| From The Editor July 24, 2006 |
Conspiracy Theories 101KEVIN BARRETT, a lecturer at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, has now taken his place alongside Ward Churchill of the University of Colorado as a college teacher whose views on 9/11 have led politicians and ordinary citizens to demand that he be fired.Mr. Barrett, who has a one-semester contract to teach a course titled "Islam: Religion and Culture," acknowledged on a radio talk show that he has shared with students his strong conviction that the destruction of the World Trade Center was an inside job perpetrated by the American government. The predictable uproar ensued, and the equally predictable battle lines were drawn between those who disagree about what the doctrine of academic freedom does and does not allow. Mr. Barrett's critics argue that academic freedom has limits and should not be invoked to justify the dissemination of lies and fantasies. Mr. Barrett's supporters (most of whom are not partisans of his conspiracy theory) insist that it is the very point of an academic institution to entertain all points of view, however unpopular. (This was the position taken by the university's provost, Patrick Farrell, when he ruled on July 10 that Mr. Barrett would be retained: "We cannot allow political pressure from critics of unpopular ideas to inhibit the free exchange of ideas.") Full Article Gary Jackson President Blackwater |
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK |
| America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand. Harry S. Truman |
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PROFESSIONAL ARTICLES, EDITORIALS AND OPINIONS |
Focusing on SudanThis issues focus on Sudan could not be a more appropriate topic for our new format. The conflict in Darfur by itself encapsulates many of the critical issues facing the international peace operations, including limits on international political will, challenges regarding the responsibility to protect, the limits of "Westernless" peacekeeping and the increasingly prominent role of the private sector. The potential role of the private sector in Darfur is something IPOA has been asked about frequently of late by journalists, NGOs and policy makers. It should be noted that IPOA members have been involved in supporting the African Union mission in Darfur from day one, providing logistics, base construction, management and operations, medical services, and helicopters and vehicles for AU troops. Nevertheless, most analysts agree that the AU mission in Darfur is simply too underresourced to adequately fulfill its mandate in the vast area affected by the conflict...Private security companies have some of the greatest potential to provide desperately needed humanitarian security services in support of the AU and UN peacekeepers. By directly protecting at-risk populations, they could allow the international military forces to focus on enforcing their mandate. Effective security combined with logistical assistance for the existing peacekeepers would vastly reduce loss of life and help end the violence until a long-term political solution can be worked out by international mediators. While IPOA strongly advocates greater utilization of private sector capabilities, we do not advocate moving this direction blindly, without adequate consideration of the need for transparency and accountability or without full consideration of how private services can be best woven into the larger mission. Full PDF Version of the IPOA can be downloaded at: Journal of International Peace Operations Let Israel Take Off the GlovesA lot has been written in recent years about stateless terrorism. The events of the last few weeks show, to the contrary, that some of the world's most malignant terrorist groups continue to rely on state support. Hamas runs its own quasi-state, the Palestinian Authority. Hezbollah is a state-within-a-state in Lebanon. And lurking behind both are the real troublemakers: Iran and Syria. The current crisis exposes the inadequacy of American policy toward this new axis of evil. The problem is not, as so many have it, that President Bush's "cowboy diplomacy" has unsettled the region's vaunted stability. It is that Bush hasn't been enough of a cowboy. Full Story The War Tapes: The real Iraq finally comes to the screen.IN ANNOUNCING The War Tapes winner of the "best documentary feature" at the Tribeca film festival in New York in May, judge and documentary filmmaker Ken Burns labeled the film a "remarkably clear-eyed view of what's going on there." I've been over there doing my own war taping and he's right. The movie is a desperately-needed antidote to the mainstream media-produced baloney broadcast daily into our homes that rarely includes anything but (1) bombs exploding in Baghdad; (2) bombs exploding in Baghdad; and above all (3) bombs exploding in Baghdad. Critics have described the film as "disturbing," "humbling," and "truly a grunt's eye view of the war." Believe it or not, that last one was criticism. It came from leftist screenwriter-director Nora Ephron. The views of grunts and embedded reporters are worthless, Ephron says, because they're "too close" to the war. Better, apparently, to do all the reporting out of Baghdad's Al-Rashid Hotel or--better still--from ivory towers. (Stunningly, Ephron also thinks embedding was an evil idea dreamed up for this war. Ever hear of Ernie Pyle, Nora?)Weekly Standard |
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BREAKING NEWS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL |
