howard112211
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 01:19 PM
Original message |
Why is there sympathy for soldiers but not for contractors? |
|
My understanding is that many of them are ex-military, who are driven to sign up by the same mechanisms that generate the "economic draft". They are from the same demographic, driven by the same motivation, contributing to the same effort and are operating under the same command. Yet, many find that, while it is not ok to slander a soldier, a contractor is fair game. Seems a bit strange to me :shrug:
|
Lance_Boyle
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 01:21 PM
Response to Original message |
1. Sympathy for mercenaries? Yeah, that's gonna happen. |
|
Ex-soldiers have the option of continuing to be soldiers, or becoming civilians. Becoming a mercenary should never have been an option, and it's one that no ex-soldier worth 2 stinky shits would take.
|
Echo In Light
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 01:22 PM
Response to Reply #1 |
2. Yeah...the impression given is that they're the ones who *really like* what they do |
Vincardog
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 02:10 PM
Response to Reply #1 |
16. Bingo. Why should we shed a tear for mercenaries? |
uppityperson
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 02:53 PM
Response to Reply #16 |
21. Is a cook is a "mercenary"? How about a janitor? A truck driver? |
|
Someone who repairs the trucks? Are they "mercs"?
|
proud2BlibKansan
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 01:23 PM
Response to Original message |
3. Because they are overpaid volunteers |
Tierra_y_Libertad
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 01:24 PM
Response to Original message |
4. Mercenaries have been known as "the scum of the earth" for centuries. |
|
Which is a duly earned description for killers for money.
|
paulsby
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 01:53 PM
Response to Reply #4 |
14. not all contractors are mercs |
|
i considered signing on with dyncorp as a police trainer for newly formed police agencies in afghanistan,m iraq, etc.
an important job and not a mercenary one
this was about 8 yrs ago.
100k + tax free / yr and room/board paid for
|
Tierra_y_Libertad
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 02:45 PM
Response to Reply #14 |
19. Interesting. As a GI, I had to pay taxes. Why should "contractors be exempt? |
paulsby
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 02:52 PM
Response to Reply #19 |
|
it sounded like a good idea to me, from a career development, experience expanding and financial angle. then, i got engaged and my (soon to be wife) laid the kibosh on THAT idea damn quick.
|
Iggo
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 01:39 PM
Response to Original message |
5. Many of us know the old word for "contractor". |
|
That word is "mercenary".
It carries a foul stench.
|
la_chupa
(357 posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 01:40 PM
Response to Original message |
|
Or whatever they're calling themselves now nuff said
|
T Wolf
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 01:41 PM
Response to Original message |
7. Mainly because most Dems are too cowardly to call out people who participate in |
|
military atrocities. Because they are afraid of being labeled as "unpatriotic" or some other BS. The same prejudice/weakness that prevents so many here from tolerating any criticism of Obama.
|
Tailormyst
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 01:42 PM
Response to Original message |
8. That contractor is not a soldier- they are a mercenary |
|
They do not have to play by the same rules. They are motivated by money to kill others.
|
Arctic Dave
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 01:43 PM
Response to Original message |
9. Here is another question. Why the hyper-worship of soldiers? |
|
Mercenaries are in it or money, period. A soldier has some what of a loyalty.
Another question, how are any of them different from a taliban fighter? Or a gang member. They are doing it for money also. They all have little regard for life as long as they get paid to do what they do.
|
donco6
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 01:46 PM
Response to Original message |
10. I have no sympathy for mercenaries. |
|
Never have; never will.
They operate outside any rules of military engagement (and they lie when they deny it.)
They are profiteering, lying sacks of shit.
|
DrDan
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 01:48 PM
Response to Original message |
11. "driven by the same motivation" - you are kidding, right? |
librechik
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 01:50 PM
Response to Original message |
12. Profiting from war is a crime |
|
We should have nobody but US soldiers doing all our war tasks--despite the CW, it's cheaper and safer to use all govt workers for such things. The Pentagon got snookered (or is getting kickbacks) for the intense drive to replace our enlisted men/women with contractors you need to pay extra to be there.
|
ManiacJoe
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 01:50 PM
Response to Original message |
13. Because far too many wrongly think |
|
Edited on Thu Apr-15-10 01:52 PM by ManiacJoe
that "contractor" = "security contractor". The vast majority of contractors are cooks, cleaners, mechanics, trunk drivers, construction workers, etc.
An advantage to civilians doing the above work is that it fees up the soldiers to be soldiers.
|
uppityperson
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 02:10 PM
Response to Reply #13 |
15. Exactly. All contractors are not security contractors, most are not but many don't know that |
|
Hence they pile abuse on all those who aren't rather than picking out those who are.
|
Caliman73
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 02:27 PM
Response to Original message |
17. It is not okay to "slander" anyone. |
|
It is okay to criticize anyone including soldiers. The reason why soldiers are generally less prone to being criticized is because they have chosen to serve the country within the system which we have agreed is acceptable. While there are definitely economic motivations to join the military, it is pretty safe to say that soldiers aren't in it to get rich. Contractors however, are there to make vast amounts of money off of war, hence the "mercenary" title and disdain.
I don't think that any living being is above criticism. You can be grateful for the desire and the service and still criticize specific actions and attitudes. As with contractors, the "in it for the money attitude" is always going to dog them.
|
Lilith Velkor
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Thu Apr-15-10 02:35 PM
Response to Original message |
18. Contractors get the gold mine, soldiers get the shaft |
|
It's not that hard to understand.
|
DU
AdBot (1000+ posts) |
Tue May 14th 2024, 04:10 AM
Response to Original message |