mercenary { Blackwater builds Airforce

Blackwater U.S.A. is a mercenary, excuse me, security firm that has a large military security contract in Iraq (as in a lot of taxpayer money funds these guys). They now want to expand their air force from a few armed helicopters to ground attack craft.

I've been reading, intermittently a book about Blackwater U.S.A.. There vision and mission statement gives me the creeps its so full of jingoism. Cut through the crap, they're hired guns who kill (provide security) for money.

VISION
To support security, peace, freedom, and democracy everywhere.

MISSION
To support national and international security policies that protect those who are defenseless and provide a free voice for all with a dedication to providing ethical, efficient, and effective turnkey solutions that positively impact the lives of those still caught in desperate times.

Blackwater is committed to the foot soldiers -- the men and women who stand on the frontlines of the global war on terror and who believe in a peaceful future for their communities and nations. Whether serving in or out of uniform, Blackwater is committed to providing these men and women with the very best in training and tactical support to ensure they are fully prepared to meet current and future global security challenges.

This is a peek at what the future, corporate, privatized military will look like. They remind me a lot of an older South African based (formed out of an old South African special forces unit) called Executive Outcomes that basically would fight for anyone in exchange for mineral wealth.