Jan Schakowsky : Erik Prince,Former CEO, Blackwater, Attempted to Intimidate Me

[Stuart G]

Source: Talking Points Memo.

Jillian Rayfield- November 30, 2011, 12:37 PM 601647

Jan Schakowsky says that former Blackwater CEO Erik Prince has “attempted intimidation” of her in response to Schakowsky’s campaign to reduce U.S. reliance on private military contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Schakowsky spoke on the House floor Wednesday about a letter from Prince’s attorneys, dated October 7, 2011, that was delivered by hand to Schakowsky’s office. The letter accuses Schakowsky of making “false and defamatory” statements against Prince.

The letter cites a September 8 article published by the Independent in London about Prince’s Blackwater video game. The article quotes Schakowsky as saying: “If Mr. Prince had not emigrated to the United Arab Emirates, which does not have an extradition agreement with the US, he too would now be facing prosecution.”

"Your statement to , which imputes commission of a crime, is per se libelous,” the letter from Prince says, adding: “Your malice cannot be questioned. You have a multi-year history of making derogatory comments about Mr. Prince and his former company, Blackwater. You have abused your Congressional power to request that Mr. Prince be investigated.”

Blackwater has received more than $1 billion in federal contracts in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, and became infamous after four employees were charged with the deaths of 17 Iraqi civilians after allegedly opening fire in Nisour Square in Baghdad in 2007. In December 2009, a judge dismissed the charges citing missteps by the Department of Justice, but earlier this year an appeals court panel ordered the judge to reconsider the case.





Read more: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/11/rep_schakowsky_erik_prince_of_blackwater_tried_to.php?ref=fpa

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[annabanana]

1. Prince is a thug. His outfit is nothing more than a gang of thugs for hire.

I'm sure that these kind of heavily armed gangs aren't allowed in most civilized countries.

[gratuitous]

2. Prince is a thug

And his lawyers know for a fact that Schakowsky can't be sued for libel for remarks attributed to her in a London newspaper. Or, if they don't know it, they need to go back to law school.

Of course, if Erik is so sure of his position, he can come back to the United States anytime it suits him. There would be a gaggle of uniformed federal officers waiting to give him a rousing and enthusiastic reception.

[Lint Head]

3. Prince is a frigging criminal that has used Blackwater/Xe to subvert the Constitution and

attempted to co opt the federal military and endanger national security. He is a power hungry prick that will do anything to get his way. The United Arab Emirates does not have an extradition agreement with the US because of politically incestuous agreements that protect powerfully rich people and families. Torture and prolonged detainment will be privatized to the advantage of the private military contractors and security firms which are nothing more than hired mercenaries.


Would you like to have this Blackwater helicopter over your house?
I think the OWS movement need to watch their backs.

[red dog 1]

4. What about the US soldiers electrocuted by Blackwater's faulty showers?

[OnyxCollie]

11. KBR, not Blackwater. nt

[red dog 1]

30. KBR, Blackwater/XE, Bechtel, Arnham LLC,.........What difference does it make?

"A U.S.government contractor in Iraq charged the Pentagon a whooping amount of money for inexpensive items including $900 for a $7 control switch, according to a new report from a U.S. watchdog.
U.S. Special Investigator General for Iraq Reconstruction Stuart W. Bowen jr. said review found that Arnham, LLC, which is based in suburban Washington, allowed it's subcontractors in Iraq to also charge $3,000 for a $100 dollar circuit breaker, and $80 for a piece of plumbing equipment worth $1.41." (Fox News 7/30/2011)


From
A REQUIEM FOR KBR and BLACKWATER.....by Christopher Brauchli, Huffington Post

"KBR has done more things wrong in Iraq than most people can hope to keep track of; but not so many that George and Dick couldn't find it in their hearts to forgive it it's errant ways.
KBR had a food service contract to feed the troops in Iraq and charged millions for food it never served.
It was paid $75.7 million for building a pipeline it didn't build.
It failed to deliver safe water for hygiene uses..etc.
(Huffington Post, November 30, 2011

[Dont call me Shirley]

5. Eric "I Can't Handle The Truth About Myself" Prince, faux christian.

[radhika]

6. He's the kind of thug that American thug politicos lavish with $$$$ n/t

[dotymed]

55. I thought that black-water was discovered to be a CIA

"front company" and that prince is a member of the CIA. If that is the case, how can prince profit from anything that black-water (CIA) "earns?"

