Private Security Workers Living On Edge in Iraq -WP

[Rose Siding]

BAGHDAD -- Cruising toward Baghdad in the belly of a Spanish turboprop plane with a dozen other private security contractors from Blackwater USA, Rich, a 43-year-old former Navy commando, squinted out the window at the Euphrates River.

The Casa 212 dove 12,000 feet toward Baghdad airport in a drunken, corkscrew landing. A short while later, Rich was riding shotgun in the back of one of Blackwater's South African-made armored Mamba vehicles along the main highway to the capital, one of the most dangerous roads in Iraq.

"I like being some place where stupidity can be fatal, because here you work with people who think about their actions," said Rich, who asked for security reasons that only his first name be used. He and his colleagues voice disdain for what they consider the soft, even pampered lives of most Americans in a society he sums up as one that "puts warnings on coffee cups."

Rich is typical of the men drawn to Blackwater USA and scores of other private security firms now doing a booming business in Iraq. They're driven by money and a lust for life on the edge, but also by a self-styled altruism. Sporting blue jeans, wraparound sunglasses and big tattoos, they look the part of gun-slinging cowboys -- but most are experienced enough to know that a hot-dog attitude is the fastest way to get yourself and others killed.

.......MORE........

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10547-2005Apr22.html

[hatrack]

1. "Self-styled altruism"? Whatever - just don't forget you volunteered, OK?

Hope you don't end up with a colostomy bag with a warning written on it . . .

[TahitiNut]

2. Well, the gene pool could use a little chlorine.

:shrug: Too bad they've probably already bred.

[Fozzledick]

3. "I like being some place where stupidity can be fatal"?!?

How stupid do you have to be to choose to go into a situation like that?
:wtf:

[dmr]

7. Same thought crossed my mind, too Fozzle

What an idiotic but yet, self-serving thing to say.

[KeepItReal]

4. This just says it all...

""We have to be willing to go abroad to fight, to go after these guys here so my family at home can stay safe," Rich said. He left the Navy SEALs in the mid-1990s to save his marriage, he said. But after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, he said he felt compelled to leave the Virginia cell phone company he worked for and put his military skills to use."

...he put his skills to use in *IRAQ*!? I'd have tons of respect for this dude if he was rollin tough in AFGHANISTAN or YEMEN or PAKISTAN.

Either he's real gullible, or real ignorant. Either way, it does not bode well for his longevity.

We better not lose 1 more REAL Soldier, Airman, Sailor or Marine trying to bail out Blackwater-type mercs in Iraq. Let the mercs fend for their high-paid selves.

[Conservativesux]

5. Merc's should well be hated by Americans. They are the scum of the

...Earth. Many an American died at the hands of Hessian mercenaries during the Revolution.

I agree also that no US armed forces personal should be put in danger to save the life of even one of these bottom-feeders, who kill for money and lust for blood.

[cliss]

8. Yes, the Mercs should be hated by the Americans.

But not for the reason you mention above.

Mercenaries in Iraq

I've read that there are more than 10,000 Mercenaries operating in Iraq today. These men are earning huge wages, compared to their low-paid brothers in the Armed Forces, who make $1,200/month in active duty. Blackwater mercenaries make over $100,000 per year.

This is the real reason RumsFailed didn't want to give a detailed accounting of the war. He didn't want it to be known how much money was funneled to corporations like Blackwater, Titan Corp.

This is also the reason why the war in Iraq is now costing us $2,000,000,000 billion per week. At this rate, the US will be bankrupt in about 2 years. We actually are right now, considering that none of this is being paid for through current funds. It's all borrowed money.

The mercenaries, because of their enormous expense, are bringing down this house of cards much quicker.

[NuttyFluffers]

6. how odd, i could almost feel sympathy for this mercenary

*almost*... but not quite

tries to put an altruistic spin on this (which i think is a thin veneer to certain selfish motives i believe,) but most mercenaries are by far not rationalizing things like this -- by the very 'virtue' of the occupation.

i have no love for mercenaries. renouncing your country for profit and the opportunity to commit crimes. stealing good money from my nation's coffers to feed and clothe and protect my self-sacrificing soldiers to give to this ... vile display of selfishness.

nothing but contempt in my heart for them. their fortune means heartache and grief to sacrificing soldiers and their families, means justification of corruption of our institutions to the ruthless and powerful, means wanton death and destruction in an orgy of selfishness to the targets. nothing redeemable about it.

[ngGale]

9. The Post is pushing Blackwater?!

is this suppose to be a recuritment poster boy, ah merc!
Our regular military isn't eating well and has bad equiptment, this is one of the main reasons. War for profit is never good, a bought merc isn't either, IMHO. This is a key statement for me:

He and his colleagues voice disdain for what they consider the soft, even pampered lives of most Americans in a society he sums up as one that "puts warnings on coffee cups."

Doesn't sound like they have any respect for we Americans, now do they?

[leftchick]

10. The "Dogs of War" have no respect for any life...

They sure look cool though don't they? :puke:







OUR Tax $$$$ :grr:

[Rose Siding]

11. Maybe the reporter expects the reader to recoil

from such over-the-top bravado.

But where we see a loose cannon, I guess nat'l security voters could see a super hero.

[lanlady]

12. so, blood lust is now called

self-styled altruism? Ooooooookay.

[leesa]

13. Too bad. Are the $$$$ worth it?

[pretzel4gore]

14. meanwhile bushinc destroys america.....

like the great american humourist Bugs Bunny once said 'what a maroon!'