Blackwater is now trying to take over an 824 acre Military base in Southern California!

[shance]

People of California - pass this on.

(Apologies Mods for the link*** the article is pages long.)


Massive security contractor faces growing protest in rural California town over 842-acre base


SAN DIEGO -- Potrero, California boasts a broad swath of meadowland that currently houses derelict chicken coops.

Surrounded by the Cleveland National Forest, the property boasts a former chicken ranch and includes an environmentally sensitive, protected agricultural preserve southeast of San Diego.

But if private security contractor Blackwater USA gets its way, this 850-strong community will soon host an 824-acre military training base, replacing the erstwhile chicken ranch with fifteen firing ranges and an emergency vehicle operator’s course the length of ten football fields.

A RAW STORY investigation has already led to the removal of one lawyer connected to the project. The inquiry has also discovered that California congressman Duncan Hunter -- ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee -- is a client of the firm, Blackwater USA, a massive US security contractor in Iraq, and minutes of a planning meeting raise questions about whether Hunter was involved in lobbying for the project.

(snip)

Blackwater isn’t a stranger to controversy. In February 2004, families of four security contractors killed in Fallujah, who are suing the firm for information regarding their deaths, testified before the House Government Reform Committee.

(snip)

Townspeople and environmentalists are squaring off against the company and public officials. The Portrero Planning Group approved the facility by a 7-0 vote in December – but since then more than half of the town's registered voters have signed a petition opposing the facility. Residents also say they are organizing a recall against members of the Planning Group who voted in favor.

Chairman of the Planning Group Gordon Hammers says he won’t reconsider the board’s decision.

"I think it’s good for the community," he said in a recent interview with the East County Californian. "It provides jobs.”

“It will improve the general economy of the community and as a result, improve property values," he added. Hammers contended that arguments against the project "have absolutely no rhyme or reason" and that some opposition is based on misunderstanding of the project’s scope.

In a later email to RAW STORY regarding questions about whether noise would disturb nearby residents, Hammers wrote, "If the good science shows that Blackwater's claims are true then I will be a proud supporter of a vital partner with law enforcement and the war on terror," he said in an e-mail. "If good science shows that their claims are not true then they will lose my support."

(snip)

When Hedlun pressed Hammers to schedule a meeting in order to allow public input, Hammers responded in an email acquired by RAW STORY, "Jan, get over it. There is not going to be a meeting."

Much more at:

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Massive_security_contractor_faces_growing_protest_0403.html

[aquart]

1. Who is Gordon Hammers and where are his offshore accounts?

[shance]

3. I was wondering who he is as well. Don't know yet.

n/t

[Liberty Belle]

17. If anyone knows how to trace those things, I would love to know.

[Why Syzygy]

2. What is a

"client" of Blackwater USA?

[shance]

4. Someone who hires Blackwater ? What kind of work would that be?

n/t

[Why Syzygy]

