More ramblings from the Juicebox Mafia (thanks to Blackfive for that one-lol). These contractors were working in a war zone, where people want to kill them. Why are we then criticizing them for wanting to be armed, or actually receiving weapons from a military unit that just handed them over? I see no problems at all with that process, and this is some serious whining from the critics that haven’t a clue. It’s a war zone, you dorks.
I also think that if these weapons were in US military possession, then they can issue them out to whomever they please. Hell, to not give these guys a weapon should be a crime. These contractors are the guys tasked with training Afghans, and there have been several reported incidents of ‘werewolves’ or basically good guys that go bad and shoot trainers or soldiers. To not have a weapon to deal with that, or any attacks on persons out in the war zone, is just stupid.
If there is to be any criticism at all, it should be geared towards the US military folks tasked with watching those weapons. I don’t have a beef with what they did though, and it sounds to me like these military guys were just trying to help out the Paravant guys, so they could defend themselves in a war zone. Whoaa, that’s crazy talk… arming yourself in a war zone? Crazy.
Also, this is not a new practice. In both Iraq and Afghanistan, weapons captured on the battlefield that were slated for destruction or just sitting in a Conex box, were often just given away to contractors who needed them for protective work. This is a very common practice, and especially in the beginning of the wars. It was not uncommon to see many different types of weapon systems in the hands of contractors, all because they were able to get a hook up from a military unit that wanted to get rid of the stuff.
To be honest, I would much rather see those weapons in the hands of contractors, as opposed to the enemy or in a demolition pit. Of course it would be nice for everything to be registered and controlled, but in this case, all I see is the military trying to help out some contractors that wanted a means to defend themselves in a war zone. Or maybe Senator Levin wishes to deny contractors their right to self defense in a war zone? The enemy would love that one. Pfffft. –Matt
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Key senator plans to lambast Blackwater actions in Afghanistan
February 24, 2010
Washington (CNN) — The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee plans to unleash a withering attack Wednesday on private contractors working for the company formerly known as Blackwater in Afghanistan, accusing them of flouting regulations and endangering the U.S. mission.
Key to beating the Taliban in Afghanistan will be the ability of U.S. forces to win support from the Afghan people, many of whom do not distinguish between U.S. contractors and the U.S. military, Sen. Carl Levin will say, according to an advance text of his remarks.
“If we are going to win that struggle, we need to know that our contractor personnel are adequately screened, supervised and held accountable — because in the end, the Afghan people will hold us responsible for their actions,” the Michigan Democrat will say.