Iraq expels Blackwater

[Firecat]

Or at least that is what they want to do, they may be convinced otherwise...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070917/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

"The Blackwater guys are not fools. If they were gunning down people, it was because they felt it was the beginning of an ambush," said Robert Young Pelton, an independent military analyst and author of the book "Licensed to Kill."

"They're famous for being very aggressive. They use their machine guns like car horns. But it's not the goal to kill people."

[zenkidori]

They are crazy motherfuckers. My roommate got offered a contract with them when his service was up(not unlike many servicemen), they do some crazy shit. They're all over the world, not just in Iraq, considered one of the best security firms out there. crazy fuckers tho.

[Firecat]

More bad news for Blackwater

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070922/...ackwater_probe

[tigger]

A friend of mine was telling me about this today. Anyone think they'll actually leave the country because the Iraqi's say so? I'd be surprised.

[zenkidori]

My guess would be another company steps in to take their place, but it's actually just Blackwater all over.

Apparently CNN says those involved in that particular incident will be charged, however.

[nomix]

Good things.

[un-dee]

The military is something that should never be privatized, because then you stop having people that can be held responsible for its actions.

[jetsetter]

Originally Posted by un-dee

The military is something that should never be privatized, because then you stop having people that can be held responsible for its actions.

These are not soldiers, they are guards.

[tigger]

Originally Posted by un-dee

The military is something that should never be privatized, because then you stop having people that can be held responsible for its actions.

I agree, but unfortunately it's the only way to get more troops there without pulling out elsewhere around the globe. IIRC there's currently something like 130k "security contractors" on the US's payroll, but a relatively small percentage are in what are considered to be combat positions. However, the army, at least the upper echelons of it, don't seem to be too big on accountability these days anyway.

Originally Posted by jetsetter

These are not soldiers, they are guards.

You don't hire Blackwater to guard your mall. They're not rent-a-cops, they are mercenaries. At the very least they are filling the role of MP's, protecting diplomats etc.

[zenkidori]

you guys don't get it. Blackwater DOES NOT provide troops. they are a PRIVATE security firm hired by contractors and such, Blackwater DOES NOT provide supplemental forces to the US military. They provide bodyguards and escorts, that's it. They guard shit. They don't carry out "missions" or "strikes" or anything like that. They may be overzealous in their duties, but they aren't mercenary forces or supplemental military might.

[nomix]

Originally Posted by zenkidori

you guys don't get it. Blackwater DOES NOT provide troops. they are a PRIVATE security firm hired by contractors and such, Blackwater DOES NOT provide supplemental forces to the US military. They provide bodyguards and escorts, that's it. They guard shit. They don't carry out "missions" or "strikes" or anything like that. They may be overzealous in their duties, but they aren't mercenary forces or supplemental military might.

Blackwater is a security firm because international law prohibits mercenaries.

Easy as that.

[zenkidori]

ok smart guy, then why don't mercenaries just guard shit? Why are they known for doing other things, like military operations, and security firms aren't? I'm not trying to defend BW, but some of you are just going a bit too far with generalizations. are the ones who defend cargo ships now pirates?

[avanti]

Originally Posted by nomix

Blackwater is a security firm because international law prohibits mercenaries.

Easy as that.

Ignorance is bliss

[tigger]

Originally Posted by avanti

Ignorance is bliss

Oh come on now. I'm not saying they're employed as some above the law strike force, but Blackwater is currently being investigated for covering up firefights their employees have been in. Call it whatever you want, they are mercenaries; hired guns. Like I said in my previous post, they are at least filling the role of Military Police by guarding diplomats and government officials. If our army had enough men in Iraq there wouldn't be a need for all these "security contractors".

Just to be anal, according to Webster's dictionary, a mercenary is "serving only for gain; avaricious - a hired soldier, a hireling."