The Secret Handshake

[Cantankerous 0]

I'm sure there was a line out the door of companies who wanted to enter a war zone and provide security...

IMO, just more pre-election year political #######. Not a single complaint by anyone while they were in Iraq being protected, now it's a problem for some reason???

I like this the best: "Mr. Prince vigorously defended his private security company against charges of covering up Iraqi civilian deaths, saying 30 of its contractors have been killed while protecting U.S. diplomats and no Americans have died while under its watch."

Blackwater has not lost a single American they protected. I say they're hired, good job, and renew them for another year.

And for Mr. Big Dog, hate the TSC all you want as that is OK, just remember

[Dan J 277]

I'm sure there was a line out the door of companies who wanted to enter a war zone and provide security...

IMO, just more pre-election year political #######. Not a single complaint by anyone while they were in Iraq being protected, now it's a problem for some reason???

I like this the best: "Mr. Prince vigorously defended his private security company against charges of covering up Iraqi civilian deaths, saying 30 of its contractors have been killed while protecting U.S. diplomats and no Americans have died while under its watch."

Blackwater has not lost a single American they protected. I say they're hired, good job, and renew them for another year.

And for Mr. Big Dog, hate the TSC all you want as that is OK, just remember

Shoot first and ask questions later doesn't make you very popular with the people. If anything, Blackwater is one of the reasons why things have gone so poorly.

[Cantankerous 0]

Shoot first and ask questions later doesn't make you very popular with the people. If anything, Blackwater is one of the reasons why things have gone so poorly.

I know, I know, they should wait until they are fired upon and then worry about protecting the people in their charge. I do not agree that 1,000 Blackwater employees responsible for security around the US Embassy and the transportation of officials are one of the reasons anything has gone poorly. I think Iraq's sectarian violence is the reason things have gone poorly.

[Dan J 277]

Shoot first and ask questions later doesn't make you very popular with the people. If anything, Blackwater is one of the reasons why things have gone so poorly.

I know, I know, they should wait until they are fired upon and then worry about protecting the people in their charge. I do not agree that 1,000 Blackwater employees responsible for security around the US Embassy and the transportation of officials are one of the reasons anything has gone poorly. I think Iraq's sectarian violence is the reason things have gone poorly.

Our mistakes pretty much lead directly to the increase in sectarian polarization. Shouldn't be too surprising, thats pretty much the way Republicans conduct their politics in the US.

The biggest problem, is we went in to make Iraq into a country that the conservatives in our country wanted, not an Iraq that the Iraqi people wanted. We totally ignored public diplomacy which eventually polarized many of the people in Iraq against the US. Everything from the conduct of our soldiers and contractors to being slow about restoring services, and disbanding the army creating a power vacuum.

Now we don't really have any chance of restoring democracy in the country unless we continue to occupy Iraq for the next 10-20 years we will keep the level of violence pretty low, but at a cost of trillions. Or we can leave, and risk the conflict spilling over into other countries. Causing supply problems for oil. Or maybe they will get their fighting over with and form a new government, may not be democratic though. Too bad a several trillion dollar mistake is not impeachable. But regardless its going to effect our economy for the worse.

[Cantankerous 0]

There are over 175 different security contract companies in Iraq, hardly a secret handshake club, other than Blackwater getting one of the best contracts on a no bid deal.

Blackwater is involved in 1.4 shootings per week makes a good headline when you leave out the total number of incidents in the entire country and then the number becomes something like they are involved in 0.28% of the weekly shootings.

Propaganda galore, nevermind all of the facts, just write an interesting headline and sell more anti US in Iraq BS ... The US is certainly the bad guys ...

[one...two...tree 2,762]

There are over 175 different security contract companies in Iraq, hardly a secret handshake club, other than Blackwater getting one of the best contracts on a no bid deal.

Blackwater is involved in 1.4 shootings per week makes a good headline when you leave out the total number of incidents in the entire country and then the number becomes something like they are involved in 0.28% of the weekly shootings.

Propaganda galore, nevermind all of the facts, just write an interesting headline and sell more anti US in Iraq BS ... The US is certainly the bad guys ...

