BlackWater

Are these the people you wish to support? They make more than three times what our soldiers do, they escalate violence, they have no accountability. Condi Rice and company should feel secure operating under the laws our soldiers operate under.

http://act.truemajorityaction.org/t/...paign_KEY=1194

Those guys scare me, buncha bible thumpin' mercenaries for the religious right, makes me wonder if one of the reasons we're in Iraq is to deplete the US military so Blackwater can take over the military functions of our country. They illegally kill a number of Iraqis, yet somehow there's no accountability, no one goes to jail, what's up with that?

Originally Posted by Mellow Yellow

Those guys scare me, buncha bible thumpin' mercenaries for the religious right, makes me wonder if one of the reasons we're in Iraq is to deplete the US military so Blackwater can take over the military functions of our country. They illegally kill a number of Iraqis, yet somehow there's no accountability, no one goes to jail, what's up with that?

I am not sure how much they are thumping their bibles. They are certainly mercenaries for the current administration. And their presence in Iraq scares me more than most things at the moment. The fact that the American public buys into the press that even though these hired guns earn three times the going salary of our military, they are necessary for the war effort. Think about the savings if we cancelled their contract. Think about the fact that if they were no longer there, the only ones with guns on our side would be following the laws and military guidelines of the US, not some vague outline in a contract that is probably top secret.

I remember the reports they were used in Lousiana during the Katrina crisis and the number of accounted for deaths of unarmed citizens. I don't want them deployed in my town, do you?

If we allow them to be used in Iraq with impunity, what's their next step? Or have they already taken it?

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20051010/scahill

When asked what authority they were operating under, one guy said, "We're on contract with the Department of Homeland Security." Then, pointing to one of his comrades, he said, "He was even deputized by the governor of the state of Louisiana. We can make arrests and use lethal force if we deem it necessary."

Ask todays crop of candidates where they stand on Blackwater. Where is Hillary on the issue, where is Obama...we have a new SS in power. I am afraid, very afraid.

One thing that should never be privatized is the military and police of a free nation! It will only lead to abuse and corruption.

Those that pay their salaries call the shots. And even when the taxpayer actually pays the bill, if it's a contract through a department or sub contractor through a federal department...how many years will it take the taxpayer to find out who was actually calling the shots? By that time they are out of office or dead. Let's not let the mistakes of the 3rd Reich happen again under the guise of democracy and security.

I personnally will not be a pawn for indecency or imorality. I'd rather pay more for a force that is accountable to the people of the nation that pays it's check. And I am willing to stop all payments to make it end. Even if that means we didn't win the big game. I don't think that says less about us, it says we are responsible.

You support them by remaining quiet on the issue, much as the German people allowed the SS to gain control and terrorize the world.

You don't hear a whole lot in the news about these guys, but you're right, privatization of the military is a bad idea, because accountability becomes questionable, and security goes to the highest bidder.

And sure, one can argue that the tax payers pay their salaries (all 450k per employee), but evidently we have no say over how the money's spent (isn't that what they call taxation without representation?).

It might be far fetched to describe them as bible thumpers, true, but they effectively work for the religious right, and it may not be too far fetched to imagine a holy war, in which they are on the side of the religious right.

Originally Posted by Mellow Yellow

Those guys scare me, buncha bible thumpin' mercenaries for the religious right

Should be noted that military privatization was expanded through Clinton's tenure. Eric Prince saw the financial opportunity in this expansion and formed Blackwater in 1997. In addition to Clinton giving lucrative no bid contracts to Haliburton, he also used companies such as DynCorp in the Balkans and Kosovo. Remember the scadal in 1999 in which DynCorp empoyees were involved in a sex slavery and forced prostitution ring that involved children? Everything does not have to be a partisan issue you know.

.

Originally Posted by Mellow Yellow

And sure, one can argue that the tax payers pay their salaries (all 450k per employee), but evidently we have no say over how the money's spent (isn't that what they call taxation without representation?).

It has nothing to do with representation. Its taxation without congressional oversight as to where the money goes. Our congress is too busy making sure baseball is drug free.

Originally Posted by wackyiraqi

Should be noted that military privatization was expanded through Clinton's tenure. Eric Prince saw the financial opportunity in this expansion and formed Blackwater in 1997. In addition to Clinton giving lucrative no bid contracts to Haliburton, he also used companies such as DynCorp in the Balkans and Kosovo. Remember the scadal in 1999 in which DynCorp empoyees were involved in a sex slavery and forced prostitution ring that involved children? Everything does not have to be a partisan issue you know.

All true Wacky, no one in this thread mentioned Dems or Repub. just the current admin. and congress who need to act now to stop mercenary military policies.
(edit-I do see where the religious right is mentioned, but I do not think they have a thing to do with Blackwater, other than blindly believing anything Bush says)