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Mycroft
Skeptic Friend
USA
427 Posts |
 Posted - 10/10/2007 : 22:02:21
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These stories caught my eye while perusing Google News today:
bAustralian contractor: Our employees feared suicide bombing
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- An Australian security company that Tuesday fired on a car carrying two Iraqi women, killing them, said its team acted because they feared a suicide bombing attack. |
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/10/10/baghdad.shooting/
Dubai firm in hot water over Iraq killing
By Riyasbabu
11 October 2007
DUBAI — A Dubai-based security company has run into the centre of an escalating international row over the operation of private security companies in war-torn Iraq after its alleged involvement in a shooting incident that killed two women on October 7.
Dubai-based Unity Resources Group yesterday admitted their involvement in a shooting incident in Karrada district in Iraq saying that the company is working with the Iraqi authorities investigating the incident. |
khaleej times
I'm going to propose that these incidents are evidence that the problem lay more with the nature of the job and the environment of Iraq than it does with the specific character of Blackwater as a company.
While I'm sure it's much more exciting to be alarmed at an amoral private army poised to do God knows what at the drop of the hat to seize power for the friends of its charismatic religious nut-case leader, I believe the reality is much more mundane: that providing security in a region torn by factional fighting and suicide terrorists is dangerous and that the people doing it are powerfully motivated to err on the side of trigger happy.
Also on topic:
State Dept. May Phase Out Blackwater
By MATTHEW LEE – 6 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department may phase out or limit the use of private security guards in Iraq, which could mean canceling Blackwater USA's contract or awarding it to another company in line with an Iraqi government demand, The Associated Press has learned. |
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g4OiK8Bkks3epqQ-eXeiSGX6cu7gD8S6KVE80
Maybe they will phase them out, maybe not, but the review process alone constitutes evidence that Blackwater is not above reproach.
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2007 : 02:34:48 [Permalink]
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Blackwater is indeed not alone; merely the most visible pustule of the carbuncle.
I ask: what services do these "security companies" provide that can't be handled by regular military?
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
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Mycroft
Skeptic Friend
USA
427 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2007 : 11:19:30 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by filthy
I ask: what services do these "security companies" provide that can't be handled by regular military?
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My understanding is that the issue isn't that these services can't be handled by regular military, it's that there isn't enough of the regular military to go around. |
| Edited by - Mycroft on 10/11/2007 11:31:31 |
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The Rat
SFN Regular
Canada
1370 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2007 : 17:24:28 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by filthy
I ask: what services do these "security companies" provide that can't be handled by regular military? |
Just a wild-ass guess; kickbacks to bureaucrats and politicians, and political loyalty in case you need them to back you up?
Not that I'm being overly cynical mind you.  |
Bailey's second law; There is no relationship between the three virtues of intelligence, education, and wisdom.
You fiend! Never have I encountered such corrupt and foul-minded perversity! Have you ever considered a career in the Church? - The Bishop of Bath and Wells, Blackadder II
Baculum's page: http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=3947338590 |
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2007 : 13:44:38 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Mycroft
Originally posted by filthy
I ask: what services do these "security companies" provide that can't be handled by regular military?
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My understanding is that the issue isn't that these services can't be handled by regular military, it's that there isn't enough of the regular military to go around.
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That is a problem with an easy sollution... |
Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..."
Dr. Mabuse whisper.mp3
"Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
Support American Troops in Iraq:
Send them unarmed civilians for target practice..
Collateralmurder. |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
 Posted - 10/13/2007 : 13:59:51 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Mycroft
Originally posted by filthy
I ask: what services do these "security companies" provide that can't be handled by regular military?
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My understanding is that the issue isn't that these services can't be handled by regular military, it's that there isn't enough of the regular military to go around.
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Yes, this is true.
Well done Mr. Bush! You are well on the way to destroying our military as you have everything else you've ever touched.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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Not just Blackwater
