There are a variety of links to radio stories I haven't been awake enough to locate again. So for today's entry, I turn to a message from a friend, who has given me permission to reprint his thoughts here.
Ok, here is something that I meant to follow up on personally, but forgot last year. It's been a tick in my ear for the past few months because of the keywords on the television news: "private contractors" and "foreign fighters". The United States, and many other countries, use mercenary forces to do things that are politically, and sometimes humanitarily, incorrect.That Fortune article is especially informative, in a spooky way.
In my interpretation, "private contractors" are U.S. hired mercenaries and "foreign fighters" are enemy-hired mercenaries. These mercenaries can possibly be the same company!
...check out the links when you get a chance. This is important now and will become important as this year progresses. I'm going to pick up this guy's book...At least listen to the Fresh Air interview in the link below.
Yes... I like to keep up with mercenary firms [:(]
-07/09/03 P.W. Singer interview (on Fresh Air); [he is the] author of "Corporate Warriors: The Rise of the Privatized Military Industry" (2003).
-In Brief 02/26/04, Washington Post [information on DynCorp and other military contractors]. This is VERY recent. They are big money, man! $1.75 Billion over 5 years.
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In general:
-Links to what appears to be the major Western paramilitary articles. (betterworldlinks.org)
-FORTUNE REPORT: THE PENTAGON'S PRIVATE ARMY: "If America goes to war, private companies will play a bigger role than ever before, LONDON: 11 March 2003." (fortune.com) Short article from 2003; skims the surface but easy read.
-They have 401k and *accidental* death and dismemberment insurance! MPRI (mpri.com) (Excerpt: "Incorporated by eight former senior military officers in 1987, MPRI is operated primarily by former military personnel and staffed by a wide range of other professionals required to provide customers the best in support and assistance....The company's business services range from strategic planning, law enforcement expertise and democracy transition to leadership development in both the public and private sectors....")
-Dyncorp, is now a subsidiary of CSC, "Computer Sciences Corporation", but they really do this kind of stuff: policemission.com. (Excerpt: "DynCorp ... is seeking individuals with appropriate experience and expertise to participate in an international effort to re-establish police, justice and prison functions in post-conflict Iraq. Interested applicants must be active duty, retired or recently separated sworn police officers, correctional officers or experienced judicial experts.") This is where they even give the salary ranges for potential contractors. Do I have to bring my own guns?
-Even Wired Magazine had an article a while back: This Gun For Hire, By Dan Baum, 02/03. (wired.com)
-DynCorp Disgrace, 01/14/02 [By Kelly Patricia O Meara at insightmag.com. An expose on allegations of corruption, mafia dealings, and trafficking in young girls by DynCorp employees and management.]
This came up in the google search and is kinda left of center, but it hits on the symptom of putting people with guns outside of anyone's laws.
Thanks to my friend for providing his thoughts, and his encouragement to think carefully whenever we hear the phrase "private contractor" in the context of Iraq, or just about anyplace else.
