They say the Iraqi troops aren't ready. Our troops need to stay . . .

until they're ready. Ready for what? Why should the new government's security goals be our own? Are all enemies of the new regime there enemies of the U.S.? Why should our soldiers be used to sort that out?

We know that they are still being sent out on search and destroy missions and all sorts of 'anti-insurgent' raids. Most of these missions and raids are almost certainly directed at other Iraqis opposed to the government our troops are propping up. At this point our soldiers are just muckraking along with the Shiite-dominated militias we have funded, equipped, and supported. This same band of armed government loyalists, Shiite and Kurdish combatants, is the force that many, in and out of government, both republicans and Democrats, say they rely on to take over 'security' of Iraq so our soldiers can withdrawal.

Our soldiers are now mercenaries of a supposedly independent government, our military the inevitable arm of an authority in active armed conflict with Iraqis in opposition to the propped up authority. Americans don't know who our soldiers are being asked to kill and who they are dying for. That shouldn't be a secret anymore. We know that Bush wants to use the troops for anything that keeps them in place for future meddling. They're his protection racket for the oil that we're 'holding for the Iraqis. They're his personal prop for victory speeches. They're his hired muscle in hell's kitchen, waiting for a new contract.

But, they are also our sons and daughters, our mothers and fathers, waiting for some rationality to their mission . . . and a ticket home. Our leaders should spell out just what they expect our soldiers to do in Iraq that is in tune with our own values and democratic principles. To ask them to defend anything less is a tyranny of leadership in Washington and Foggy Bottom.

Once again, we have to separate what Bush wants from our military from what their role should actually be in Iraq. We have undertaken an unprecedented leap past the U.N., our allies (and for most of the occupation, the will of the American people), to deploy and maintain troops in Iraq at Bush's whim and insistence. It's time for Congress to take the keys to our military away from Bush and put them back in that box labeled 'Superpower'. Our soldiers have done their job. They shouldn't be used as pawns in these legislators and leader's shifting for political advantage.

Rice: Troops will stay until Iraqis can take over
http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/30/iraq.troops/

Allawi: Troops to Stay Until Iraq Can Handle Rebels Alone
http://www.aina.org/news/20050125161005.htm

Bush: Our military will continue to hunt down the terrorists in Iraq -- and to prepare the Iraqi security forces to take over more of the fight and control more of the territory on their own.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/12/20051207-1.html

they have private companies to do that

http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2004/s1074965.htm

Transcript: Each day scores of would-be recruits for the oil protection force line up in the hot sun outside the Baghdad headquarters of the British security company, Erinys International.

If their name is called, they'll be given five days intensive training in how to stop and search vehicles, how to avoid confrontation and, if necessary, how to fight to protect the black gold.

JONATHAN GARRATT, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ERINYS INTERNATIONAL: It's a major task.

It's probably the largest security project of its type in the country at the moment, if not in the world.

And it has major implications on the economy of the country.

PETER CAVE: What size workforce are you employing?

JONATHAN GARRATT: We have over 14,000 Iraqi guards supported by over 100 expatriate managers.

PETER CAVE: That's a small army.

JONATHAN GARRATT: We don't like to use that term.


Erinys, a British company with offices in the Middle East and South Africa, guards the oil fields. Employees of Erinys make $88,000 a year, plus benefits - triple what most soldiers make. A bodyguard can cost as much as $500 a day. http://www.erinysinternational