Wackenhut Whackenuts! by Niki2

REAL WORLD EVENT DISCUSSIONS

Wackenhut Whackenuts!

POSTED BY: NIKI2
UPDATED: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 14:50
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Sunday, September 20, 2009 8:16 AM

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

Bush put 'em in place to guard our embassy...incredible enough...but more incredible that the Obama Administration re-upped their contract! Sure, they fired eight of the guards, but this is what's keeping our embassy "safe"??

Quote:
Drunken brawls, prostitutes, hazing and humiliation, taking vodka shots out of buttcracks— no, the perpetrators of these Animal House-like antics aren't some depraved frat brothers. They are the private security contractors guarding Camp Sullivan, otherwise known as the US Embassy in Kabul. These allegations, and many more, are contained in a letter sent to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday by the Project on Government Oversight, which has been investigating the embassy security contract held by ArmorGroup North America (a subsidiary of Wackenhut, which is in turn owned by the security behemoth G4S).

The contractor was the subject of a congressional probe earlier this summer that found serious lapses in the company's handling of the embassy security contract, which internal State Department documents said left the embassy compound "in jeopardy."

Nevertheless, the government opted to extend the company's 5-year, $189 million contract for another year. Underscoring the scope of the problems within ArmorGroup's Afghanistan operation, POGO says that nearly a tenth of the company's 450-man embassy security force contacted the watchdog group to "express concerns about and provide evidence of a pattern of blatant, longstanding violations of the security contract, and of a pervasive breakdown in the chain of command and guard force discipline and morale."

________________________
Together we are greater than the sum of our parts

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Sunday, September 20, 2009 12:45 PM

FREMDFIRMA

Man, don't even get me STARTED on Wackenhut, prior to DynCorp, Triple Canopy and Blackwater - they were the ONLY security company ever meaningfully accused of war crimes, and their incompetence and brute criminality was so legendary they managed to get kicked offa airport security, which takes DOING mind you!

This in addition to involvement with both the goddamn alphabet goons, and private prison industry, which on occasion led to "hat trick" employees who were due to actions taken on the 'black' side of things for the alphabet goons having served as both security, and "guest" of the wackenhut run prisons, such folk had a high incidence of accidents and suicides of course.

They've also been involved in their own bioweapons research WHILE guarding bio-sites and the stuff they wound up working on was a little too similar to the projects they were guarding for coincidence - oh yes, did I mention their habit of selling out and industrial espionage is one reason many corps won't hire them and they had to go hiding under the skirts of group4 securicorps ?

DynCorps start is even more ridiculous, as they started out as incompetent aircraft mechanics hanging on the coattails of CIA front air transport companies used to help fill the black budgets with drug money.

Eagle A-1 Security Services Ltd never, EVER played footsie with the alphabet freaks, and while their reputation was above reproach, sadly in THIS industry, it's the corruption and chicanery that makes the money, especially if you're willing to sell your principles down the river to the BlackOps boys.

Eagle A-2 (yes, my tribute to them) doesn't sell out neither, only way that's ever gonna happen is over my rotting remains.

When you're gonna hire security, make sure you do your homework so ya know who yer gettin in bed with - some things are contagious, yanno.

-Frem

It cannot be said enough, those who do not learn from history, are doomed to endlessly repeat it

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Sunday, September 20, 2009 12:52 PM

NIKI2

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

What I'm wondering is why we're hiring security in the first place? When did this "contractor" stuff start, and what's wrong with having our own soldiers protecting us?

Given what we've heard just about Blackwater, and now these jerks, it seems really stupid to be hiring contractors, paying them gawd-knows how much, when our soldiers are already paid, would be responsible to SOMEONE, and could surely do a much better job of it!

Sounds like a "gimme" to me...when did this start, and WHY???

________________________
Together we are greater than the sum of our parts

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Sunday, September 20, 2009 1:20 PM

DREAMTROVE

Nik

Contracting has been around a while, but it went full tilt in 1995 when Clinton dissolved the quartermasters corps and cut a deal with his buddy Dick Cheney to give the army to Halliburton.

I swear, this is the shortest conspiracy theory chain ever, but there are still people out there who think Bush and Clinton were opposites. They were really pretty much both Cheney.

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Sunday, September 20, 2009 1:33 PM

RUE

I have a vote and I'm not afraid to use it!

