BP Hires Mercs to Block Oily Beaches

[kpete]

Source: Wired



Last week, we all voted here on who should buy Blackwater now that it’s up for sale. In addition to Steve Jobs and the Salvation Army, one of the top finalists was British Petroleum. “Somebody is gonna have to keep all those sunbathers away from the beach,” one commenter noted.

Well, today we can tell you: Danger Room gets results. Kinda.

BP, in a move destined to go down as one of the bestest public relations moves ever, has apparently hired a private security company to help to keep pesky reporters from covering the unfolding catastrophe on the beaches of the Gulf Coast. The report comes via New Orleans’ 6WDSU reporter Scott Walker, who last week ran into representatives of a “Talon Security” trying to block him from interviewing cleanup workers on a local beach. Just which of the various companies named “Talon Security” is storming the (public) beaches for BP, however, remains unclear.

Of course, this wouldn’t be the first time a private security firm made an appearance in a Gulf disaster. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, the Department of Homeland Security and a number of private firms, fearful of reported widespread violence and chaos, turned to private security contractors like Blackwater and ArmorGroup International to protect their property.




Read more: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/06/bp-hires-mercs-to-block-oily-beaches/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#ixzz0qvQN3iIg

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VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/user/wdsutv#p/u/3/2fMTp9hCgWI

[Mimosa]

1. Why is our government letting BP do that?

I really want to know why our government is letting BP run the show. *grrr*

[tom_paine]

13. Because the Corporations now ARE our government.

I suppose that could be considered hyperbole by many, but the gap by which such a statement is hyperbole versus reality is narrowing at obvious blatant breakneck speed.

[ronnie624]

18. Not hyperbole at all.

Big corporations own our government through campaign donations and the "revolving door" that allows corporate executives to run federal agencies like the FDA, SEC, CIA etc. Anyone who claims otherwise needs to be slapped out of their stupidity.

[tom_paine]

20. That would probably by 99.99% of the American Subject Populace

Sadly.

[Taverner]

23. No not hyperbole in the least

[Bozita]

21. Fmr Sen Trent Lott (R-MS) & John Breaux (D-LA) shilled for big oil on Tweety's show yesterday

The bipartisan revolving door strikes again.

[krabigirl]

27. Yes, and they have been for a while imo.

All of the presidents since and, of course, including Reagan have been corporatists.

[Blue_Tires]

29. +1

[City Lights]

32. Yup. The people are no longer relevant.

Welcome to the United Corporations of America.

x(

[Odin2005]

49. Not hyperbole, the truth.

[readmoreoften]

72. We are in a total merger of state and capital.

It's not hyperbole. It's a fact.

[Hawkowl]

16. Stop bashing Obama!

He's only the president! If he had 89 Democratic Senators, then maybe, just maybe he could stop BP from filibustering our precious beaches.

[area51]

17. lol

"Leave Brittney alone!"

Ain't it the truth of some DU'ers.

[saigon68]

22. Its Change we can Believe in

[earcandle]

53. Obama has power, as evidenced by Bush. He doesn't use it. He is powerless. A fraud.

[Matariki]

59. Maybe Bush had power because he *was* Big Oil, and Blackwater, and Haliburton...

and Obama is just Gov't.

[Hawkowl]

69. Obama has power

He filled STADIUMS with peopl. Consistently week after week. If he chose to, he could be the most powerful president in modern history--through the American People. People power is unstoppable as demonstrated by Gandhi, MLK jr. etc.

[earcandle]

93. That is true. But can he trust in us to back him up? Will he dare to be on our side? So far, NOT

[Bo]

98. YOUR RIGHT ...Obama the fraud...what a waste of a vote

...the man is impotent and a complete idiot to allow what is happening in the gulf. I am very very sad.

[femrap]

26. Because the politicians

have been paid by them to do as they say.

Just watch...some journalist will get shot or a citizen activist.

This is Fascism.

[leveymg]

2. Wonder of Talon Security is associated with Talon News. Remember Jimmy Jeff?

Turd-blossom's best buddy, ex-Marine, and overnight guest? Ya, that naked White House sleepover guy. Probably hangin' at the beach, these days.