Safest Shot System For Your AROne thing I've always heard--for as long as I can remember while serving in the Army or as a cop--"Don't just stand there! Get behind cover!" When I first started police work, qualifications involved standing still at a given distance, presenting my handgun when the threat appeared (target turned) and shooting a specified number of shots. Now it's move to cover, give verbal commands while moving and drawing, and engage the target--don't holster until no threat exists. The biggest emphasis is still on not standing still--seeking cover. This week's review is about a product called "Safest Shot." It allows you to stay behind cover and engage targets accurately.Full Story In a Troubled Area, Violence Competes Daily With ProgressEarl Paysinger doesn't mince words when talking about the 57 square miles of urban landscape he oversees as a Los Angeles Police Department assistant chief. "It's a violent piece of real estate," the 30-year LAPD veteran said. "This part of the city has always been a great challenge for us." The real estate he's referring to is South Los Angeles, an area singled out last week by a blue-ribbon panel as a deeply troubled hot spot where tensions between residents and police run so high that civil unrest could erupt at any time.Full Story Meth Still No. 1 Drug Problem, Study FindsMeth abuse continues to fuel an increase in crimes like robbery and assault, straining the workload of local police forces despite a drop in the number of meth lab seizures, according to a survey Tuesday. Nearly half of county law enforcement officials consider methamphetamine their primary drug problem, more than cocaine, marijuana and heroin combined, the survey of the National Association of Counties found. "Abuse of this highly addictive brain-altering drug continues to destroy lives and strain essential county services across America," said Bill Hansell, the association's president and commissioner of Umatilla County, Ore.Full Story FBI Eyes Hizbollah In U.S. as Tensions with Iran RiseThe FBI is trying to ferret out possible Hizbollah agents in the United States amid concerns that rising U.S.-Iranian tensions could trigger attacks on American soil, FBI officials said. Relations between Washington and Tehran, which soured after the 1979 Islamic revolution, have deteriorated further recently over Iran's nuclear program and its support for Hizbollah, the militant Islamic group whose capture of two Israeli soldiers last week prompted Israel to launch retaliatory strikes in Lebanon.Full Story Murders Down, Arrests Up in New OrleansThe number of murders in New Orleans has been cut nearly in half since the National Guard and state police arrived to help patrol the city a month ago, and arrests in some crime-plagued neighborhoods have almost doubled, according to police statistics. In the 30 days before the deployment June 20, there were 21 killings in the city. From June 20 to Wednesday, there were 11. Police superintendent Warren Riley claimed success in reducing the violent crime rate. Deputy Chief John Bryson called the results "remarkable."Full Story |
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PROFESSIONAL |
| TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION AND SUBMIT YOUR RESUME AND DD-214 CLICK HERE |
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SECURITY FOR THE PROFESSIONAL |
Guard, Reserve Make Valued Contributions to Terror War, Other MissionsThe reserve components have greatly contributed to the global war on terrorism, while also providing personnel for homeland security and disaster relief missions, senior officials told a congressionally chartered committee yesterday. Today's reservists must be prepared to rapidly deploy anywhere in the world and be ready to respond to both homeland defense and disaster relief contingencies, Army Reserve Chief Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz told the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves at a hearing in San Antonio. "Today's units must be prepared to and available to deploy with their full complement of trained soldiers and equipment whenever the nation calls," Stultz noted in prepared statements to the commission. The Army Reserve, he said, "continues to meet the challenges of (the war on terror), while simultaneously supporting missions at home and around the globe."Full Story Tracks add Versatility to 26th MEU's ArsenalIt's a loud, robust machine that is at home on land and in water. It can traverse a trench eight feet wide and can climb a three-foot wall. It boasts a pair of heavy guns that make it a formidable opponent as an assault weapon, and it has an armored belly that can bring a reinforced squad of Marines safely to the fight. It's an Assault Amphibian Vehicle, and a platoon of these formidable machines is bringing an extra dimension to the combat capabilities of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Bn., 2nd Marine Regiment.Full Story Vets of '83 Beirut Bombing View Current Ops With Pride, ResolveWatching TV coverage of Marines from their former unit helping Americans leave Beirut churns up a host of emotions for former Marines who served there when a barracks was bombed in October 1983. Randy Gaddo was a Marine staff sergeant with the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit serving in Lebanon when a terrorist attack in the early morning hours of Oct. 23, 1983, claimed the lives of 241 U.S. Marines, sailors and soldiers. Hundreds more were wounded or disabled when a truck laden with the equivalent of 20,000 pounds of TNT detonated on the ground floor of the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Battalion Landing Team barracks.Full Story Job Prospects Brighter for Wounded VetsFor Sgt. Logan Jubeck, sunbaked Camp Williams has nowhere near the excitement of his forward observation base near Kirkuk, Iraq. Here, at this National Guard base outside Salt Lake City, he's waiting for the Army to decide if he's medically fit to remain in the service. While he's waiting, he's getting briefed on job prospects in the civilian world. At least four contractors want to interview the Idaho guardsman for jobs. Most are offering "top dollar." And at least two universities are likely to give Sergeant Jubeck, who was an engineering student before serving in Iraq, incentives to return to school.Full Story Survey: Troops Believe in Iraq Mission, Morale Generally HighTwo-thirds of U.S. troops serving in Iraq say they believe the cause they're fighting for is worthwhile, according to a new Stars and Stripes survey. The survey results, reported in the July 19 Mideast edition of Stars and Stripes newspaper, revealed that 46 percent of readers in Iraq who responded to a survey called fighting the war for America "very worthwhile." Another 30 percent rated it "somewhat worthwhile." Fourteen percent of respondents called the mission "not very worthwhile," and just 8 percent referred to it as "not worthwhile at all," the July 20 paper reported.Full Story |
