Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label Military Blackwater and or Erik Prince. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Military Blackwater and or Erik Prince. Show all posts

Friday, October 26, 2007

20071024 Blackwater supports State Dept. recommendations

Blackwater supports State Dept. recommendations

Wed Oct 24, 2007 By JoAnne Allen

WASHINGTON, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Private security contractor Blackwater USA said on Wednesday it supports recommendations by a State Department panel to boost oversight of contractors in Iraq.

North Carolina-based Blackwater, which employs about 1,000 people in Iraq, said it was pleased the U.S. government was seeking to improve contractor accountability.

Blackwater has been under intense scrutiny since the shooting deaths of at least 17 Iraqis last month in Baghdad in an incident that enraged Iraq's government.

Blackwater, which protects U.S. diplomats and other State Department officials in Iraq, has said its guards acted lawfully.

A panel of experts appointed by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to look into the work of private security contractors after the Sept. 16 shooting said this week that prompt measures were needed to strengthen oversight and accountability of the department's security practices in Iraq.

"Improvements are necessary to address shortcomings in coordination and oversight that have undermined confidence in the operation of the security program," the report said.

Blackwater said it welcomed the recommendations.

"We look forward to participating in constructive efforts to improve governmental oversight and accountability and we applaud the Department of State for taking this essential first step," the company said in a statement.

Read the entire article here: Blackwater supports State Dept. recommendations

Related News

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State Department security head quits after report

Rice to boost oversight of contractors in Iraq

Lawmaker accuses Blackwater of tax evasion

Gates takes swipe at security contractors in Iraq

Blackwater defends actions in Iraq

Blackwater incident aftermath video
Play Video

Security firms under spotlight

More Video...

State Department Use of Contractors Leaps in 4 Years (October 24, 2007)

Reports Assail State Department on Iraq Security (October 23, 2007)

Blackwater Softens Its Logo From Macho to Corporate (October 22, 2007)

Pentagon Sees One Authority Over Guards (October 17, 2007)

Defense Contracts

Blackwater USA

United States Armament and Defense

Iraq

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

20071024 This week in The Tentacle

This week in The Tentacle

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Blackwater USA

Kevin E. Dayhoff

The founder of Blackwater USA, Erik Prince, is famous for being media averse. However in the last year, especially since the Democratic Party achieved majority status in the United States Congress, Mr. Prince's name is slowly becoming a household word.

WE GET LETTERS!

A Thurmont resident takes issue with the upcoming General Assembly special session and the seeming inability of politicians to "cut." CLICK HERE!


Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Walkersville's Muslims

Roy Meachum

Please let us be clear: The Muslims trying to buy the farm in Walkersville have nothing to do with the other Muslims who have lived quietly in the community for years.


The Power of The Courts

Farrell Keough

During our last time together, we discussed how "Enlightened Maryland" has become. We give away our taxes, our services, and even our children's education to illegal intruders in deference to a more enlightened way of life.

WE GET LETTERS!

A Frederick resident takes issue with Roy Meachum's column of last week, which was about the furor over the Muslim facility in Walkersville. CLICK HERE!


Monday, October 22, 2007

EDITOR'S NOTE!

(EDITOR'S NOTE! Rick Weldon's column, which normally would have appeared on The Tentacle today, has been lost in the nether world we call cyberspace. It may appear unexpectedly later in the week, or it may be lost forever. Please remain hopeful. At least something written by Mr. Weldon, and prepared on another instrument invented to record man's intelligence and insight, shall appear here next week, even if a re-run is necessary.)


Humanizing a Made-for-TV Governor

Katie Nash

The latest news stories surrounding Gov. Martin O'Malley have included endeavors to improve his public image. As he travels with his entourage to Maryland communities to unveil his ambitious tax-and-spend proposals, the media reports on the slight image adjustments O'Malley's consultants want them to see.


Wishful Thinking v. Reality

Tom McLaughlin

Now that Dad has passed away and I am free from my caregiver duties, I must elect where I am going to live. I have already decided to purchase a house in Middletown. (Down, Realtors, it's a private sale.)


Friday, October 19, 2007

Magnificent Mayor

Roy Meachum

Thousands of words poured all out of the media for In the Street. The only time I heard Ron Young's name mentioned was by me. I explained to newcomers about how Frederick's long-time mayor created the festival they enjoyed.