"When did this "contractor" stuff start, and what's wrong with having our own soldiers protecting us?"

It's a long, sad story. To read the history, read 'Blowback'. Since the 70's foreign governments discovered that contractors were extremely useful, since they weren't under the Geneva Conventions or other limiting laws and treaties. The US was only too happy to provide training (along with arms !), b/c, well, it made a profit. And it shored up the regimes of 'friendly' dictators.

What I don't know is WHY it took so long for the US to apply those lessons at home. But, they did eventually get it, no matter how slow it was in coming. And here it is.

***************************************************************

Silence is consent.

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Sunday, September 20, 2009 2:17 PM

DREAMTROVE

Kathy,

It's that it wasn't a problem for us yet.

If our military contracts with GM to make combat vehicles and they do it, np.

When in the 1980s companies started outsourcing the making of parts for military equipment to Japan, there was a huge stir. Toshiba took those parts, and then sold the same model part to the Soviets. That would be a problem, but nowhere near as bad as Clinton/Bush.

In 1995 we began actually outsourcing key functions of our military and intelligence apparatus, not just to American corporations, but corporations tied to foreign govts. etc. As time progressed more and more we started privatizing govt. operations until security was completely compromised. Some would say that was the goal, but it hardly matters, there's nothing there worth saving anyway ;)

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Sunday, September 20, 2009 2:40 PM

GINOBIFFARONI

I notice nobody brought this up yet

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8265042.stm

US embassy security firm raided

Police allege that no licences were produced for the seized weapons

Police in Pakistan say they have raided the offices of a private security firm hired by the US embassy in Islamabad.

The offices of the Inter-Risk company were entered and around 70 weapons were seized and two personnel arrested.

Officials in Pakistan allege that the haul of 61 assault riffles, nine pistols and ammunition were unlicensed.

It follows allegations that the US is using the security firm once known as Blackwater. The US embassy in Islamabad denies it has any contract with them.

The media in Pakistan have reported that the US embassy in Islamabad was involved in hiring the firm Xe services, formerly known as Blackwater, a company which was embroiled in allegations of civilian killings while hired to protect US diplomats in Iraq.

A spokesman for the US embassy, Rick Snelsire, has confirmed a contract with Inter-Risk exists and said that "It is our understanding they [Inter-Risk] obtained licenses [for] whatever they brought into the country to meet their contractual needs."

The US has denied it uses Xe services in Pakistan.

A senior police official, Rana Akram, said that two Inter-Risk employees were detained and are being questioned. They were now seeking the company's owner, a retired Pakistani army captain, the official added.

Police have denied any connection between the raid on Inter-Risk and the US embassy, but said they were working to protect foreigners living in the Islamabad and increasing vigilance ahead of the Muslim feast which marks the end of Ramadan.

suspecting US contractors have a terrorist connection hmmmmmmmmmm.......

" I don't believe in hypothetical situations - it's kinda like lying to your brain "

" They don't hate America, they hate Americans " Homer Simpson

Lets party like its 1939

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Monday, September 21, 2009 8:57 AM

NIKI2

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

Sick. Just plain sick. Now THERE's something to get up in arms about...which I'm gonna.

So sad Obama is turning out to be such a disappointment. I'm still waiting. Still only eight months, but some things are just plain intolerable...

________________________
Together we are greater than the sum of our parts

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Monday, September 21, 2009 10:55 AM

OUT2THEBLACK

http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/eric_margolis/2009/09/20/
11005751-sun.html

America has been here before

It's shades of Vietnam as U.S. commanders beg for more troops to fight in Afghanistan

'...The Soviets had a much better understanding of Afghanistan than the American military, which one senior British general recently called, "culturally ignorant." Moscow built an Afghan government army of around 240,000 men. Many were loyal Communists. They sometimes fought well, as I experienced in combat against them near Jalalabad. But, in the end, they smelled defeat and crumbled. The Soviet-backed strongman, Mohammad Najibullah, was castrated and slowly hanged from a crane.

The American command, deprived of men and resources by the Bush administration, only managed to cobble together an armed rabble of 80,000 Afghans. The Afghan army, like the post-Saddam Iraqi army, is led by white officers -- in this case, Americans designated "trainers" or "advisers." '

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Monday, September 21, 2009 11:02 AM

WULFENSTAR

http://youtu.be/VUnGTXRxGHg

God knows... them coming back we can use.

