In my opinion, government sponsored mercenaries was the most disturbing concept to come out of the entire 49 minute State of the Union charade. The idea was hinted at two weeks earlier in his escalation address. I thought the idea then was stupid and would die an instant death but after mentioning it a second time, I see that the administration is truly serious about floating this concept by the American people. Perhaps the Bushites forgot about history.
Last night, President Bush stated,
A second task we can take on together is to design and establish a volunteer Civilian Reserve Corps. Such a corps would function much like our military reserve. It would ease the burden on the Armed Forces by allowing us to hire civilians with critical skills to serve on missions abroad when America needs them. And it would give people across America who do not wear the uniform a chance to serve in the defining struggle of our time.
For me, the whole concept of government sponsored private mercenaries raises several very serious questions.
- Will all companies now be allowed to hire private mercenaries at the tax payers expense to act in behalf private interests on an international level?
- Will these companies be privy classified intelligence information. Information the likes of which is currently being withheld from congress? I can already hear the excuse that will be given: "The president needs to have the necessary tools that will allow for a quick and flexible response in order to ensure the safety of US civilians working abroad."
- Who will these mercenaries answer to?
- Who will ensure accountability?
- Who will determine what their objectives are and who will ensure those objectives are legitimate?
- Who will determine the Rules of Engagement (ROE)and who will ensure they are in compliance with international law?
- Will private companies compete like warlords in order to raise the most powerful mercenary group?
This entire idea must not be allowed a flourish in political debate and, IMHO, is just one step away from complete chaos; the likes of which today are demonstrated in Somalia and Afghanistan.
Ironically, in the same speech, Bush states the best reason to throw out this concept altogether.
For America, this is a nightmare scenario. For the enemy, this is the objective. Chaos is their greatest ally in this struggle. And out of chaos in Iraq would emerge an emboldened enemy with new safe havens ... new recruits ... new resources ... and an even greater determination to harm America. To allow this to happen would be to ignore the lessons of September 11 and invite tragedy. And ladies and gentlemen, nothing is more important at this moment in our history than for America to succeed in the Middle East ... to succeed in Iraq ... and to spare the American people from this danger. [emphasis mine]
Given all the dangers private mercenaries would bring, we can ill afford to allow this to happen.