Security Firms Coming Under Fire in Iraq

[deek]

<snip>

At Blackwater USA's paramilitary training camp, private security guards prepare to work in Iraq, where they serve as commando teams, give strategic advice, even operate a military's supply lines — all for a price.

<snip>

Experts say even the grisly news photos of the Fallujah attack are unlikely to deter people eager to collect some of the estimated $1 billion being spent on private security in Iraq

<snip>

Singer, however, says the ranks of corporate warriors are swelling because they are politically more palatable than increasing military force strength, he said.

"What's really driving this in Iraq is trying to displace the political costs," he said.

rate at Yahoo News:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040410/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_private_security&e=7&ncid=

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. 1 Billion spent on private security?

Who is paying for this? Are companies like Haliburton paying them from the money our government is paying them?

[Ravy]

2. We have to be paying some of it directly to them.

They are protecting Bremer.

[deek]

4. hmmmm

more from article:

Armed protection teams like the Blackwater group, which was working under a contract with the Coalition Provisional Authority, are the tip of an industry with annual revenues of $100 billion worldwide, said Peter W. Singer, a fellow at the Brookings Institution and author of "Corporate Warriors: The Rise of the Privatized Military Industry."

and....

About 15,000 civilians are working for private defense contractors in Iraq, feeding the approximately 135,000 U.S. troops, fueling vehicles and training Iraqi police. An exact figure for the ones who provide armed security is not known.

[paper chase guy]

3. the interesting thing to me

is that the political cost of the 4 mercs dying and being burned ended up being greater than if they were soldiers, because so many people fell for the line of them being civilian contractors.

[aquart]

5. They cost more period.

[KeepItReal]

6. Forgive me if I don't feel sorry for these folks

If it is your job to provide security for XYZ Corp's interests and those interests happen to be in a warzone, nobody is keeping you from handing in your resignation - unlike U.S. troops in uniform who have no choice in the missions they are given.

These guys are really gonna earn those huge paychecks thanks to Bush & Co's massive outsourcing of security and ignorant undersizing of the military force needed for this needless invasion.

- Just my $.02

'Luck troops..."contractors" and mercs, hope the pay is worth it...