Blackwater FIRED by State Department - Out of Iraq by May

[autorank]

WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!! The Obama folks are not wasting time. This is outstanding, truly so!!!

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=6770489&page=1

Blackwater has been fired by the State Department from its job
protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq.

Executives of the controversial U.S. security company were notified today by the State Department that
its five-year, $1.2 billion contract for services in Iraq will not be renewed in May, U.S. officials
tell ABC News. The contract provides yearly options for cancellations.

In a statement, company spokesperson. In a statement, company spokesperson Anne Tyrrell said, "The company has always said that the security services we provide in Iraq would be temporary."

The move by the State Department follows the refusal of Iraqi officials to license Blackwater to operate in the country. Officials cited "lingering outrage" over the Sept. 2007 shooting by Blackwater guards that left 17 civilians dead.

Five former Blackwater guards have pleaded not guilty to federal charges that include 14 counts of manslaughter and 20 counts of attempted manslaughter. No charges were brought against the corporation.

Iraqi people respond ... get the Hell out, now

[MikeNearMcChord]

1. Now lets go to town on them and start prosecutions.

Erik Prince is RW evil incarnate!

[autorank]

2. It's all good on this one. This is one of the bench marks

You bet trials. How about this one?

[autorank]

3. Kick for a kick!!!

:kick:

[madeline_con]

4. Iraq wouldn't renew their contract.

I'll bet they have fireworks and candies for the kids in Fallujah! :woohoo:

[walkaway]

5. Don't they have a big compound here in the states?

Headquarters/training facility or something? They're like Al qaeda. They even showed up at Katrina with blankets and guns.

Apparently, rich people can hire their own private FEMA/National Guard when the real ones don't show up for the rest of us.

They aren't going away, they just get to come home before the real troops.

[mucifer]

6. Oh I think mccain would have kept them there if he was prez.

[autorank]

7. They'll be around but a lot smaller;)

This is a big contract to lose. What a shame ...

[mod mom]

8. Watch they'll change their name, re-group and it'll be business as usual.