Posted on 07/23/2007 12:14:03 PM PDT by DogByte6RER
'America's private army' under fire for Illinois facility
Anti-war activists, locals are wary about military contractor's new training site
By E.A. Torriero
Tribune staff reporter
6:11 AM CDT, July 23, 2007
MT. CARROLL, Ill.
Strangers rarely venture onto the twisting gravel roads in this corner of the state, and those who do sometimes get lost amid the rolling hills.
So it came as a surprise to many locals when the expert marksmen of Blackwater USA -- a controversial military contractor that provides armed security guards in the Iraq war -- took over an 80-acre rifle range and opened up a new training center this past spring. Blackwater North, as the North Carolina-based firm calls its new site, is designed primarily as a tactical training ground for domestic law enforcement and contractors, not for security missions to Iraq or Afghanistan, Blackwater officials said. Using civilians schooled in military warfare, the site offers training in weaponry, hostage dealings and terror reaction.
Still, the sudden appearance of Blackwater is attracting criticism and questions from miles around.
Wary residents fret about noise, expansion and the more distant possibility that low-paid local police might end up working lucrative jobs for Blackwater overseas.
Meanwhile, peace groups from as far as Chicago, 150 miles to the east, plan to stage a major demonstration here next month protesting "America's private army."
"We're tucked away here in a no man's land, and to have Blackwater come in is quite unsettling," said Conrad Landola, a neighboring landowner. "Most people have farms and homes. That's it. Now we have Blackwater here and we don't know what they will attract."
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Anyways...further on, the article mentions that Blackwater is looking to also open a facility in North San Diego County.
I will be happy to welcome them to my neck of the woods.
Blackwater USA is the most comprehensive professional military, law enforcement, security, peacekeeping, and stability operations company in the world.
My question is, do they have any open comm positions? I have always wanted to be thought of as a mercenary by the local liberal idiots.
Further on in the news story:
“In a recent tour for a Tribune reporter, Blackwater officials displayed gun ranges the size of athletic fields — bermed to absorb stray bullets — along with a building used for hostage training and a pro shop that sells ammunition as well as key chains, shirts and shot glasses emblazoned with the company logo.”
Blackwater USA’s ProShop has some GREAT looking military/firearm themed items for sale! Check them out at:
http://proshop.blackwaterusa.com/
Wear them to a leftist antiwar rally...
I have been reading about Blackwater in a book I found. Sounds like a great group. Both Erik and I come from Michigan. Have never met.
Cool hat! Got to have one!
Blackwater sounds like an Upstanding Professional Security Business: I am not surprised and elated this came from N.C.! Awesome!
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Yes...I agree. They do seem like a great group.
Of course leftist wingnuts regularly slander Blackwater USA as “mercenaries” or “guns for hire.”
I think Blackwater USA and other similar contractors are just filling in a void that is created by international turmoil.
“Pinkerton Agents” filled in a similar void in the late 1800s during the taming of the Old West.
What’s the title of the book?
My guess is that it isn’t this one which is tied into leftist corporate conspiracy theories:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackwater:_The_Rise_of_the_World%27s_Most_Powerful_Mercenary_Army
More about the history of the Pinkertons here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinkerton_National_Detective_Agency
Any book recommended by Joe Wilson would not be worth reading but that is the book and since I understand leftist, I know the slant so I read it and came away knowing about Blackwater but with a positive view.
Someone from Blackwater called me at work the other day wanting to use our products for one of their projects. She sounded very please when I thanked her for all the good they are doing for our nation.
More background on Blackwater USA by The Weekly Standard:
“Warriors for Hire - Blackwater USA and the rise of private military contractors.”
by Mark Hemingway
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/013/062fxarf.asp
Putin, in Russia, has recently fully authorized his energy companies to establish their own ‘armies’..not just a security force with small arms..one upsmanship on the US with its ‘Blackwaters’.
What on earth is marching on a live firing range going to accomplish?
Looks like the cops in that county have a better opinion about Blackwater rather than the Chicago Leftists. The media will give them cover though. That is until they get on the property.
I also liked in the article they say that the Chicago Police department doesn’t allow certification from a brand new site yet says nothing about the anti-terror training they (CPD) offer. Nor does it talk about how many CPD officers are in need of anti-terror training.
They are also talking about expansion, where there is no zoning requirements, where blackwater is allowed to do whatever they want on their land and they freak out because there is construction on the property.
I suppose she'll need ABC news to tell her "what they will attract". But even an ignorant hick can get on the Internet, type www.blackwater.com into their browser, and discover that "what they will attract" is is Blackwater's normal customer base of former and retired police officers, ex-military MPs, active DEA, ATF, Treasury, and Diplomatic Security staff, etc. The kind of people with pristine backgrounds who are or have been involved in protecting the American public from all kinds of threats and dangers.
Why would this [pot farmer???] dame be worried about law enforcement types taking skills training near her little plot of [pot cultivating???] land out in the boonies? Is she paranoid [that she'll be busted????].
Personally, having Blackwater as my neighbor would give me the warm and fuzzies.
BTW - the teddy bear should be packing, IMO.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.