The House Takes On Blackwater

The House today passed HR2470, a bill to look into Blackwater and its questionable activities in Iraq. This bill was met with plenty of criticism from both the White House and Blackwater President Erik Prince, but both conceded that the time for accountability has come. With the death toll on Blackwater's tab up to around 200 in two years, and no government oversight over the company hired to protect civilians and government officials in Iraq, there now appears to be action from all sides of government.

The bill calls for the FBI to investigate Blackwater's activities in Iraq. And, despite the White House calling this an infringement on the powers of the executive branch, it turns out that the FBI thinks this is a good idea, too. At the State Department's request, the FBI is sending a probe team into Iraq to figure out what it is Blackwater has been up to. With allegations that the State Department covered up some Blackwater actions, including the killing of one of the Iraqi Vice President's security detail by a drunken Blackwater employee, there seem to be conflicts of interest occurring left and right.

Not the least of which comes from Prince's admission that his company *gasp* should be accountable for it's actions. But this is a company the government has invested about a billion — with a 'b' — dollars in. Spending that kind of dough, you'd think the government would have wanted to make sure Blackwater was going to do what they asked of it. Instead, it appears they gave Blackwater the ol' 'Whatever it takes, boys!' and sent them on their way.

At this point the State Department should be less worried about their image and more worried about doing the job right. The State Department criticized HR2470 because it asks them to help the FBI while they are conducting a war. But it is exactly because there is a war that these things must be uncovered. The government may spend money recklessly, but it cannot continue to do the same with American and Iraqi lives.

It is no wonder President Jalal Talibani called for Blackwater's removal from his country. Clearly this is a situation in dire need of a remedy. Mad props to the House for taking the first step. Blackwater has already demonstrated it cannot do what it is supposed to be doing. Hopefully the FBI will take the next step. And who knows, maybe the State Department will get in on the action and find an effective way to provide security without Blackwater.