Jake Pohlman, 10, gazed at the site in Potrero where Blackwater USA wants to build a military and law enforcement training facility. Posted on 10/08/2007 5:16:25 AM PDT by radar101
Jake Pohlman, 10, gazed at the site in Potrero where Blackwater USA wants to build a military and law enforcement training facility.
Wearing a bright green “Stop Blackwater” T-shirt, Rep. Bob Filner urged about 200 protesters yesterday to keep up their fight against Blackwater USA's plans to build a military and law enforcement training center in the backcountry community of Potrero.
“We're going to stop them,” Filner, D-San Diego, told the demonstrators who gathered about a mile from the site of the proposed training camp. “Blackwater is a black mark on American democracy.” Filner has proposed a bill in Congress that would allow mercenary training only on military bases. Opponents of Blackwater say the company's workers in Iraq are mercenaries. The North Carolina company says that label doesn't apply to its security guards who are working under government contract.
Blackwater's plans for a training center have aroused intense controversy in Potrero and beyond. Five members of the nine-member Potrero planning group who voted in favor of Blackwater's plans now face a recall. Opponents are concerned about the noise and traffic they say the training center will bring. They also oppose Blackwater's role as a military contractor in Iraq, particularly in light of recent reports about fatal shootings of Iraqis by Blackwater guards.
Kit Giguere, a Potrero resident, said she fears traffic to the training center will disrupt the quiet community.
“It just doesn't belong here,” Giguere said. “This isn't the place.”
Across the road from the rally, about 15 people wearing black Blackwater T-shirts or baseball caps gathered to show their support for the project.
“I think this is wonderful that they want to come to Potrero to train,” Potrero resident Chris Lelevier said. “It's kind of nice to get some jobs out here.”
After the speeches, the opponents marched a mile to the gates of the Potrero property, where they were greeted by Brian Bonfiglio, a Blackwater vice president who has been in San Diego seeking county approval of the project. The plans ultimately must be approved by the Board of Supervisors.
Raymond Lutz, a Democratic activist who has led opposition to Blackwater's plans, had a brief, low-key exchange with Bonfiglio. Lutz asked Bonfiglio to take down the chain blocking the dirt road and allow the marchers onto the property where Blackwater plans to build the training camp. Bonfiglio said he couldn't do that.
Bonfiglio answered questions from a few other marchers before the group turned around and walked back to the rally site.
Bonfiglio said Blackwater's project should be judged solely on the effect it will have on the environment, not on the company's reputation. He said he wasn't concerned about the demonstration.
“I think it's doing us good instead of harm,” he said. “This is a political circus.”
LEESBURG, Va. (AP) - Rep. Bob Filner stormed into a United Airlines baggage office at Dulles International Airport, barged past other customers, screamed at employees and repeatedly pushed a female baggage worker, according to a criminal complaint.
``You can't stop me!'' the California Democrat yelled.
``The police can,'' replied the baggage worker, Joanne Kay Kunkel.
Sure, dress a little 10 year old up and prance him in front the cameras.
I have a hunch that Filner has never visited Iraq. But had he done so, his sorry tail would have been protected by Blackwater employees. Their presence in Iraq has freed thousands of military to do the job they are doing — a reason the Democrats despise them as much as they do the military.
I’d rather have Blackwater training there than illegals camping in the bushes!
Is anyone else tired of the stupid clowns the Democrats elect to Congress? The best thing that could happen to this country would be for the Democratic Party to collapse.
sour·puss [souuhr-poos, sou-er-]
–noun Informal.
a person having a grouchy disposition that is often accompanied by a scowling facial expression.
The only mercenaries I’ve ever come into contact with were Congressmen and Democrat politicos.
The MSM doesn't report---it DISTORTS! And sheeples like that old coot can't figure out the difference.
The Democrats ALWAYS use little kids in their quest for power! DISGUSTING!!! They STEAL thier innocence!
Does the word Douchebag fit this jerk?
Bonfiglio said Blackwater’s project should be judged solely on the effect it will have on the environment, not on the company’s reputation. He said he wasn’t concerned about the demonstration.
“I think it’s doing us good instead of harm,” he said. “This is a political circus.”
Bonfiglio is correct.
ill informed koolaid drinking fools even taking their young children down the path. Typical.
“Mercenary training centers” to be limited to US Gov/Military property?
This would include other places where lowly civilians are trained in the techniques and tactics of personal defense.
Gunsite?
Thunder Ranch?
Even Blackwater offers training to citizens who aren’t affiliated with and LE agency or private protection agency.
Yawn... yet another group of Democrats supporting the enemy. Old news.
They instantly have t-shirts printed up, haul out a little kid, and they are front page MSM newsworthy.
These protesters are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the MSM.
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