Oh please...can we stop this, any criticism of anything from the U.S. as anti-American? For f##ks sake, it's a goddam private company and it's the current Administration that decided to go with using a private contractor for security of US diplomats. To point out another no bid contract (which is factual) is not a condemnation of America or our values...sh!t. If some of you think that is synomous with what is 'America' then this country is deeply divided ideologically as to what is or isn't America.

I loved all the criticism that was aimed at the Clinton Administration, even military foibles - and not once did I ever hear someone from the Left accusing the critics from the Right as being anti-American for it. What gutless piece of horsesh!t.

[SteveLaura 0]

I loved all the criticism that was aimed at the Clinton Administration, even military foibles - and not once did I ever hear someone from the Left accusing the critics from the Right as being anti-American for it. What gutless piece of horsesh!t.

Well said.

[John & Annie 0]

Shoot first and ask questions later doesn't make you very popular with the people. If anything, Blackwater is one of the reasons why things have gone so poorly.

I know, I know, they should wait until they are fired upon and then worry about protecting the people in their charge. I do not agree that 1,000 Blackwater employees responsible for security around the US Embassy and the transportation of officials are one of the reasons anything has gone poorly. I think Iraq's sectarian violence is the reason things have gone poorly.

Our mistakes pretty much lead directly to the increase in sectarian polarization. Shouldn't be too surprising, thats pretty much the way Republicans conduct their politics in the US.

The biggest problem, is we went in to make Iraq into a country that the conservatives in our country wanted, not an Iraq that the Iraqi people wanted. We totally ignored public diplomacy which eventually polarized many of the people in Iraq against the US. Everything from the conduct of our soldiers and contractors to being slow about restoring services, and disbanding the army creating a power vacuum.

Now we don't really have any chance of restoring democracy in the country unless we continue to occupy Iraq for the next 10-20 years we will keep the level of violence pretty low, but at a cost of trillions. Or we can leave, and risk the conflict spilling over into other countries. Causing supply problems for oil. Or maybe they will get their fighting over with and form a new government, may not be democratic though. Too bad a several trillion dollar mistake is not impeachable. But regardless its going to effect our economy for the worse.

You obviously do not understand the fibre of the parties. I have to say that I am not a Democrat, nor Republican. I am an American that can look at things without putting an ideology to it.

the Democratic party maintains a big government ideology whereas the Republican party maintains smaller government, more privatization. I do not agree with either completely. But to blame this on one party is not the right thing to do.

As far as using private companies to provide protection, they are less of a target then a bunch of guys in uniforms and Hummers. So our Diplomats are for safer with the private security firms than with the Military protecting them.

[almaty 19]

As far as using private companies to provide protection, they are less of a target then a bunch of guys in uniforms and Hummers. So our Diplomats are for safer with the private security firms than with the Military protecting them.

bullsh!t....that is why all american embassies are guarded by halliburton and blackwater employees, instead of the marines...i see that you lack insight into the miltary..

[smoke20 0]

As far as using private companies to provide protection, they are less of a target then a bunch of guys in uniforms and Hummers. So our Diplomats are for safer with the private security firms than with the Military protecting them.

bullsh!t....that is why all american embassies are guarded by halliburton and blackwater employees, instead of the marines...i see that you lack insight into the miltary..

do you realize most blackwater personel are former members of US & other countries special forces & not 18-20 year olds. i'm thinking they are a little better equiped & able to provide experienced protection than a kid straight out of boot camp. our military commanders think so also.

[smoke20 0]

Oh please...can we stop this, any criticism of anything from the U.S. as anti-American? For f##ks sake, it's a goddam private company and it's the current Administration that decided to go with using a private contractor for security of US diplomats. To point out another no bid contract (which is factual) is not a condemnation of America or our values...sh!t. If some of you think that is synomous with what is 'America' then this country is deeply divided ideologically as to what is or isn't America.

I loved all the criticism that was aimed at the Clinton Administration, even military foibles - and not once did I ever hear someone from the Left accusing the critics from the Right as being anti-American for it. What gutless piece of horsesh!t.

i agree w/ you steven. it a cheap shot & uncalled for. but, so is calling anyone who is against illegal immigration a racist. yet that happens daily w/ no call for it to stop.