[no limit]

5. That's where I remember that name from, couldn't think of it.

[bananas]

6. Good question.

They've also hired Wackenhut: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x249452

[Sal Minella]

9. Wonder if the hourly and weekend rates are the same for both services? n/t

[pscot]

11. I bet they pay these guys a lot more

than the grunts who are out there cleaning up the mess.

[bobthedrummer]

24. No one can make this up, thanks my friend-below are a couple of links that are interesting.

Source Watch: External Jeff Gannon links
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Jeff_Gannon/External_Links

Talon Security LLC (Daytona Beach FL)
http://talonsecurityllc.com

Talon Security (Sacramento CA)
http://www.talonprivatesecurity.com

Talon Security is owned by DMT Enterprise-most likely DMT in Stone Mountain GA, but these are all front organizations imo and experience.

[denverbill]

3. Let's see. If an armed citizen tries to force me to do something against my will, that's assault.

What's to prevent me from patrolling my neighborhood park with an Uzi telling people to stay away? If this is a public safety issue, it should be either the national guard or local law enforcement doing this.

[Coyote_Bandit]

12. +1,000,000

and it would seem that the government is aware of these happenings which makes them complicit in the cover-up attempt.

[annabanana]

44. Yes. Yes it is. Assault. In a public place. By a private citizen.

Thesse mercenaries must be called out and declawed.

[Odin2005]

50. The Corporations ARE the Law, now.

Criminal statutes are only for us little people.

[earcandle]

54. STFU! If you hold it that way, everyone else will adapt. Have some fucking balls.

[ronnie624]

90. It will take more than wishful thinking or balls.

Firstly, you must accept the truth. Secondly, you must be informed. Thirdly, you must have the ability to organize politically.

Currently, working class Americans - excluding the infinitesimal fraction who post messages on progressive forums - are not up to the task.

[Gregin Orlando]

4. BP must be held accountable for this!

The far-reaching implications of this disaster have barely been touched upon by the corporate media. While the threat to wildlife and the economy have been mentioned, few outlets have mentioned the health risks to Gulf coast residents from breathing in toxic fumes when the oil hits shore. There are unconfirmed rumors that FEMA has been quietly discussing evacuation plans to clear the shores as far as 200 miles inland if the air becomes unfit to breathe. For more information, check out this article and others by this author: http://www.examiner.com/x-38220-Orlando-Independent-Examiner~y2010m6d15-Toxins-in-air-from-evaporating-oil-may-pose-greater-threat-to-Gulf-residents-than-oily-water

[dotymed]

8. These are public beaches

how can "we" allow this to happen? FASCISM.

[wordpix]

36. no, they're BP's to foul & then (try to) hide the evidence---didn't you know that?

Corporate States of America we live in. :puke:

[dgibby]

74. Anderson Cooper has been doing an outstanding job of covering this.

I've been very impressed. As soon as I've watched Keith and Rachel, I flip to CNN to catch AC360.

If you haven't been watching him, I would urge you to do so.

[Donnachaidh]

7. I called this at least a week ago.

And watch the uproar if any of these pay-for-play mercenaries happens to get pissed off and shoots someone.

[kpete]

14. depending

on the color of the victim's skin?

[Donnachaidh]

19. uhh no -- where did you draw that conclusion from?

Seriously -- WTF?

BP has been trying to keep reporters away - period. The next step would be to hire mercs (in their eyes) to keep crowds and reporters away.

I don't know where you pulled that conclusion and I'm not sure I'm real happy about you even suggesting that. Please explain yourself.

[EFerrari]

40. I believe kpete is referring to the largely unprosecuted shooting

of black people in the Katrina aftermath and actually, the unprosecuted of brown civilians in our two wars.

kpete is pointing to the practice of our government, I think.

[nashville_brook]

10. shades of Katrina

[Lagomorph]

15. That photograph...

...does not appear to have anything to do with the event.

[saigon68]

25. It's in Baghdad

With another "Contractor"

[coyote]

28. That youtube video is just amazing....

I am absolutely speechless.

[wordpix]

38. Corporate States of America, no longer US - this is what it's come to

:cry:

[Blue_Tires]

30. what is the legal precedent for THIS??

[wordpix]

39. hopefully the media will sue BP for violation of First Amendment---freedom of the press

It's not BP's private beach, it's public property and BP has no right.

[awoke_in_2003]

45. you don' t need precedent...

when you own the government.

