eh

i'm sure they'll get a fair trial there

Unless they are sent to Iraq and hung by the same rope than hung Saddam Hussein, it is because they know the secret handshake

EWIGE BLUMENKRAFT!

That is why both Bushes and Reagan didn't have to worry about being impeached. They have the secret handshake. Don't tell anyone about it.

Now you are a co-conspirator.

Bury 150 thousand dollars in your backyard in a sketchers shoebox under a full moon and wait for further instructions from SMERSH and KAOS. Watch "Fringe" for your next assignment.

The last state where the majority of people still think going to war in Iraq was a good idea. They are hoping for a jury as bright and talented as the one that let the juice off the hook.

Are they being charged with War Crimes?

"Using a machine gun to commit a crime of violence" - Um... isn't that the intention of a machine gun?

really.

only the peons are subject to laws. this is what the libs hath wrought...

(linkback) Yes or No? Will charges against Blackwater guards stick? Predict their fate. [VOTE] - http://www.thriveorfail.com/5d1be

I have heard nothing but horror stories about Blackwater. If these charges are true and don't stick, then every soldier who has been found guilty of murder in regards to an Iraqi needs to be let out of prison immediately. Blackwater didn't have to answer to anyone, yet our young men and women were "ordered" to do attricious things while their commanders sit back, smoking a big stoogie and thinking about retirement. SHAMEFUL

Blackwater has too much clout with the Bush Administration to worry about that. They will all receive presidential pardons before Janaury 20.

Given the uncertainty of whether these are irregular combatants, soldiers, or citizens, perhaps they should suffer the same fate as those whom they were fighting against-- send them off to six years of legal limbo at Gitmo.

and I hope they are convicted.

There needs to be a severe punishment here. This needs to serve as a wake-up call to mercenary groups like Blackwater, and for the Federal Government which was stupid and shortsighted for hiring bloodthirsty mercenaries to do the job of real soldiers.

You're expecting mercenaries operating with full immunity in a fucking war zone to be prosecuted? You folks are obviously smoking much, much stronger dope than I can get my claws on.

What's the difference between some goons from Blackwater slaughter a few dozen Iraqi citizens and the USAF dropping an aerial bomb that kills several dozen Iraqi citizens?

I mean, the stark atrocity of what the US has chosen to do on behalf of PNAC and AIPAC is not a question of how many innocents are killed. Bush43 and his henchmen worked to avoid any war crime prosecution prior to the invasion. Maybe they'll slam some lowly grunt a la Graner or Granger from Abu Ghraib.

Blackwater is Bush43's Praetorian Guard! Secret prisons, secret private army... it all meshes together beautifully, like some kind of evil Swiss watch.

Ask Nancy Pelosi if Blackwater prosecutions are "on the table." She'll undoubtedly reply that she's unaware of any prosecutable offenses committed by Blackwater. Like any good accomplice would.

...unless you're being dunked for the umpteenth time!

Agree with previous poster that charges are unlikely to stick due to our "Justice" system and the provisions written into the contracts given these guys by Rumsfeld and Co. Rumsfeld ought to be named co-defendant in my book but, hey - I'm just a dreamer.

Maybe it's time to bring back exile and strip guys of their citizenship if they don't act as such.

Can't US civilians be charged with war crimes in The Hague?

However, I doubt prosecution in The Hague would happen without even more people being killed.

I wonder if whomever is in charge of Blackwater in Iraq would qualify if there are more instances of this type of killing there.

Using a machine gun to commit a crime of violence?

If I use a machine gun to rob a bank but don't shoot anyone, I can't be charged with that, right?

Complete with its own air force and navy Blackwater is a private army for hire. Its mercenaries are ready on a moments notice to be deployed anywhere in the world to do battle. Although it was relatively small -- thanks to the DoD and the Pentagon -- it is now a huge operation worth billions.

The free-for-all, anything-goes, environment in Iraq was like the wild west. Killing Iraqi citizens, armed or not, was a common occurrence. So it came as no surprise to learn Blackwater was responsible for killing 15 unarmed Iraqis. I read somewhere that shortly after the incident took place the State Department quickly granted Blackwater immunity. The problem reconciling the State Department issuing full immunity and the courts will be interesting to watch.

An ex-Blackwater "guard" entered a plea-deal with prosecutors and pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter. Presumably he will called to testify against the others. So maybe they will be tried and hopefully convicted. Opening fire on 15 unarmed civilians (men, women and children) is a crime that should not go unpunished. It would be a travesty of justice of the worst kind otherwise.

Despite all the controversy Blackwater just acquired another US contract to protect US bases in Afghanistan.

Whether the State Department has legal jurisdiction to grant immunity or whether that will stand-up in a court of law remains to be seen. Personally I would like to see the rule of law prevail. If not that means Blackwater and other similar organizations cannot be held accountable now or in the future.

I believe the Pixie Dust of complete immunity has already been sprinkled on the entire Blackwater corporation by some underling at State. This, like everything else Republicans do, is just for show. The judge will dismiss and all 6 will receive the Medal of Freedom for killing terists. Sickening.