I wrote about this as an update to my earlier piece, which recounted how Blackwater employees recently decided to go Commando and shoot at everything that moved in downtown Baghdad when fired upon. This led to either eight or nine civilian deaths, depending upon the report, in addition to a number of injuries.
So now Blackwater (see bonus Iraq For Sale video attached) has been banned from Iraq. Which you would think would be a good thing. But I was initially skeptical as to whether the Iraqi Interior Ministry could prevail in an argument with a right-wing American business with all sorts of GOP ties.
It turns out Larry Johson, who I would always trust for insight on these matters, is also skeptical. Here is the key part of what he has to say about what's transpiring:
Second problem. The Iraqi government has zero power to enforce a decision to oust a firm like Blackwater. For starters, Blackwater has a bigger air force and more armored vehicles then the Iraqi Army and police put together. As Spencer Ackerman reported, Blackwater's little bird helicopter (an aircraft normally used by U.S. special operations forces) that was firing mini guns at Iraqi targets on the ground this past weekend.
I can only imagine how Americans would react if there were Russian, Chinese, Mexican, or French security firms running around the United States and getting into firefights in tough neighborhoods, such as South Central Los Angeles. We would just shrug our shoulders and say nothing. Right?
Yeah, that's what I thought. This incident will enrage Iraqis and their subsequent realization that they are impotent to do anything about it will do little to support the fantasy that the surge is working. There are some Iraqis who genuinely want to run their own country. But we are not about to give them the keys to the car. Blackwater is staying.
So there you have it, from an authority on these matters. I hope against hope that he is wrong, and we will kick out these law-ignoring profiteers. But it is hard to be sanguine about the possibility of U.S. business interests taking a backseat to anything while the Bush Administration holds the reins of power.


Reply to Dave P:
This isn't a war Dave. It is an occupation supported by University administrators that drive Mercedes and live in large houses while they claim to be "green".
Let me guess, you believe everything you here on the media about democrats and liberals as if they give a shit about anything but themselves.
They don't, so sleep tight all by yourself in your repube-lichen camp. Enjoy your life, and forget about all of the people in Uncle Swine's camp that guard their desk and office everyday for fear that some other lazy government weasle will rise to their job.