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009 1:48 PM

GINOBIFFARONI

Quote:
Originally posted by out2theblack:
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/eric_margolis/2009/09/20/
11005751-sun.html

America has been here before

It's shades of Vietnam as U.S. commanders beg for more troops to fight in Afghanistan

'...The Soviets had a much better understanding of Afghanistan than the American military, which one senior British general recently called, "culturally ignorant." Moscow built an Afghan government army of around 240,000 men. Many were loyal Communists. They sometimes fought well, as I experienced in combat against them near Jalalabad. But, in the end, they smelled defeat and crumbled. The Soviet-backed strongman, Mohammad Najibullah, was castrated and slowly hanged from a crane.

The American command, deprived of men and resources by the Bush administration, only managed to cobble together an armed rabble of 80,000 Afghans. The Afghan army, like the post-Saddam Iraqi army, is led by white officers -- in this case, Americans designated "trainers" or "advisers." '

Alot of people hate Eric Margolis.... probably because he is right so much of the time

" I don't believe in hypothetical situations - it's kinda like lying to your brain "

" They don't hate America, they hate Americans " Homer Simpson

Lets party like its 1939

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009 2:20 PM

KWICKO

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." -- William Casey, Reagan's presidential campaign manager & CIA Director (from first staff meeting in 1981)

Quote:

suspecting US contractors have a terrorist connection hmmmmmmmmmm.......

It gets worse, Gino. Now it's looking like (from what I gather thus far, anyway) not only did this firm have weapons illegally, but they seem to have been acquired in an illegal fashion. And the best part? U.S. taxpayers got to foot the bill, twice. At least.

Seems the weapons were missing from U.S. Army warehouses. And it seems they were "purchased" with things like booze and porn that are supposed to be taboo for U.S. military personnel in the area - but which the contractors are allowed to have, and which are (you guessed it) also paid for by US, the taxpayers. So the contractors have goodies, but don't have the weapons they really really want, because the locals won't allow them to have them. So they trade some of their booze, porn, and other contraband to the military for some of THEIR weapons, creating a crime on both sides (military AND contractor), and with both sides getting paid by the U.S. taxpayer, who's getting screwed up the wazoo, and now has to buy those same damned weapons AGAIN for the military, only to have them turn around and trade 'em for booze again.

It's a funny world, but nobody's laughing...

Mike

Old friend charity
Cruel twisted smile
And the smile signals emptiness
For me
Starless and Bible black

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009 2:33 PM

GINOBIFFARONI

I'm starting to think McChrystal is the man for the job he is in... five years too late

From what I have read of some of the people in Afghanistan... once you have shown yourself to be a fool, a liar, or an idiot.... it would take quite a bit to have them change that perception

US general warns of Afghan failure
General Stanley McChrystal (R) said the overall effort in Afghanistan is 'deteriorating' [AFP]

The most senior US and Nato commander in Afghanistan has said the war against the Taliban "will likely result in failure" if more troops are not sent and a new strategy developed.

General Stanley McChrystal said in a leaked report obtained by the Washington Post that, despite some progress, "many indicators suggest the overall effort is deteriorating".

Inability to provide adequate resources "also risks a longer conflict, greater casualties, higher overall costs, and ultimately, a critical loss of political support" he said, according to the Post report published on Monday.

"Any of these risks, in turn, are likely to result in mission failure."

'Government corruption'

McChrystal said in his assessment that Taliban fighters controlled entire sections of the country.

He also criticised the Afghan government for failing the public and said it was riddled with corruption.

"The weakness of state institutions, malign actions of power-brokers, widespread corruption and abuse of power by various officials, and Isaf's own errors, have given Afghans little reason to support their government," McChrystal wrote.

He called for an "urgent need for significant change in our strategy" in Afghanistan, saying the US needs to interact better with the Afghan people and better organise its efforts with Nato.

"Our objective must be the population. The objective is the will of the people, our conventional warfare culture is part of the problem, the Afghans must ultimately defeat the insurgency," he wrote.

Waning support

The 66-page report, which was confirmed as being genuine by McChrystal's spokesman in Kabul, was sent to Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, in August, and is being reviewed by US President Barack Obama.

"Support for the war is waning, not just among the US public but also among senior Democratic members of congress"

McChrystal is expected to ask for a troop increase in the coming weeks, with reports he may request up to 30,000 new combat troops and trainers.

