US lawsuit could dent global war-contractor boom

By Bernd Debusmann
2 hours, 48 minutes ago



WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An unprecedented lawsuit stemming from the gruesome killing of four American civilians in Iraq is slowly making its way through the U.S. legal system, closely watched by companies estimated to field up to 100,000 contractors alongside the U.S. military.

Lawyers and military experts say the case highlights legal gray zones, a lack of regulation and little oversight of a booming global industry believed to bring in more than $150 billion annually. Civilian military contractors now perform scores of functions once restricted to regular troops, and a trend toward "privatizing war" has been accelerating steadily.

The suit was brought by the families of four civilian contractors shot last year by Iraqi insurgents, who burned their bodies and hung the charred remains from a bridge across the Euphrates river in the city of Falluja.

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The suit against Blackwater says the company broke explicit terms of its contract with the men by sending them to escort a food convoy in unarmored cars, without heavy machine guns, proper briefings, advance notice or pre-mission reconnaissance, in teams that were understaffed and lacked even a map.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051222/ts_nm/iraq_usa_contractors_dc

George Bush and his cohorts have created a private army of mercenaries with not a word from Congress. Isn't that against some law or other? It's his way of once again, not being answerable to anyone. I hope those families win every dime of war profit these immoral war profiteers made. But, I have to say, I have to wonder why anyone would sign up to go join in an immoral invasion of a Sovereign nation just for profit. I regret deeply the deaths of every human being caused by this administration, but at least the Iraqi people had no choice, and the troops are required to follow orders. Mercenaries do not have to be there. Imo, they should 'just say no' because to do otherwise is immoral, imo.

Resist the warfare state!

Addicott, a retired Special Forces officer, estimates that the number of civilian contractors in Iraq surpassed 100,000 this year. "That takes into account not only people specifically hired to provide armed security, but also those in transportation, construction, food services, housing, laundry etc. Americans and non-Americans."

Other experts agree with that estimate.

Despite the large sums of money and large numbers of civilians paid by the Department of Defense, the Pentagon does not have a precise tally of either. The estimate of contractors it gives - around 20,000 - dates back to a remark by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld almost two years ago.

Without regulation, how successful are we in ensuring that good fellows don't take over the best contracts?

Another reason to say no to corpo donations and sponsorship of anything political. This is what it turns into and it pisses me off.

Anyone who tells you the Dems need corpos is no friend to the working folk... and some of you know what people Im talking about.

construction ventures, now expect the military and the U.S. to protect them or else?

We get fucked both ways with privatization.

And richer from this war. They are the reason there is such drag on ending it. IMHO

an episode of 'Frontline'.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/warriors/view/

What the hell is the matter with people? Why does everyone want something for nothing from a "deep pockets" defendant? Four people killed and their charred bodies hung up? So the fuck what?? People die every day. These people's families need to just get over it. Money won't bring their loved ones back, and WE ALL PAY FOR THESE UNCONSCIONABLE LAWSUITS! AAAAHHHH!!!