Speaking of mercenaries...

[Failure]

Why don't we just dispense with the semantics and call them what they are? When the news media called them "civilian contractors" you'd think they were doing the plumbing over there or something.

I don't feel sorry for them. They're killers.

[daa]

1. And what is shrub's preoccupation with 4 mercenaries

when over 600 GIs have died?

[Failure]

3. It was important enough

TO mention it last night, but he calles 'em "Civilian Contractors", to sway public opinion...these guys are hired guns, paid killers...

[rooboy]

2. I think we can get caught generalizing a bit too much..

one of my friends fixes helicopters for a living, and he finds himself in all sorts of weird places internationally. He often has to carry a gun (and sometimes a fake passport) because there's no law and a bunch of people who would just love to get their hands on a westerner.

So being an armed contractor doesn't necessarily make you a mercenary, but I agree it doesn't mean you're not one, either.

[Warren Stuart]

4. Maybe so

But they still have families and your comment is over the line. These mercenaries are protecting our soldiers, if they weren't there the death toll would be much higher.

They didn't pick the name they were given. Put the blame on Bush.

[sistersofmercy]

7. I agree n/t

[el_gato]

8. bullshit

they are going over there and killing for MONEY!

I have no sympathy for that type of scum.

[Amerpie]

5. Semantics

The government doesn't classify them as mercenaries because they work for a licensed, incorporated entity and because they don't represent a foreign government. I agree that it makes no sense, but I suppose we should be grateful that they at least answered the question.(NOT)

[Failure]

6. LOL

I wonder, has anyone found 1 question he actually answered?

[Amerpie]

9. For Profit War Making

The outrage should be leveled not at the workers but at the companies that employ them. It would be more economical to accomplish the tasks with soldiers, but that doesn't help the companies for whom this war was designed to generate profit.

Outsourcing in the military is the reason that it takes twice as long for my friends in Iraq to get mail than it did for my father in Vietnam 35 years ago. No one cares about efficiency, only profit.

[Failure]

11. Aren't We Also

Using soldiers of fortune from places like Chile?

[maddezmom]

10. the distinction for me is if they are armed

they are mercenaries or soldiers for hire

[NNN0LHI]

13. If it were not for our armed troops how many of these guys would be there?

I bet not many.

Don

[NNN0LHI]

12. Willie Nelson said it best

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys...

Don