Blackwater Antics

From the NYTimes:

The helicopter was hovering over a Baghdad checkpoint into the Green Zone, one typically crowded with cars, Iraqi civilians and United States military personnel.

Suddenly, on that May day in 2005, the copter dropped CS gas, a riot-control substance the American military in Iraq can use only under the strictest conditions and with the approval of top military commanders. An armored vehicle on the ground also released the gas, temporarily blinding drivers, passers-by and at least 10 American soldiers operating the checkpoint.

And:

Both the helicopter and the vehicle involved in the incident at the Assassins’ Gate checkpoint were not from the United States military, but were part of a convoy operated by Blackwater Worldwide, the private security contractor that is under scrutiny for its role in a series of violent episodes in Iraq, including a September shooting in downtown Baghdad that left 17 Iraqis dead.

What were they doing? The Blackwater vehicle was stuck in traffic and they were trying to clear a path.

Blackwater says it was permitted to carry CS gas under its contract at the time with the State Department. According to a State Department official, the contract did not specifically authorize Blackwater personnel to carry or use CS, but it did not prohibit it.

The military, however, tightly controls use of riot control agents in war zones. They are banned by an international convention on chemical weapons endorsed by the United States, although a 1975 presidential order allows their use by the United States military in war zones under limited defensive circumstances and only with the approval of the president or a senior officer designated by the president.

“It is not allowed as a method or means of warfare,” said Michael Schmitt, professor of international law at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. “There are very, very strict restrictions on the use of CS gas in a war zone.”

Restrictions that obviously don't apply to Blackwater.

Good to know these guys are on our side.

A PA Connection to Blackwater

From Talking Points Memo, we learn that the Erik Prince, the guy who's running the show at Blackwater (aka The World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army), gave money to recent Senate candidate Carl Romanelli.

You remember Carl Romanelli, right? He's the Green Party candidate bought and paid for by some of Lil Ricky Santorum's friends in the Summer of '06 in order to siphon off some votes from Bob Casey.

Didn't work. It cost them a bundle, too. $10,000 from Erik Prince alone.

Here's the rundown at attytood.

By the way, Lil Ricky may be returning. This is from the Trib (so you know it's right):

Say it slowly: Gov. Rick Santorum.

Interesting concept, isn't it?

The former Pennsylvania GOP senator, trounced in his re-election bid last year by seldom-seen Democrat Bob Casey Jr., apparently has grown weary of beating the drums about the ongoing terrorist threat as a senior fellow with the Washington-based Ethics and Public Policy Center.

The American Spectator reported last week that Santorum is seriously mulling a run for governor in 2010, when the race will be wide open. Term limits will force current Gov. Ed Rendell from seeking a third term.

Ah, the Casey-Santorum race. You remember the problems he had with his residency, don't you? So does The Trib:

Of course, a Santorum gubernatorial bid is dependent on the Virginia resident being agreeable to actually living in Pennsylvania again. When he was a senator, you may recall, he found that idea abhorrent.

Good times.