Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Blackwater and the Republican Party: follow the money

Greg Flynn has posted some of why our Pat supports Blackwater over at BlueNC.

Go read the whole thing but here are a couple of tidbits to tide you over before the link loads:
On July 27th, 2007, Erik Prince gave $20,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), listing his employer/occupation as “Self/Business Owner”. Today Erik Prince, chairman of Blackwater USA, testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Four Republican members of the House Committee are also members of the NRCC Executive Committee.

And never forget how often ne'er-do-wells hide their activities behind an assortment of names:
When pressed by the House Committe Prince declined to elaborate on the entities controlled by him and the Prince Group LLC. Here for the first time in one place is such a list, not definitive but certainly expansive:

Blackwater Armor & Targets LLC
Blackwater Logistics LLC
Blackwater ProShop LLC
Blackwater Target Systems LLC
BWT Services LLC
E & J Holdings, L.L.C.
E & J Leasing, L.L.C.
EP Investments, L.L.C.
Neptune Solutions LLC
Pelagian Maritime, LLC
Raven Development Group LLC
Toadstool LLC
Bearpaw Medical, PLLC
Blackwater Airships LLC
Blackwater Lodge and Training Center, Inc.
Blackwater West LLC
Neptune Holdings 1 LLC
Blackwater Security Consulting LLC
EP Management Services, LLC
Presidential Airways, Inc.
Aviation Worldwide Services, L.L.C.
Erik D. Prince
Erik D. Prince Living Trust u/a/d August 5, 1992, as amended
Erik D.Prince Grantor Retained Annuity Trust

All of these entities are associated with Blackwater operations in North Carolina. Prince Group LLC is not registered in NC but control entities listed above.

2 comments:

William D. Lindsey said...

This is a chilling story, DQ, and I applaud you for continuing to pursue it.

The combination of "Christian" theocon piety with right-wing politics and hired guns is noxious. A hired army paid far more than the bona fide soldiers of our nation; money rolling in by gobs, and going who knows where; double-billing for services; out-of-control gonzos shooting at civilians....

In what moral universe do these kinds of criminal activities deserve religious endorsement?

What can Patrick McHenry be thinking, when he supports such activities? Where ARE this man's values?

Please keep the story going. I have seen this use of smoke-and-mirrors corporation names to for one entity with other "Christian" organizations associated with the political right. It permits tremendous abuse of fiscal responsibility without public scrutiny or accountability. It allows much untraceable behind-the-scenes political influence and pressure of the media.

You're doing the American people a tremendous service by unveiling at least a part of the rottenness that has been the Bush era in D.C. The unintelligent and unprincipled thugs now ruling us remind me very much of the initial steps of nations that have moved to overt fascism--sadly, often in the name of God.

This is a time for great vigilance and for redoubled efforts to protect our democratic institutions.

Betsy Blue said...

This entire revelation is frightening!! I applaud DQ for posting this and keeping us informed about the Republicans' use and support of these rogue "security forces" in Iraq. No wonder our positive image in the world is steadily shrinking.

Patrick McHenry should volunteer to fight in Iraq--up front and with these "security" forces. But serving in the Army is not his career goal. He's very supportive of sacrificing our young men and women for his unjust war--just not himself and his "special" friends.

DQ, keep writing!!

Betsy Blue