http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...la-home-center


I personally think the private security companies are a travesty, especially when hired and used by the US (In my opinion, the single greatest thing about our troops is the extrememly high moral standard throughout history. There are several instances where opossing, and even ally forces, have raped and stolen while US troops avoid participating in war crimes). Allowing these companies, who are allowed to avoid US military law yet are clearly working for the US, to fight in our war clearly undermines our military's high moral ground.

I hope these guys are properly prosecuted, and the US gets the message and ceases to use mercenaries.

 

Ummm....

Witnesses at the scene said they were under fire. They fired back in self defense. Two different parties were firing weapons so who knows who shot who. You can't just pass judgement in a situation like this without having an investigation. The majority of contractors over there and in other places are greatly welcome by that countries government officials (who are being protected by them). Also, the majority of these private contractors are former military guys. Mostly spec-op guys that don't have very marketable skills in the private sector here in the states. These men (and some women) who have faithfully and selflessly served their country were blessed with a job that suits their skills instead of flipping patties at BK. I'm hoping the best for them.

 

You need to read up on the actions of these security companies. They act in ways the US military would deplore as terrorism if they weren't doing their job for them.

 

I have several friends working as contractors. Just like everything else, you always get a different perspective from the people who are doing it vs. the people who report it.

 

such as

 

Check out 'Licensed to Kill' by Pelton

and 'Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army' by Scahill

and just for a quick reference:

http://www.iraqfact.com/zPic_blackwater.html


But even without direct knowledge of their actions, it's not hard to see the insanity of the US government hiring mercenaries that don't have to follow the international rules of war. It's completely un-American and anti-Democracy. How are we supposed to tell groups of rougue warriors and terrorists that what they're doing is wrong when we are using rogue warriors to fight them because our regular military can't handle it? It prooves their point for them.

 

New information:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...la-home-center


Iraqis wanting to be independant from an occupying force, and we refuse. I could have sworn this is the goal we were working towards...and indepenantly acting Iraq.

 

MV why are you so hateful and intolerant of forces on our side that weren't totally de-balled until now? Why do you take such a strong stance against your own countrymen when you don't even know if this is a case of false testimonies?

Seriously, what kind of piece of garbage are you to think the shooting of the car occupants was not justified? And the excuse that the car had "no efficient brake system" is a joke of the worst kind. Seriously.. wake up!

 

I'm intolerant of our country using tactics that we publically call illegal! It isn't about having an advantge, it's about having a legal advantage. We don't need to be doing crap like this that calls our credibility into question...especially when our credibility is already under extreme fire. And now that the Iraqis are finally taking an independant stand, and call for the removal of what they see as a threat to their contries security and to peace, we say 'f*** you, we were kidding when we said we want you to make independant decisions". What are they supposed to do? Vacate the country so we can get what we want?

 

they do the dirty work so the government doesnt look bad. you cant't act like the things they do are unwanted by our government. it's just like arms dealers. the united states funds arms dealers to sell weapons to groups like the contra or the taliban, so that their hands are clean.

 

And you condone arming these groups!?! You make my point exactly. If it's too 'dirty' of a job for the US to do itself, maybe it shouldn't be done. And maybe their hands are clean to you. To me, they're even dirtier.