Honestly, (LOL) I can see a CIA "front company" bringing in money that goes into the CIA's accounts (like air america during Viet Nam and all of their drug smuggling), but how can prince legally profit off of this if he is a CIA agent and black-water is actually owned by the CIA?

GO OWS!

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

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[Blue Owl]

9. well why are we so not surprised?

Blackwater = Absolut Santorum

[OnyxCollie]

10. K&R. nt

[leftynyc]

12. Bring it on Eric

Don't just threaten to sue, you asshole - get a lawyer and do it. Then comes discovery - I double dog dare you to back up your mouth.

[Demoiselle]

13. Correct me if I'm wrong, but...

Don't members of Congress have the freedom to say just about anything without fear of libel suits? I believe it has something to do with their power to represent the people.
Of course, some Reps, like Congresswoman Schakowsky , use the power for good. Others? Feh. Not so much.
Mr. Prince is full of shit in any case.

[fascisthunter]

15. totalitarian

not surprised. Talk about being deluded.

[surrealAmerican]

17. ... also, it's not libel if it's true ...

... no matter who's saying it.

[fascisthunter]

14. lol... the man is a headcase

[madfloridian]

16. His sister, Betsy Devos, is one of the billionaires taking over public education.

DeVos doesn't take offense that they are "buying influence" She admits it.

"“I know a little something about soft money, as my family is the largest single contributor of soft money to the national Republican Party. I have decided, however, to stop taking offense at the suggestion that we are buying influence. Now I simply concede the point. They are right. We do expect some things in return.” – Betsy DeVos (Roll Call, 1997)"

...""Dick and Betsy DeVos started All Children Matter (ACM) in the spring of 2003, to recruit, train and fund candidates who will promote vouchers across the country. Today, ACM Inc, a federal "527" organization, is the lead organization of a network of affiliates classified as state or federal Political Action Committee's (PACs), which can donate money directly to and campaign on behalf of political candidates. With its base of wealthy funders and ability to stealthily intervene in local, state and federal political races, the ACM network is an effective tool for the movement to privatize public education.

All Children Matter was started to fund pro-voucher political candidates

Aside from donating directly to campaigns, ACM also funds slick 'issue ads' that heavily favor pro-voucher candidates.

In 2004, ACM paid for fliers in support of President Bush's re-election campaign in Florida. The fliers do not mention vouchers, privatization or even the Right's favorite euphemism "school choice." The flier falsely claimed that Senator John Kerry "opposed equal opportunity in education" and stated that President Bush supported increased education funding. Campaign finance laws require political groups to clearly identify themselves on their ads. Though the phrase "no matter what, All Children Matter" appears at the bottom of the flier, ACM inc. does not explicitly claim responsibility for it."

[quakerboy]

22. Good to know

Another one of those names to keep my eyes out for. Thanks

[Bozita]

26. Betsy and hubby Dick (Amway) pumped big bucks into the WI recall elections

[NICO9000]

28. I never knew that!

Figures - that DeVos family are pig-fuckers of the highest degree with Scamway.

Prince is a war criminal, just like W, et al. He will never, ever set foot in this country again unless the Kock Bros smuggle him in here.

[madfloridian]

29. And public schools really needed taking over by such a family.

:sarcasm:

[butterfly77]

33. Kathy lee giffords buddy...

and friend she says Devos is a wonderful person.

[WildNovember]

38. Sweatshop Kathy would say such things. She likes money.

[catbyte]

46. Part of the infestation of the Dutch Mafia in southwest lower MI

It's both insidious and blatant. Not to mention dangerous.

Diane
Anishinaabe in MI

[surrealAmerican]

18. k & r

Way to go, Jan Schakowsky!

