Blackwater scandal
The attention on Blackwater for its latest abuses is just part of the problem the U.S. faces with private firms in Iraq and government contracting. The privatization of our military has created a more costly and less accountable process for doing many of the things previously run under the sole authority of the military. Private security and other services cost more than it would if the military operated its own supply lines and security details. The advent of private security firms – mercenary armies really- has created a more lucrative career option for many of our best trained military personnel, who often leave our military, taking with them training and expertise provided at taxpayer expense. Blackwater employees often work along side U.S. military personnel, for more money, creating free advertising for the private security firms and possibly a drain on career military personnel. The profits are taken by the middle man - Blackwater, Custer Battle, Halliburton Aegis Defense Services – at taxpayer expense.
Then there is the issue of accountability.
It is no coincidence that the Bush administration deliberately created conditions in Iraq that made both U.S. military personnel and also private contractors immune from prosecution for crimes and violations of Iraqi and international laws.
From contracting fraud to the use of torture and abuse, private contractors along with CIA personnel have been at the center of the storm. This gray area of responsibility has led to a lack of accountability, and helps create the distrust and legitimate resistance to Bush policy in Iraq.
Part of the issue in the past was the almost total lack of oversight by Congress when controlled by Republicans, and the White House. Now the Democratically controlled Congress has the opportunity create justice and fix the problems.
Will it? Or will this Congress again shirk its responsibility and become complicit in the corruption?
This letter has not been edited.
Privatizing the military is part of the Neo-Con agenda. They are wrong about this just like they have been wrong about everything else. The most disturbing story I have read about Blackwater is one in which they had a auto wreck with US soldiers and they disarmed them and had them on the ground when Colonel arrived. We need to get rid of these bastards.
Posted by just sayin' on October 15, 2007 02:53 PMJust saying
Just more left wing fantasies and knee jerk reactions.
American Heritage Dictonary
Neoconconservative "The Neocons and the Hardliners have long felt that no Soviet leader could be trusted"(The New York Times)
That also goes for their kissing cousins the Democrats,liberals and other socialist ilk.
Posted by Engage Brain First on October 15, 2007 03:30 PMI don't think its part of "The Neo-con Agenda" (cue spooky music here) but just one more way to make lots and lots of money. Privatizing miltary functions (be it Blackwater, Halliburton, or any other conttactor) is still a really, really stupid idea, but attributing evil influences to simple greed makes it difficult to have a serious discussion.
Posted by Mac on October 15, 2007 03:35 PMI remember how upset and horrified some of my friends were when they heard about the beating, dragging and eventual hanging of bodies of two US "contractors" by Iraqi's at the beginning of the occupation. They actually thought these mercenaries were innocent little people who were only trying to help out the Iraqi's. When I tried to explain the actual "jobs" these mercenaries were there to do, I was criticized and called a traitor. Now they know what I was saying.
Posted by Stan B on October 15, 2007 06:00 PMThe sad thing is that there ARE civillians over there trying to do what they see as the right thing. But they are far outnumbered by tthe Blackwaters, Halliburtons, KBRs, etc.
This isn't new, of course - a friend's father tells great stories about the 5 years he spent in Danang as a civillian contractor during that war. But having them perform such a wide variety of military jobs has taken it to a whole new, extremely unhealthy level, I think.
I think the best analogy for Blackwater is the Black and Tans. At the end of WWI (that is World War One for all you dittoheads) the British had a number of young men unable to readjust to society and a rebellion in it's most oppressed imperial colony. The solution: Create a private militia out of the men to warped to adjust and let them slaughter the Irish at will. Makes you wonder how far we will fall in relation to the rest of the world over the next 50 to 100 years.
Posted by GEO on October 15, 2007 08:18 PMIraq-NAM troops, across all racial lines, are being treated like plantation slaves and share-croppers. Again, black military folks are giving their lives, so foreigners can enjoy voting rights and democracy desserts, that blacks don't even enjoy in America. Our troops are being paid pennies, while Blackwater's NAZI (SS) troops, are being paid $150K-$300K, with very lucrative disability packages. Our kids (sitting ducks and targets) are being Rx drugged (PTSD mind-altering and suppressors), so they can stay in combat for longer periods of time. When they go "crazy" from combat stress and the drugs and murder innocent Iraqis, Bush (UCMJ-felon; AWOL, deserter, and guilty of illegal separation and discharge), rewards these warriors with court martials, facing the death penalty. None of Colorado's congressional reps have spoke out this injustice being done to our young men woman. Only one of these congressional suits and dresses, have ever served in military uniform, and it shows. Where's Jared Polis when you need him?
