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Armed units from the private security firm Blackwater USA opened fire in Baghdad streets twice in two days last week. It triggered a standoff between the security contractors and Iraqi forces, a reminder that the war in Iraq may be remembered mostly in our history books for empowering and building America's first modern mercenary army.
<snip>
The privatization of war hands an incentive to American corporations, many with tremendous political clout, to keep us mired down in Iraq. But even more disturbing is the steady rise of this modern Praetorian Guard. The Praetorian Guard in ancient Rome was a paramilitary force that defied legal constraints, made violence part of the political discourse, and eventually plunged the Roman Republic into tyranny and despotism. Despotic movements need paramilitary forces that operate outside the law, forces that sow fear among potential opponents, and are capable of physically silencing those branded by their leaders as traitors. And in the wrong hands, a Blackwater could well become that force.
American taxpayers have so far handed a staggering $4 billion to "armed security" companies in Iraq such as Blackwater, according to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Rep. Henry Waxman (D., Calif.). Tens of billions more have been paid to companies that provide logistical support. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D., Ill.) of the House Intelligence Committee estimates that 40 cents of every dollar spent on the occupation has gone to war contractors. It is unlikely that any of these corporations will push for an early withdrawal. The profits are too lucrative.
Mercenary forces like Blackwater operate beyond civilian and military law. They are covered by a 2004 edict passed by American occupation authorities in Iraq that immunizes all civilian contractors in Iraq from prosecution.
Last edited by PressCoverage; 06-06-2007 at 07:00 PM..
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Armed units from the private security firm Blackwater USA opened fire in Baghdad streets twice in two days last week. It triggered a standoff between the security contractors and Iraqi forces, a reminder that the war in Iraq may be remembered mostly in our history books for empowering and building America's first modern mercenary army.
<snip>
The privatization of war hands an incentive to American corporations, many with tremendous political clout, to keep us mired down in Iraq. But even more disturbing is the steady rise of this modern Praetorian Guard. The Praetorian Guard in ancient Rome was a paramilitary force that defied legal constraints, made violence part of the political discourse, and eventually plunged the Roman Republic into tyranny and despotism. Despotic movements need paramilitary forces that operate outside the law, forces that sow fear among potential opponents, and are capable of physically silencing those branded by their leaders as traitors. And in the wrong hands, a Blackwater could well become that force.
American taxpayers have so far handed a staggering $4 billion to "armed security" companies in Iraq such as Blackwater, according to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Rep. Henry Waxman (D., Calif.). Tens of billions more have been paid to companies that provide logistical support. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D., Ill.) of the House Intelligence Committee estimates that 40 cents of every dollar spent on the occupation has gone to war contractors. It is unlikely that any of these corporations will push for an early withdrawal. The profits are too lucrative.
Mercenary forces like Blackwater operate beyond civilian and military law. They are covered by a 2004 edict passed by American occupation authorities in Iraq that immunizes all civilian contractors in Iraq from prosecution.
Whats a "Praetorian Guard"
__________________
Harry Boy (Genius)
In The Absence Of Law And Order Society Will Surely Destroy Itself
Have said previously never thought that the US could be a victim of a coup d'etat, however with the arming of so many mercenaries this now becomes a distinct possibility.. still think there are too many checks and balances, but the increasing polarization and disconnect from mainstream america enhances the possibility.
__________________ "Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.
Have said previously never thought that the US could be a victim of a coup d'etat, however with the arming of so many mercenaries this now becomes a distinct possibility.. still think there are too many checks and balances, but the increasing polarization and disconnect from mainstream america enhances the possibility.
The problem is that, by the time the breaking point arrives where we will be helpless to control these pigs, we will be unable to do anything about them. The People are now being trained to accept this type of crap as normal. It's no different from fingerprinting children, a practice that was once abhorent in our society, or admitting the police into your house without a warrant. Notice the increasing number of cops on the street wearing paramilitary gear and unis as opposed to regular police uniforms - especially at large gatherings.
The problem is that, by the time the breaking point arrives where we will be helpless to control these pigs, we will be unable to do anything about them. The People are now being trained to accept this type of crap as normal. It's no different from fingerprinting children, a practice that was once abhorent in our society, or admitting the police into your house without a warrant. Notice the increasing number of cops on the street wearing paramilitary gear and unis as opposed to regular police uniforms - especially at large gatherings.
Black seems to be a favored color.. maybe it is more threatening, maybe it makes them look bigger, maybe it makes them look more menacing.. this country can turn into a police state quickly.. need to be vigilant at all times.
