DonR, I have no problem with them being used to guard private property. I
do have a problem with them being used on public property. They have no authority there. And they shouldn't. They're not trained as officers of the peace, they're trained to use force. "Collateral damage" from the use of combat weaponry by civilian mercenaries on US soil to solve problems is not acceptable.
But in the field, their contractor status leaves them exempt from following the geneva conventions. It makes it a lot easier to get in and do what they have to do rather than be held up by red tape.
Yeah, those pesky "quaint" Geneva conventions...
Umm... actually they sware in to nearly the exact oath that US military members swear in with at MEPS. And it includes the protect and uphold the constitution part.
Really. So...if they're working on contract for, say, a company in Dubai, or for the House of Saud, they're still swearing loyalty to the US. Really. Huh.
All of these men have served, many in the most elite units the country has to offer. You like to praise them when they are elite soldiers and pass judgement when they no longer do your bidding
My bidding? What sort of false premise is that? The military does the bidding of the commanders, generals, and the commander in chief, whatever is necessary to safeguard the nation and its interests. And if someone wants to serve, they can re-up. Working as a merc is a choice made instead, to go for a bigger paycheck and loyalty to a corporation, instead of further service to the nation. It's saying that instead of being willing to kill if necessary to protect the country and its freedoms, you're willing to kill for money.
Keep your wary eye out, one of them just might live next door to you
Oh, I do. Because if any abusive government ever tried martial law, I think the military wouldn't go along with it. Blackwater mercs? They'd be doing the door-to-door JBT thing as soon as the pen was uncapped to sign their paycheck.
As I said, loyalty to whomever signs your paycheck, rather than to your nation, is a dangerous thing. And I do not trust Erik Prince
at all.