Cross-posted at http://www.progressivefuture.org
After years of abuse and waste, and over two years after a brutal shooting in which 17 Iraqis were killed, the State Department has finally decided to cut Blackwater off. An advisory panel, convened by Secretary of State Condolezza Rice, recommended that Blackwater's multi-million dollar contract to protect U.S. officials in Iraq not be renewed.Talk about too little, too late.
Of course their contract should not be renewed. They've led the way in ruining our nation's reputation with their brutal and barbaric acts in Iraq, while simultaneously raking in over $320 million -- a contract which is paid for by the American people's tax dollars. We've essentially paid them to make the rest of the world hate us.
Of course, the State Department can only recommend that the contract not be renewed. The real decision lies in our new administration, specifically with soon-to-be Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Seems pretty simple, right? They've been bad kids, so take their toys away.
Not so fast.
The decision is not so easy for Hillary Clinton. Despite the fact that the advisory panel is releasing a report that makes recommendations on how to effectively replace Blackwater in Iraq, there are some who would rather maintain an unhealthy dependence on these contractors and will argue that there is no viable replacement.
Of course the most obvious answer to this problem is to get out of Iraq as quickly as is reasonable and safe -- if we're not there, we don't need protecting.
Our international reputation has taken a hit over the last eight years. Hillary Clinton can take a major leap toward restoring that reputation in her first days as Secretary of State by announcing that she will follow the recommendation of the panel and not renew Blackwater's contract in Iraq. Let her know that you want her to do just that here.