortcomings of the “oversight” that the democratic party has provided, then we will continue to get more of the same.
Just like the bush administration continues their criminality unchecked because no one provides any accountability, the democratic party will not stand for meaningful change if we passively accept their failures to take action on their rhetoric.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:06 amI’m not criticizing you for judging them based on outcomes. I’m trying to point out that they are not the republcians and we can eventually change things if we get the republicans out of power. If we don’t then we have lost all.
Now is the time to get the republicans out of power and the only way we can do that right now is to replace them with democrats.
There could be 3 supreme court judges up for replacement in the next 8 years. You want a republican making those choices?
I will continue to counter your message of doom and gloom and your insistance on assisting the republicans in destroying our country at every opportunity.
You still have offered no alternative. It just seems to be that there is no point in voting because they are all the same. They are not the same.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:09 am>The libby charade didn’t mean a thing
Gonna have to disagree with you, on this one. Did the guy take one for the team? Yes. Can the higher ups screw up prosecutions for “decent” prosectuors? Yes…but I dont see this as much as theatre as you do…I think some is indeed a masqerade as you claim, but some is actually good people trying to do good things. Unfortunately, at this stage, they are outmanned and outgunned. If we get a president with SOME modest amount of decencey (which I think obama posseses…), I think some of these people ARE going to go to jail. Thats why you see the defense industry propoganda arm know as “american news” trying to turn Obama into a grotesque parody of Paris Hilton. If MccCain gets elected the bad people will stay out of jail, so long as they behave and tow the line.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:14 amI would assert that the things the people currently in charge have done pale in comparison to iran-contra, etc etc. I think there are people out there fighting to hold these people accountable. And I think with the right amount of creativity, intellect, and luck, it can be done. Then again, I beleive that strength of will and the proper mental focus of enough energies can do anything. I’m a big beleiver in karma and I believe that someday, some of these f#cks luck will run out….I suppose time will tell,wont it?
Please show me where they have the power. They do not. We game them a simple majority, that’s all. You act like they are already in control when they are not.
I would also and for the same reasons say that although they have your support and mine that they do not have the “public support” required to make this happen without the absolute power that they do not possess.
Joe, I think you are a good progressive just like Witch1 but my point is just that this is not the time for this discussion. First things first is all I am saying and I truly believe that this discussion now is turning potential votes agaings the rupublicans away.
Encouraging 3rd party votes or saying there is no hope is not going to help you and I achieve the things that we agree need to happen. That’s all I am saying.
You still haven’t offered an alternative plan to getting the republicans out of power.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:21 amFred – it is very disappointing that you see legitimate issues about what the dems have or have not accomplished as somehow supporting republicans.
Putting the label DEMOCRATIC in front of policies or candidates means little or nothing by itself.
Maybe you are just sold on the DEM brand and that is all it takes to start cheerleading.
Gratefully, some of us expect action and understand that if we don’t hold people accountable, we just get more of the same – inaction.
I can agree to disagree, but your rhetoric is starting to approach the tactics of the right and faux news – that is rather offensive.
Let me be clear: People CAN support the Democratic Party while still expecting meaningful action. Perhaps that has been lost over the last 8+ years.
Accountability is a 2-way street – no wonder the dems don’t hold the administration accountable when much of their base does not hold the dems accountable for anything.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:22 amIt will be interesting to see if Bush tries a “blanket pardon” for his highly paid mercenary army. If so, it demonstrated America’s unwillingness to try criminals and it paves the way for an international war crimes tribunal.
Not sure Bush is that loyal to his pals.
PEACE
August 17th, 2008 at 11:22 amFred – the minority repugs still appear to control much of the agenda. Saying that the majority party could not take more meaningful stands is a fairly hollow argument.
But please, you and I have a fundamental difference here – I judge the party based on their actions. It appears that much of the country does too – hence the historically low approval ratings – even lower than the chimp himself!
I am sure some appreciate your cheerleading, but don’t expect everyone overlooks the inability of the dems to provide accountability.
You may disagree, but some believe that passively enabling treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity is a bad thing.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:26 amIt’s about the timing Joe, we are in a struggle agianst people who will do anything to keep control. Only an overwhelming majority will keep them from stealing this one too.
We have to do this first. Get the republicans out of power. After that we can re-itterate our message to our dems. They are already getting that message loud and clear.
By posting negative things here constantly about the only opposition that exitst to the republicans, you are carrying their water for them. You are discouraging people who might help us get rid of them. That’s all I am saying.
You still seem unable or unwilling to answer my questions too, which I find odd.
What is the alternative to electing a democrat this election cycle?
Local elections of democrats that don’t seem to be doing our bidding is going on every day but we don’t put it on a public board for the republicans to use against us.
They will take what you say and tell marginal democrats: See, the democrats won’t change anything, just as you are saying.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:33 amFred Says:
Fred, Another Joe is expressing concerns most of us have.
The Democratic leadership is a glaring disappointment and has failed in doing its job of oversight and insuring that the president follows the law. In fact they have enabled his lawbreaking, the FISA bill and immunity for the telcos was just the latest example.
