Uhhh...gee...they're an armed security force posted in a combat zone, and they were involved in SHOOTING INCIDENTS? How bizarre, how bizarre. Maybe they could have dodged a little criticism if they'd just KEPT those employees that were "fired for reasons". Take a congressman down a Baghdad street and tell him, "Now, if we're involved in a shooting incident on this trip, shall we stop the car?"

Sent by Jack Voelker | 10:33 AM ET | 10-02-2007

War is INDEED good business for some. Didn't Eisenhower have something to say on this subject? We should certainly beware of the military/industrial complex

Sent by Jan Kennard | 12:28 PM ET | 10-02-2007

I think accountability is the main concern; as well as outsourcing military responsibility to private contractors. We as a country have to determine where we want to be on that likert scale. No just condemn Mr Prince. We, as a country, are funding this war with out votes. Clearly in 2000, 2004, etc...our votes were cast. I do not like that we give these private folks billions of dollars to do what I military could do...but it appears they can't do it...so that is why it is outsourced to Mr Princes company. We have to have an intelligent discussion on sacrifice (do we start a draft, or do we pay more money to private folks willing to risk life)...how do we keep our contractors accountable? These are the discussions we should be having. If you want to end the war, push your elected officials.

Sent by Kelly | 12:49 PM ET | 10-02-2007

While it is certainly possible for soldiers (or private contract soldiers) to develop a cavalier attitude about the use of force, none of the allegations made in this article provide strong evidence of this. Firing from a moving vehicle, failing to stop, and even firing first are all behaviors we should expect from soldiers who have been tasked with escorting high profile targets in hostile territory. To criticize Blackwater for firing irresponsible employees is rather ludicrous. Would we rather they kept them on?

If credible sources indicate that the company has acted irresponsibly, it is very important that we recognize this and take action. Unfortunately, many Iraqis are so upset by American activity to date, that it may be nearly impossible to find impartial credible witnesses to incidents such as last month's shooting. It would be equally as wrong to punish Blackwater undeservedly as it would be to let a guilty company off the hook.

Articles such as this one present flimsy allegations that essentially help to convict Blackwater in the the court of public opinion, before all of the facts are even known. This is very likely exactly what the writers of the congressional report had in mind.

Sent by Brent Hobbs | 1:12 PM ET | 10-02-2007

Something that has been vastly under-reported in the media is that fact that Blackwater is not the only mercenary corporation that's been accused of reckless behavior and murder. The LiveLeak.com website contains footage of employees from Britain's "Aegis Contractors" firing assault rifles indiscriminantly at passing motorists along a busy Iraq highway.

While it's highly unlikely that any corporation will be penalized, hopefully the negativ publicity will cause them to more closely hold their employees accountable for their actions.

Sent by Juni Ingle | 1:33 PM ET | 10-02-2007

Perhaps Mr. Voelker has forgotten this: April 7, 2007 from CNN -- BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Sen. John McCain visited a Baghdad market Sunday and later told reporters the American people were not getting the full story on what he said were improving security conditions in the war-ravaged capital. ... Accompanied by a military escort, the delegation traveled in armored Humvees to Baghdad's main marketplace, which has seen numerous attacks in recent months, including a grenade attack in March.

After going to Shorja market -- where a triple car bombing in February killed 79 people and wounded 170 -- McCain told reporters at a Green Zone news conference that the recent surge of U.S. troops gives the military "a very good chance of bringing security." ... "The American people are not getting the full picture of what's happening here. They are not getting the full picture of the drop in murders, the establishment of security outposts throughout the city, the situation in Anbar, the deployment of additional Iraqi brigades who are performing well and other signs of progress," he said. ... The senator was joined on the trip by Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Reps. Rick Renzi of Arizona and Mike Pence of Indiana.

Graham, who was on his sixth trip to Iraq, said his past visits have required more security than Sunday's trip.

Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander there, was so confident in the security situation that he told the lawmakers they could remove their helmets "at our discretion," Pence said. They retained their body armor, he said.

