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Sunday Roundup
posted at 2007-09-23 18:53 | Last modified 2007-11-14 10:38
The big news of the weekend was the breaking story of the Blackwater investigation, reported by the N&O’s Joe Neff. He cites unnamed sources within the US Attorney’s office who say the Moyock-based security subcontractor is under investigation for alleged gunrunning into Iraq.
The AP’s Matthew Lee had this follow-up with more info on where the Blackwater guns allegedly ended up - in Turkey, oddly enough.
Blackwater, not surprisingly, denied any wrongdoing.
The gunrunning allegations are only the latest development in a long string of seriously bad publicity for Blackwater. Earlier this week, Iraqi leaders banned Blackwater from operating in their country, but then backed down – most likely under heavy pressure from the US, who relies heavily on the contractor to provide security for visiting dignitaries, state department personnel, and even journalists. But according to WaPo, Iraqi officials say there’s a long history of problems with Blackwater, and when they’ve tried to complain, Washington has turned a deaf ear.
As of today, it sounds like Iraq is done waiting for the US to act. The NYT says Iraq expects to bring criminal charges against Blackwater soon for its role in last weekend’s bloodbath.
Meanwhile, back home in NC…
The N&O’s Dan Kane tried to ask Governor Mike Easley and Crime Control Secretary Brian Beatty about the latest X-rated development in the long list of problems within the State Highway Patrol. Not surprisingly, neither Easley nor Beatty was eager to discuss the problem. Kane did get some feedback from two Wake legislators, Republican House Leader Paul Stam and Dem (and possible Dole challenger) Grier Martin.
- Update: Late Sunday night, Easley's office issued a statement saying the trooper who had sex in his patrol car won't be getting his job back, even after a judge ruled he was fired unfairly. Dan Kane has more here.
Over at the Wilmington Star-News, the editorial board had a snarkadelic field day with this week’s spat between gubernatorial contenders Lt Gov Bev Perdue and State Treasurer Richard Moore. Dead on and way funny.
Down in Charlotte, Johnson, Morrill, Ingram et al point out that the Perdue (almost-)campaign filed its complaint against the Moore committee on the first day of Moore campaign manager Jay Reiff’s honeymoon. Now, that’s just mean. I don’t know the name of the new Missus Reiff, but someone who does tells me Reiff definitely married up. Congrats, Jay.
Calling all black helicopters...Greensboro’s Mark Binker had this story on new high-tech changes to NC drivers licenses. Some right-wing types say it's a sign that the New World Order is right around the corner.
Back in Wilmington, Mark Schreiner reports Rep. Thomas Wright is one of quite a few legislators who didn’t show up for the recent veto session, but still accepted per diem pay and mileage reimbursement for it. According to the story, state policy allows lawmakers to decide whether to accept or decline pay and expenses, regardless of whether they actually showed up for work. Speaking as an average working taxpayer, I’d love to know where to sign up for a gig like that.
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