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TRAINING FOR THE PROFESSIONAL |
Mirror Image Training: Training to Combat TerrorismMirror Image is a tactical and strategic training course developed and owned by the Terrorism Research Center. TRC instructors have trained hundreds of military personnel that are subsequently deployed to active combat operations, as well as large numbers of first responders, law enforcement, and security professionals. Mirror Image is an intensive one-week classroom and field-training program, designed to realistically simulate terrorist recruiting, training techniques, and operational tactics. During the course, participants will receive insight into the mindset and rationale of the terrorist through hands-on experience with the methods and means terrorist employ, education about terrorist ideologies and the cultural dimensions that influence their decision making process. Military, law enforcement, intelligence, and security professionals will, in turn, be able to see themselves as the terrorists see them and understand the weaknesses in their own environment that the terrorists will seek to exploit, and which all too often they miss. Armed with these insights participants will leave the course better able to anticipate, prevent and respond to multiple terrorist threats.September 17-22, 2006: Blackwater Training Center, Moyock, NC A detailed brochure may be downloaded at: www.terrorism.com A detailed brochure may be downloaded at: www.terrorism.com Questions on TRC training, please contact Betty O'Hearns-Hines, Training Coordinator for the Terrorism Research Center. Email: betty@terrorism.com Phone: (727)360-4302 voice or (727)409-1754 |
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FRANKS REVIEW |
Service Equipment ReviewTASER X26 Electronic Control DeviceThis is part two of my review of the TASER M26 / X26 Electronic Control Devices. Last week's review of the M26 covered the basic information about the M26, some protocols important to deployment, and information that end users should have. This week we'll take a look at the TASER X26 Electronic Control Device (ECD) and the benefits it has over the M26 (there are many). If you are a law enforcement professional, or a soldier, looking for an option other than firearms for your spouse / significant other to have at home / keep on their person for self-defense, TASER makes two civilian models: the TASER M18 and the TASER X26c. I have already ordered an X26c for my wife.Full Story Can Be Viewed At: http://www.borelliconsulting.com/evals/footwear/bhwarriorwear.htm Recreational Equipment ReviewTASER M18 & X26c Civilian ECDsThis week and last week, in the Tactical Equipment Reviews section I reviewed the TASER M26 and X26 Electronic Control Devices (ECDs). If you read those reviews you'll see that I belive they represent a good force option under a wide variety of circumstances. What a great many people don't know is that TASER also makes ECDs for civilian and vetrinary use. The vetrinary TASER has a limited use applicable only to animal incapacitation and won't be reviewed here. The TASER M18 and X26c ARE useful in defending yourself from human predators and I review them here. I have already ordered one for my wife and recommend these tools as an excellent option if you're significant other can't have, or doesn't want, other force tools (OC spray, gun, etc).Full Story Can Be Viewed At: http://www.borelliconsulting.com/recevals/campback/uarmor.htm |
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CHAPLAINS CORNER |
HOW TO NEVER FALL...These words are part of a message that was written by a man who had previously fallen... badly fallen from his promise to a precious friend, his teacher and trainer. Peter the warrior spirited disciple... pulled his sword that he was directed to carry... made every effort to split the head of an adversary in front of him... missed the head but cut off the ear trying to protect his Master and friend... then he ran, hid and lied when he was recognized. Fifty days separated his fall, restoration and frustration from his empowerment and most powerful usefulness. He got up after he had fallen... followed the instructions given to him by his Master before and after his fall and went on from there ever mindful of his present... the only true gift that we really have... the always present "NOW!"... and he learned how to make life work for him by being empowered by the instructions and the promises... and learned how to accomplish goals. The Apostle Peter became a power to be reckoned with and before he departed this life was influenced to apply pen to paper and leave a beautiful, powerful, simple set of instructions for us to follow if we desire the a successful kind of life that became his. This message is one of those that was sent to a man to leave for others to follow. Peter became a stenographer for the Spirit of God as he penned those words. The full instructions are recorded in 2 Peter 1: 1-10 in the New Testament.. and the instructions will work for you as they did for him... if you follow them. Full Story Can Be Viewed At: ../../btw2006/article/072406chaplain.html |
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BUMPER STICKER |
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LEGAL NOTICE |
| Blackwater USA (the "Company"), provides this Newsletter as a source of diverse information to its readers. The Company does not warrant or endorse the products or services advertised in or reviewed in the Newsletter. The views and statements of the reviewers and commentators presented in the Newsletter are entirely their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Company or its affiliates. The Company does not monitor or warrant the accuracy or reliability of the material provided in this Newsletter or presented at any of the third-party websites to which links are provided in this Newsletter. WARNING: Use of certain of the products and services discussed or reviewed in this Newsletter can lead to personal injury or death. It is critical to follow manufacturers' instructions in using such products or services. The Company will not accept any liability for damages, injuries, or death resulting from the use or misuse of any such products or services. |
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