Dakota

Blackwater

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It's a good idea to pay attention to Blackwater, however unsavory, since its for profit armies are coming to a street corner near you . Ask the good people of New Orleans about being "contained" by Blackwater personnel after Katrina. This perky private army is growing -- recruiting red blooded American testosterone addicts, in addition to fierce warriors from bloodbaths around the world to carry forth its dubious mission.

The House Oversight Committee is conducting an investigation into Blackwater activities in Iraq (skipping over the 17 people they recently assassinated, because Blackwater is in the process of doing their "own" undoubtedly impartial investigation). Eric Prince (of Darkness), Blackwater's elusive CEO, came out of hiding to testify. The folks at Firedoglake were not impressed by the media coverage. This comment on their blog cuts to the heart of the matter:

war profiteers and mercenaries. these were once anathema to the political mainstream, not to mention the public at large. now, the serious people embrace them, and the conversation is about their efficiency and return on investment. could someone explain where the shame went in our lives? has the relentless force feeding of white-is-black, down-is-up permanently poisoned the pool of values from which we all drink? sadly, this doesn’t change even if the reins of power slip from reps to dems. this looks like it’s here forever.

According to the Washington Post Blackwater's services are not cheap

Blackwater's pricing was to be on "a per person support basis, not including costs for housing, subsistence, vehicles and large equipment items," according to the contract. The team would be made up of two senior managers, 12 middle managers and 20 operators.

Regency was to provide Blackwater personnel with housing and necessities, including meals, as well as office space and administrative support. In addition, Regency would provide basic equipment, including vehicles and heavy weapons, while Blackwater was responsible for purchasing individual weapons and ammunition.

According to data provided to the House panel, the average per-day pay to personnel Blackwater hired was $600. According to the schedule of rates, supplies and services attached to the contract, Blackwater charged Regency $1,075 a day for senior managers, $945 a day for middle managers and $815 a day for operators.

According to data provided to the House panel, Regency charged ESS an average of $1,100 a day for the same people. How the Blackwater and Regency security charges were passed on by ESS to Halliburton's KBR cannot easily be determined since the catering company was paid on a per-meal basis, with security being a percentage of that charge.

This compares to:

An unmarried sergeant given Iraq pay and relief from U.S. taxes makes about $83 to $85 a day, given time in service. A married sergeant with children makes about double that, $170 a day.

Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Baghdad overseeing more than 160,000 U.S. troops, makes roughly $180,000 a year, or about $493 a day. That comes out to less than half the fee charged by Blackwater for its senior manager of a 34-man security team

Of course Eric Prince and his family are tied to Bush with a big magnetic yellow ribbon.

In a veiled threat to Oversight Committee Chairman, Henry Waxman, California Republican Representative Darrell Issa warns Waxman that he will be guarded by Blackwater personnel should he choose to personally investigate its activities further in Iraq.

Really, if you have a little time, watch Democracy Now's in depth coverage of the hearings, and see the debonaire, fundamentalist Christian, war entrepreneur make sweet talk for yourself.

Photo note: Forget blackwater, florescent pond scum is more like it

UPDATE: "House moves to rein in security contractors"

Posted by Dakota at October 3, 2007 11:36 AM