Blackwater's days should be numbered

[maddezmom]

Erik Prince, the founder of Moyock-based Blackwater Worldwide, recently moved to Abu Dhabi. U.S. officials ought to build a similar distance between the security company and further government contracts.

The company, now known as Xe Services, long ago demonstrated that it's a difficult partner in military operations in the Middle East. The contractor's employees have repeatedly shown abysmal judgment, sloppy hiring practices and lax supervision.

Among the latest arguments against doing business with Xe is a $42 million settlement reached between the State Department and company officials for close to 300 violations of export-control laws.

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Other troubling reports have emerged from a congressional investigation of Xe's activities. After Blackwater guards shot to death Iraqi civilians in Baghdad in 2007, the company created more than 30 shell companies to continue winning federal contracts, The Times reported.

Earlier stages of the same investigation, detailed by The Virginian-Pilot and others in the past year, showed a pattern of disregard for basic standards of conduct. Among other things, the company flouted rules on alcohol use and weaponry and hired people with criminal histories and major discipline problems in the U.S. armed forces.

more:http://hamptonroads.com/2010/09/blackwaters-days-should-be-numbered

[Demeter]

1. Goldman Will Take Them Public with a Blockbuster IPO

and everybody will profit....:sarcasm:

[Enthusiast]

2. Too late, the damage is done.

With government blessing.