Distressed American

This is video that everyone should really check out. It shows Blackwater mercs on a roof gunning down large numbers of Iraqi's and shooting up cars/busses. They seem to be having a lot of fun killing indescriminately. Its just a "turkey shoot" (he says with a big grin) after all. What's not to love?

The use of such mercs for combat is strictly forbidden by the Geneva Conventions.

It is short about 6 minutes long:

YouTube - Blackwater Mercenary Sniper

(Can these videos be imbedded on this site? I tried everything I could think of. Was forced to just go with a link.)

Here's another (in two parts) that is VERY informative. It is by Jeremy Scahill who just wrote a great new book on Blackwater called Blackwater: The rise of the world's most powerful mercenary army.

Most informative is the info on just exactly who is running blackwater, Eric Prince, a fundie nut case with deep ties and huge donations Bushco. I guess this particular fundie nut simply dismisses that pesky "Thou shalt not kill" nonsense. But hey, the REST of the Bible if literal truth.

Also very informative is just who these folks are hiring (lots of latin American death squaders).

Watch it and be informed. Of course, being informed is always infuriating when so much illegal and immoral crap is going on. That is why most simply pay no attention to these things at all.

Together a bit longer at about 14 minutes. But, I assure you it is well worth the time:

Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8mfGx_wuvQ

Part 2:
YouTube - BlackWater: Privatized Warfare in Iraq (2/2)

Take your time. I'll gladly wait the 20 or so minutes for your replies.

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sectionOne

yeah. Blackwater guys are psychos. what do you expect?
there are other merc dealers in the US. Blackwater has a certain reputation for badasses.
where was the unit from that went with Cheney and Rice? and Pelosi?

Distressed American

You are right that there are lots of other comapnies providing illegal mercs as well, some 100 in total.

I've not even started on the crimes that they committed when sent to NOLA because half of the LA Natioal Guard was in Iraq. But, that is a topic for another thread.

I do encourage you to view all three vids. The last twqo are jam packed with facts on these guys, who runs them, what they cost, who they actually are, etc.

sectionOne

I know them. some personally. it's much deeper than the facts and figures available.
but look at the alternatives. the world is not a peaceful place. we need the biggest badasses on the planet on our side. even those willing to break the rules when necessary.
yes they are regulated, yes they are supervised, yes there is a plan. and Bush doesn't have much control over that either.

Distressed American

No. they are not regulated and supervised by anyone other than their boss, Eric Prince. There are also several civil suits that have been filed. But, none have made it though the courts. The Congress has only done the most superficial of oversight on these folks. Of course, if you just watched the videos, you would know all about that.

And No. We do not need folks working for us at ten times what we pay out troops "even those willing to break the rules". You actually act like that is a good thing. We need to use that money to recruit regular military that does not violate international laws.

sectionOne

what's the alternative?
who is the enemy they are fighting?

Sparta

I didn't see anything to get upset about. That sniper was talented, it would be a shame if he weren't employed. I don't know if I'm supposed to get upset that these guys are making a decent living off killing the mush, but I'm not.

Distressed American

No you are supposed to be upset that what you just watched was a war crime in progress, a direct violation of the Geneva Conventions.

But, you apparently could not give a crap about that either.

Distressed American

I already answered this question:

"We need to use that money to recruit regular military that does not violate international laws."

Sparta

Why would I, break my fuckin heart that the GC doesnt approve of how we snipe the mush. Crime in progress, whatever.