examiNation: What do you think of immunity for Blackwater USA guards?

They have a vid of the encounter. Search YouTube, its on there, too include the carbomb the Iraqi's said never happened.

You can't just put cameras up in someone else's country. What should have happened was; when BW asked to have cameras installed on their vehicles, to avoid this very type of situation, it should have been done.

Mercenaries and contracted security just muddies that water. We will never know what really happeded. I would like to know why they are putting up cameras all over the US, but for some reason, they have no video of this main street in Iraq. Hell, you'd think they could just go to the tape to find out what happened. Curious.

The term "mercenary" can definitely apply, BW is a private force working for gain. The bottom line, as one reader pointed out, is that we weren't there and don't know exactly what happened. The U.S. should be able to investigate, determine what happened, and root out any criminality. If you believe BW wouldn't get a fair trial, then maybe there's bigger problems in our government that need to be addressed, and that's just another reason we shouldn't be in Iraq—and yes this is definitely relevant to the Blackwater situation.

Kudos to The Man! I agree completely. Those who whine and repeat the old lame Leftist Democrap talking points are simply brainwashed by the America/Bush hating Socialist drumbeat of defeat. They find it easier to lob verbal attacks than to engage in reasonable discussion. They childishly refuse to recognize that these radical Islamic terrorist pigs want to kill not just fellow Muslims, but all of civilization too. Sadly, those such as "Brian" find it easier to take a left-wing news media nugget of untruth and run with it. Clueless people like that will never realize what it is that Blackwater really does. Their eyes are too clouded with hate. I'd suggest that these pusses enlist, suit up and either join the fight against terror worldwide, or do something to fight it at home. That is if they truly care.

I would love to have BW patrol my neigborhood. They have done a very good job at DEFENDING, not attacking or acting as thugs, in Iraq. I agree the reader who explained what a Mercenary is, BW USA has not carried out offensive attacks, so know what your talking about before you comment.

Do you remember the Hessians? These people are not necessarily USA citizens - many are from South Africa, the Balkans and similar violent places. Give a thug a gun, money and immunity from consequences and see what you get. Anyone want these guys patrolling your own neighborhood?

For those that are calling BW mercenaries, maybe you should look up that word and its definition before speaking on subjects you know nothing about. BW, TC, 3com and the rest have NEVER been used in offensive operations, nor have they led or constructed any sort of attack manuevers. Please either educate yourself or dont speak on subjects you cannot comprehend. Thanks

Blackwater should be held responsible for killing innocent civilians just like the military should be in this tragic genocide. How many people are going to die because a few caused 911. The United States causes many displaced people but I am not personally responsible for the actions. The Iraqian civilians were not responsible for 911 but they are suffering at the hand of Blackwater and the military. Shooting innocent people on the streets would not be allowed in the United States by Blackwater without a protest. All people should be treated equal in the global community, why is this country so inhumane to other nations?

Most of the Blackwater U.S.A. guards are highly trained former special forces green beret, navy seal types. Their leader, a former seal, conducted himself well at the hearings. They are in a very precarious position in Iraq where a split second hesitation can cause many deaths. I say give them immunity we are the only country who tries its own as war criminals in the name of liberal political correctness. Our enemies exploit this weakness.

They don't have immunity from murder, they have immunity from being prosecuted for defending the diplomat and doing their job correctly. They don't just go on a random rampage killing everyone, they are hired to protect and escort people. They did their jobs, just like the Marine Corps does, obviously a different job, and they did it successfully and are being persecuted for it. They are given specific jobs and when they do it the right way they are wrong and if the diplomat had died, they would be called incompetent. BW is doing a great job in Iraq and the stats prove it. End of discussion.

BW is hired out by our government. Our government is in Iraq illegally! therefore, BW is an illegal operation. It's real simple. Bush's army needs to be held responisible for all deaths that occur as a result of their guns whether they are military or hired guns

No one in the military should have immunity, including the mercenary forces. International laws still apply to our soldiers and no one should have a blank check to go on a rampage. If they're following the laws of battle why would they need it?

Anything for the men and women who defend our country with the risk of losing there lives. I have the upmost respect for them and it makes me sick that people can find something bad to say about them. Like I have said before in my comments; until you fight in the war and experience the things that occur over there, don't say that what BW USA, and anyone else for that matter did was inhumane or wring.

To The MaN, Thanks for the support I know my husband and other BW employees appriciate it

Brian, this isn't a site on your opinion of President Bush and his actions and quite frankly no one cares about your opinion on Bush, so don't give it. We are at war and it may or may not be Bush's fault, but that isn't what we are here to discuss. Either discuss the topic at hand or shut up.

I disagree strongly with Brian. BW USA is there to protect people and they can't do their jobs properly if they aren't authorized to do what is necessary. BW USA isn't a form of dictatorship; they are a way to protect our officials without stretching the military and army thin and, no offense to the military, do the job better. BW employees have taken specialized courses in VIP escorts and know what they are doing. They didn't just kill random Iraqis; they killed people trying to kill them and the person that they were guarding. That is there job and if you ask me, they do a damn fine job.

If Bush had invaded that country, and lied that Iraq had WMD all those who have died, would still be alive today. This is an unending war, created by Bush and his friends. They are the ones who does not have to worry about being killed. And at the same time they are the ones who have benefited the most form the made up Iraqi threat. I wonder how much money has been spent on securing the borders of this country as oppose to what has been spent in Iraq?

Why should Blackwater security guards be given immunity? Isn't this a form of dictator ship? Dictator are free to kill and murder the innocent or people they don't like, with out have to worry about going to jail or be executed. What kind of security and peace of mind can an Iraqi citizen have if the so called protectors are as reckless as the terrorist that they say they are fighting? The USA have replaced one dictator and in his place put in a bunch of little dictators that is just as heartless as the one they got rid off.

