Iraq Making Life Difficult for Americans in Their Country

[Conley]

BAGHDAD — Iraqi authorities have detained a few hundred foreign contractors in recent weeks, industry officials say, including many Americans who work for the United States Embassy, in one of the first major signs of the Iraqi government’s asserting its sovereignty after the American troop withdrawal last month.

The detentions have occurred largely at the airport in Baghdad and at checkpoints around the capital after the Iraqi authorities raised questions about the contractors’ documents, including visas, weapons permits and authorizations to drive certain routes. Although no formal charges have been filed, the detentions have lasted from a few hours to nearly three weeks.

The crackdown comes amid other moves by the Iraqi government to take over functions that had been performed by the United States military and to claim areas of the country it had controlled. In the final weeks of the military withdrawal, the son of Iraq’s prime minister began evicting Western companies and contractors from the heavily fortified Green Zone, which had been the heart of the United States military operation for much of the war.

Just after the last American troops left in December, the Iraqis stopped issuing and renewing many weapons licenses and other authorizations. The restrictions created a sequence of events in which contractors were being detained for having expired documents that the government would not renew.

The Iraqi authorities have also imposed new limitations on visas. In some recent cases, contractors have been told they have 10 days to leave Iraq or face arrest in what some industry officials call a form of controlled harassment.

Latif Rashid, a senior adviser to the Iraqi president, Jalal Talabani, and a former minister of water, said in an interview that the Iraqis’ deep mistrust of security contractors had led the government to strictly monitor them. “We have to apply our own rules now,” he said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/16/world/middleeast/asserting-its-sovereignty-iraq-detains-american-contractors.html

Disappointing to say the least and more evidence of the folly of nation building.

[Mister D]

Well, it's understandable. we ned them to start taking responsibility.

[Conley]

I dunno, I think not letting people renew their licenses and then detaining them for having expired licenses is bull.

Right or wrong, they want Americans out of the country for many reasons. And hey, it'll keep their human rights abuses out of the spotlight during the upcoming civil war.

[Mister D]

I agree. It's bull but we're cutting the cord. It's your country, guys. You are responsible for it.

[MMC]

Yep I heard this shit was going on.....one would think our people would learn that despite the amount of promises made. That neither the Shia or the Sunni can be trusted to keep their word about anything. Other than killing each other. Also Maliki made it clear that if any US Soldiers other than Advisors were running around with weapons that they would be arrested for War Crimes.

[wingrider]

well what did they expect ? once the troops were pulled out the protection for american civilians was gone so naturally all the bull was going to start with false arrests and detainments of civilian workers.. man our government is stupid, they should have pulled out the civilian workers before they pulled out the troops, but that is Obama in action ignorance at its finest

[Mister D]

well what did they expect ? once the troops were pulled out the protection for american civilians was gone so naturally all the bull was going to start with false arrests and detainments of civilian workers.. man our government is stupid, they should have pulled out the civilian workers before they pulled out the troops, but that is Obama in action ignorance at its finest

yeah, that probably would have been a good idea but it is nice to see them take responsibility.

[Conley]

I don't really feel like they're "taking responsibility". I mean taking responsibility to me would mean making security a priority and keeping the peace. Of course we knew that wouldn't happen. The bombings are increasing in frequency and the government instead of dealing with it seems to be making it worse. On top of that, targeting Americans when that shouldn't be a priority is even more frustrating to me.

[Mister D]

It's a start. they need to feel like they are really in charge. Now they are.

[Alias]

The evil and corruption in that entire region is so deep that I doubt it can be fixed in the current state it's in. I blame it all on ignorance and corruption forstered by Islamic dictators for centuries.

[Conley]

It's a start. they need to feel like they are really in charge. Now they are.

That's fair I suppose. They'll have no one to clean the sheets when they shit the bed.


The evil and corruption in that entire region is so deep that I doubt it can be fixed in the current state it's in. I blame it all on ignorance and corruption forstered by Islamic dictators for centuries.

Another valid point.

[Mister D]

Exactly. It's not our problem anymore.

[Pendragon]

It will be America's problem when they start executing the contractors that are working there. Keep in mind these are not contractors like the men who renovate a kitchen, these are mercenaries and security forces like Blackwater.

[Mister D]

It will be America's problem when they start executing the contractors that are working there. Keep in mind these are not contractors like the men who renovate a kitchen, these are mercenaries and security forces like Blackwater.

It won't be our problem.

[wingrider]

nope.. I agree with D it isn't americas problem it is the problem of the companies that hire thse people and send them into harms way.