Recently my grandson was visiting his mother, and he refused to return to his father's home, he has temporary custody. He is 11 and had good reason not to return, the father called the police they responded threatened to drag him out in handcuffs if he did not return to his father's. My daughter backed down, she has not had a lot of success dealing with the police, I only wish I was there I would have let it happen and take pictures of the whole thing. Checked with my legal friends and other police I know, they all agreed this should not have happened and felt I would have had a potential law suit if they cuffed an 11 year old who did not want to return to a potentially abusive situation. My grandson is loosing faith in the legal system, my daughter has lost it and I try to help them understand that which makes no sense.
__________________ "Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.
Black seems to be a favored color.. maybe it is more threatening, maybe it makes them look bigger, maybe it makes them look more menacing.. this country can turn into a police state quickly.. need to be vigilant at all times.
Recently my grandson was visiting his mother, and he refused to return to his father's home, he has temporary custody. He is 11 and had good reason not to return, the father called the police they responded threatened to drag him out in handcuffs if he did not return to his father's. My daughter backed down, she has not had a lot of success dealing with the police, I only wish I was there I would have let it happen and take pictures of the whole thing. Checked with my legal friends and other police I know, they all agreed this should not have happened and felt I would have had a potential law suit if they cuffed an 11 year old who did not want to return to a potentially abusive situation. My grandson is loosing faith in the legal system, my daughter has lost it and I try to help them understand that which makes no sense.
It is situations like this that sometimes make me take sides with the "minority community" and even with the urban "gang bangers" they don't bother with the police, they handle it within their community, they have their own brand of justice as many of us did years ago, don't bother talking to the cops, talk to a couple of tough young street kids, they will help you.
I don't blame you for losing faith with the legal system they are a Joke.
Look whats going on with this Idiot Paris Hilton, there must be thousands of Illegal Aliens and other Politically Correct people (can't talk the way I want to, they'll close the thread) these fawned over people drive day in and day out with No Licenses, DUI Convictions, No ID's, No Insurance, No License Plates, No Registration and many of them can't read or speak english, how many times have you read about some drunk that kills someone with his car and the news says he was picked up 27 times for "Drunk Driving" and never spent 5 minutes in jail. Hilton is in Jail.
In Today's society, outside of "State Prison" and "Washington DC" one of the most Crooked Corrupt places you can walk into is an American Court House.
I hope things turn out well for your daughter, I have a large family and it would kill me to see one of them in the position, I have a very short temper, I know I would wind up in prison.
Good Luck
__________________
Harry Boy (Genius)
In The Absence Of Law And Order Society Will Surely Destroy Itself
It is situations like this that sometimes make me take sides with the "minority community" and even with the urban "gang bangers" they don't bother with the police, they handle it within their community, they have their own brand of justice as many of us did years ago, don't bother talking to the cops, talk to a couple of tough young street kids, they will help you.
I don't blame you for losing faith with the legal system they are a Joke.
Look whats going on with this Idiot Paris Hilton, there must be thousands of Illegal Aliens and other Politically Correct people (can't talk the way I want to, they'll close the thread) these fawned over people drive day in and day out with No Licenses, DUI Convictions, No ID's, No Insurance, No License Plates, No Registration and many of them can't read or speak english, how many times have you read about some drunk that kills someone with his car and the news says he was picked up 27 times for "Drunk Driving" and never spent 5 minutes in jail. Hilton is in Jail.
In Today's society, outside of "State Prison" and "Washington DC" one of the most Crooked Corrupt places you can walk into is an American Court House.
I hope things turn out well for your daughter, I have a large family and it would kill me to see one of them in the position, I have a very short temper, I know I would wind up in prison.
Good Luck
Thank you, sometimes I fantasize about doing harm on my son in law or hiring someone, but at this stage of the game I do not want to pick up a felony or put my pension in jeopardy.. but what goes around comes around.
__________________ "Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.
Thank you, sometimes I fantasize about doing harm on my son in law or hiring someone, but at this stage of the game I do not want to pick up a felony or put my pension in jeopardy.. but what goes around comes around.
I know and I don't blame you and I am probably wrong because you are right, in the long run you would be the one that winds up with all kinds of losses and trouble.
In time if he is a "mean guy" and giving your daughter and his little son a lot of grief he will someday pay for it, as the boy grows into a man this guy will have completely lost him.
My sons would walk through fire for me and thats a great feeling (they think I'm nuts though )
You stay close to that Kid, you will be the ONE for him.
__________________
Harry Boy (Genius)
In The Absence Of Law And Order Society Will Surely Destroy Itself
Blackwater: A modern Praetorian Guard
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