Their track record of successfully escorting diplomats speaks for itself. I might suggest that their tactics are the one thing the scumbag terrorists can understand.

I think that several of you readers need to understand rules of engagement. Some of you have absolutely no clue of the concept of being in a hostile enviroment such as iraq. If the protection detail members acted wrongfully then sanctions should be imposed. But there lies the catch. We weren't there and as readers dont know what happened on that day. Everyone looking at this situation with 20/20 hindsight or with political agenda needs to let this investigation play out. I certainly wouldn't base my decision or render an opinion of this incident based on the Iraqi government's investigative findings. We here in the US must understand that security situations in Iraq differ, lets say, just a little from ours. Maybe a question to be asked by all those curious minds diving into these dicussions is: Who was the person being protected on this specific mission and what is there opinion of the guards and their performance on that day? Let the investigation take its course.

We have forgotten why we are in Iraq to begin with. Our president beat the war drum because Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and...all that was false. The United States has spent over 400 billion dollars in an attempt to bring democracy to a country that has been thrown into civil war. We are now spending 10 billion monthly on a war that has no end. Blackwater USA should be held accountable for any indiscriminate killings and no impunity given to them or any other corporate mercenary group. These aren't patriots, these are war profiteers! The new "democratic" Iraq government has investigated and have found cause to justify the expulsion of Blackwater USA. There should be no "impunity" from punishment for killing Iraqi civilians, nor should any "immunity" be given to anyone who participated or has tried to cover up these crimes. Blackwater mecenaries do NOT fit the IRS description of an Independant Contractor. Erik Prince is a federal tax evader and should prosecuted as such!

Everyone who takes a life should be held responsible, even a private army of George Bush. Blackwater is nothing more than a group of looney ass rogue men who will come back to America when their job is finished killing the Iraqi's for a war based on lies. Coming to your neighborhood soon. Then they will be known as Martial Law. And don't we find it strange that the fires started in Caleefornia just happens to be one area where Blackwater wants a new training camp? And the people were ready to fight them. All a conspiracy. All truth is a conspiracy in America. Only other countries can handle the truth. Not us, it seems to fry our brains when we hear the truth. Remember, this is a war based on lies from the War Profiteers Club. Or is short term memory a problem here too? Who made America God? The American Government! Why do the American people/sheople allow it? Because the fluoride in our water has done the job it was created for. Passiveness. Bring it on! Can you say MSRA? LOL!

Immunity for armed mercenaries is outrageous.

They did follow the law. They were protecting a diplomat and came under attack. In order to do their job, protecting the life of a U.S. diplomat, lives were lost. We should be happy that it wasn't the life of an American diplomat or soldier/security guard. I am not saying that the lives of Iraqi civilians don't matter. Lives have been taken from both sides and it is a shame that is had to come to this, but for once, the attack resulted in no U.S. deaths. When Iraqis are killed there is no big deal made of it if a U.S. soldier died, but when no soldiers die and 16 Iraqis do everyone jumps right on the back of the people who were just doing their jobs.

I feel they should be given immunity. they were doing thier job. why should they be persecuted and prosecuted for doing what they are hired to do? Congressman and Senators need to get overthemselves and get off BW USA's backs. They need to look at why Maliki wants them out of Iraq so badley and immediatly what is he and his so called "government" hiding he does not wnat known? Blackwater is just a scapegoat.

US law is for everyone! Blackwater USA SHOULD NOT have any kind of immunity, if they are American, they have to follow one rule one law, NO exception!!!

I feel that the Blackwater guards should be granted immunity because they are there to protect the U.S. officials. In order to protect the officials, certain measures must sometimes be taken. We are at war and people must die in war. If in order to protect Americans people must die, someone must pull the trigger and when the people that comment on this website are in Iraq fighting, they can comment negatively about the people fighting it for them.

I think it all needs to come out in the wash. Making a speculative judgement about an incident 5000 miles away, based on incremental information supplied by a biased media is pointless. Allow the investigation to proceed. If the Blackwater employees are found liable for inappropriate action, I'd believe that Mr. Prince would do the honorable thing and support any consequences deemed meaningful. If they are exonerated, then so be it. Bottom line: If the Pentagon got off their butt and started growing the military to the size and strength it needs to be (read: at least 18 Army divisions strong), DOS wouldn't have to rely on the good folks at Blackwater for their security.

Victory is a matter of how you look at it. Sadam's out but the region has been destabilized for year to come does this make america safer or put us more at risk?

victory? what victory? Please explain how the US is "...mov[ing] closer and closer to victory". Finish your Kool-Aid and get on back to class, Junior.

But it was okay when an illegal immigrant running drugs across the border was given immunity when an investigation was made against our own Border Security agents that were doing what they were sworn to do---protect the border---and themselves. The lunatic democrat base hates Blackwater because they are helping us move closer and closer to victory. The democrats are so invested in defeat that they have nothing to gain from victory---and everything to lose.

I think the Blackwater USA employees responsible for the massacre of Iraqis should be released alone and unarmed onto the streets of Fallujah. A public announcement announcing their release should be broadcast nationwide at least 24 hours in advance. After further thought, that would also seem to be an appropriate position for Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld and the whole neocon gang to find themselves in.

What I can't wait to find out, is if God will grant immunity to Shrub and the neoCONs who started this war with lies and have killed over a half a million innocent Iraqi civilians. If he does, Hitler will be in heaven too. "They have ears but can not hear, they have eyes but can not see." Jesus

They dont have immunity, they fall under the same laws that govern the State department. Really all this is is a spin by todays media outlets who fail to do research in lieu of a good story line.

If I commit murder in a foreign country, will the state department grant me immunity? Think not!