Do you agree in Bush's use of a parallel military force in Iraq/Afganistan named 'Blackwater'? (soldiers, regular)

[gorgeet]

Do you agree in Bush's use of a parallel military force in Iraq/Afganistan named 'Blackwater'?

Blackwater Runs Red

[NewToCA]

Actually, it is supplemental armed military support, not a "parallel military force".

[trzlucky]

How about posting a real source if you want to have a real conversation about the topic?

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32419.pdf

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by trzlucky

How about posting a real source if you want to have a real conversation about the topic?

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32419.pdf

Interesting link, thanks.

[trzlucky]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

Actually, it is supplemental armed military support, not a "parallel military force".

Exactly....they are there to take care of responsibilities such as protecting diplomats, training Iraqis, and escorting civilian logistical convoys. Responsibilities that don't require military so that the military can be taking care of other missions. It's not much different than contracting out cooks so that the military doesn't have to wasted bodies serving food.

[LibertyandJusticeforAll]

Here is what I would have done after 9/11 bombed Afganistan and sent in special forces and miltarty contractors to hunt down bin laden and other terrorists. Put a price on his head for 1 billion dollars and have local people do the work for us.
Never would have went into IRAQ. But since we did I would have finished up a long time ago. I would have shot saddam in the head when he was in hole and turned over the country after they voted and said good luck. Put up the posters of saddam with a bullet in his head.

WARNING this is what happens to dictators. Vote Wisely!!
Sorry it took so long to clean up our own mess.... signed US Management.

[MamaBee]

Our government shouldn't be hiring a private military group for anything, period.

[gorgeet]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

Actually, it is supplemental armed military support, not a "parallel military force".

Well, if the mercenaries (from many different countries) outnumber the US troops, I would call it a 'parallel' miltary force.

“Yes, in Iraq, the mercenaries--euphemistically called "paid contractors"--outnumber US troops, 180,000 to 160,000. These contractors do more than provide armed security for US personnel. They do chores that previously belonged to regular army staff.
Private security companies employ for high pay former US soldiers, ex-kidnappers and torturers from Pinochet's secret police, death squad heavies from a variety of Central and South American countries and a few leftover South African apartheid thugs as well. The companies collect billions from US taxpayers. A typical U.S. soldier serving in Iraq makes about: $57 a day. The estimated daily take for a Blackwater security guard there runs between $500- $600.”

http://www.counterpunch.org/landau10112007.html



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[NewToCA]

Gorgeet, that is total contractors, not those who are armed. It includes those who deliver and serve food, construct water and electrical systems etc, who are the vast majority of contractors in Iraq.

[gorgeet]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

Gorgeet, that is total contractors, not those who are armed. It includes those who deliver and serve food, construct water and electrical systems etc, who are the vast majority of contractors in Iraq.

I realize that - but the US forces also employ cooks, medics, truck drivers, etc.