Blackwater: Company Wages War for Profit in Iraq with American Government's Blessing

According to Iraqi officials, on September 17 private security contractors employed by Blackwater USA (a security corporation given a no-bid contract by the U.S. government to provide security in Iraq) opened fire on Iraqi civilians in downtown Baghdad, killing 11 and injuring at least twelve more.

American officials have claimed up to this point that the Blackwater guards acted in self-defense after being attacked first by armed insurgents. The Iraqis today shot down that assertion by revealing that they have a video tape of the entire incident, which shows the Blackwater guards opening fire at civilian vehicles and pedestrians without hostile provocation, confirming the numerous eye-witness accounts that say the same thing.

This is not the first time Blackwater has been accused of inciting violence in Iraq. In fact, this marks the seventh incident this year dating back to February. The previous six resulted in no fewer than 10 civilian deaths, and possibly more that went unreported. Iraqi civilians have learned to live in fear of Blackwater's convoys and contractors in ubiquitous uniforms, which include black wrap-around sunglasses and bulletproof vests over dark sweatshirts. The Iraqi government, increasingly frustrated with Blackwater's conduct, threatened to kick the company out of the country following the September 17 "confrontation," but backed off a day later (likely due to pressure from the American government).

Alright, enough background info. Blackwater USA is not a "security" company at all. Blackwater USA is a mercenary force, waging war for profit and cashing in on the violent deaths of the very people whose country they are gleefully occupying to make a quick buck. Many of us can remember back to 2004, when insurgents kidnapped four Blackwater "security guards," killed them, and dragged them through the streets on international television. It was a horrifying spectacle to watch, to be sure, and nothing of the sort can ever be justified.

However, one can't help but think that in that instance, Blackwater reaped what it sowed. Blackwater "security guards" are not there to stabilize the country, protect government officials, and defeat terrorists. They are mercenaries, hired guns cashing in on the Iraqis' tragic predicament. Blackwater doesn't care one bit about Iraq-in fact, it probably wants the chaos it continuously fuels to continue as long as possible, because as long as the war is going on, Blackwater can continue raking in all that blood-stained dough.

The mercenaries who killed those 11 civilians on the 17^th should be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, but of course they won't be. Mercenaries like those working for Blackwater are immune from any criminal liability for their actions in Iraq, thanks to the contract they were gifted by the American government. The Iraqi government's announcement that the offenders will indeed be prosecuted is noble, but ultimately useless-without America's consent, nothing will get done. Blackwater could go massacre another dozen or so women and children in downtown Baghdad tomorrow, and get their paychecks in the mail next week as usual.

What on Earth is our government doing, hiring private "security corporations" like Blackwater to do the work of the armed forces? The reason these mercenaries are working for companies like Blackwater instead of serving their country in the military is because they want to play with guns and people's lives without all those pesky codes of honor and rules of engagement, or didn't have the physical and mental aptitude to make it as real soldiers. They are war profiteers, lining their pockets with the blood of innocent civilians whose well-being they could give a rat's ass about.

No wonder America's worldwide reputation has taken such a huge hit in the past four years. What happened on September 17 will happen again and again and again until the U.S. government discovers some sense of morality and drags Blackwater and every other mercenary corporation out of Iraq kicking and screaming. There's a much better place for the government to pay Blackwater triggermen exorbitant sums of money to spend time. It's called prison.