Cofer: "Blackwater spends a lot of time thinking 'How can we contribute to the common good?'"

Steve Clemons in The Washington Note, links to Politico's Kenneth Vogel for this bit:

Mitt Romney has remained mum on the alleged killing of 11 Iraqis by [Blackwater]... even as the case has led to an uproar in Baghdad and Washington. Barack Obama, John McCain and other politicians have raised the possibility of tighter controls on the firm.

The top counterterrorism and national security adviser to Romney’s presidential campaign is Cofer Black (at left), a 28-year veteran of the CIA who is now vice chairman of Blackwater USA.

The photo was taken during Black's speech at the Defense News 2006 SOFEX Conference, where Black said [emphases mine]:

“It’s an intriguing, good idea [a for-profit company becoming an army for hire] from a practical standpoint because we’re low-cost and fast,” he said March 27 during the Defense News 2006 SOFEX Conference here. “The issue is, who’s going to let us play on their team?” Black said he struck upon the idea about a year ago after watching several populations suffer because no country was willing to go in and help. He used the Sudan as an example. “About a year ago, we realized we could do it,” he said. “I just got tired of watching people not really do anything. It’s heartbreaking.” ....He said he does not intend to compete with military forces, but that big operations tend to get mired down in NATO decision-making processes, logistical support and the costs of moving big groups of people.... “Blackwater spends a lot of time thinking, ‘How can we contribute to the common good?’ ” [Cofer] said the company would want to make a profit, but the small force would still be cheaper than bringing in joint forces.

I just hate how slow those NATO decision-making processes are, don't you? ... and even worse are those tortoise-y, legal departments of big corporations, but hey! we've got a Blackwater solution for that, too:

Total Intelligence Solutions! "An intelligence gathering and analysis company launched by Cofer Black and Robert Richer in February of 2007 which "brings the intelligence gathering methodology and analytical skills traiditionally honed by CIA operatives directly to the boardroom, " according to SourceWatch. (Click here to watch Black's partner, Richer, get you really really scared...watch his smile and his hand gestures...and get really really really scared.)

Best backgrounder: Ken Silverstein, Harper's: "Revolving Door to Blackwater Causes Alarm at CIA."

Excerpt:

How did Blackwater rise so high, so fast? The “war on terrorism” got the ball rolling for the firm, but one suspects that political connections played a big part as well. Erik Prince, Blackwater's founder, is a former SEAL who is deeply involved in Republican Party politics. Since 1998, he has funneled roughly $200,000 to GOP committees and candidates, including President Bush.

And now Mitt's on board.