About Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army

It was the moment the war turned: On March 31, 2004, four Americans were ambushed and burned near their jeeps by an angry mob in the Sunni stronghold of Fallujah. Their charred corpses were hung from a bridge over the Euphrates River. The ensuing slaughter by U.S. troops would fuel the fierce Iraqi resistance that haunts occupation forces to this day. But these men were neither American military nor civilians. They were highly trained private soldiers sent to Iraq by a secretive mercenary company based in the wilderness of North Carolina.

from a Post on Veterans Today

MISSION

To support national and international security policies that protect those who are defenseless and provide a free voice for all with a dedication to providing ethical, efficient, and effective turnkey solutions that positively impact the lives of those still caught in desperate times.

Blackwater is committed to the foot soldiers — the men and women who stand on the frontlines of the global war on terror and who believe in a peaceful future for their communities and nations. Whether serving in or out of uniform, Blackwater is committed to providing these men and women with the very best in training and tactical support to ensure they are fully prepared to meet current and future global security challenges.

from Blackwater’s Website

“And there is distrust in Washington. I am surprised, frankly, at the amount of distrust that exists in this town. And I’m sorry it’s the case, and I’ll work hard to try to elevate it.”— [Bush] Speaking on National Public Radio, Jan. 29, 2007

from Slate’s The Complete Bushsms

Orwell had nothing on George Bush’s America. We have the topsy-turvey language, of course, where the Clear Sky Act is in fact an attack on the environment, and behind the President’s vow to never use torture is a memo justifying torture.

That was just the start. Bush and company (and I really mean company) have built a private army to help fight their war. You would think this would be top-secret, or that if this army were exposed, which has nearly as many people in Iraq as the U.S. Military, it would be an enormous scandal. Nope.

The mercenary army is called Blackwater, and it bills itself as “the most comprehensive professional military, law enforcement, security, peacekeeping, and stability operations company in the world.” They are not shy.

There’s a bestseller that has “exposed” Blackwater, although it wasn’t really hidden. And Blackwater has pro shop where you can buy hats and t-shirts. You can’t make this stuff up. If you’re thinking of starting your Christmas shopping now, I would love a manly watch.