10. Professional military?

http://www.blackwaterusa.com/

Blackwater USA is the most comprehensive professional military, law enforcement, security, peacekeeping, and stability operations company in the world.
~~~

It is probably the military section of Halliburton. Add in weapons dealing, and you found the cartel.

(I know you know this ;) )

[scrinmaster]

22. Bodyguards.

nt

[mmonk]

5. Chills.

I detest the idea of extra constitutional armies on our soil. I hope they aren't seen as some great growing job opportunity for the common citizen.

[shance]

6. Is a private army "constitutional"?

Last time I checked this wasn't.

[mmonk]

15. No

[seafan]

7. This is just unbelievable!

Massive security contractor (Blackwater USA) faces growing protest in rural California town over 842-acre base, April 3, 2007

Although the Potrero Planning Group has met monthly for several years, Hammers has refused to convene an April meeting, saying that only quarterly meetings are required and a quorum can’t be met.

.....

The proposed Blackwater West training facility at Potrero would include 15 firing ranges for automatic and semi-automatic weapons and small caliber guns, as well as an emergency vehicle operator’s course the length of ten football fields -- 3,280 feet in length and 1,320 feet in width, according to a project description. The facility would also include bunkhouses and commando-type training facilities, ship simulators, and law enforcement and rescue safety training towers with rock-climbing walls and platforms.

Multiple San Diego County records indicate that "hazards" -- including “explosives” – “should” be stored in an "armory" at the site.

.....

Residents contend Blackwater’s proposal is being fast-tracked through the planning process under streamlined procedures recently adopted by San Diego County to expedite processing of major projects such as housing developments. A public "Notification of Preparation" hearing is scheduled for Apr. 5 at the San Diego Department of Planning and Land Use; citizens have until Apr. 27 to respond.

.....

Residents also raise concerns over the role of San Diego County officials in expediting the project. An article in the San Diego Reader concluded that Potrero residents are being "ambushed" by "county bureaucrats marching alongside Blackwater USA."

Documents filed with the county indicate Blackwater officials have been meeting privately with Department of Planning and Land Use personnel since at least May of 2006. Members of the public in Potrero did not learn of the proposed project until Oct. 12 at the earliest. One whistleblower contends that failure to notify the public until late in the planning process may violate the California Environmental Quality Act; others allege that County planners may have violated the Brown Act, which mandates open meetings.

Environmentalist Duncan McFetridge questions why residents weren’t included in early planning.

"It is as close to collusion as you can get without actually being illegal,” McFetridge says. “I am convinced that one of the main reasons that Blackwater came to San Diego is that we are the capital of privatization where lines between private and public sectors is a total blur."

“In San Diego we don't have revolving doors,” he added, “we have tunnels between politicians and profiteers."

.....

One citizen opposed to the project revealed that Lori Spar—listed with the California Bar Association as an attorney with a law firm representing Blackwater on July 31, 2006 —has since unexpectedly surfaced as a land use/environmental planner for the Department of Planning and Land Use.

"She walked into our Mar. 1, 2007 Save Potrero meeting, representing the County," said former Potrero planner Carl Meyer.

After RAW STORY inquired about her ties to Blackwater, the Department of Planning removed her from the project.

.....

To win approval of the project, Blackwater must obtain a change in zoning on the property, which is currently zoned agricultural. McFetridge believes the project can be defeated on land use issues and cites data from radio-tracking of cougars that highlights the sensitive nature of meadowlands on the property.

Other groups have also joined the battle to block Blackwater’s camp.

"I will work hard to block this deal," said Raymond Lutz, head of Citizens Oversight Panels, a grassroots organization. "Blackwater is well known as one of the most egregious violators of human rights in the Iraq War ... We don’t need a `black-ops’ training camp in San Diego."

Bob Davis, a member of the San Diego Peace & Justice Coalition, fears that civil disobedience may be needed to halt the project, stating "We may have to put our bodies on the line."

Citizens are organizing opposition and public protests for the Apr. 5 meeting at the Department of Planning and Land Use.

"You can bet that Blackwater is lobbying the DPLU and its staff," Sierra Club land use committee chair Jeanette Hartman said. "Your only hope is to lobby back. Fight everything. If you don’t, they’ll just roll right over you here."

These private, mercenary armies are very, very dangerous for the future of this country. They are operating in secrecy, outside the US Constitution, without Congressional knowledge or oversight. They are regulated by NO ONE.


I sincerely hope the people of California can bring this to a halt.

[omega minimo]

8. Interesting how the encroaching police state is always such a snoozer "even on DU"

:hi: :kick:

[warren pease]

9. Please excuse the paranoia

But I'm starting to think this may just be the enforcement arm of the right wing coup. I've sometimes seen the idea expressed here that the military, if ordered to perform any action that would harm large numbers of american citizens, would not obey. I don't know if that's true or not, but having your own paramilitary organization, answerable only to the people who pay them, equipped with the finest weaponry and trained for urban combat, neatly avoids that potential problem. It would realize the wet dreams of people like Peron, Trujillo, Mobutu and ... bush.

