Blackwater training police - FYI

[coffeeseven]

http://www.rense.com/general78/blackwater.htm

It's not coming up for some reason. Thought I would put up the FYI anyway.

Partial copy:

Blackwater is also planning to establish regional training centers in Potrero, California and Mount Carroll, Illinois, billed as Blackwater West and Blackwater North, respectively.

These training centers, in addition to Blackwater's Lodge and Training Center in Moyock, North Carolina -- Blackwater East -- and a possible fourth rumored to be slated for the Pacific Northwest -- Blackwater Northwest -- may result in the establishment of a network of Blackwater-trained police, sheriffs, and other police units around the country. Given Blackwater's dismal record on human rights and brutality, this spells trouble for civilian control of police and paramilitary forces in the United States, from major metropolitan areas to small rural towns.

[Lasse]

There are many PMCs who run training courses in the U.S. while also serving contracts in Iraq. The only difference between them and Blackwater is that the media has picked Blackwater as the target because they're biggest.

Why are libertarians so afraid of these private sector 'mercenaries' compared to government thugs? Outsourcing of government tasks is one step on the way to privatization of government tasks.

Also, I went looking through your source expecting it to be left-wing - it appears at least half of the entries contain 'info' on Israel and Jews, especially how the Jews are the 'ruling class' of America.

[coffeeseven]

There are many PMCs who run training courses in the U.S. while also serving contracts in Iraq. The only difference between them and Blackwater is that the media has picked Blackwater as the target because they're biggest.

It's about awareness. I was not aware of them until I found out that I would have Blackwater in my backyard. Mt Carroll, IL is 50 miles away from me and on American soil. They are not bound by the UCMJ and are not subject to accountability by the American government or people. Now they are training our police? The face of tyranny must have to get right up into yours for you to recognize it.

Why are libertarians so afraid of these private sector 'mercenaries' compared to government thugs? Outsourcing of government tasks is one step on the way to privatization of government tasks.

Still looking for it in the Constitution. You must have one of those new and improved troll copies.

Also, I went looking through your source expecting it to be left-wing - it appears at least half of the entries contain 'info' on Israel and Jews, especially how the Jews are the 'ruling class' of America.

What's your point?

As an aside, my good friend (an Israeli) has two daughters that moved back to Israel from Rockford, IL. where we are. They joined the Israeli army as all teens do. They are now training U.S. Marines in combat tactics. Of course you wouldn't find that odd at all would you?

[dEadERest]

As an aside, my good friend (an Israeli) has two daughters that moved back to Israel from Rockford, IL. where we are. They joined the Israeli army as all teens do. They are now training U.S. Marines in combat tactics. Of course you wouldn't find that odd at all would you?

. . sounds kinda hot

[coffeeseven]

As an aside, my good friend (an Israeli) has two daughters that moved back to Israel from Rockford, IL. where we are. They joined the Israeli army as all teens do. They are now training U.S. Marines in combat tactics. Of course you wouldn't find that odd at all would you?

. . sounds kinda hot

Oh yeah they are.

Some applicable quotes:

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. - Abraham Lincoln

The means of defense against foreign danger historically become the instruments of tyranny at home. - James Madison

Those who give up essential liberties for temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin

[KBCraig]

Now they are training our police?

Blackwater has been "training our police" since its inception.

[alohamonkey]

Now they are training our police?

Blackwater has been "training our police" since its inception.

perhaps that's why "our police" are turning into mercenaries.  most police forces are much more violent and militaristic now - from their behavior to their supplies. 

my issue with Blackwater is that they aren't held accountable for any of their actions.  they get lucrative (no-bid, I think) contracts from the federal government and aren't held accountable for how that money is spent.

[Lasse]

There are many PMCs who run training courses in the U.S. while also serving contracts in Iraq. The only difference between them and Blackwater is that the media has picked Blackwater as the target because they're biggest.

It's about awareness. I was not aware of them until I found out that I would have Blackwater in my backyard. Mt Carroll, IL is 50 miles away from me and on American soil. They are not bound by the UCMJ and are not subject to accountability by the American government or people. Now they are training our police? The face of tyranny must have to get right up into yours for you to recognize it.

Why are libertarians so afraid of these private sector 'mercenaries' compared to government thugs? Outsourcing of government tasks is one step on the way to privatization of government tasks.

Still looking for it in the Constitution. You must have one of those new and improved troll copies.

Also, I went looking through your source expecting it to be left-wing - it appears at least half of the entries contain 'info' on Israel and Jews, especially how the Jews are the 'ruling class' of America.

