Blackwater enters the campaign

Posted By Joshua Keating Friday, February 29, 2008 - 4:03 PM Share

Hillary Clinton has co-sponsored new legislation to ban the use of private military contractors in Iraq. This came just a day after the publication of an article by The Nation's Jeremy Scahill in which a senior advisor to Barack Obama said that the candidate "won't rule out" the use of PMCs. Given how integral PMCs have become to U.S. operations at this point, Obama's reservations about a blanket ban make some sense. Still, he can't relish the idea of being on the "pro-Blackwater" side of this issue.

Hat tip: Danger Room

EXPLORE:MIDDLE EAST, DECISION '08, IRAQ, MILITARY
 

KIDZIB

7:24 PM ET

February 29, 2008

PMCs are a Necessity

Shame on Clinton for politicize this issue! This is absolutely OUTRAGEOUS! Ban all PMCs??? Is she out of her damn mind?!?! All us reasonable people have SERIOUS concerns about Blackwater's tactics. But while we should be holding them accountable for whatever crimes they have committed, we can't deny the fact that PMCs provide essential service for our men and women serving in Iraq. That includes not simply combat operations and VIP escort, but providing military equipment and essential supplies. Banning PMCs would essentially mean mission suicide military collapse!

 

DISSERTATER

2:01 AM ET

March 2, 2008

Statements about a blanket

Statements about a blanket ban in such a fashion is mere pandering to the ignorant. While some PMCs are engaged in high profile escorts and regularly enter into engagements, a vast majority of (armed) PMCs are employed as heavily armed security guards. Then again, if Hillary's wish comes true you can no longer blame any upcoming failure of Iraqi Freedom on Mr. Bush.

 

Passport, FP’s flagship blog, brings you news and hidden angles on the biggest stories of the day, as well as insights and under-the-radar gems from around the world.

Read More