"We moved and mingled among some of the warmest and most welcoming people that I've ever met on the face of the earth," Pence added.

McCain was right about one thing. The American people are not getting the full story from Iraq. Notice how there was no mention of Blackwater in this story. Perhaps now that congress is looking into that company we'll start to get the 'full story.' Thank you Kelly for pointing out what the real issue is, as opposed to just pointing out the obvious.

Sent by John R. Otten | 1:46 PM ET | 10-02-2007

It doesnt suprise me one bit! Mr Princes' Blackwater is making billions of dollars off of this war just like the many other u.s. corporations. The problem is that we give these gun happy goones a free pass to do anything they want and no accountablity or consequences, and as far as providing security these guys (Blackwater) are a %$#% JOKE! Uh, gee.... someone needs tell Jack that the it doesnt take a uh, gee..nius to figure out that drugs, alcohol and guns dont mix, even in war!!!

Sent by J. C. | 1:54 PM ET | 10-02-2007

Send the FBI to Iraq to investigate? Technically the FBI can't go across the state line from Texas into Oklahhoma unless it is a federal crime committed. Send them to Iraq? Oh, yeah. When all goes wrong, blame the FBI. I forgot. Never mind. Trust your congressional reports and shutup.

Sent by dans | 2:22 PM ET | 10-02-2007

Another reminder. Remember Falluja? Remember the initial incident that got that ball rolling? Four BLACKWATER employees killed, burned and strung up for public display. From this incident came two battles, one of which the insurgents won and one which we won and in both battles a lot of people were killed. So, this security company, whether they were victims, perps or both, directly affected the course of the war. Obviously the administration isn't keen on scrutinizing them, so it's left up to congress to do it. Pretty sad when we need to depend on congress to find out what's really going on. Then again, we've been through that scene before. Back then it was a completely different context but the situation was very similar. They called it Watergate.

Sent by John R. Otten | 3:18 PM ET | 10-02-2007

It is often said that Blackwater and similar private security firms exist to support our military, but it is obvious to all but the most starry-eyed superpatriots that our military is increasingly being used chiefly to lend a veneer of propriety and honor to tax-gobbling, extra-legal bodyguard firms like Blackwater and their ilk. War is ugly enough, but the "don't worry your pretty heads, we always act above reproach" profit-driven outsourcing of it makes me feel ill. As more and more young people refuse to sign up for military service where they would risk being sent to fight, kill and die for the vanity and convenience of their political leaders, those leaders will increasingly pick our collective pocket in the name of "security" or "honor" or "supporting the troops" and funnel our taxes in the form of outrageous contractual profits to their friends and supporters in the defense industry. Besides having taxpayers foot the bill for their political paybacks, the executive branch's use of "private security firms" allows it to pursue military-style mischief overseas undetected. This pattern of robbing the people to pay the profiteers and the ethical implications of increasingly shifting military duties onto unaccountable shadow warriors, not just "did Blackwater employees ever do anything wrong?" deserve to be the issues addressed by our Congress and all citizens who wish to consider themselves patriotic. Glad to see NPR is finally scratching the surface of this topic. There are many who have noticed this alarming, exorbitant quasi-military-privateer mess, but it took Congressional hearings to make it worthy of your news coverage? Let's take the analysis deeper and cover dissenters and the meat behind their dissenting opinions year round, NPR...please?

Sent by A. Diggins | 1:36 AM ET | 10-03-2007

nice article

Sent by Mile | 9:04 AM ET | 10-03-2007

I am a soldier of the US Army National Guard. I have one thing to say. Talk to soldiers that have seen these guys and some of them even have them on their home videos. From what I have seen and from what I have heard, there are some cowboy types. But, what is shocking is that they have little regard for civilian cultural values in Iraq. They are paid to do a job and they sometimes do it well. But they're job description does not include behaving in a just and culturally accepted way. So, some things that I have seen on some video of Blackwater like; driving recklessly without cause, firing weapons for recreation, and using excessive amount of explosives to destroy weapons and ammo. These are all things that may be necessary but the point is at what level. These mercenaries have little to no oversight. They are charged with a job and they complete it, there are no AMRY VALUES.