Shamefully even Obama broke his pledge to filibuster any telco immunity and voted for that travesty.
While I will vote for Obama because I sure as hell don’t want McCain, I have no illusions that the Democrats have handed the Republicans the KY-Jelly and stood by watching as Bushco reamed us all.
Get the Republinuts out, but we need to also get the Bush enablers out of the Democratic party or we need to actually start working on a viable 3rd party to get both parties packing.
If you want to keep people from criticizing the Democrats when they are obviously wrong, you are acting just like a Republican, putting party before country.
The Democrats are supposed to be better, but so far, they are not, except for a select few.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:39 amRespectfully disagree fred, but that is what these threads are for. If we expect little or nothing of dems, that is exactly what you get.
It will be pretty hard to “energize your base” without people being confident that their votes translate to meaningful action.
Getting independents and new voters to the table will be very difficult running on an “anybody but a republican” platform.
I am glad you are an enthusiastic supporter, but creating a majority will demand getting more on board. This from TPM
These concerns are legitimate. Yes, we know you will vote D this fall. I will too, but the kind of majority we need requires we get more people on board – dems need to DELIVER on their rhetoric. The party is failing many in that regard.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:40 amChocolate Jesus, yes, in some cases, some are “outmanned” and “outgunned.”
However, that totally fails to account for an inability/refusal to enforce subpoenas and take any number of other meaningful stands/action.
Much of the inability to hold republicans accountable is by choice.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:44 amFred – please, leave the kool-aide at home. I will not blindly support the democratic party and neither will most Americans.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:46 amHave a nice day all and thanks for hearing my point of view.
Joe, the kool aid remard and wayne your remark too were offensive.
I tried to engage you in a legitimate discussion but you will obviously have none of that so go ahead and let your rage run your brain for you.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:57 amFrom the moment they regained majorities in both houses, the Democrats prime and only directive has been to keep it. They have ignored their responsibility to govern, ceded huge blocs of power to the executive rather than getting caught up in a fight.
August 17th, 2008 at 12:06 pmIt is a pathetic strategy, certain to doom them to a quick return to minority.
I for one will never give them another dime as a party. Thanks to act blue and similar groups I can target donations to true progressives. Sadly, I never get to vote for anyone anymore just the familiar lesser of two evils.
Great post’s Wayne and Joe along with other’s, Thank you for posting your thought’s…P.B & J all
August 17th, 2008 at 12:56 pmFred Says:
Joe, the kool aid remard and wayne your remark too were offensive.
Fred, your comments assuming that because we are republican because we critique the failings of the Democrats. That is offensive Fred. And its not the first time you have done this.
I will critique both parties when I see problems, I abhor the Republicans because they cannot even critique their own party, when the Democrats become the same, putting party first, then the Democratic party is no better than the Republicans and are part of the problem.
If that offends, then you should look closer at your own offenses.
And I still like you Fred, don’t get me wrong. Discussion is a good thing
August 17th, 2008 at 12:58 pmFred:
By posting negative things here constantly about the only opposition that exitst to the republicans, you are carrying their water for them.
This comment is offensive Fred. Someone has concerns about the Democrats failing to do the right thing, those who voice those concerns according to you are Republican water carriers? WTF?
This kind of crap from you is why I made the comment I did.
Wake the f_ck up Fred, check your own actions before finding offense in others.
Democrats are not supposed to be “Party First” Republicans.
August 17th, 2008 at 1:39 pmHow are things to improve if there is no dialog about whats wrong?
It seems some democrats have taken the republicans’ Eleventh Commandment, and reversed it. Reading the comments, it’s clear we are not all in agreement about Obama, but agree the other alternative is much worse. But politics ain’t beanball; do we want a candidate proficient in passing all the various litmus tests we impose, or one who has a chance at undoing the past harm of the Bush years? Obama is moving towards the perceived political center, just as all democratic candidates do, at this point in the contest. It is a political fact of life, to broaden appeal to a wider swath of the population. But the fact remains, that if elected, Obama will have a powerful mandate for change, with his campaign being financed largely by small contributions from individuals, he doesn’t have to kow-tow to the big corporate money machines, after being elected. But to get to that point, there will be the inevitable political posturing, and positioning that we find so distasteful, but it’s a part of the process, so have a little patience.
August 17th, 2008 at 2:06 pmI guess that’s “beanbag,” not beanball.
Sorry.
August 17th, 2008 at 2:10 pmSorry barfly for some of us there can be no compromise when it come’s to the constitution, country, rule of law and we the people…For some one who voted against all that and broke their oath of office will never get my vote….No matter what fear and smear tactic’s like” we must take back the gov and imagine who the next supreme will be or how nutty mcnut’s is”….Only a chosen few dem’s are worthy of my vote, and none of the rep’s are….I will not break the law nor vote for one who has….Blessings
August 17th, 2008 at 5:07 pmWAR CRIMINALS, NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE… USA GOVERNMENT, SADDAM HUSSEIN, GEORGIAN GOVERNMENT OT BLACKWATER, SHOULD NOT GET AWAY WITH IMPUNITY!
August 17th, 2008 at 6:04 pm