The funny thing about military outsourcing is it is the only case I know of
where the outsourcing costs more than the in-house employees. However,
having the contractors do the beating and killing of prisoners does give the
US cover.

The pejorative note of this comment aside, we as a nation have never fully
debated the question of the role - if any - that "contractors" should play.

One danger that I see is of our slipping into a "Légion Étrangère" mentality
(That's "Foreign Legion," to all you non-Francophones out there.). The
temptation for reckless adventurism increases when mercenaries - especially
non-US nationals - get paid to absorb the body counts, absolving politicians
of having to answer to the nation for those killed in the line of duty.

In short, do we really want to become like the French?

--
Mike Kanze

"Democratic strategists feel John Kerry's war record means he can beat Bush.
They say when it comes down to it voters will always vote for a war hero
over someone who tried to get out of the war. I'll be sure to mention that
to Bob Dole when I see him."

- Jay Leno


"miso" wrote in message
om...
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