Sent by Spc. C.W. Johnson | 12:48 PM ET | 10-03-2007

Dear Spc. C.W. Johnson: Hi, I'm a Vietnam Vet. Those of us who've served are of the brotherhood. So, I can talk to you man to man? and if C.W. is a female, then we can talk man to woman who've served their time. Either way, you know that my heart always goes with those who've served.

In Vietnam, we had Turkish Commandos and Republic of Korea (ROK) Tiger Division soldiers who sometimes did the jobs that American troops could not, mostly for political reasons. Such as crossing over into Cambodia or Laos. The Turkish Commandos and the Tiger Division were well known through Vietnam for striking fear into the hearts of everyone, late at night. If you get my drift. To be brief, American troops did not want to anger these guys. They were mean.

Of course, the My Lai Massacre was perpetrated by regular troops. War is not pretty.

What I am asking you, man to man, former soldier to soldier, if you were offered the money these Blackwater troops are making, would you take it? I don't know if you plan to make the military a career. But, if you could exponentially multiple your pay, would you become a Blackwater employee?

I can tell you with all honesty that if I were making a career out of today's military, I'd be seriously looking at a serious pay upgrade.

Another question, as a contemporary soldier, do you believe that there will be an end to the end of mercenary employees in Iraq and Afghanistan? ..and maybe, Iran before this is all over. And how extensive will the Israeli private contractors factor into the future of this war? In your opinion.

All the same, thanks for serving. May no one treat our troops in Iraq with the scorn our t troops in Vietnam had to endure.

fred call

Sent by fred call | 2:07 PM ET | 10-03-2007

I wondered Fred Call about you. You must have too much time in your hands, giving an opinion about everything. I don't care about the troops in Iraq and I am not going to support them. In this country, joining the military is not compulsory.
So our "troops" in Iraq are puppets of this bad Government and they made their own choice to join this unjustified war.
While in war one day you might die.
Salute!

Sent by Mitsos the Trelos | 8:06 PM ET | 10-03-2007

In this country, joining the military is not compulsory.>>>>>>>>>>>

It's not that I have too much time on my hands, Mitsos the Trelos. It's I have too much intelligence to work with. And if you let your brain atrophy, your body soon follows.

Yes, you are right. Military duty is not compulsory. And you, my friend, never have to worry about going out to your mailbox to find a letter that says; "Greeting, You have been selected....." You should get down on your hands and knees and by thankful someone else is doing it for you.

And no soldier over there really cares if you support them. They take care of each other, thank you. Just like we did in the Nam.

Real funny part about the military draft back in Vietnam.....I met guys just like you in the army.

I bet if you did get drafted, you'd end up making a good soldier after some good training. You seem to have spunk. And that's a good start. You're the kind of guy who'd end up making the army....No, the Marines....a career.

You'd probably go on to make big money in a mercenary outfit.

At least you have the guts to come after me. Most people around here don't. And I appreciate that in you. I love a good fight.

And a beer afterward.

Sessa!
fred call

Sent by fred call | 10:39 PM ET | 10-03-2007

Military industrial complex at with with tax payers hard earned dollars...Where will it end, time for thinking citizens to use a brain....

Sent by palmettoqueen | 2:55 PM ET | 10-04-2007

Everybody relax. In the end, it will all be taken care of. We're all fools and we'll come to a fools end!

Sent by Richard Free | 11:52 PM ET | 10-06-2007

I heard the story about the other civilians who has been "accidentally" killed by the U.S. Army and how they pay b/t 15 aqnd 30K oer death, per incident, and I was wondering how many of these payments have been made. A bit of key indfo that I think is too often and increeasingly even left out of stories on NPR.

Sent by Jason Gregory | 6:14 PM ET | 10-09-2007