Blackwater owner requests Shari’a law to avoid paying lawsuit damages
Presidential Airways, a division of the private military company Blackwater Worldwide, is being sued for wrongful death by the families of three soldiers killed in a plane crash in Afghanistan.
The company has asked the court to use Shari’a Islamic law to make a ruling on the lawsuit. Why would a right-wing Christian company like Blackwater want to do that?
If the judge agrees, it would essentially end the lawsuit over a botched flight supporting the U.S. military. Shari’a law does not hold a company responsible for the actions of employees performed within the course of their work.According to NPR, Blackwater has over $800 million in government contracts.Erik Prince, who owns Blackwater and Presidential Airways, briefly discussed the lawsuit in a meeting today with editors and reporters at The News & Observer. Prince was asked to justify having a case involving an American company working for the U.S. government decided by Afghan law.
“Where did the crash occur?” Prince said. “Afghanistan.”
Blackwater says crash lawsuit governed by Islamic law (via Reason)
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WOW! Erik Prince just broke the needle on the Irony-ometer! Maybe they'll find a loophole in Shari'a law that allows them to cut his hands off. One can only hope.
"Private military company" ?
How did that happen?
What is this, the Middle Ages?
Wait...that explains the appeal to Sharia...
If I were Blackwater I'd just not open any mail regarding the lawsuit.
Hey, it works for the White House!
Who's Blackwater's lawyer, Denny Crane?
So.. if the company can't be held liable, that means the individual employees are liable. So Mr. Prince has essentially thrown his employees overboard in order to not chance losing a couple of million of his many many many millions of dollars or even bother putting up a defense.
There's a guy I'm anxious to work for.
Blckwtr nds t STF nd GT.
r tts. Thr's lwys tts.
S? tts.. s tht s hrd?
So, is Blackwater now required to operate in accordance to Shari'a Law since they're in Afghanistan?
Lectroid said:
"So.. if the company can't be held liable, that means the individual employees are liable. So Mr. Prince has essentially thrown his employees overboard..."
Actually, no... they'll just argue that the employees responsible are the ones that died in the crash. All neatly tied up.
a beautiful pair, Anslem
Having lived in Holland MI in the shadow of Mr. Prince, all I can say is Scum! Neuvo riche trash!
Blackwater operators kill Iraqi civilians in a Baghdad square and get away with it because they are immune to Iraqi law, and now when something like this happens they try to get tried under Sharia law so they can get away with another crime. Neato!
You're right! Christians are always doing bad things to the world! But at least something good comes out of this, we are making the Middle East safe for Israel. We need to do so at ANY cost to the US.
is prolonging an unsustainable situation making Israel safe? Many Israelis don't think so. They are not fools. They want peace for their children.
No, all that is going on here is business as usual. Profiteers in every nation, oppressor or oppressed, WANT the Forever War.
Lol!
Mark links to Truthdig for the "truth" that Blackwater is a rightwing and Christian company.
I don't know why I click on these articles. BB is great for geek/techie stuff but the politicals are just absurd.
oh? National Public Radio site:
Blackwater's Prince Has GOP, Christian Group Ties
by Corey Flintoff
NPR.org, September 25, 2007 · With more than $800 million in contracts, Blackwater USA, led by Erik Prince, is among the biggest companies providing armed guards for U.S. officials and government contractors in Iraq.
Prince, the heir to a Michigan auto-parts fortune, has close ties to the Republican Party and conservative Christian groups. He began his career with a stint as an officer in the U.S. Navy SEALs, and co-founded Blackwater in 1997 with other former commandos. His family's wealth made it possible for the then 27-year-old Prince to fund the Blackwater start-up with his own money.
http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/09/blackwater-blues-for-dead-iraqi-civilians/
I just wish everyone would get off of Blackwater's back, they are just trying to make a buck like everyone else. I can't wait till we usher in a new era where Blackwater takes over all other public security fields in the Unted States as well. My pals and I just... can't... wait... to get pulled over by a corrupt, privatized Blackwater cop who could care less about human rights and the American way. It'll be fun. meaningless symbol
http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2007/04/4101_in_which_i_expl.html
@14: The truthdig article was written by the former New York Times Mideast Bureau chief. If you are saying he's a liar, why don't you point out where he lies in the article?
#14 posted by JCD
You don't click on "these articles" because they challenge your preconceived thoughts on things maybe?
JCD, I'd like to introduce you to reality. Prince serves as vice president of the Edgar and Elsa Prince Foundation, the foundation gave at least $670,000 to the Family Research Council and $531,000 to Focus on the Family. The foundation is also a major donor to a Christian institution in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Prince also serves as a board member of Christian Freedom International.
Since 1998, Prince has personally donated over $200,000 to Republican causes. Prince is a donor to the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative Christian legal group
Um, and then there's that little right wing Blackwater thing you may or may not of heard of.
So, please explain... Boing Boing got "absurd"... where?
@14
are you a Blackwater employee per chance? No connection at all? Just a fan? Your earliest posts seem awfully interested in defending Blackwater interests. Or do you just like shooting people?
He may want to use Shari'a law to try to get out of this, but what if they decide to make an exception and go ahead with the case? And he loses? Does he get the Saddam treatment then?
i'm thankful i can still see the humour in this.