Brave New Films - Latest Comments in How Obama Can Help Avoid Another Abu Ghraib

Re: How Obama Can Help Avoid Another Abu Ghraib

jimstcroix — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 20:09:59 -0000

Who is responsible for their actions? I can see three responsible parties. 1.) the company itself, 2.) the employee-wrongdoer and 3.) the U.S. Government. One would think that having such a contract with the government would raise a Corporations actions to the level of "state action" which is required for an entity to be bound by the restrictions of the constitution. Regular old Tort law takes care of the company and the employee-wrongdoer. Further, criminal sanctions are available for the employee-wrongdoer.

Your assertion that the corporations are 'unaccountable' or free to go willy-nilly is factually wrong. The law does provide for punishment of wrongful acts committed. What you seem to be complaining about is the "burden of proof" or at least the difficulty in gathering enough evidence to hold these people accountable - the fact is they CAN and ARE accountable, but you've got to prove it!

The big flaw in your bias towards corporations is that the difficulties remain regardless of whether a for-profit employee does a wrong or whether a U.S. solider does a wrong. It is just as difficult to prove a US Solider tortured or killed as it is to prove a contractor tortured or killed.

On the other hand, if you just have a problem with making a profit from war, well then that is a moral position you are free to stand on - but it does not create any legal rights or obligations, nor does it make an inherently sound argument. Understand, armies have used "contractors" or "mercenaries" since the time of the Roman Empire (even the Romans out-sourced weapons manufacturing). Your touchy-feely emotions really don't mean much in face of history and reality - war is hell, and it has always had its "profiteers" and it always will. Part of what makes war hell is the fact that "profiteers" are required by armies to accomplish their goals. Should GE stop making engines for our jets and tanks just because they "profit."? Because Colt Arms makes a profit, should they be denied the ability to sell firearms to the military?

I'm all for punishing wrongdoers, and even making changes in law to make the gathering of evidence of wrongdoing easier - but mere profit does persuade me that private entities should be kept out of a country's war-making efforts. You have not convinced me that making a profit from a war is inherently wrong - yes you have anecdotal evidence and boohoo-so-sad-stories of individuals w/in for-profit corporations doing reprehensible acts - yet they should be dealt with as they always have - with the law.

Re: How Obama Can Help Avoid Another Abu Ghraib

Nicetryfolks — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:52:31 -0000

I am curios why there is no criticism of Hollywood and the profit they make from portraying the war in their twisted ways? Why is it that Fox News is criticized and not the movie studios? Wars could not be conducted unless commercial entities supported the efforts. Where do you think all supplies come from? Where do you think some of the training comes from? Commercial organizations working for a profit. These wars are no different. If there is criticism, let it be objective and factual and not subjective and in the promotion of an Liberal, ideological agenda. When you commit to a war, you must be prepared to do whatever it takes to win. If that means using your assets to the point of exhaustion so be it. You don't fight to be comfortable. You scratch, claw, and bite if necessary. The last man standing wins. Period!

Re: How Obama Can Help Avoid Another Abu Ghraib

whitetailslayer — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:59:46 -0000

im sorry i missed the part where you assholes told me why kbr and the u s army shot and killed my brother donald e tolfree jr in cold blood in balad iraq on 5 feb 07 fuck you assholes who are trying to make a killing off my brothers killing ill see you mother fuckers in hell and you know who you are matches you shot my brother to death and you dont have the goddamm decencey to talk to me and tell me why i hope you meet the same fate as my brother you fucking punk fuck you and the u s army you fucking murderers

Re: How Obama Can Help Avoid Another Abu Ghraib

williecoyote — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:45:27 -0000

There is a limit what could be asked from a soldier. Beyond that limit starts "black" zone, merceneries and private "security" forces.

Mercs and private thugs are in it for money, so it is safe to make an presumption that their employers are also in it for money, or profit to be more precise.

If those figures above are acurate, and I think so, are those mercenaries, private security and other thugs incorporated into chain of command, or they act independently of HQ?

If they are incorporated in chain of command then we have a clear situation who is responsible.

If they are not, then there is a strange situation where those paramilitary forces are illegaly on soil of other country, and therefore, they may be considered as terorists, funded and brought to theatre of operations by US government, which did not have any legal right to do so.

Either way, who is responsible for their actions?