[conscious evolution]

100. The last time that I can remember mercenaries

working to protect a foriegn corporation from US citizens on the continental US was in Trenton New Jersey way back in 1776.

[chill_wind]

31. Video of Talon Security on the beach in OP-- is a must see.

For any who haven't seen it by now. Just unbelievable.



How many of these outfits named Talon are there? A bunch.

These guys?

http://www.talonprivatesecurity.com/

or these guys?

http://www.talonsecurityllc.com/about.html

or these guys?

http://www.talonexec.com/

or these guys?

http://www.taloninvestigation.com/phys_sec.html

That's just a superficial google skim.



(self edit- video reference)

[City Lights]

33. That video is a fucking outrage!

:nuke:

[nc4bo]

34. Oh my God - WTF?!

This is some scary type of crazy going on down there!!

[saigon68]

35. A Bunch of Punky Little PISS-ANTS

They are little pieces of dried up male-genitalia

[Smashcut]

37. WHY IS THIS BEING ALLOWED TO HAPPEN

:argh:

[eowyn_of_rohan]

46. A FOREIGN company can hire thugs to keep us off our OWN Beaches?!

Something's gotta happen....

[earcandle]

55. Are we third world now?

[eowyn_of_rohan]

61. Sure as hell looks like it

[ronnie624]

81. THEY have all the power. WE are disoriented and weak.

We will comply.

For now.

[wordpix]

84. only if we act that way

[KakistocracyHater]

96. actually no, since BP is a "person" they can & should be hauled in for illegal

dumping on ALL the various beaches.......starting with BP CEO. I still want to outlaw CEO positions, did the board know he was cutting corners? is there evidence? I'd rather not give 1 person so much power, too much money is like getting gold fever

[fascisthunter]

41. sorry but that guy looks like a dork posing for a pic

I only wish a gang of citizens went down there and strung them up as traitors to our country.

[annabanana]

42. WE are under attack from the corporate armies.

The corporations are waging war on America.

[Bozita]

43. Somehow, "oily" and "mercs" seem to fit together nicely in the same title line

[Odin2005]

47. There is no democratic government in the US anymore, we are a Corporatocracy.

[earcandle]

56. Don't believe it or it will come true.

[Capitalocracy]

48. Can't wait to hear Jeremy's take on this. I think I know why they're doing this

Because the Coast Guard isn't doing a good enough job of keeping reporters out. Private enterprise to the rescue. I'm sure they'll send us the bill later.

BP STANDS FOR BALLOT POISON

Pledge not to vote for any candidates receiving campaign donations from BP in 2010.

Petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/bp2010/petition.html



Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=113423272036102

Twitter: @bpballotpoison

[earcandle]

57. OR they are running equipment up through the Gulf through to the MIssissippi to wage war in America

form the middle out to the coasts.

Are we ready? 

[ronnie624]

83. It's a political 'war'.

Our enemy's weapons are money, control of all political institutions and ownership of mass media.

They are armed to the teeth.

[quakerboy]

51. Private security is hardly the same as "mercs"

And those guys were more mall cop than cop cop. No weapons apparent. They didn't appear to do anything other than talk, even when the reporter clearly walked onto the are they were saying he could not access. Looks to me like these "talon security" guys didn't have anything other than talking points and the knowledge that if they didn't tote the company line their Minimum+.50 jobs would be gone in a heart beat.

This is misleading in picture and in title.

I have little doubt that BP and others have the real mercs waiting in the wings just in case. But these talons were clawless. Hell, they didn't even have their own respirators, they are as screwed as everyone else working down there. Let me know when we find the ones toting weapons and looking a little less like clueless boyscouts.

[j420norcal]

73. I agree completely

The guys in that video were nothing special and the reporter knew it. They got put in their place when the sheriff showed up.

[New Dawn]

52. With the White House's blessing.

[JDPriestly]

58. BP cannot do this without the acquiescence, approval or permission of the

state or other owner of the land of the beach. If these are public beaches, someone should be able to go to a court and get an injunction to permit them access for important purposes such as reporting.

[earcandle]

60. That is the spirit. Challenge, challenge challenge using our laws and regulations... Lawyers,

please tell us what we can and cannot do.

