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| Yes | 50% | 81 votes | Total: 161 votes | |
| No | 50% | 80 votes |
Yes
by Charles Ray
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Add to FavoritesSoldiers for hire, or mercenaries, are as old as warfare itself. The ubiquity of private contractors, such as Blackwater in Iraq, has placed on the agenda the question of whether their use in military roles is right or not.
This is a question that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. A better question to ask would be, "what is the appropriate role of private contractors or mercenaries in military operations?"
The advantage of traditional military force employment is that most armies operate under strict regulations and rules of engagement, and sanctions exist to deal with situations of violations of rules. There are, however, exceptions even when traditional military units are involved in incidents. In World War II, for instance, Imperial Japanese forces attacked and slaughtered civilians and executed captured Americans out of hand.
These were clear violations of the laws of warfare and resulted in war crimes trials when Japan was defeated. Had Japan won the war, one could speculate that the outcome would have been different. Hessian mercenaries fighting for the British in the Revolutionary War were often brutal, but when the American colonies won their independence, no punitive actions were taken against the Hessians.
There are instances when the employment of mercenaries or private armies is justified. In Sierra Leone's war with the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in the 1990s, the ill-trained, ill-equipped, and poorly-led Sierra Leonean army was at a significant disadvantage, and there was a danger that the rebels would win the war. When the government of Sierra Leone hired Executive Outcomes (EO), a private company of mercenaries made up of Americans, Europeans and demobilized South African soldiers, to fight the RUF, the tide of battle changed in its favor, and the situation was stabilized enough to allow eventual government victory.
The principles that should apply to the use of private contractors or mercenaries to fill military roles are the same as those that should be applied for any government use of private companies; control, accountability, and appropriateness. Functions that are inherently governmental should almost always be performed by government organizations rather than private entities.
Thus, while it is appropriate to hire contractors to perform guard duties and some logistical functions (such as supply transport), direct combat operations should always be assigned to formal military units. Using private contractors to provide certain training to foreign forces is acceptable, as long as they are under the direct control of military officials.
Contracts with private companies should also clearly spell out authorities, duties, and responsibilities, and provide for appropriate actions when violations of regulations or law occur.
As long as warfare exists on the planet, there will unfortunately be a role for the 'dogs of war.' They must, however, be kept always on a very short leash.
Learn more about this author, Charles Ray.
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No
It's not right at all to bring in private contractors/mercenar ies into the role for the US Military. Our Government uses private contractors to join the US Military. Do you think we are stupid? Both words mean that same thing just a lot easier to say private contractors. This is another way for our USA Government to make the change happen. Have you ever heard about blood diamonds. Years ago we heard about families being killed over the news by that countries that are ran by One World Government, Big Government, Big Business. All the same meaning just a lot easier to say.
Our US Military use to be called USA Military. When did we stop being Americans? Why is our Government not hearing the American People? Why would Our Government bring in Private Contractors/Mercenar ies into power to role over our USA Military? I know why. The answer is CHANGE. Americans are stopping CHANGE. But are we? No matter how many times we stand up for Our USA Military Families. We are called dirt, tea baggers, terrorists, racists, red necks and stupid.
Think about this: Let us say that Millions of Americans are not liking the way Change is going. They stand up for our rights and freedoms. What happens next. The Government just brings out the mercenaries/ private contractors to take care of the problem. Millions of mothers, fathers, grandparents, children, and people in the cross fire are killed in the streets. Because private contractors/mercenar ies don't care about human life. They get paid not to have feelings. That is one way to cut the budget. Millions of people that the Government don't need to think about. Everyone that is not for the Change Obama wants. Good way to have Big Government, Big Business, Big Brother, and all the easy ways of saying One World Government. Good-Bye to Americans and Our rights, freedoms, and independence.
Our Government just wants us to think it on the way to stopping terrorists in other countries. But Obama has stated that he is against everyone that stands in the way of Change. Any one that don't stand with him. Are against him. No one is against him. We are against his way of running, overruling, using his power, and thinking he has the right to talk to us like a piece of dirt under his finger nail. Americans that stand up are a thorn in his side. He doesn't like to hear from An American like me.
I hope and pray that a good change will happen. But deep down inside me. I know that change is not going to be good for no-one. As soon as our USA Military comes home. I know that our Government will not be pleased. I know the words and agreement that are signed and stated by our USA Military when they join the USA Military. Our USA Military stand by that agreement to make sure that the United States of America stays free, independed, and no other country will come into government to over role or try to over take the United States of America. What will happen to our Military Families overseas. What is our Government going to do? Our Government will replace all USA Military with private contractors/mercenar ies. What Nation are we when Our Military is gone. We will know soon. When our President signs in the new Global Warming Bill. There is more in that Bill then you know. It even talks about private contractors/mercenar ies taking over Our Military, One World Government and so much more in it.
All Americans should be upset and outraged by United Nations UNFCCC Framework Convention On Climate Change 181 Pages posted at 1:28 AM that our Government took off computer sites to keep Americans not knowing the truth. Also Obama Poised to Cede US Sovereighty in Copenhagen, Claims British Lord Monckton. ( Posted 10-18-2009 at 2:29 P.M. ) Don't know if our Government took it off of the computer. I have both. If you would like to read what the President wants to do to our one Nation Under God, our rights, Freedoms, Independence, and our USA Military. Please write to me. I'll be happy to open our eyes to the truth.
Learn more about this author, Judith Bonawitz.
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