Posted by draftdodgingisntafamilyvalue on October 15, 2007 09:52 PM"...many of those "private contractors" are former US military veterans. They are all Americans..."
That's actually one of my concerns - why couldn't they hack it in the real military? Perhaps the military didn't want them? I imagine there are some good people working for Blackwater. But you can't deny that they are mercenaries and as such hold allegiance (at least mainly) to one thing - the dollar.
Posted by Mac on October 16, 2007 08:36 AMThey did "hack it" in the military. There's no dishonorably discharged employees working for Blackwater.
What is with your condescension as if you are above working for a paycheck? From where do you derive your paycheck? From God?
These guys have a skill and the government is willing to pay them for that skill.
Posted by Stanley the un-manly on October 16, 2007 09:13 AMMac:
"...why couldn't they hack it in the real military? Perhaps the military didn't want them?"
I retired (honorably) after 25 years on the Seal Teams. I could have faded into "retirement" or stayed active. I stayed active for 6 years on a large police department SWAT. When I became too old for SWAT according to their rules, I again retired, at the "old age" of 45.
Now I work for a large private security concern where ability and not age is the qualifying factor for continued employment. My skills (both military and police obtained) were deemed expendable due to chronological age, not ability or expertise, by government authorities.
I've been assigned to both Iraq and Afghanistan 5 times now, for 6 months at a time. I'm very well compensated for my abilities which the government no longer felt they had a need for. Why shouldn't I pursue my chosen profession in a legal and ethical manner if the government no longer wants my services?
And, we are not legally defined as mercs (paid soldiers who will work for any government or organization, for any cause for money). The company I work for will only accept jobs from the US Government -- the same one who cut many of us loose after years of service.
As a matter of record, we adhere to a stricter rules of engagement protocol than the US Military does.
Posted by Proud Contractor on October 16, 2007 10:02 AMPrivaiizing the military and our prison system is not only stupid, it's downright evil.
People should NOT be paid by the private sector for incarcerating or killing other human beings.
Neo-cons didn't take into consideration the fact that people are just that , people, with all the faults that comes with it ,sadism included.
What we've all been witness to is a result of that flawed thinking. Be it Abu Gharib or the brownshirt army assembled by Hitler to circumvent the Geneva Convention provision that Germany keep the number of soldiers under 100,000.
Privatization of those GOVERNMENT functions should cease, and desist. Immediately.
This is the U.S.A for Christ's sake,
NOT Nazi Germany in the 30s.
Not yet, anyway.
Posted by dmz on October 16, 2007 10:12 AM
CORRECTION to 10:10 AM POST
I retired at 55, not the typo of 45.
Posted by Proud Contractor on October 16, 2007 10:12 AMPrivatization of those GOVERNMENT functions should cease, and desist. Immediately.
This is the U.S.A for Christ's sake,
NOT Nazi Germany in the 30s.
Not yet, anyway.
Posted by dmz on October 16, 2007 10:12 AM
What a idealistic loony leftist fruitcake! The reason they turn to the private sector is because there's too many wimps like you who fight against self defense even when an enemy is trying to kill us.
What does dmz stand for: dreamy moron zombie?
Go back to the reading room of moveon.org!
Posted by on October 16, 2007 10:20 AM"People should NOT be paid by the private sector for incarcerating or killing other human beings."
Why not? Why is it acceptable to be paid by the government but not a private company?
Did Nazi Germany privatize incarceration and killing? I don't get that reference other than it was mentioned for dramatic effect. The incarceration and killing in Germany was done by the government, not the private sector.
Posted by Stanley the un-manly on October 16, 2007 10:21 AMHey! Even with the hoards of mecrenaries, thousands of American soldiers and all of the troops from the "coalition of the willing" you still can't take a walk in bahgdad. Everybody got hired for security jobs because they all heard that the gravy train was rolling!
Posted by on October 16, 2007 01:36 PMNote to 10:10 anon raving she-male-without-father:
I'd like to quote your vise prez, but I've got class.
YOU know what quote I mean. As it begins with "F" and ends with "yourself"
To wrap a mans testicles in electrified barbed wire does NOT take courage.
It just takes a sadistic . overpaid, S.O.B at the switch.
You sound perfect for the job, sign up, and good luck.
Non Illigitimi corborundum, my fellow freedem-loving Liberals.
Stan and anon SMWF will get theirs, and soon.
( and YES, Stan, the Nazis DID privatize the holocaust) , and furthermore, the definitition of fascism is the unholy marriage of GOVERNMENT and CORPORATE ENTITIES)
If you're going to make a fool of yourself, do it privately.
Americans are tiring of being represented by fools such as these.
Also, in closing, most Americans with a brain KNOWS what dmz means.
