I don't really get it. On one hand people are outraged about Blackwater being in Iraq...

Smith_3

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Thu Apr-09-09 07:21 AM
Original message

I don't really get it. On one hand people are outraged about Blackwater being in Iraq...

... and at the same time people are calling for commercial ships to hire their own security. Seems a bit paradox to me. Either you think the usage of mercenaries is a good thing or you don't. If commercial ships should protect themselves, then perhaps shopowners should not get any help by tax funded police either. As far as I understand it, to secure trade routes is one of the navy's purposes. The companys who own the ships pay taxes too. Besides, having mercenary ships arm themselves could constitute a false flag operation under the hague convention (a warship being disguised as a civilian ship in this case) and therfore be illegal.

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RB TexLa

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Thu Apr-09-09 07:25 AM
Response to Original message

1. Should the shop owners call the police to come to international waters to help them?

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patrice

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Thu Apr-09-09 07:26 AM
Response to Original message

2. "Either you ________ or you ___________" = Oversimplified = False dichotomy.

Edited on Thu Apr-09-09 07:28 AM by patrice

Different circumstances require different responses, that is, unless you are an ideologue, someone who thinks an abstract concept is more real than experience.

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cali

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Thu Apr-09-09 07:28 AM
Response to Original message

3. without taking a position on mercenaries on merchant ships

I don't think things are nearly as black and white as you do.

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ShortnFiery

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Thu Apr-09-09 07:30 AM
Response to Original message

4. This is all potentially lucrative - $$$ - for our Mercenary Corporations ... don't cha think?

NOT with our tax dollars. :grr: :thumbsdown:

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Marrah_G

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Thu Apr-09-09 07:31 AM
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5. Security guards for private property are different then mercenaries.

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Smith_3

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Thu Apr-09-09 07:35 AM
Response to Reply #5

7. But these are trade routes. The isn't guarding individual ships, it is guarding "the road".

Whoever choses to travel on it gets guarded, not a single ship per se.

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RB TexLa

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Thu Apr-09-09 07:41 AM
Response to Reply #7

10. A trade route is not built by, maintained by, or the responsibility of a government to protect.

Yes if a ship is in US territorial waters, but not in international waters, the US has no responsibility.

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Old Vet

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Thu Apr-09-09 07:32 AM
Response to Original message

6. Boat piracy

Point on Mr Smith, I agree

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Old School Liberal

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Thu Apr-09-09 07:35 AM
Response to Original message

8. The circumstances make the difference

I think the only reason people take issue with mercenary operations is the potential for an undisciplined, unaccountable army to run amok against the local population--the potential for abuse is quite high. As this is not an issue at sea, the typical objections can't be raised.

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Old School Liberal

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Thu Apr-09-09 07:36 AM
Response to Original message

9. Delete--Repeat

Edited on Thu Apr-09-09 07:37 AM by Old School Liberal

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