And precisely because it's insane, I'm beginning to think it's for real, since we are unfortunate enough to be ruled by raving sociopaths who have demonstrated to my satisfaction that they have absolutely no regard for human life, unless it takes the form of a rich, white, corporate GOP campaign "donor."

Duck and cover.


wp

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

14. No. The danger you observe is not "paranoia". Private militias funded by,...

,...the highest barbaric bidder is an absolutely horrifying possibility ESPECIALLY WHEN it is clear beyond a doubt that there are those who are perfectly willing to be 'amoral' (as if being amoral is somehow less egregious than being immoral) and blindly sacrifice ALL aims and ideals of a decent and democratic society FOR MONEY. MONEY MONEY MONEY and POWER POWER POWER.

Your concern in based in a rational assessment of facts and the potential consequences.

[EnviroBat]

24. DING DING DING DING!

You are absoluetly correct. I have been making calls to Congressmen and Senators in my state demanding that Congress ends all funding for these a-holes immediately...

[annabanana]

25. Unfortunately, What you express seems entirely possible.

My alarm bell went off when I saw pictures of memebers of this paramilitary force on the streets of New Orleans after Katrina.

The management of Blackwater does NOT make one less nervous.

[ellisonz]

11. Woah.

[me b zola]

12. Blackwater needs to be made to go away

...never to curse this earth and her inhabitants again.


This story needs more recommendations :kick:

[EnviroBat]

30. Help me in my fight against them.

I've been making calls everyday now for the last 3 weeks. If we all started calling and rasing hell about this we might be able to get these "Brownshirts" abolished. Lets send Erik Prince (a.k.a the anti-Christ) to hell where his ass belongs.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

13. A private militia with an 824 acre base. That is fucking disturbing!!!

:scared:

These people are literally "FOR SALE" to defend and kill for the most barbaric highest payer.

Creeps me out, BIG TIME!!! I mean, THIS COMPANY SHOULD NOT EVEN EXIST,...if they were held to ANY rule of law!!!

Damn!!!!

On edit: DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!! :scared:

[Liberty Belle]

16. More discussions on this here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2793165&mesg_id=2793165

Note that the planning department will accept written comments on Blackwater's Notice of Preparation received before 4pm April 27:

Dept. of Planning & Land Use
5201 Ruffin Road, Suite B, San Diego, CA 92123

[shance]

18. This seems to be evidence, like New Orleans, they are willing to assault Americans as well.

Someone tell me I am wrong.

This is the sadness of individuals being enslaved to the capitalistic dollar.

The actual creation of a private mercenary firm seem to prove the problem.

How do we take our power back

What will someone do to earn money and what did we lose in the education of corrupt capitalism in Vietnam?

[EnviroBat]

27. You are not wrong.

We must get together on this before they start rolling into our towns, confiscating arms, and pushing the citizens around. I for one will not recognize ANY private contractor thug as a law enforcement official, or member of the military. Backwater's "rule of law" is shit, and they can suck it!

[Raksha]

19. Scary stuff--K & R because it's scary stuff.

Everyone needs to read this and wake up to the latest manifestation of creeping fascism. Maybe this is what it will take to turn San Diego blue, though. It's obvious the residents are NOT thrilled by the prospect of having Blackwater for a neighbor.
:kick:

[tom_paine]

20. Naturally. Brownshirts need bases to control the Homeland

Not everyone is a Loyal Bushie, you know.

And with the possibility of the Loyal Bushies helped or staging a nuclear 9/11 #2 (God Forbid), the closer we get to uncovering their most serious crimes still hidden (and I bet there are still PLENTY), the need for Brownshirt bases inthe Homeland becomes clear.

You see, like Bushler himself, these nazi-Lite emissaries will NOT be welcomed by Loyal Americans. I know what I shall do if/when I see Blackwater Brownshirts patrolling MY streets (I will give them flowers and salute them, of course, Agent Mike).

They will need bases to retreat, reorganize, and regroup away from the Loyal American population. This is but the first of the Blackwater Brownshirt Homeland Security bases.

[shance]

21. What better way than being bi-coastal?

n/t

[EnviroBat]

23. Fight these fascist bastards!

I would move there tomorrow just to protest this! I HATE Blackwater, and I will call my reps every day to see an end to this organization!

[meldroc]

26. Blackwater scares me.

Blackwater's founder, Erik Prince (the Prince of Darkness,) is a hard-core right wing dominionist fundamentalist. A guy like that with his own private army is a truly scary thing. They may very well be grooming themselves to be the brownshirts or blackshirts of the right wing fascist new world order.

The planned San Diego facility is small potatoes to these guys - their main facility in North Carolina is over 6,000 acres, and has trained over 50,000 ex-military and law-enforcement personnel to become their mercenaries.

Does anyone know just how many troops Blackwater has?

[EnviroBat]

28. Yeah, they provide jobs...

To retarded, meat-headed, knuckle dragging, mouth breathers, who'd like nothing more than to "Kill us some libruls..." I know from personal experience because my fucking brother-in-law, IS one of these dickless jackasses. I'd love to accidentally back over him with a truck someday.

[Initech]

29. Holy shit! Here comes the gestapo!

:scared:

:nuke: