'They kept pumping bullets into us'

[Cassandra2010]

US soldiers inspect the site of an attack on a private security firm convoy in Iraq

The Iraqi government is under increasing pressure to aggressively pursue the prosecution of American military personnel accused of killing Iraqis.

The recent decision by Ricardo Urbina, a district judge, to dismiss charges against five security contractors accused of gunning down 17 Iraqis, including women and children, in September 2007 has re-ignited deep discord among Iraqis, and fuelled suspicions that US personnel operate in a lawless void while in Iraq.

An Iraqi investigation into the incident two years ago contradicted Blackwater claims that its contractors had fired in self-defence after coming under attack in central Baghdad. In January 2008, the Iraqi government barred Blackwater from providing security detail to US diplomatic staff in the country, citing the firm's use of excessive force.

A US congressional investigation into Blackwater operations appeared to corroborate Baghdad's accusations that the firm routinely used "excessive" and "pre-emptive" force. In November 2007, FBI investigators found that 14 of the 17 killings had been "unjustified" and violated "deadly force rules" for security contractors operating in Iraq.

More here:
http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2010/01/2010128143176494.html

[rwheeler31]

1. I do not get this judge , why would anyone

try to protect xe?

[babylonsister]

2. The judge blamed it on the lawyers.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7377073

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. Actually the Gov lawyers screwed the pooch big time

The judge had little choice. We may not like it, I am not sure that he liked it, but the same rules help protect us too.

[TexasProgresive]

9. Was that done on purpose to throw the case out?

[madokie]

10. its not protecting xe it's we are govern by laws not men

laws were broken in the evidence gathering that made this a no for the judge. I say they need to rescind the order that bushco gave that they could act with impunity then fry their asses, the xe guys.

[jtylerpittman]

3. I was ran off the road by a private contrator, dont know who they were, when I was deployed.

[babylonsister]

4. Yes, we know about this, it is bullshit, and because of technicalities,

it's over. Hopefully the Iraqis have more of a chance at accomplishing something:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7377076

Iraq to sue ex-Blackwater guards

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. It was not a minor technicality...the gov lawyers screwed the pooch in an attempt to get

convictions. While I disagree at the macro level, the same legalities protect you and me from Gov abuse too.

[apocalypsehow]

7. Agree 100%: the Fifth Amendment is not a "technicality." n/t.

[bertman]

8. If you're a gov. lawyer working to prosecute this case and you keep seeing scary guys

parked beside your car when you are going home at night. Or your wife comments that she thinks somebody is following her. Or you get phone calls from someone you don't know who tells you what time your little girl gets out of school and what school she goes to.

Pooch gets screwed.

Hey, it's not out of the realm, people.