[Enthusiast]

19. Jan Schakowsky is a great American.

Erik Prince is a thief and a con man.

[Swede Atlanta]

20. Ha....ha.....ha

If his lawyers didn't have their heads up their asses they would know that Ms. Schakowsky cannot be sued for anything she does in the context of her official position as a Congresswoman. This privilege is essential to ensure free and open debate and action by elected officials.

[waddirum]

44. Prince's lawyer is Victoria Toensing

She's not the brightest bulb in the Christmas tree.

[City Lights]

21. Fuck the Prince of Blackwater.

Fuck him up, down, and sideways.

[sarcasmo]

23. A thug who fled the country.

[Gringostan]

24. How many crimes does the 1% need to commit...

The question we need to ask is why is this guy not in jail?
Afghanistan, Iraq, New Orleans.
How many crimes does the 1% need to commit before any of them go to jail?

[certainot]

25. it's important to remember this is just one of many intimidations that dem politicians might get

for standing up and that when the left allows the right to take free potshots at their reps all day long from 1000 coordinated radio stations while having no clue that they're happening, much less responding to them, it also has consequences.

the erik princes feel much more emboldened if limbaugh can call her a traitor from 600 radio stations and then hannity can do the same from 500 and no one gets in their face.

[Octafish]

27. Oops. There it is.

One of the few brave enough to say "No" to the warmongers gets the treatment.

The fascist treatment.

[suffragette]

31. Exactly

She has not let this issue drop.

Neither has Sanders.

http://schakowsky.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2956:schakowsky-sanders-seek-to-phase-out-private-security-contractors&catid=22:2011-press-releases
Schakowsky, Sanders Seek to Phase Out Private Security Contractors
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 27, 2011) – Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today introduced legislation called the Stop Outsourcing Security Act that would phase out private security contractors in conflict zones.
The bipartisan Commission on Wartime Contracting found that since 2001 armed private contractors have become the “default option” in Iraq and Afghanistan. These hired guns are employed by the United States for sensitive missions including training military and police officers and providing security for foreign dignitaries. The Stop Outsourcing Security Act (SOS) would restore the responsibility of the U.S. military and government to perform such functions.
“Our continued reliance on private security contractors endangers our military, damages our relationships with foreign governments, and undermines our global priorities,” said Rep. Schakowsky. “Though we have the finest military in the world, we continue to outsource our security to private mercenaries, who answer to a corporation rather than a uniformed commander. When Senator Sanders and I introduced this legislation last year, we had 22,000 armed private contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, we have 28,178. We need this bill now more than ever. ”
The SOS Act would prohibit the use of private contractors for military, security, law enforcement, intelligence, and armed rescue functions in conflict zones. It would also increase transparency over any remaining contracts by increasing reporting requirements and Congressional oversight. Agencies with military contractors would have to report the number of contractors employed, disclose the total cost of the contracts, and make public any disciplinary actions against employees.

[Octafish]

34. That is Very Important Legislation!

Thank you, suffragette!

Schakowsky, Sanders Seek to Phase Out Private Security Contractors

I'm calling my elected officials, not that they're actually doing much more than sponsoring legislation allowing the Army or whoever they designate (like Blackwater, say) to round up and imprison anyone they deem an enemy.

Are the 1-percent that worried they'll face justice? LOL.

[suffragette]

37. Saw the legislation because of the OP

When I read the article in the OP, I was curious about the legislation mentioned in it and found the info on Schakowsky's site.

I do appreciate that she keeps trying to address such important issues.



And yeah, that other piece of legislation you cite is scary stuff.

[dotymed]

56. The military contracting is not only in "conflict zones."

Military bases in America are now using private contractors to secure entry to their bases. It is insane and another "let's screw the worker" scheme.

Until "W" was installed, military bases used armed M.P.'s to secure the gates to their bases. No more, now when you go (or attempt to) on a military base, you are confronted by civilians, hired by private contractors which use the same business principals as Wal-Mart. The "guards" (unarmed) range from Grandmothers to teenagers, are paid low wages, and classified as part-time, so they cannot get benefits. They work for NGO contractors. I am sure that these private contractors are paid huge sum$ to ensure the safety of (often) top secret military bases. They "guard" the home of the 101st airborne division.

