Why Are We in the Business of Mercenaries?

Independent political commentary on politics and news. Democrat? Republican? Liberal? Conservative? Who cares? Focus on what makes sense, not what fits theory. Incidentally, the title is from Romeo and Juliet and is what Mercutio said as he was stabbed by Tybalt (a Capulet and Juliet's cousin) who in turn is attempting to stab Romeo (a Montague). Not only have I always had a soft spot for Mercutio, it seems that is what happens if you are in between the extremes and try to make sense and sometimes make light of them.

September 01, 2009

Why Are We in the Business of Mercenaries?

Study: More Contractors In Afghanistan Than Military Personnel -- Highest Ratio Ever | TPMMuckraker.

It used to be that hiring Mercenaries was distasteful. We frowned upon it. Now it turns out we have a mostly Mercenary force in Afghanistan. This isn’t cheaper. It isn’t more cost efficient. It just means different budgets can be used. These people aren’t better trained or more effective. They are just arrogant and outside of Military justice and control. They don’t have the same chain of command and as we have seen with the various Blackwater scandals, can be completely uncontrolled. Why do we have them?

Tags: politics, mercenaries, Afghanistan, War+in+Afghanistan

Sep 1, 2009 9:52:12 AM | Current Affairs, Politics

1 Comment

Even Niccolo Machiavelli (not the most tasteful character but correct in this sense) said that you should rely on your own citizens to fight and not on foreign mercenaries. We can't have people that are only loyal to their paychecks fighting these wars.

Posted by: Lawerance Quieres | September 28, 2009 at 09:15 AM

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