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View Full Version : So I picked up this book about The Blackwater Company...


Exodus
04-11-2009, 10:13 PM
Picked this book up in-between my game lore reading(dragon age) and diablo archives and terry pratchett's the thief of time and the truth. Just to keep me anchored in the world. ;)

After 25 pages, i didn't like how the writer didn't maintain their objectivity. The whole point is give the facts so that the reader can formulate their own conclusions, not form the conclusions for the reader. I don't know if even half of this is fiction but it makes games like Metal Gear Solid, Tom Clancy's recent H.A.W.X. a bit more eerily close to real. I wasn't aware that America was all about privatization and if the numbers are true...it's...pretty damned scary.

Now, I know you guys are all about whose 'left' and whose 'right'. or the other guy. I would like to keep that kind of stuff out of this topic but would like to see your perspectives, opinions and share any knowledge you have about this book and the blackwater PMC.

Personally I'm just gonna say...I never really thought mercenaries would be a bigger force and presence than the u.s. military itself but according to this book, that's the case.

[GH-SC]Ryctor
04-12-2009, 05:20 AM
Why dont you share with us which book about blackwater it is...

Exodus
04-12-2009, 06:35 AM
Ryctor;1738958']Why dont you share with us which book about blackwater it is...

Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army by Jeremy Scahill

Sorry about that.

[GH-SC]Ryctor
04-12-2009, 07:50 AM
Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army by Jeremy Scahill

Sorry about that.

I'm quite surprised that you're surprised about the rise and role of Blackwarter. PMCs can usually get the job done better and cheaper than regular forces.. if you need proof just look up Executive Outcomes and Sierra Leone. They did with 300 men what the UN couldnt do with 5000.

ON a side note though Scahill is a leftist partisan hack whos frequent contributions to "The Nation" have left his "version" of the facts tainted far to the left. If you want a fair read about Blackwater.. he's not where to get it from..

Dag-Sabot
04-12-2009, 03:09 PM
Did you not learn anything from MGS4?

Exodus
04-12-2009, 10:00 PM
Ryctor;1738972']I'm quite surprised that you're surprised about the rise and role of Blackwarter. PMCs can usually get the job done better and cheaper than regular forces.. if you need proof just look up Executive Outcomes and Sierra Leone. They did with 300 men what the UN couldnt do with 5000.

ON a side note though Scahill is a leftist partisan hack whos frequent contributions to "The Nation" have left his "version" of the facts tainted far to the left. If you want a fair read about Blackwater.. he's not where to get it from..

To be honest with you I find his objectivity a little lacking but what he says can't be all lies. Do the ends justify the means? I'm still reading and sifting through obvious 'trying to put people in a bad light' perceptions. Will have to see how this ends and do background checks on some of the things he talks about.

XxSATANxX
04-13-2009, 09:12 AM
I'm all for an effective fighting force but not a fan of "private military". Since Bush decided to go "off the books" with the likes of Blackwater etc. I think it would have made more sense to send the right amount of troops rather than go "private" to shore up the force.

A few of my friends are private military and made a truck load of cash in Iraq. The truth of the matter is most who go the route of gun for hire are not doing us any favors. It cost more and we get less.

http://frontiereditor.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/oh-blackwater-keep-on-firing.jpg

Agnostic
04-13-2009, 06:30 PM
Blackwater changed it's name to Xe. Apparently, killing civilians tarnished the old name.