Blackwater? A private militia?

Question

Blackwater? Hmmmmm.....This is very interesting. An Amway owned private militia. Now, if any of us formed a militia wouldn't we be considered a terrorist threat?
Since when was the US military no longer good enough to protect our diplomats? Why the need for this private group? Who is profiting from this? Amway? Very interesting...

Answer 1

Having a private mercenary army in Iraq serves many purposes for the Bush administration.

First of all, it allows Bush to shovel more taxpayer money out to his friends and campaign contributors. This war has been terribly expensive and much of the money has disappeared in waste and fraud, in unaccountable contracts to companies like Halliburton, Bechtel and Blackwater. Which is, in fact, one of the main reasons for having the war in the first place.

Secondly, it allows Bush to fighter harder with an inadequate military. The all-volunteer military just doesn't have enough 'boots on the ground' to stabilize Iraq, and Bush was warned about this before the war by every real military expert he talked to. Blackwater has more than doubled the size of our military force.

Thirdly, Blackwater is not subject to US law or even international law. They don't have 'rules of engagement'. They aren't subject to the strict code of conduct we enforce on US military people. In fact they are almost completely unaccountable for their actions.

Answer 2

Actually I am against the whole war thing but I am in agreement with you. Did you know that the U.S. army has contracted out the security of our military bases and posts to private security firms that have the training of your basic rent-a-cop. I think that it is a travesty beyond comprehension but what can we do ? Who knows somebody may get trigger happy or maybe go off because their mates cut them off from the sex. I did not know that Blackwater was Amway where did you hear this?

Answer 3

Definitely, it's a private militia. And one for profit.
It's not unheard of. Most private security organizations are private militias. Where are you going to draw the line?
Foreign operation? Fire power?

If we consider a private militia a group of combatants not backed up by a (recognized?) government, then:
The army that invaded Palestine and created the state of Israel was a private militia.
Pirates were private navy.
The revolutionary militia in the US was a private militia.
Some of the armies of europeans fighting against the Germans in WWII were private militia since their governments surrendered (some others were backed up by "governments in exile").

I wouldn't question the private militia or who profit from it. Your problem should be why are YOU paying for it.

Answer 4

It truly is interesting - I aways believed that LBJ with his Vietnam war was the most corrupt Pres. we ever had but this current Pres. & Co. could run circles around good old LBJ with his, no bid contracts, weapons of mass, & privit armies which are costing many times more than the regular military. Can you imagine serving as a regular grunt making X per month next to a guy serving in this privit army makingXXXX, same danger same duty - tax payers paying all.

Answer 5

If you study history and warfare - you will see that mercenary groups have always been used. Groups are usually made up of former special forces - the strategy to this is - special forces are needed to fight in the war- where groups can be hired and protect contractors and diplomats-and not have as many rules to them they do their job - and they do it well.

Answer 6

This is the Presidential Praetorian Guard.

Answer 7

why don't you ask this question to the state department, there the ones that contracted for the protection of their employees..