2008 Woodie Awards
Government kneedeep in Blackwater
George Hunt
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: Opinion
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America has rarely used mercenaries in its wars. Patriotism, a sense of civic duty, and occasional conscription have filled the ranks of troops. However, recently the government's craze for privatization has begun to include the military. The Pentagon estimates that there are at least 20,000 members of private security firms in Iraq. Other estimates range as high as 100,000. One of the best known of these firms is Blackwater USA, which has recently lost its license to operate in Iraq. The Iraqi government made its decision after Blackwater troops fired into a crowd, killing eight and wounding thirteen. Witnesses report that most of the crowd were bystanders, and one of the dead was an Iraqi policeman. These kind of incidents only fuel the fire of outrage against Americans. Expelling Blackwater is a good choice for Iraq, and it would be also be a good decision for America.
Brigadier General Karl Horst is one of many military officials to speak out against groups like Blackwater. He points out how they are frequently irresponsible, leaving killings and their aftermath to be dealt with by the US Army. Blackwater and their ilk have a major flaw in their strategy - they are concerned with profit before any other concern. Unlike the Army, which can take the time and expense to win the hearts and minds of Iraqis, private security companies seek to generate the best bottom line doing only what their missions demand. The effort to save money can also lead to American fatalities. The founder of Blackwater, Erik Prince, said of the Army: "…they say, 'Ah, we need about 100 guys to do that job,' we say, 'Actually you only need about 10.'" Private contractors claim to be far more cost-effective than public organizations. But is saving money really the top priority when American lives are at stake?
Evidently, some of the families of Blackwater employees don't think so. After their sons and husbands died in mysterious circumstances, four families sued Blackwater. Bear this in mind - they sued Blackwater not for money or for wrongful death, but simply to declassify the records regarding their loved ones' deaths. Not only did Blackwater not comply, they countersued for $10 million from the estates of the deceased. Is this the kind of company that Americans want representing them abroad? For that matter, who represents them to us?
Brigadier General Karl Horst is one of many military officials to speak out against groups like Blackwater. He points out how they are frequently irresponsible, leaving killings and their aftermath to be dealt with by the US Army. Blackwater and their ilk have a major flaw in their strategy - they are concerned with profit before any other concern. Unlike the Army, which can take the time and expense to win the hearts and minds of Iraqis, private security companies seek to generate the best bottom line doing only what their missions demand. The effort to save money can also lead to American fatalities. The founder of Blackwater, Erik Prince, said of the Army: "…they say, 'Ah, we need about 100 guys to do that job,' we say, 'Actually you only need about 10.'" Private contractors claim to be far more cost-effective than public organizations. But is saving money really the top priority when American lives are at stake?
Evidently, some of the families of Blackwater employees don't think so. After their sons and husbands died in mysterious circumstances, four families sued Blackwater. Bear this in mind - they sued Blackwater not for money or for wrongful death, but simply to declassify the records regarding their loved ones' deaths. Not only did Blackwater not comply, they countersued for $10 million from the estates of the deceased. Is this the kind of company that Americans want representing them abroad? For that matter, who represents them to us?
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