[JDPriestly]

67. The only way to deal with armed guards is to get an injunction.

If you go to court for an injunction, someone will oppose your request. Let's say you file a petition for an injunction and serve it on the company that is guarding the beaches or the company that is supposedly doing the security. That's how you will find out the truth about what is going on.

[earcandle]

92. Thank you! We need more information like this to move into action!

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

62. awesome, now maybe Rachel Maddow would pick this up? The video is amazing

mainstream media - but since its local media and local industry/beaches/resources
being destroyed/

[dgibby]

75. Anderson Cooper has been reporting on it regularly,

as have many of CNN's reporters.

[AzNick]

63. I would hire my own mercs to fight BP mercs and it would be all kchhh! kchhhh! kapow! kapow!

Seriously, the stupidity never ceases to amaze.

[nadinbrzezinski]

64. I see we have now crossed, officially that is.

into the world of cyberpunk

[Bluebear]

65. How are people going to come visit, spend money & eat seafood?

[walldude]

66. This can't be fucking legal...

British Petroleum hires mercenaries to keep American Citizens from public beaches? Not sure how that falls under their jurisdiction. Comparing this to homeland security using mercs is bullshit, BP is not a representative of the United States. Matter of fact, arming people against US citizens on US soil? Um the words ACT OF WAR come to mind. Could be just me though... I'm starting to get passed angry and moving on to FURIOUS.

[wordpix]

86. it's not constitutional b/c there is supposed to be freedom of the press

so if people are kept off public beaches by a private corp, they should form a class action suit and sue the hell out of BP, Talon or whoever. Seems a clearcut case to me but then there's Alito, Fat Tony and the rest :eyes:

[Bozita]

68. Haven't local police been doing the exact same thing?

Barring the media from access to the beaches and wetlands?

[Kablooie]

70. They have no authority on public beaches without government backing.

Reporters should just push through them.
If it gets into violence, it's on BP's shoulders because they don't have the right to stop people!

[shireen]

71. Since when did BP own our beaches?

:mad:

[babylonsister]

76. Just googled news of this; sort of curious no one else is

reporting it. :shrug:

[maddezmom]

77. found this blog from June12, seems like recycled info

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/ybenjamin/detail??blogid=150&entry_id=65649

[babylonsister]

78. You'd think more mainstream news sources would be all over

such a 'sensational' story. Mercs?

Thanks for the link.

[BrklynLiberal]

79. We are a officially a corporate run country.

[Amonester]

82. Have been for quite a while, even if they don't pay taxes!

But they sure do make certain to buy all the politicians they need, though.

[RedCloud]

80. Off with their heads! That will at least slow them down.

[valerief]

85. The US is so fascist it's officially changing the spelling of fashion to fascion.

American Fascion. It's all the rage!

[Vilis Veritas]

87. Not sure if this applies...

"THEY CAME FIRST for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

THEN THEY CAME for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

THEN THEY CAME for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

THEN THEY CAME for me
and by that time no one was left to speak up."

Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)

At what point does speaking up include ACTION?

Perhaps, the hardest part about taking action is STARTING.

[Sub Atomic]

88. We've got a foreign interest controlling access to public land here in the States!

Is this not an act of aggression by a foreign entity? Is this not an act of war against the U.S.?

[bobthedrummer]

89. bttt

[Lance_Boyle]

91. Is this who the 'escrow account' will end up paying?

Modern day Pinkerton thugs. Fun times.

[Old Vet]

94. These are ordinary mall security guards................

They are underpaid, unarmed, people trying to make a buck. From what Iam told they dont want people interviewing BP paid employees, You are allowed anywhere on the beach. Headline is a little mis-leading, When they start blocking access to the beach with armed professionals is a totally different picture.

[bobthedrummer]

95. kick

[bobthedrummer]

97. Bang...

[Xipe Totec]

99. The Hessians are comming! The Hessians are comming! nt

[bobthedrummer]

101. kick + Source Watch's List of lists (for researchers of BP and other stuff)

List of lists
http://www.soucewatch.org/index.php?title=List_of_lists

[bobthedrummer]

102. "Letting Corporate Criminals Rule" by Danny Schechter (6-21-10 Consortium News)

It seems clear that BP can't seem to fix the catastrophic gusher the press calls a "leak," and that President Obama can't fix the economy because its problems are structural and won't respond to soaring rhetoric emanating from his bully pulpit...

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2010/062110a.html