[almaty 19]

As far as using private companies to provide protection, they are less of a target then a bunch of guys in uniforms and Hummers. So our Diplomats are for safer with the private security firms than with the Military protecting them.

bullsh!t....that is why all american embassies are guarded by halliburton and blackwater employees, instead of the marines...i see that you lack insight into the miltary..

do you realize most blackwater personel are former members of US & other countries special forces & not 18-20 year olds. i'm thinking they are a little better equiped & able to provide experienced protection than a kid straight out of boot camp. our military commanders think so also.

do not care...so what? the marines are the ones that guard american diplomats..per history..and answer to the miltary..balckwater answers to: for profit ceo

[smoke20 0]

As far as using private companies to provide protection, they are less of a target then a bunch of guys in uniforms and Hummers. So our Diplomats are for safer with the private security firms than with the Military protecting them.

bullsh!t....that is why all american embassies are guarded by halliburton and blackwater employees, instead of the marines...i see that you lack insight into the miltary..

do you realize most blackwater personel are former members of US & other countries special forces & not 18-20 year olds. i'm thinking they are a little better equiped & able to provide experienced protection than a kid straight out of boot camp. our military commanders think so also.

do not care...so what? the marines are the ones that guard american diplomats..per history..and answer to the miltary..balckwater answers to: for profit ceo

typical responce. so what? these guys are elite trained & proven soldiers. per history. kinda blows the " the world is changing & we need to change w/ it" arguement out the water dosen't it? i thought i saw the ceo of blackwater (retired seal) answering to congress yesterday.

[John & Annie 0]

As far as using private companies to provide protection, they are less of a target then a bunch of guys in uniforms and Hummers. So our Diplomats are for safer with the private security firms than with the Military protecting them.

bullsh!t....that is why all american embassies are guarded by halliburton and blackwater employees, instead of the marines...i see that you lack insight into the miltary..

Not really, an the embassy the marines are protecting the sovereign soil of the US. You have no idea who I am and what branch of the military I served in; or, what I did in the military. Withour goign into the details, I have a good grasp on the role of the military in a variety of situations.

Let me think about this for a minute, where I a diplomat in Iraq, would I want to be guarded by a bunch of marines with various experience or a group of ex-special forces who blend better and are not as much of a target.....hmmm, I think that I would pick the private security. Also knowing that if the fit hit the shan, the Marines are there as back up.

As for the day to day, I would definitely pick the Private security.

[almaty 19]

As far as using private companies to provide protection, they are less of a target then a bunch of guys in uniforms and Hummers. So our Diplomats are for safer with the private security firms than with the Military protecting them.

bullsh!t....that is why all american embassies are guarded by halliburton and blackwater employees, instead of the marines...i see that you lack insight into the miltary..

do you realize most blackwater personel are former members of US & other countries special forces & not 18-20 year olds. i'm thinking they are a little better equiped & able to provide experienced protection than a kid straight out of boot camp. our military commanders think so also.

do not care...so what? the marines are the ones that guard american diplomats..per history..and answer to the miltary..balckwater answers to: for profit ceo

typical responce. so what? these guys are elite trained & proven soldiers. per history. kinda blows the " the world is changing & we need to change w/ it" arguement out the water dosen't it? i thought i saw the ceo of blackwater (retired seal) answering to congress yesterday.

lol, i was just messing with you brother smoke..i think the miltary needs all it troops to fight and protect, and they cannot guard every citizen working there....

As far as using private companies to provide protection, they are less of a target then a bunch of guys in uniforms and Hummers. So our Diplomats are for safer with the private security firms than with the Military protecting them.

bullsh!t....that is why all american embassies are guarded by halliburton and blackwater employees, instead of the marines...i see that you lack insight into the miltary..

do you realize most blackwater personel are former members of US & other countries special forces & not 18-20 year olds. i'm thinking they are a little better equiped & able to provide experienced protection than a kid straight out of boot camp. our military commanders think so also.

do not care...so what? the marines are the ones that guard american diplomats..per history..and answer to the miltary..balckwater answers to: for profit ceo

typical responce. so what? these guys are elite trained & proven soldiers. per history. kinda blows the " the world is changing & we need to change w/ it" arguement out the water dosen't it? i thought i saw the ceo of blackwater (retired seal) answering to congress yesterday.

lol, i was just messing with you brother smoke..i think the miltary needs all it troops to fight and protect, and they cannot guard every citizen working there....