Archive for May 25th, 2007

Wogen Watch

Author: yinn

May 25

Northern Star and Daily Chronicle articles regarding Victor Wogen and his supporters’ pre-election smear mailer against opponent Steve Kapitan have been collected at Wogen Watch: A Watchdog for DeKalb, Illinois’ Third Ward, a blog of unknown origin established last weekend.

Let’s give this anonymous citizen more material, shall we? The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, May 29, at 7 p.m. Third Warders et al were sensitive to the occasion of the swearing-in earlier this month–and particularly to Vic Wogen’s daughters–but the urgency to get the disapproval into the public record has not waned. If you have something to say about Wogen in particular, or about honesty and trust in government generally, please fill out a comment card and take your place during the public comments portion of the meeting.

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Filed under: Community Resources, Local Campaigns, Political Campaigns

Scahill Talks Blackwater in DeKalb

Author: yinn

May 25

Jeremy Scahill visited DeKalb and Jo Daviess County last week to talk about his book, Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army. Video News Service put together a short video for YouTube, Blackwater Invades Illinois, of Scahill’s hourlong talks at these venues, the Jo Daviess turnout estimated at 120-150 people. Blackwater recently opened controversial paramilitary training camp Blackwater North near Mt. Carroll, probably in violation of zoning laws there.

Highlights from Scahill’s talk in DeKalb, which I attended:

  • Formed in 1996, Blackwater found traction for growth in a series of tragedies starting with the Columbine massacre.
  • The idea for the first Blackwater base, in North Carolina, was sold as a hunting lodge concept.
  • Blackwater is not the largest of the security firms, just the most elite. They got that reputation in part by keeping alive the most hated man in post-war Iraq, Paul Bremer, head of the Coalition Provisional Authority.
  • “Contractor” casualties in Iraq–deeply secret so this is just an estimate–run to at least 770 dead and over 7,000 wounded.
  • More than 300 of the 435 registered voters of tiny Potrero, CA, are fighting a similar installation called Blackwater West near their community, which lies southeast of San Diego.
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    Filed under: Community Resources, Mercenaries, National/International