what do you think about the blackwater incident?

Question

and how it could have been prevented

Answer 1

By looking at the large crater in the road at the exact location where the incident occurred, it seems that the Blackwater employees were responding to an obvious coordinated attack / attempted ambush like they described. First the roadside bomb goes off, which is followed by small-arms fire. Unless you have been deployed over there and have dealt with this type of incident, you would completely miss all the telltale signs that were obvious in the footage of the area of the incident. And to everybody who is going along with the story as described by the Iraqi police and locals... Many are sympathizers and regularly bend the truth or outright lie to cover up for insurgent groups in the area. The locals bring it on themselves whenever they allow attacks to happen. After this many years, they know what the defensive response is going to be. But they can continue to play dumb if they wish. They get no more sympathy from me. They side with the enemy directly or indirectly, be prepared to pay the price... In the end Blackwater completed their mission. They got their VIP to safety unharmed... This is another excellent example of insurgents attacking military or contractors in a heavily populated area knowing that they will have to defend themselves and that there will be civilians killed or injured. Then they can play the media for sympathy. Only an idiot would fall for their game.

Answer 2

Collateral damage will happen in any war, it is not avoidable. I do not see why people hold Blackwater to such a high degree of perfection, if the US Military kills civilians by accident it's just war, but if Blackwater does the same thing they're cold blooded killers. Blackwater does a lot of escort jobs that take pressure of the Military and let them have more time and energy for more important tasks. I'm sure this incident could have been avoided if the Iraqis did not start shooting at them in the first place. Over there the civilians and terrorists look the same, don't blame Blackwater for doing their job, they do a hell of a lot more good for this country than they do bad.

Answer 3

I need more detailed information to make an informed judgement, but I think in general these situations should always be taped, so that blackwater knows it will be held accountable, furthermore, routes should be better scouted, incidents like this could be avoided, if the route was secured before how. However, it does seem unlikedly that the blackwater people started shooting for fun, something must have triggered it.

Answer 4

It's always unfortunate when innocent people are killed for no reason. However, security forces for blackwater have a very dangerous job to do in the middle of civil war. Their difficulties are only compounded by having to operate in an area where the enemy doesn't wear a uniform.

War is tragic and sometimes good people die, is it sad yes, can it be prevented, no.

Answer 5

I wasn't there so --- unlike lots of people you'll hear from on this question --- I don't pretend to know all there is to know about the Blackwater thing, and you sure can't believe everything the American liberal press prints about it. It does seem, though, that because bonafide, non-Iraqui witnesses say that innocents were fired on I'm leaning towards that as being a fairly accurate representation of what really happened. I've been in fire fights myself though and know that once the adrenaline starts pumping you tend to shoot at just about anything moving outside your perimeter. Doesn't excuse it, but that's how things work in combat situations.

Answer 6

Black water have to operate in Hot-waters.
They have accepted a very challenging job, to safeguard the visiting dignitaries.
What had happened, had to happen. You can not ensure perfection under civil war conditions.
Ultimate solution is, not to make the Blackwater behave but, to ask Bush to be back with the troops.
Enough is more than enough, people are tired now please be humane.

Answer 7

I feel like I'm typing this for the millionth time!
Okay, you're a hired gun, there's some maniac with what looks like an RPG or a large rifle standing on a roof that may be aimed at you, civilians or allies!

Do you shoot him and not take the risk of more people dying?

Do you leave him be and just watch as another dozen civilians are fried by an explosion in hopes that this man is just carrying a fat lead pipe or something and isn't doing anything wrong?

You'd have to be on an acid trip to go with answer 2.

Answer 8

It could not be prevented under the circumstances. Blackwaters job is to protect visiting dignitaries against any attack. How easy would it be screw up in the middle of that hell hole.

Answer 9

As Blackwater are not a military unit why is this question even posted here??

Answer 10

I believe the incident should be investigated and if it shows wrongdoing the company should be charged. Better supervision by the State Dept would have prevented this.