You may have heard about the trial and conviction of four Blackwater mercenaries for murder, manslaughter, and weapons charges:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/23/us/blackwater-verdict.html
Here is the question no one really asked: The crimes mainly took place in Iraq, a sovereign nation. What jurisdiction does the US have to prosecute them?
We destroyed Iraq, and then enthroned ourselves as their judge, jury, and executioner. Trying these men not only makes no legal sense (not to me at least), but it's also the ultimate hypocrisy.
“This verdict is a resounding affirmation of the commitment of the American people to the rule of law, even in times of war,” said Ronald C. Machen Jr., the United States attorney in Washington. “Seven years ago, these Blackwater contractors unleashed powerful sniper fire, machine guns and grenade launchers on innocent men, women and children. Today, they were held accountable for that outrageous attack and its devastating consequences for so many Iraqi families.”
Does this somehow make up for the thousands of innocent Iraqis murdered by the US Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy? Or for all the innocent old men, women, and children massacred by our drones? Who is being held accountable for those murders?
This is sick legal theater which should fool no one, especially the victims of America's murderous hatred of Muslims.
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