Rep. Moran’s short, to-the-point speech on the issue of U.S. contractor immunity in Iraq deserves a wider hearing.Virginia Representative Nails Bush on Blackwater ContractorsBy Cliff Montgomery – Oct. 1st, 2007A short, but sweet, speech by Representative James Moran (D-VA) on the issue of U.S. contractor immunity in Iraq was delivered on Sept. 27th.The Blackwater fiasco has proven the foolishness of creating a near-blanket immunity for gun-toting contractors in a war zone. And it is why Moran’s pointed speech on this matter deserves a wider hearing:SPEECH OF HON. JAMES P. MORAN OF VIRGINIAIN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESTHURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2007″Madam Speaker, over the past four years, our troops in Iraq have been supplanted by another army of equal size–the contracting force. There are as many private contractors in Iraq as U.S. soldiers on the ground.”Outsourcing our military is cause for concern in and of itself. But the recent uncovering of indiscriminate hostility toward Iraqi civilians and unprovoked killings by security contractors in Iraq is a siren’s warning that demands immediate attention.”Blackwater–a company that has reaped over $110 million since January 2006 in U.S. contracts–offers the most egregious example of what is wrong with our occupation of Iraq.”Last week, Blackwater security protecting State Department officials, opened fire in a Baghdad neighborhood. In what appears to be an unprovoked incident, Blackwater guards killed at least 11 innocent Iraqi civilians and wounded 12 others.”But because of a decree delivered in 2004 by former Ambassador Paul Bremer–on his last day on the job–these contractors are granted immunity from Iraqi law and will likely face no charges at home.”The lack of accountability is anathema to our fundamental principle of justice and exemplifies why the occupation of Iraq is a failure.”Congress must not be silent less we become complicit in these acts. The longer we stay in Iraq under the terms of the current occupation the more these incidents which undermine our international credibility will occur.”Like what you’re reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) ofe-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
How Necessary Laws Are Killed These Days
Lawmakers generally only fight to protect the things they care about – and all too often, that just doesn’t include the lives of most of their constituents.