But now I'm preaching to the choir, because neo-cons attention spans, as we know , are short, very short.
Just like their members.
Posted by dmz on October 16, 2007 06:00 PMNote to 10:10 anon raving she-male-without-father:
I'd like to quote your vise prez, but I've got class.
YOU know what quote I mean. As it begins with "F" and ends with "yourself"
To wrap a mans testicles in electrified barbed wire does NOT take courage.
It just takes a sadistic . overpaid, S.O.B at the switch.
You sound perfect for the job, sign up, and good luck.
Non Illigitimi corborundum, my fellow freedem-loving Liberals.
Stan and anon SMWF will get theirs, and soon.
( and YES, Stan, the Nazis DID privatize the holocaust) , and furthermore, the definitition of fascism is the unholy marriage of GOVERNMENT and CORPORATE ENTITIES)
If you're going to make a fool of yourself, do it privately.
Americans are tiring of being represented by fools such as these.
Also, in closing, most Americans with a brain KNOWS what dmz means.
But now I' preaching to the choir, because neo-cons attention spans, as we know , are short, very short.
Just like their members.
Posted by dmz on October 16, 2007 06:00 PM Well said, DMZ.
Where do these idiots come from anyway?
Certainly not from a history class
Impeach as necessary, the sooner the better.
And fire Blackwater ASAP .
CEO Eric Prince is a spoiled rich kid Christo-extremist, giving the USA a bad name.
dmzzzzzzzzz
"...most Americans with a brain KNOWS what dmz means."
Yeah - diminished mental zone.
Posted by on October 16, 2007 06:22 PMdmzzzzzzzzz
"...most Americans with a brain KNOWS what dmz means."
Yeah - diminished mental zone.
Posted by on October 16, 2007 06:23 PMdmzzzzzzzzz
"...most Americans with a brain KNOWS what dmz means."
Yeah - diminished mental zone.
Posted by on October 16, 2007 06:24 PMNon illigitimi corborundum,
I like that,dmz!
Fits quite well to describe our learned conservative friends, armed with less than an answer as to why their leaders have failed them so badly.
Unfortunately, they're dragging us down with them.
Contractor, you made my point for me perfectly - "...we are not legally defined as mercs (paid soldiers who will work for any government or organization, for any cause for money). The company I work for will only accept jobs from the US Government..."
Exactly - the COMPANY you work for. AT THE PRESENT TIME. You could certainly hire out to a Belgian or Russian company tomorrow, correct? Men and women in the military cannot do that legally. And you do sound a little bitter towards the govt you profess to serve.
"They did "hack it" in the military. There's no dishonorably discharged employees working for Blackwater."
Never said there were. Didn't say BW employees were kicked out - I was thinking that they may have left on their own because they didn't like the regulations and/or "low" pay.
"... From where do you derive your paycheck? From God? "
No, my employer and my investments (Duh). I was paid in the miltary, also. But I was on a tank because I wanted to serve my country, not to make the small amount of money I was paid. According to my social security statement, I made $11,571 the last year I was in the military (E-4).
"...These guys have a skill and the government is willing to pay them for that skill. "
I don't think that's how it works.
When I did contract work for the Navy, the US paid the company I worked for, who took their cut and then paid me. In other words, I was offered out at a higher rate than I was actually paid, and that difference was the profit for the company (BW or whoever).
Public Contractor, please correct me if I am wrong, but you don't recieve a check directly from Uncle Sam, do you?
"Why not? Why is it acceptable to be paid by the government but not a private company?"
The government, at least theoretically, goes to war to protect its people. A private company goes to war to make money. Going to war is not why we have governments. Going to war is why we have private armies. A worthwhile government will try to avoid going to war. A private company in the business of going to war will try to encourage going to war.
Posted by Truth on October 17, 2007 03:41 PMI just realized scanning all the posts again that I did not disclose that I, too, did contract work for the military for nine years. Supply databases, bar coding, parts trackin systems for the Navy. I'm not against contractors - I'm against contract SOLDIERS.
Posted by Mac on October 17, 2007 03:41 PMAs a wise man once remarked: "Those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
The history of the Condottierri in Europe, all during the various wars, of dynastic and other feudal "lords", and the religious squabbles that marked the Centuries during which Nations emerged from the dismal, dank, dirty, decayed and swinish period of the Dark Ages of rule by the Roman Religion, is there for anyone who really wants to learn. A mercenary by any other name is still a mercenary.
Anyone care to speculate on what happens when "George IV" - or any of his potential successors - decides to employ these "contractors" at home, here in the United States, to "keep the peace"?
Those who don't want to learn, won't. (Until it's far too late, that is.)
Posted by Old Grouch on October 18, 2007 09:08 AM