This is how we stop Blackwater for good

intangible child · 03-08-2010, 02:00 AM

More than 22,000 mercenaries are operating in Iraq and Afghanistan, and these unaccountable hired guns have shot civilians and participated in torture at Abu Ghraib and other detention facilities.

The Stop Outsourcing Security Act, just introduced by Rep. Jan Schakowsky, would prohibit hiring private mercenaries like Blackwater to perform tasks traditionally done by the military.

Please urge your representative to co-sponsor the Stop Outsourcing Our Security Act.
This is how we stop Blackwater for good.

pensacola_niceman · 03-08-2010, 09:09 AM

Most people have no clue what a valuable service private security companies provide in the enviroment of war. Blackwater definitely did commit some atrosities, but they do not represent the conduct of the vast number of mercs here that are doing an honorable job. It's the knee-jerk mentality like this that leads to legislation to outlaw everything based on a single aspect that may have gone bad.

leighredf · 03-08-2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pensacola_niceman

Most people have no clue what a valuable service private security companies provide in the enviroment of war. Blackwater definitely did commit some atrosities, but they do not represent the conduct of the vast number of mercs here that are doing an honorable job. It's the knee-jerk mentality like this that leads to legislation to outlaw everything based on a single aspect that may have gone bad.

It is faddism. Bush is gone so they blast on Blackwater as a Bush proxy.

Wall Street, the military contractors and Christians are the demons for the left.

Gays, the anti-war, and environmentalists are the demons for the right.

You can criticize any one of these groups for the conduct of some of its members. The demonization, however, is nothing more than political play.

The majority of any of these groups are decent people.

pensacola_niceman · 03-08-2010, 12:14 PM

Clueless idiots have no idea what private security forces really do.

They perform convoy escort duty. Trucks with needed goods enter Iraq all the time and need armed escorts. Does it make more sense to burden the US military with this, or does it make more sense for trucking companies to burden the cost of private security to do it?

They perform personnel escort duty. Would you rather the US military do this, or are you happier that my company has to pay $1000 everytime we take someone to the airport?

If somebody dies choking on chewing gum, should we ban chewing gum?

waitingtables · 03-08-2010, 04:38 PM

Sorry you two, Blackwater is a criminal corporation. Nothing political about it. Except for the fact that they are allowed to continue their criminal pratices at the behest of those in politics. While other firms might be on the up and up, this ain't one of them. Not to mention that I don't believe for one second that they actually answer to anyone outside of their cabal of defense department, Pentagon old timers, and ex-CIA power players. It is what it is. And Obama either finds them useful because of the current situation we are in, or he doesn't have a choice. But make no mistake, Blackwater/Xe/ numerous other titles, is only as powerful as it is, because of it's political connections and the ideology of it's owner, Erik Prince. And while leigh, you might think that I am bothered by this because of my "liberal" ideology, you'd be wrong. It is because of my experience with the "religious" affiliations of Erik Prince and his family and friends that I am able to grasp what is going on with this company. And it is a bunch of bullshit, wingnut, anti-American shit.

waitingtables · 03-08-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pensacola_niceman

Clueless idiots have no idea what private security forces really do.

They perform convoy escort duty. Trucks with needed goods enter Iraq all the time and need armed escorts. Does it make more sense to burden the US military with this, or does it make more sense for trucking companies to burden the cost of private security to do it?

They perform personnel escort duty. Would you rather the US military do this, or are you happier that my company has to pay $1000 everytime we take someone to the airport?

If somebody dies choking on chewing gum, should we ban chewing gum?

You mean aside from smuggling and carrying illegal weapons, engaging in child prostitution, murder and torture?

pensacola_niceman · 03-08-2010, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waitingtables

You mean aside from smuggling and carrying illegal weapons, engaging in child prostitution, murder and torture?

If you think that all private security forces do that, you are clueless too.

waitingtables · 03-08-2010, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pensacola_niceman

If you think that all private security forces do that, you are clueless too.

If you read my post, you'd have seen that I said that there are firms that are on the up and up, but that Blackwater isn't one of them.

pensacola_niceman · 03-09-2010, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waitingtables

If you read my post, you'd have seen that I said that there are firms that are on the up and up, but that Blackwater isn't one of them.

OK, then perhaps we are in agreement. My main point is that there is a vital need for private security firms in any war environment. Calling for banning all of them based on the sins of Blackwater is knee-jerk and stupid.

waitingtables · 03-09-2010, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pensacola_niceman

OK, then perhaps we are in agreement. My main point is that there is a vital need for private security firms in any war environment. Calling for banning all of them based on the sins of Blackwater is knee-jerk and stupid.

We don't need to ban all of them, only the ones that don't comply with the regulations and rules. And Blackwater certainly fits that description. So yes, I think that we are in agreement.