Is the utter destruction of life brought about by groups such as blackwater in Iraq very drastically different from what happened within the walls of the Nazi death camps? From the surface one may can say that in no way shape or form is anything that goes on today near the gruesome atrocities carried out by the Nazis. Diving into Primo Levi’s autobiography about his ten months in a German death camp, we see through his eyes the horrors and dehumanization of the Jewish race. One of the clearest examples from Levi’s book is when Levi is reaching through some bars to grab some snow to eat because he is starving, in the next moment a guard comes and smashes his hand telling him no, which prompts Levi’s response, “WHY?”, to which the guard replies, “There is no why here.” This is just the kind of dehumanizing attitude that I feel is possessed by most stanch supporters of blackwater and other such militant protection agencies. I am not saying in any way that I am completely against any of these organizations, but merely against some of the tactics and actions that they perform. A year and a half ago my dad who works for the government had to go on business to Kuwait for a week. While there he had a personal bodyguard for much of the week hired from an organization similar top Blackwater. I am very thankful for the services that they performed which could not have been possible for the government to provide any other way. After reading this quote by a former employee of Blackwater I feel that some of Black waters tactics need to be addressed in a major way.
that the company’s owner, Erik Prince, may have murdered or facilitated the murder of individuals who were cooperating with federal authorities investigating the company. The former employee also alleges that Prince “views himself as a Christian crusader tasked with eliminating Muslims and the Islamic faith from the globe,” and that Prince’s companies “encouraged and rewarded the destruction of Iraqi life.”
However you look at it, we must learn from our pasts and from those who have experienced first hand the terrors of war to be fully aware of what is going on in our ever-changing world.
After reading this post I failed to see the connection between Blackwater and the Holocaust. I am assuming you are hinting at the similarities between Hitler’s religious affiliations and those of some of the employees of Blackwater or perhaps you are saying Blackwater’s treatment of the Iraqi people is similar to the treatment of the Jewish by the Nazis during World War II? The overall argument doesn’t seem to be explicitly addressed. Aside from that, I felt the need to comment because I found the quote from the previous employee of Blackwater to be very appalling. He openly expresses the owner’s racism towards these people revealing his hidden agenda and desire to kill for no political means what so ever. Prior to reading this I would have assumed the owners only motivation for the services he provides is financial. If I were Muslim, I would not want to cross this guy’s path because it sounds to me as though he would kill you for that reason alone. He does not seem to differentiate between a militant extremist and a peaceful civilian. Only in a time such as war can people’s civil liberties be so trampled on and only in war do murderers get paid for their service. I agree, this company definitely needs to be closely watched.
I found this post to be interesting, and I also have serious problems with Blackwater’s tactics in Iraq. That quote about the owner Eric Prince is particularly appalling. Prince is actually from Holland, MI and while I have never met him I know people who know him personal, but they never hinted at this extent of religious extremism, but it might not be something that is obvious expressed all the time. The worst part about Blackwater is that, despite their horrible tactics, they are very very successful. They have never allowed someone die under their watch, and as long as they have that success people will still, unfortunately, use them.
I agree that Blackwater and other PMCs need to be watched carefully; it all goes back to Eisenhower’s warning about the military-industrial complex. What kind of things go on behind closed doors, unregulated, under the guise of supporting the U.S. government? Though, like the last comment said, they are very successful–very Machiavellian. By operating outside the jurisdiction of the government, Blackwater gets things done… but at what cost? It’s like the failed attempt to win the “Hearts and Minds” of the Vietnamese people, even as they were seeing the U.S. bolster corrupt governments and fall into the same role as the French. Plus, they offer better pay and incentives than the U.S. military, so firms like Blackwater can grow while the military loses people who otherwise would have reenlisted.
Blackwater also has a strong local connection–Dick Devos is Erik Prince’s brother-in-law. I find it interesting that Blackwater recently changed its name… too much bad publicity maybe? How long until they change their name again?