Nobel, My Foot!

Edward Lulie III

Ronald Reagan never won the Nobel Peace Prize; he merely ended the Communist domination of Eastern Europe and ended the Cold War. Jimmy (Do you believe in Peanut Butter?) Carter did win the Nobel Peace Prize. Carter set the stage for the downfall of the Shah of Iran and ushered in a glorious new era of 5th century fanaticism plus helping spark the Iran-Iraq War.


Thursday, October 18, 2007

Bartlett Should Switch His Vote

Tony Soltero

As the word indicates, a representative's job is to represent. It is to reflect the views of the constituents of his or her district, and ensure that those views are advanced in Congress.


It Was, Indeed, Worthwhile!

Tom McLaughlin

"You are taking your daughter with you"? I heard this everywhere. Even across cultures.


Wednesday, October 17, 2007

The Shipwreck Known as SCHIP

Kevin E. Dayhoff

In 1997 the Republican controlled Congress enacted the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) - a joint federal and state government initiative that provides low-cost health insurance for children of lower income families.


Perhaps, er, Definitely Maybe!

Norman M. Covert

Are we impressed? Commissioner David Gray (R) last week forged ahead of his Frederick Board of County Commissioners cohorts on the issue of illegal immigrant services. He proposed - and got his wish - that instead of recommending legislation that might address the problem, they would pass a resolution calling for a resolution.


Tuesday, October 16, 2007

KKK's Spirit Marches On

Roy Meachum

The bigotry and racial hatred oozing out of Walkersville remind me of the hate and blind stupidity prevalent when I first moved up the turnpike.


A Blight on Enlightenment

Farrell Keough

As many of you are aware, we are in the midst of a rigorous paper tiger fight over how to deal with a huge influx of illegal intruders. Some have the audacity to believe we should view this circumstance as a problem. Nothing could be further from the truth.


Monday, October 15, 2007

Real ID: A Study in Contrast

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

Think back to September 11, 2001. In that horrific environment and - more importantly - in the aftermath, a frantic flurry of activity framed the government's response.

WE GET LETTERS!

A reader from Emmitsburg provides an economics lesson on the cause of increased taxation. CLICK HERE!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

20070918 The Virginian-Pilot: Timeline of significant events for Blackwater

The Virginian-Pilot: Timeline of significant events for Blackwater

The Virginian-Pilot September 18, 2007

Timeline of significant events for Blackwater

A BLACKWATER TIMELINE

Significant events in the history of Moyock, N.C.-based Blackwater USA:

Dec. 26, 1996 - Blackwater Lodge and Training Center Inc. is incorporated in Delaware.

Jan. 30, 1997 - The company buys its first properties in Currituck and Camden counties, N.C.

Mar. 31, 2004 - Four Blackwater contractors are killed and publicly mutilated in Fallujah, Iraq, bringing international attention to the company and prompting calls for revenge.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

20060724 The Virginia Pilot: QandA Blackwater founder, Erik Prince, on the record

Q&A: Blackwater's founder on the record

The Virginian-Pilot

© July 24, 2006

Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater USA, is famously media-shy. But the former Navy SEAL agreed to an e-mail interview with The Virginian-Pilot. Here’s the complete text:

Q. Can you tell me a little about your personal history? I know you were a SEAL. When was that? Is that what brought you to the Hampton Roads area? How long did you live in Virginia Beach?

A.

[…]

I earned my pilot’s license at 17 and entered the Naval Academy after high school intending to be a Navy pilot. I didn’t like the academy but loved the Navy. This is where I was first exposed to the SEAL teams. I resigned after three semesters at the academy and attended Hillsdale College in Michigan, where I graduated in 1992. I re-entered the Navy through Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a naval officer. I then joined the SEALs, where I served as an officer at SEAL Team 8. I deployed to Haiti, the Middle East and the Mediterranean, including Bosnia.

As I trained all over the world, I realized how difficult it was for units to get the cutting-edge training they needed to ensure success. In a letter home while I was deployed, I outlined the vision that is today Blackwater.

Read the entire Q&A here: Q&A: Blackwater's founder on the record

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