The Mercenary Factor

**Zaknafien** · 09-20-2007, 11:28

The Mercenary Factor

But the White House hopes the outrage will once again blow over. As the Associated Press reported on Monday: "The US clearly hoped the Iraqis would be satisfied with an investigation, a finding of responsibility and compensation to the victim's families--and not insist on expelling a company that the Americans cannot operate here without." Or, as Ambassador Ryan Crocker testified to the US Senate last week: "There is simply no way at all that the State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security could ever have enough full-time personnel to staff the security function in Iraq. There is no alternative except through contracts."

Consider the irony of that last statement--that the US experiment in building democracy in Iraq is dependent upon the same garrisons of foreign mercenaries that drove the founders of our own country to launch the American Revolution. As George Washington warned in his farewell address, once the American government enters into these "foreign entanglements," we lose the Republic, because public accountability is sacrificed to the necessities of war for empire.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20071001/truthdig

**KukriKhan** · 09-20-2007, 13:34

And what would be Zaknafien's comment-opinion-reaction-observation on Mr. Scheer's piece?

**Zaknafien** · 09-20-2007, 14:12

I largely agree with the content of his message; the point being that if the US doesnt allow the "independent" Iraqi government to rule its own territory then the farce will be revealed and the occupation will not be able to save face.

The things Blackwater and other foreign mercenaries have done in Iraq is plainly criminal, from extortion to the murder of civilians. Ive spoken with several former soldiers personally who now work for Blackwater and have literally bragged about the things they've done and gotten away with.

**Kagemusha** · 09-20-2007, 15:37

Mercenaries should be outlawed in international law.

**Geoffrey S** · 09-20-2007, 18:55

Originally Posted by Kagemusha

Mercenaries should be outlawed in international law.

Mercenaries, private security (bodyguards)... it's a thin line.

**Kagemusha** · 09-20-2007, 19:01

Originally Posted by Geoffrey S

Mercenaries, private security (bodyguards)... it's a thin line.

The line is there where war zone starts and ends. Bodyguards are people that secure private people. Contracted mercenaries fight actively for those who have hired them. These people should be seen as illegal combatants if any. US is showing very bad example by using private companies in warfare.

**Seamus Fermanagh** · 09-20-2007, 17:24

Originally Posted by Zaknafien

I largely agree with the content of his message; the point being that if the US doesnt allow the "independent" Iraqi government to rule its own territory then the farce will be revealed and the occupation will not be able to save face.

The things Blackwater and other foreign mercenaries have done in Iraq is plainly criminal, from extortion to the murder of civilians. Ive spoken with several former soldiers personally who now work for Blackwater and have literally bragged about the things they've done and gotten away with.

Somehow, Zak', despite living within 40 miles of Blackwater's HQ and smack dab in the middle of their prime recruiting zone for retired SEALS, I haven't been privy to a host of stories about them reveling in their various atrocities. I suppose it's possible that they never discuss it such things around any of their old pals and fellow retirees in the area and that there are, therefore, zippo such stories circulating in my community.

Clearly your personal anecdotal evidence must be valued more than my anecdotal discussions from others serving over there, and I must assume that Blackwater is simply in existence for the USA to deploy our own "SA" while maintaining a bit of deniability.

Would you mind explaining to me, however, how it is that we're so miserable at being imperialist thugs if imperialism really has been the cornerstone of our foreign policy for so long?

If we're imperialist scum bastards, I'd like to think that we're at least a bunch of semi-competent imperialist scum bastards.

I just don't see it that way, pal.

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 09-20-2007, 22:43

Originally Posted by Seamus Fermanagh

Somehow, Zak', despite living within 40 miles of Blackwater's HQ and smack dab in the middle of their prime recruiting zone for retired SEALS, I haven't been privy to a host of stories about them reveling in their various atrocities. I suppose it's possible that they never discuss it such things around any of their old pals and fellow retirees in the area and that there are, therefore, zippo such stories circulating in my community.

Clearly your personal anecdotal evidence must be valued more than my anecdotal discussions from others serving over there, and I must assume that Blackwater is simply in existence for the USA to deploy our own "SA" while maintaining a bit of deniability.

Would you mind explaining to me, however, how it is that we're so miserable at being imperialist thugs if imperialism really has been the cornerstone of our foreign policy for so long?

If we're imperialist scum bastards, I'd like to think that we're at least a bunch of semi-competent imperialist scum bastards.

I just don't see it that way, pal.

You only fall down when the people you're taking over aren't Western Christians. You've got a pretty good strangle hold on Europe.

**Tribesman** · 09-20-2007, 22:53

I don't know exactly what happened this time (who does?)

Every account I have seen says that the convoy came under mortar attack .
Now Blackwater does say that its hired scumbags did see people with guns in the square....though perhaps the people with guns was the Iraqi policemen they shot when they fired into the crowd .