[Peace] NG editorial by Conrad Wetzel

[Brian Dolinar]

 [image: The News-Gazette.com]   Blackwater myth not rooted in reality
Wednesday
September 26, 2007

I have appreciated the numerous news accounts related to Blackwater that
have been appearing in recent weeks. It is very important that the public be
informed about the true nature of Blackwater and its employment of mercenary
soldiers. It is a myth that Blackwater paramilitary contractors are
courageous, highly trained and patriotic professionals.

The U.S. volunteer Army fights door-to-door, street by street in Iraq, while
the Blackwater professionals drive armor-protected SUVs guarding dignitaries
and diplomats. Blackwater's paramilitary contractors live in the "Green
Zone," not in the direct line of fire. They hide behind legal loopholes and
the Third World mercenaries that they hire.

Do defensive driving techniques, touted by Blackwater in its corporate
advertising, replace judgment and caution? Highly trained security
professionals do not fire into a car killing a baby and mother and father,
as recently reported by the world's news media, or spread the flames of
insurrection throughout Iraq, after the infamous Fallujah bridge hanging.
Navy Seal stealth killing techniques are not equivalent to improved basic
security or law enforcement protections.

Blackwater equals money; no money, no Blackwater. It is the ultimate put
down of the volunteer military to say that Blackwater is professional and
patriotic. As shown throughout history, when the public money runs out,
private mercenaries run. Blackwater lobbies to protect the Mexican border
and train American law enforcement. How long will America support the myth
that private mercenaries are more professional than public servants?

CONRAD WETZEL

Champaign
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-- 
Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.
303 W. Locust St.
Urbana, IL 61801
briandolinar at gmail.com
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