Blackwater is the Anti-war Left’s Next Target

September 25, 2007

Even as echoes of the unfounded and cowardly attacks on General Petraeus fade in the media’s memory after his historical presentation to Congress, a second target was acquired for slander and innuendo. Blackwater USA shares the General’s plight - guilt by association. The Moyock, North Carolina, company did not start the war in Iraq, but they and General Petraeus have become unwitting scapegoats in a domestic political battle to see which party will determine the future of the global war on terror.

Both Blackwater and General Petraeus have distinguished records of sacrifice and performance. However, the tactics of character assassination, whether used against an accomplished US General or a great US Company, are now considered appropriate political behavior. The media feed off this - salivating as each unsubstantiated report, each unresearched allegation, is tossed like a small boat into a battering storm. Meanwhile, in Iraq, the two elements most concerned about Blackwater remaining in Iraq to protect
US diplomats are the very same elements that are known to be the principal instigators of both sides of the sectarian conflict. They are the corrupt Sunni-led Ministry of the Interior and the ever-vicious Mahdi Army, a Shiite force led by radical cleric Muqtada al Sadr.

There is no doubt that more Americans and more US companies will feel the sting of politically motivated anti-war attacks as we get closer to the 2008 elections. But wouldn’t it be nice if the media ceased their journalistic complacency and their unwitting (or witting) alignment with forces trying to degrade the US public debate on this war? If the fourth estate is truly the protector of our precious freedoms, wouldn’t be helpful if these media outlets shifted their investigative energies and attention to those in Iraq who seek to reap the rewards generated by hasty US departure?

Comments

3 Responses to “Blackwater is the Anti-war Left’s Next Target”

  1. SHADOWFLYER on September 25th, 2007 3:57 pm

    The Fourth Estate has not been a protector of Americas Freedoms for over 40 years now.
    Only two things protect our freedoms.
    A citizens vote and the men and women that serve in the US Military to insure we have a Nation to vote in.
    The 4th Estate has hated the Militray and the men and women that serve in iot since the Vietnam War.

  2. 15thMS on September 26th, 2007 11:28 pm

    We should ALL attain a Blackwater level of training Be ready ,should the next ‘civil war’ come…

  3. Will Simms on September 28th, 2007 8:52 am

    Blackwater must be responsible for the US Health care Crisis

    As I read the article by Bill Sizemore* (in the Virginia Pilot) I am wondering what else he can blame on Blackwater Worldwide, the North Carolina based training and security company. The problem as I see it is that Mr. Sizemore knows the company, has met the leadership and has at least a layman’s grasp on what is at stake. Never the less, he continues to dream about a Pulitzer which was denied him earlier this year. Bill, are you that desperate, do integrity, truth or personal honor mean so little to you.

    As we read the rantings of Mr. Sizemore, we wonder what else he can scrape out of his toxic barrel. Here’s a short list for you Mr. Sizemore:

    Weather control; Mr. Sizemore enjoys connecting Blackwater to Katrina, maybe the company caused the hurricane

    Global warming; I am sure that as the hundreds of employees in North East North Carolina exhale breath from working they are raising the ambient temperature of the entire world

    US Health Care; They must be doing something that gets in the way of the process…

    So Mr. Bill, sling some more of your dirt, warp the truth and then maybe, just maybe you will get another chance at the Pulitzer but I believe the masses are tired of your stale “investigative” reporting.

    * Bill Sizemore. Investigative reporter for the Virginian-Pilot. He was one of three finalists nominated for the 2006 Pulitzer Prize in explanatory reporting for his coverage of Blackwater. You can write to him here: bill.sizemore@pilotonline.com

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