U.S. Mercenary Killers Sent to Prison

Four Americans convicted of killing 17 innocent civilians while employed as private security contractors by the United States Government have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Nicholas A. Slatten, who fired the first shots during the 2007 mass shooting in Baghdad, was sentenced to life imprisonment; Paul A. Slough, Evan S. Liberty, and Dustin L. Heard were each sentenced to 30 year terms. Blackwater, the private security firm these men worked for, has changed its name several times, and heavily armed private mercenaries are still employed by the U.S. Government.

More:

“Why four Blackwater contractors were just now convicted of killing 17 Iraqi civilians in 2007,” Dara Lind, Vox

“A Blackwater World Order,” Kelley Vlahos, American Conservative

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Blackwater Contract Killers Finally Convicted. After a Fashion.

Four former Blackwater Worldwide “security contractors” were finally convicted for killing 14 innocent civilians and wounding 17 more in 2007 when they indiscriminately opened fire at a busy intersection at Baghdad’s Nisour Square. One of the victims was nine years old. Only one of the private army “contractors,” sniper Nicholas A. Slatten, was convicted of murder; the other three — Dustin L. Heard, Evan S. Liberty and Paul A. Slough — were convicted of voluntary manslaughter and the use of machine guns in a violent crime. The sentences for the machine gun convictions may actually be longer than those for taking innocent human lives.

USA Leaves Iraq?

The last convoy of United States troops left Iraq today, entering Kuwait and ending almost nine years of official military presence. Operation Iraqi Freedom lasted eight years, eight months and 25 days. 1.5 million troops served, 4,500 died, and 32,000 were wounded. Cost in Iraqi lives? Pick a number over 100,000.

American troops already withdrawn from Iraq are glad to be home for the holidays, though many will be re-deployed to Afghanistan. But at least Iraq is secure, right?

Why Wait? Ask Now: Who Lost Iraq?

President Barack Obama has announced that U.S. combat troops will leave Iraq before the end of 2011, ending nine years of military action that have wrecked the economy and cost the lives thousands of Americans and tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians.

Shoe Thrower Set Loose

Iraqi reporter Muntazer al-Zaidi, correspondent for al- Baghdadiya television news service, was freed from a Baghdad prison yesterday, nine months after he interrupted a speech by the President of the United States by yelling “You lie!”  “It is the farewell kiss, you dog!” He also presented George W. Bush with two Florsheim Awards on behalf of Iraqi widows and orphans. President Bush was visibly moved.

After the release of the Iraqi shoe-thrower, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security elevated security threat levels to cordovan.

New Job for Bush

You may be out of work, but George W. Bush has a new job. The former president is using his legendary oratorical skills to forge a new career, Mike Allen reported in Politico. After hearing the news, David Letterman’s writers required oxygen.

Mr. Bush is booked to give ten speeches this year in Canada, the U.S., Europe, and Asia. He is represented by the Washington Speakers Bureau. The agency’s motto: “Inspiration from the World’s Greatest Minds.” Really.

Protesters Slap Leather, ‘Shoe’ Bush Out of White House

Photo from Raw Story

500 people participated in a protest at the White House on President Bush’s last full day in residence there. 40 pairs of shoes were thrown at an effigy of the president, a reference to a symbolic protest by an Iraqi journalist who has been imprisoned without charge since Mr. Bush left Baghdad over a month ago.

Read accounts from:

IndyStar

NPR

Reuters

Delaware Online

Fox News

DCist

Condi was there, too.

Shoeleather Salute to Bush

Monday, January 19, 2009, is the last full day of the George W. Bush presidency. The departing  chief executive will be saluted today for his contributions to peace and prosperity.

At 11 AM citizens from all over the country will gather at Washington’s Dupont Circle to enumerate the accomplishments of the departing President, then walk to a location near the White House and throw shoes in Mr. Bush’s honor, in the fashion of Iraqi reporter Muntader Al-Zaidi. Serviceable shoes will then be donated to the families of local folks who lost jobs thanks to the economic stewardship of the MBA President.

A Gift for W

During the past year, NotionsCapital has not always been kind to President George W. Bush. We admit to having shown him in an unflattering light, resorting to extreme measures like comparing his statements to observed reality in the known universe (though not as dramatically as Al-Baghdadia TV’s Muntazer al-Zaidi). 

In this season of goodwill, on the eve of his departure from the power and prestige of the White House, as he prepares to leave Washington luxury for the simple pleasures of his Texas ranch and trade limousines for pickup trucks, we offer Mr. Bush a simple gift to mark this momentous life transition:

Shoe Salute for Bush on January 19th

 

Peace activists from across the nation will shower shoes on departing President Bush on his last full day in office, January 19th. A symbolic demonstration is expected near the White House between 11:00am and 3:00pm.  

Monday, January 19th is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday; there is certainly no more appropriate way to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy than protesting an unjust war and a gutted economy.  After the demonstration, the shoes will be donated to those who are in need due to Mr. Bush’s disastrous economic policies.