Blackwater Goes to Mexico

We returned last night from a week in Cozumel. We had a great time. Several adventures complete with an interesting cast of characters. We met several retired military couples, some progressive west-coasters and a couple of Blackwater USA guys. Who knew?

Our Blackwater fellow resort patrons are from Texas, which should surprise no one. They are young (23), from conservative homes, and based on my impressions, see Blackwater as their 'shot' (no pun intended) at the 'American Dream.'

High wages. Adventure. Patriotism. These are the benefits as viewed by these very nice young men who find going to Afghanistan and Iraq as "military contractors" a dangerous thrill not to be missed. The one young man, a 6'6", 270 lbs. teddy bear named Drew, talked big and carried a large tequila bottle. His more demure friend Will acted more the chaperon. We had several conversations about the "war" and the Blackwater role. They sympathized with the disparate differences between wages and rules for them as compared to us, the active duty military. The scrutiny they don't receive for what can only be described as war crimes as compared to the prosecutions of only low-level military for crimes they were complicitly ordered to commit.

I reiterate, I do not support the policies and posturing of the American military establishment in regard to the heinous acts committed by the persons prosecuted. I do not cotton to the "My Lai defense." Simply said, investigations and imprisonments need to happen at much higher levels, e.g., Rumsfeld,et al. (speaking of which, I just heard this...) and the rules of engagement and pay need to be commensurate. At bottom though, it is clear that Blackwater is now substituting as a private army at ten times the cost to avoid a draft, any participation, or impact being felt by the American public in this quagmire called "The Iraq War."

Drew, while talking extensively about "being in the shit," had many moments of doubt about the role he plays in "the sandbox" during our conversations. The day before we left Cozumel, he got so drunk, he stumbled around and hit his head poolside. My feeling was he was 'drinking his feelings.' Not to mention, it is quite a feat getting cut off at an all-inclusive, hotel bar in Mexico. He was carried up to his room by hotel security, and turned out be be no worse for wear the next day. And Dr. Turtle did check him out for serious injuries.

This actually started out as being a travelogue, but I found even being on vacation in paradise, an inability to quiet the nagging of my consciousness regarding the state of the world. We did see some extraordinary sights and the damage that remains of Hurricane Dean. The largest loss seemed to be in the iguana population which suffered many deaths for which I mourn. The Mexican middle class seems to be growing but the significant observation for me was how similar our countries have become. While our middle class is shrinking and poverty is on the rise, corruption in government between the two countries is virtually indistinguishable, and the politics of greed are in full swing, bringing us closer together in national temperament and template.

Clearly, I can't be trusted to go on vacation and just relax. I apologize to my dear husband. And also for the nasty squall we encountered while on scooters (my idea), in shorts and tees (mine too), 13 miles (!) from our hotel. And what is it with us and driving through rainstorms lately?

Get Me My Gun

Clearly the American people don't give two shits about what goes on in their own country and with its leadership. The story of the waste and fraud occurring during the is illegal, immoral invasion and occupation of Iraq has been tantamount to the biggest boondoggle in American history, yet is barely glanced upon in the mainstream media, and virtually ignored by congress.

Did you know of the nearly 1/2 a trillion war dollars spent, 88 BILLION dollars of "contractor money" is under investigation for fraud? Did you realize the 630 private companies are under contract to the US government to deliver "services" to Iraq? Jeremy Scahill, author of Blackwater:The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army, sat in on a DOD authorization hearing and listened to representative after representative ask scores of military and government officials,"How many contractors do we have? What are they doing? How much are they being paid? What nations are they drawn from? The answers were, 'I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know' ". Would you let ANYONE spend your money like this?

Bill Moyers does a great intense round-up of the national treasure wasted on this futile exercise called the Global War on Terror. Best of the Left compiles a podcast "best of" moments from around the blogosphere about the discussion. All the while the republicans can't fund health care for children which amounts to 40 days in Iraq spending.

Preaching to the choir I guess, but I wonder when people will be angry enough to act.

Prince of Tides

And the tide is turning: Blackwater likely to be out of Iraq

Of Armies and Statesmen

In light of the breakdown of our military from overuse and the rise of private, mercenary armies like Blackwater USA, Dwight D. Eisenhower's Farewell Address to the Nation seems timely.

On a related note, McClatchy News has this 'feelgood' story. (At least it made me feel good... H/T to Lotus for the linky.

Will Blackwater Finally Be Banned?

The soul-sickening sound of Blackwater USA guns will hopefully end soon. Digby has another take on it and Robert Greenwald of Brave New Films made another fabulous documentary on Blackwater's "Shadow War" called Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers



The Blackwater/private contractor fiasco is a story that has barely cracked the headlines in the MSM, but is arguably one of the most important features of BushCo's strategy to undermine our democracy. The possibility exists that Blackwater is the private BushCo army created to keep us peaceniks in line. This is a chapter of American history I wish to soon be over.