No more American treasure and blood should be spilled or spent on foreign soil .

[Mister D]

nope.. I agree with D it isn't americas problem it is the problem of the companies that hire thse people and send them into harms way.

No more American treasure and blood should be spilled or spent on foreign soil .


Yepper. If Iraq wishes to have iot so that no one can do business in their country OK.

[Alias]

So let's get our own oil and free ourselves from these idiots over there. We can't keep appeasing the enviro nuts and then say "no blood for oil". might as well tell me you're against violence and then punch yourself in the face.

[Mister D]

So let's get our own oil and free ourselves from these idiots over there. We can't keep appeasing the enviro nuts and then say "no blood for oil". might as well tell me you're against violence and then punch yourself in the face.

I do find that mantra "blood and oil mantra kind of silly.

[Conley]

Especially when we didn't even get any of the oil. :angry:

[Mister D]

Especially when we didn't even get any of the oil. :angry:

They tried to explain that some way. I forget how.

[Alias]

The hard left will say anything. Doesn't have to make sense. All it has to do is raise an emotional feeling in naive people who need a cause.

[Alias]

The hard left will say anything. Doesn't have to make sense. All it has to do is raise an emotional feeling in naive people who need a cause. Activists are always looking for a cause. Doesn't have to make sense. Validates their life.

[wingrider]

outside of spending other peoples money on a cause, just what does the left stand for? I have never been able to figure it out.. they justify spending, by pulling on heartstrings,, its for the children or some such nonsense, well theya ren't my children so they can let go of my wallet

[MMC]

They tried to explain that some way. I forget how.

Yeah.....they used the Wimpy Wellington Argument as usual. Which basically says I will glady pay you next Tuesday for the Shit of today. Course with our politicians this was presented as what we do today will surely bring us the pay-off in ten years.

[MMC]

outside of spending other peoples money on a cause, just what does the left stand for? I have never been able to figure it out.. they justify spending, by pulling on heartstrings,, its for the children or some such nonsense, well theya ren't my children so they can let go of my wallet


They stand for that NWO Socialistic Bullshit where everyone has the same exact rights, except for those who are in Charge!

They stand against Righteous and doing whats Right. All one need do is look at the Pariahs of Society and Politicans, which 68% of them were some form of an Attorney. Made to play the system and the Law of any!
Tinsel Town, Sin City, and Entertainers. Freedom of Speech to say whatever out their mouths. Without having to worry about repercussions. Decieving the youth of American, instilling in them the break down of the Nuclear Family, Traditions, Religion, Divorce, taking the easy way out. Never having to work hard for anything or to get what they want out of life. Showing all how it is to be materialistic and to make sure they flaunt it. Whatever it is they may have. Sacrificing rights for Security and safety.

The one thing I am quite sure of is when looking at issues they do not know how to conceptionalize. Yet calling themselves the Elite. But for some reason are not able to identify all the angles that come to any issue.

[Peter1469]

You have to question the judgement of an American contractor who thought it was a good idea to stick around.

[MMC]

U-know the saying tho.....Money Talks, Bullshit Walks!

I have an acquiantance who went over there to drive a truck. If he lives.....he will take home over 125k for 8 months of being a trucker over there.

Oh, Non-taxed!

[Mister D]

You have to question the judgement of an American contractor who thought it was a good idea to stick around.

That's a get in and get out kind of deal. I bet the money is incredible but the risk is high.

[Conley]

If I were young and stupid again I'd be tempted. Weren't we having that talk about kids feeling bulletproof on here? Like the guys who go crab fishing up in Alaska too.

[MMC]

If I were young and stupid again I'd be tempted. Weren't we having that talk about kids feeling bulletproof on here? Like the guys who go crab fishing up in Alaska too.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWmMDj8fl_0

:tongue: :laugh:

[Conley]

:roflmao:

[Mister D]

If I were young and stupid again I'd be tempted. Weren't we having that talk about kids feeling bulletproof on here? Like the guys who go crab fishing up in Alaska too.

It's not that stupid, IMHO, for young unmarried man.

[MMC]

It's not that stupid, IMHO, for young unmarried man.

Did you say.....young? :rollseyes: :kiss:

[Mister D]

Did you say.....young? :rollseyes: :kiss:

Yes. :huh:

[Alias]

Nothing as good as Dungeness Crab off the Coast of Washington in my opinion. Right about now is the best time.

[Conley]

:laugh: Now I'm getting hungry...