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POPS Privitizing Piracy Protection by Oliver North
"to the shores of Tripoli" in the "Marines' Hymn." It seemed like a glorious victory for American arms. But it wasn't. Though Jefferson had pledged "not 1 cent for tribute," the treaty ending what came to be called the "First Barbary War" provided $60,000 in ransom for the 300 or so American citizens being held by the defeated government. Jefferson and Congress acquiesced because of the value they placed on American lives. It was a precedent that I came to know well. By 1984, Beirut, Lebanon, was the most lawless place on the planet. Organized terror cells and "freelance" criminal gangs routinely took Westerners hostage and held them for ransom. Those they couldn't "sell" were often killed. Then Hezbollah -- the radical Islamic terror group organized and operated by the theocratic government in Tehran, Iran -- began snatching Americans. There were no military options, and more than a dozen diplomatic initiatives failed to win the release of any of those being held.
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POPSBlackwater Busted, Prince Has "Compliance Challenges" Makes one smile. The arrogant Prince of Blackwater just got nailed with a big fine from the same corrupt Federal government they contracted with. The "war on terrorism" is so profitable. What happened to all the hardware that ended up on the black market in Iraq? (Someone knows). "Compliance challenges", he says. More like rogue operations. This is the same company that shoots whoever is in the area and quickly leaves, whose crimes even U.S. military personnel have reported. Dirty mercenaries are never held accountable for war crimes because they are independent contractors. This is the least the State Dept has on them, just the tip of the proverbial ice berg. Iraq wants to try them there.
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POPSFBI: Blackwater Guilty of Murdering 14 Iraqis--
Would like to hear talk radio spin this, and paint the FBI as "liberal". You will not hear any words of remorse or repentance from neo-Christian "conservatives" (who dismiss the Bible's open condemnation about those who "shed innocent blood"). Yet note that the rogue Blackwater mercenaries (terrorists) may be difficult to prosecute, perhaps due to "jurisdiction". But they could be tried by Iraqi government (you know, this "democracy" puppet gov't), and may in fact have an extradition agreement with the U.S. to do so. One more important thing--Blackwater LIED (just like the neocon Bush administration does) and here is the FBI's findings to prove it: Investigators found no evidence to support assertions by Blackwater employees that they were fired upon by Iraqi civilians. That finding sharply contradicts initial assertions by Blackwater officials, who said that company employees fired in self-defense and that three company vehicles were damaged by gunfire.
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POPSBlackwater mercenaries promised immunity Immunity is rarely give, for the reasons stated above, yet read what the article says below: "Three senior law enforcement officials said all the Blackwater bodyguards involved — both in the vehicle convoy and in at least two helicopters above — were given the legal protections as investigators from the Bureau of Diplomatic Security sought to find out what happened. The bureau is an arm of the State Department."
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POPSU.S. Mercenaries deported from Namibia: "We settle our disputes by peaceful means" More: SOC-SMG is looking to hire role players for their 'security guard' training. Which role will you get to play? A disarmed U.S. soldier? A poor Iraqi child looking for scrap metal to sell? Helpful Hint: Read the fine print of your health insurance policy (if you have one) before applying 3. We are also looking for Role Players on a part-time basis to augment our staff supporting scenario role-playing for our clients (military, law enforcement, government agencies). Please indicate "HDSOC Role Player Position" in the subject line. Some Role Player positions require a Secret clearance and can last for a month duration. You must be willing to undergo a criminal background check and be a U.S. citizen to be eligible.
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POPSJoe Says No Holy Joe has once again shown his true colours. Do NOTHING that could possibly make the Bush administration look bad in any way whatsoever. Who cares if the mercenaries who were sent to Iraq are killing civilians in cold blood, if investigating the deadly situations might make Bush's judgment in sending them into the war zone without any legal way of holding them responsible for their actions look bad. Lieberman is one of Bush's greatest war supporters, and is one of America's most ardent neocons. I hope the citizens of Connecticut who fell hook line and sinker for Joe's lies during his last campaign have learned a lesson, and will never believe that bastard again.
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POPSU.S. Military and Iraqis Agree: Blackwater unprovoked, Fired on Fleeing Citizens and Cars
More: U.S. soldiers did not find any bullets that came from AK-47 assault rifles or BKC machine guns used by Iraqi policemen and soldiers. They found evidence of ammunition used in American-made weapons, including M4 rifle 5.56mm brass casings, M240B machine gun 7.62mm casings, M203 40mm grenade launcher casings, and stun-grenade dunnage, or packing. At least two cars, a black four-door taxi and a blue Volkswagen sedan, had their back windshields shot out, but their front windshields were intact, indicating they were shot while driving away from the square, according to the photos and soldiers An Iraqi colonel walked up to Tarsa and described the Blackwater shooters as men in "tan uniforms, black helmets, and that flag," pointing at the U.S. flag on Tarsa's sleeve. Their actions underscore the long-standing tensions between the U.S. military and private security companies -- and the military's concerns that such shootings could undermine U.S. efforts to stabilize Iraq.
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POPSArmy to expand recruiting incentives Give us your poor, your tired, your hungry, and we will put them in the army, and give them a condo, with disability access. Aren't lucrative sums of money, the best way to attract mercenaries ? Just make sure they pass the security check.
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POPSRebel General Vang Pao Rides Again!* (*almost) Agh! And just when I thought I'd seen the last of my old nemesis, General Vang Pao, leader of the Hmong rebel army in central Laos, he strikes agian! Or... almost. Don't you hate it when, on the eve of your coup d'etat, your mercenary army gets arrested by the ATF? Somehow it seems like this would make an interesting movie, or an even better Frederick Forsyth novel!
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