When I drive onto our local military base, it is surreal. Where there used to be armed military policemen/women stationed at all entry and exit points, there are now, blue shirt wearing, (non-military) khaki pants clad civilians, checking credentials and searching vehicles.

I checked into these jobs. They pay $8 an hour and are part-time (about 36 hours a week)with no benefits.

Even though America is at war, some of our "most sensitive" military bases are guarded by unarmed civilians, earning peanuts.


:wtf:

[suffragette]

57. Agree this is wrong

It also needs to be changed back. For all the blaring of Security this and Security that, this is a clear shift from genuine Security to - well, I'm not sure what even to call it.

I wasn't aware of this and agree it looks like the extension of the Walmart model of business, which is bad news.

Thanks for this informative post - deserves to be an OP.

[NICO9000]

32. Does Black/Xe still have any active contracts with the US anymore?

I'm hoping "no," but I'll bet I'm wrong.


:mad:

[WildNovember]

39. According to wikipedia, you're *very* wrong.

Xe Services LLC, better known by its former names, Blackwater USA and Blackwater Worldwide, is a private military company founded in 1997 by Erik Prince and Al Clark.<2><3>.

Xe is currently the largest of the U.S. State Department's three private security contractors. Xe provided diplomatic security services in Iraq to the United States federal government on a contractual basis.<1> Xe Services also has a research and development wing that was responsible for developing the Grizzly APC along with other military technology. The company's headquarters is located in Arlington, VA.<4>

The Obama administration awarded Xe Services a quarter of a billion dollar contract to work for the U.S. State Department and the Central Intelligence Agency in Afghanistan.<5>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackwater_Worldwide

[leveymg]

35. Prince has a lousy lawyer. Statements made on the House Floor are per se NOT libelous

American legislators enjoy absolute immunity from Libel for statements they make on the record in Congress.

[JDPriestly]

36. Thank you, Representative Schakowsky for working to end

the outsourcing of military support services and military functions to private companies.

Private contracting for military services to the extent that we do it is obscene. It is an insult to the many, many Americans who volunteer to serve and who fight and die in the military out of love for their country rather than out of greed.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

40. Jan Schakowski, Marcy Kaptur, Elizabeth Warren

Boy, do we need more like them! Plain spoken, patriotic.

K&R

[ellisonz]

42. +1

And good Democrats!

[12AngryBorneoWildmen]

47. Word.

[fasttense]

41. Just another corrupt entity that has it's mouth

firmly planted on the tit of the US government.

[era veteran]

43. Private military contractor, mercenary is what they used to

to be called. A word with a negative connotation. Paving another way around the Posse Comitatus Act.

Posse Comitatus (Latin): Power of the county. The whole force of the county: that is, all the male members of a county over fifteen, who may be summoned by a sheriff to assist in preventing a riot, the rescue of prisoners, or other unlawful disorders.
We need no extra-military in the USA, that is the people's job. I realize this bastard moved but his evil company had its birth in the States.

[piratefish08]

45. the country's highest paid gang leader. serving our elected leaders.

right?

[lonestarnot]

48. K & R!

[hifiguy]

49. IIRC, elected officials have absolute immunity from libel actions

for public comments made in their position as officeholders.

Erik Prince belongs in jail or dancing at the end of a rope.

[Name removed]

50. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LeftinOH]

51. I hope she's watching her back; speaking out against Xe/Scamway's power players could be dangerous

-you know: Plane crashes, car accidents, etc.

[gateley]

53. Even though at first blush this sounds preposterous, we know better

when it comes to Prince and his ilk.

Agree.

[gateley]

52. " You have a multi-year history of making derogatory comments about Mr. Prince ..."

Well deserved, and probably not even nearly as scathing and damning as would be warranted.

[SoapBox]

54. Prince ScumBag is a blood sucking SLIME. nt