From Democracy Now
What the hell? Can't wait for them to get authorization to procure nuclear weapons.
Blackwater's Private Army of "Christian Crusaders"
Wed, 2011-06-01 11:15
#1
Blackwater's Private Army of "Christian Crusaders"
Thu, 2011-06-02 01:22
#2
Blackwater also trained our troops..
Thu, 2011-06-02 01:54
#3
Bec.De.Corbin
"Christian Crusaders"
What an inaccurate and inflammatory statement no doubt aimed at the Muslim world; most real professional soldiers for hire (mercenaries) I've ever met where either non denominational or outright atheists. They are way more interested in money than any religious agenda so the term "crusader" is bunk as well.
But then, who's really interested in facts like that...
Thu, 2011-06-02 02:07
#4
"Christian Crusaders"
What an inaccurate and inflammatory statement no doubt aimed at the Muslim world; most real professional soldiers for hire (mercenaries) I've ever met where either non denominational or outright atheists. They are way more interested in money than any religious agenda so the term "crusader" is bunk as well.
But then, who's really interested in facts like that...
I believe the guy who runs Blackwater is an evangelical Christian, and married into one of the families that runs Amway. And possibly, they flatter themselves into believing that they're leading a noble crusade to Christianize the Muslim world.
But I agree, it's mostly nonsense. I'd very surprised to hear that the population of Christians has increased by even 1% in any of the countries where Blackwater is operating. The indiginous population of Iraqi Christians has fled in droves since 2003. I can't imagine that the American version being pedalled by the Blackwater family(can't remember their name) is winning many replacement converts.
Thu, 2011-06-02 13:53
#5
"Christian Crusaders"
What an inaccurate and inflammatory statement no doubt aimed at the Muslim world; most real professional soldiers for hire (mercenaries) I've ever met where either non denominational or outright atheists. They are way more interested in money than any religious agenda so the term "crusader" is bunk as well.
But then, who's really interested in facts like that...
I took the title straight from the Democracy Now video. They do impeccable work and their research is thorough.
The sentiments of individual mercenaries are irrelevant when taken into context. What is important are the sentiments of the company owners - in this case, Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater. Jeremy Scahill has done groundbreaking research on the origins and intentions of the world's largest mercenary army, and it's clear to him that Erik Prince is deeply intent on crusading against anyone who does not share his political and religious beliefs.
I encourage you to watch the video if you haven't already. Everything is explained within.
Thu, 2011-06-02 15:50
#6
Bec.De.Corbin
Watched it... I'm also a fan of Democracy Now by the way. I get it on cable TV. I might have even of seen it on that channel but alas I'm currently away from home this summer on business. Now all I have is AFKN on the TV in my room. It sucks.
The sentiments of individual mercenaries are irrelevant when taken into context.
This I disagree with; they, the individual mercs, are the ones on the ground with their fingers on the trigger. In my opinion the owner is irrelevent; whatever Erik Prince's intention is he still has to recruit from the same pool of men as any of his competitors would have to. If an atheist ran Blackwater or whatever it's called now or won that contract instead of Prince do you think that 800 man unit would be any different? I doubt it and it would still do the bidding of its client: the Prince.
I think the real cut in that article/show was the fact that the Prince didn't want any Muslims in the force while he himself is Muslim. What's up with that?
Anyways, good post. Thanks.