The founder and chair of the private military contractor Blackwater USA appeared before Congress Tuesday to defend his company. Erik Prince was called before the House Xommittee on Oversight and Government Reform amid a public firestorm over the role of private military firms in Iraq and a string of probes into Blackwater’s conduct.

Erik Prince: “We strive for perfection. We try to drive towards the highest standards. But the fog of war and accidents and the bad guys just have to get lucky once.”

Blackwater has come under heavy scrutiny since last month’s shooting in Baghdad in which up to 28 Iraqis were killed.

Congressmember Dennis Kucinich: “So Blackwater’s shoot-first-and-don’t-ask-questions-later approach undermines the United States’ position and jeopardizes the safety of our soldiers. How much more do we need to know to conclude that the war against Iraq has been a disaster for the Iraqi people and for the people of this country, as well?”