But a request for extra soldiers faces resistance from within Obama's Democratic party and some Republicans, while opinion polls also show public support for the war is waning.

"Public opinion in the US has really shifted, and back in the US presidential campaign Afghanistan was a major issue - many Americans I think looked at Afghanistan as 'the good war', in contrast with Iraq," Rob Reynolds, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Washington, said.

"Things have changed now. The US casualties in Afghanistan have risen sharply and there has been a disputed election [in Afghanistan] where there has been clear evidence of fraud.

"Support for the war is waning, not just among the US public but also among senior Democratic members of congress."

A recent CNN/Opinion Research poll showed about 58 per cent of Americans oppose the Afghan war, while 39 per cent support it.

The number of US troops in Afghanistan has almost doubled this year from 32,000 to 62,000 and is expected to grow by another 6,000 by the end of 2009.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/09/200992111035319236.html

a little late to dump Hamid Karzai now... or is it

anyone remember Ngo Dinh Diem ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngo_Dinh_Diem

On orders from U.S. President John F. Kennedy, Henry Cabot Lodge, the American ambassador to South Vietnam, refused to meet with Diem. Upon hearing that a coup d'etat was being designed by ARVN generals led by General Dương Văn Minh, the United States gave secret assurances to the generals that the U.S. would not interfere. Dương Văn Minh and his co-conspirators overthrew the government on November 1, 1963.

The coup was very swift. On November 1, 1963, with only the palace guard remaining to defend President Diem and his younger brother, Ngô Đình Nhu, the generals called the palace offering Diem safe exile out of the country if he surrendered. However, that evening, Diem and his entourage escaped via an underground passage to Cholon, where they were captured the following morning, November 2. The brothers were executed in the back of an armoured personnel carrier by Captain Nguyen Van Nhung while en route to the Vietnamese Joint General Staff headquarters.[60] Diem was buried in an unmarked grave in a cemetery next to the house of the U.S. ambassador.[61]

" I don't believe in hypothetical situations - it's kinda like lying to your brain "

" They don't hate America, they hate Americans " Homer Simpson

Lets party like its 1939

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009 2:50 PM

KWICKO

I'd still like to know what constitutes a "win" in Afghanistan.

And I'm sick of hearing that "this is a war we cannot lose" and "Afghanistan is fundamental to our foreign policy". By saying these kinds of things, we're digging ourselves in deeper and deeper, and making it impossible to just get out. I remember when Vietnam was a war that we couldn't afford to lose, when it was the "domino" that would start the entire region falling to communism. Only we did, and it didn't. The region is much the same now as it was then, only without us there mucking up the works.

So we're the great empire, the new tough guy on the block, the one who's finally going to show the rest of the world how it's done, and kick Afghanistan's ass once and for all. And we'll do it in a civilized manner, obeying the rules of modern warfare even though such rules aren't respected by those we're there fighting against. Sure, that oughtta work out great.

Let's see. Genghis Khan tried it, with a philosophy that sometimes included killing every living thing in a conquered area, down to the last man, woman, and child. He failed. He never held any control over the area for any length of time, even though he held most of Eastern Europe, much of modern Russia, all of China and Mongolia, India, most of Southeast Asia, and almost the entire Middle East as his personal empire. But he couldn't hold the area we call Afghanistan. He held the known world, and ruled it ruthlessly, but couldn't win Afghanistan.

Alexander the Great tried it, too. In Afghanistan, he turned out not to be so great. The British tried it, and failed as well. The Russian Tsars tried it, to no avail. The Soviet Union tried, and we saw how that worked out; despite them having over a hundred thousand soldiers there at a time, despite them rotating over 620,000 troops in and out of the country, despite their BRUTAL treatment of the enemy, the Afghans held out for a decade, and it was the brutal Soviets who lost their taste for battle.

So now, we're going to show them how it's done, right? We're going to this place, the ground where empires go to die, to show them that this time, it's different. And you know who's cheering us on, telling us to go for it, willing to keep lending us money to pour down that particular sinkhole? China.

I'm sure they have only the purest of intentions, right? No chance at all that they'd be backing us while we back ourselves into such a feckless corner, eh?

Mike

Old friend charity
Cruel twisted smile
And the smile signals emptiness
For me
Starless and Bible black

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