What's your point?

As an aside, my good friend (an Israeli) has two daughters that moved back to Israel from Rockford, IL. where we are. They joined the Israeli army as all teens do. They are now training U.S. Marines in combat tactics. Of course you wouldn't find that odd at all would you?

What I'm saying is that there are hundreds of these companies ran by ex-military guys selling training packages to law enforcement and performing those same contracts in Iraq, and that Blackwater is just the newest target. I'm sure that you've seen the so-called 'trophy video' which showcased how Aegis, a British company, ran their convoys in Iraq coupled with some not-so-fitting music. They're out of the media focus now, everyone forgot that, but they're still down there on those same American supply contracts.

And to your second question, no, I don't find that odd. The Israelis manage to do what the U.S. military can't do in Iraq - fight a guerrilla war. It's no wonder the DOD wants Israelis to train their forces. My point regarding the site is that I don't give much weight to an article found on a site belonging to a racist collectivist who seeks to put the problems of today onto the shoulders of a single 'ethnic' or 'religious' group, pointing fingers at some vague conspiracy.

[EJinCT]

most police forces are much more violent and militaristic now

IME, society as a whole is much more violent than it has been previously as well; so how could that not translate into more violence in all sectors of life?

How many of us remember from our youth, teenage rampages where there the term body-count was appropriate? I can't even think of one. In fact, in the past decade I can think of more cases of extreme acts of violence, than all the years previous combined. Just look at the difference of printed/televised media from the 70's, to that of the 2K's as well.

I don't give much weight to an article found on a site belonging to a racist collectivist who seeks to put the problems of today onto the shoulders of a single 'ethnic' or 'religious' group....

[alohamonkey]

IME, society as a whole is much more violent than it has been previously as well; so how could that not translate into more violence in all sectors of life?

How many of us remember from our youth, teenage rampages where there the term body-count was appropriate? I can't even think of one. In fact, in the past decade I can think of more cases of extreme acts of violence, than all the years previous combined. Just look at the difference of printed/televised media from the 70's, to that of the 2K's as well.

I don't give much weight to an article found on a site belonging to a racist collectivist who seeks to put the problems of today onto the shoulders of a single 'ethnic' or 'religious' group....

Rense is a nut.  I logged on to post about this but then I actually checked out the link and the guy who wrote it, Wayne Madsen, is a pretty knowledgeable guy.  I'm sure people will debate me on this point but Madsen has been in the professional journalistic circuit for a long time and I give him a lot of credit for his in-depth analysis of different topics.  You might not always agree with his point of view but I think he takes a pretty subjective approach to most of his stories. 

I think you have a point . . . our society does seem more violent now.  Especially school shootings . . . I attribute this phenom almost entirely to loading kids up with psychotropic drugs. 

Or is it just that these violent stories sell ratings and therefore TV networks feel compelled to bombard us with violent and atrocious news?

[Insurgent]

IME, society as a whole is much more violent than it has been previously as well; so how could that not translate into more violence in all sectors of life?

How many of us remember from our youth, teenage rampages where there the term body-count was appropriate? I can't even think of one. In fact, in the past decade I can think of more cases of extreme acts of violence, than all the years previous combined. Just look at the difference of printed/televised media from the 70's, to that of the 2K's as well.

I don't give much weight to an article found on a site belonging to a racist collectivist who seeks to put the problems of today onto the shoulders of a single 'ethnic' or 'religious' group....

Rense is a nut.  I logged on to post about this but then I actually checked out the link and the guy who wrote it, Wayne Madsen, is a pretty knowledgeable guy.  I'm sure people will debate me on this point but Madsen has been in the professional journalistic circuit for a long time and I give him a lot of credit for his in-depth analysis of different topics.  You might not always agree with his point of view but I think he takes a pretty subjective approach to most of his stories. 

I think you have a point . . . our society does seem more violent now.  Especially school shootings . . . I attribute this phenom almost entirely to loading kids up with psychotropic drugs. 

Or is it just that these violent stories sell ratings and therefore TV networks feel compelled to bombard us with violent and atrocious news?

I agree 100%, couldn't have written it better myself. You hit the nail on the head! 

[coffeeseven]

Interesting choice of terms when you say "my source". I can't remember the last time I went to Rense's web site. Maybe the last time I needed a Sasquatch fix? The article has credulity. Jeff Rense.............whatever. I have only one Israeli contact. His daughters almost beat me up BEFORE they went into the military.