Murky waters for Blackwater

In what seems to have become a never ending litany of abuse and wrong doings, Blackwater, the North Carolina security contracting company, is being investigated for the illegal smuggling of high velocity weapons into Iraq. As a security company charged with the personal protection of U.S. diplomats and as the premiere choice by the State Department, there is no doubt that Blackwater had a viable need for bringing weapons into Iraq. Unfortunately, it is now believed that these weapons have found their way into the hands of the very terrorists who are killing U.S. military personnel and civilians alike.

A NewsObserver article written by staff writer Joseph Neff highlights the fact that two Blackwater employees have already pleaded guilty in connection with a U.S. weapons smuggling investigation into Blackwater. Of course there will always be opportunists willing to break the law for their own personal gain, but one wonders if this is an isolated case or is it far more prevalent? The article also mentions how both Congress and the Iraqi Government believe that Blackwater act with impunity.

This feeling of "above the law and beyond approach" appears to be the common denominator in every one of the breaking stories. The recent killing of 11 civilians by Blackwater guards threatened to have the company kicked out of Iraq. However, the U.S. government has grown so dependent upon Blackwater's "private army" that a deal was struck by Condoleza Rice allowing them to stay. How many more times must Ms. Rice come to the rescue before the decision is made to "back a different horse"? Maybe it is time to give another company a chance to show that they can protect our people without trampling all over the others who are just trying to get through this mess alive.

The State department should not be worried about hurting Blackwater's feelings. Afterall, they have really made a killing in Iraq.