Books: Blackwater by Jeremy Scahill
So speaking of troop deployment and Bush doctrine, has anyone read Blackwater? I'd be curious to know your thoughts.
My landlords' son Shea left for Iraq last October and comes back for his first leave in one week. He has been commanding his own unit - as staff sgt I think. He's VT Nat'l Guard, and so, as are they(VtNG) all apparently, he's on security and patrol duty: clearing roadways, disarming bombs, staffing checkpoints. He's in Fallujah as best we know from week to week. I'll be interested to hear what he has to say when he's back.
His father films documentaries for alternative energies, filmed and produced the Grace Potter music tour DVD, does odd projects for VtPTv. Shea's mother is a geriatric oncology nurse. A classic "support the troops / end the war last year" household. Okay, flaming "Eastern" liberal which partly explains how we've become friends. They ask me frequently to "explain Bush". It's still striking to me how different the "North" and "South" are in their perceptions of government, foreign policy, social policy, and this war.
So against this backdrop, with my own opinions, and with the facts and opinions provided by my multinational friends (and their respective news sources) via Scotland, it has been an interesting read so far. It requires some slogging through I'm afraid, but provides a narrative I find illuminating.
And off the subject a bit but what ever happened to North Korea? Have they repented recently and I missed it? Last I heard we were in imminent danger of being annihilated.
My landlords' son Shea left for Iraq last October and comes back for his first leave in one week. He has been commanding his own unit - as staff sgt I think. He's VT Nat'l Guard, and so, as are they(VtNG) all apparently, he's on security and patrol duty: clearing roadways, disarming bombs, staffing checkpoints. He's in Fallujah as best we know from week to week. I'll be interested to hear what he has to say when he's back.
His father films documentaries for alternative energies, filmed and produced the Grace Potter music tour DVD, does odd projects for VtPTv. Shea's mother is a geriatric oncology nurse. A classic "support the troops / end the war last year" household. Okay, flaming "Eastern" liberal which partly explains how we've become friends. They ask me frequently to "explain Bush". It's still striking to me how different the "North" and "South" are in their perceptions of government, foreign policy, social policy, and this war.
So against this backdrop, with my own opinions, and with the facts and opinions provided by my multinational friends (and their respective news sources) via Scotland, it has been an interesting read so far. It requires some slogging through I'm afraid, but provides a narrative I find illuminating.
And off the subject a bit but what ever happened to North Korea? Have they repented recently and I missed it? Last I heard we were in imminent danger of being annihilated.
posted by Edith @ 8:10 AM
4 Comments:
At 12:33 PM,
cvo said…
I haven't read the book about Blackwater, but I have read several wire, newspaper and magazine articles about the company, and I have read articles in the past that are written by Jeremy Scahill. I hear he is also a great public speaker when talking about the subjects of his stories.
I have talked to Iraq War veterans who are very bitter about being paid next to nothing and having their work situation at home deteriorate while they are at war, while their counterparts at Blackwater are paid six-figure salaries and don't have to live by the same rules in the war zone.
If you're wondering where some of those billions of dollars are going into the Iraq War effort, they are being spent on these mercenaries to protect the most important Americans in Iraq - the Halliburton contractors and KBR engineers working to explore for and secure the oil.
"Shoot First, Ask Questions Later" seems to be the working motto of the mercenaries in Iraq who are representing American interests.
Is it any wonder that resentment against America is rising in that region of the world?
At 9:04 PM,
Michelle said…
While I have not read this book, you have made me curious enough to actually read a little bit about it, and get on a waiting list to read it at the library (57 people ahead of me). I know that in some of my previous comments I have come across as the "flaming Republican", but it is so frustrating to actually dislike everyone running at this point for President from either party. I think Tom and I would perhaps vote for the same candidate if one could be found, then again maybe not. I believe I have become officially unaffiliated as neither party seems to represent me anymore.
At 8:04 AM,
Edith said…
One of the many extraordinary things about Vermont is their library system. When I asked about this title I was told "we" didn't have it. (We being Vermonters.) So she checked her budget and ordered it. I had the book in my hand, brand spanking new, four days later. I'm going to miss it here.
Holland MI is just as the opening chapters describe by the way. I was there for a weekend off (and out of Detroit) - viewed the statue, commented on the historic district, noted the tidiness. There was something slightly off, slightly eerie about the place. Not so that you wouldn't want to come back, as the town was charming - just contrived maybe, Stepford-like... One of the oddest aspects was there was no one about on a stunning, warm, early fall day but people were clearly present in the town, in the houses. We talked about it, wondered about it. Never thought I'd hear about Holland again frankly. Would never have guessed at its significance in our lives today.
At 2:19 AM,
jmeriwether said…
I mentioned Blackwater to Patrick last night and he said his perception was that they could do anything they liked without regard to any rules of engagement and that their numbers were close to the numbers of US military. He is very interested in the book.
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