First Mercenaries, Now Spies For Hire

by: Bill Egnor AKA Something The Dog Said

Tue Mar 01, 2011 at 07:43:34 AM MST

I have never understood the fetish for privatization that has gripped our nation for the 15 years or so. Sure I get it that most of the companies that get the contracts for things that the government used to do are the buddies of the Republican Party and they get a ton of money from it. Still there are something's that should be inherently the government's purview.

We have had tons of contractors in the wars zones over the last decade. Some of them are just contracting for things like building things and supplying food and water to the soldiers in field. Others have been shadier like Xe (formerly Blackwater) who where providing protection services to State Department personnel but also performing duties like scouting convoy routes and other less defined activities.