Mercenaries Made At Least $85 BILLION From Iraq War

[lovecraftis]

Blackwater is nothing but a bunch of merc scumbags. These douchebags r war criminals and need to be held accountable for their actions. If you're so fucking stupid that u can't grasp this fact u need to get your head out of your ass.

[TLStr1ker]

One good thing about it: If Mercs are doing our fighting, Mercs are dying instead of our own people.

[TheUnitedStatists]

shut up cenk you're a douche

[MMaeidlilniAW]

@TheUnitedStatists If you are going to comment here at least make an intelligent comment instead of being a stupid conservative when he was only speaking the truth about how the bush administration fucked us over.

[GunsOfThePhoenix]

Contractor is just another word for mercenary, I am not a communist but I think all military contractors should be controlled 100% by the government.

[deceiver123m]

@GunsOfThePhoenix Agreed... in a Republic that is almost free there should be no mercenaries. The USA should only have a national army for war abroad. Homeland security should take place at home with local government through local police departments. And among the people there should exist local militia groups that are huge in scope (ideally eighteen to thirty times the size of national army when tallied all together, but controlled at local levels... you cant ever go too far with freedom)

[GunsOfThePhoenix]

@deceiver123m There is already something like that, its called the "State Military Reserve", which is groups of unpaid soldiers that can be called into action in times of crisis and be paid like normal Nat. Guardsmen. They have to buy their own uniforms and train a lot less then normal soldiers/guardsmen.

[deceiver123m]

@GunsOfThePhoenix nice... but there may need to be a seperate institution that is not under command of the state governor. These seperate civil troops are best served with training for combat against federal troops in case of excessive government. What im getting at is that the two armies (federal and civilian) should not be interconnected, but instead stand in opposition to each other. Balance of Power for the WIN.

[Saepokegai]

The more American soldiers die in wars the more the government loses support from their country. While for hiring mercenaries, it doesn't matter how many of them dies in battle because no one will know and no one will care because they're not American soldiers. See how convenient it is for the government?

[Mudrabbit308]

wats up with him & the num 18? but he may have opened a whole new conspiracy on 9-11

[spo666tty]

Private military contractors get a bad reputation.. And for what? They get more done than the army does because the army has too much red tape and our governments are hiring more now that the armed forces are pulling out of iraq!

[iraqiblaze]

i hate bush for the invasion and killing of civilians, i hate him with a passion

[endtyrany]

Haliburton is as crooked as any company can get. Though can you say agenda people. Make sure you dumb asses all run out and join the military. Go kill some more woman and children for the WMD that they don't have. I really don't understand why noone gets mad or trys to stop these immorally wrong wars for profit. When will the people of america say no more and stand up against the illegal buffons that put americas sons and daughters in jepardy

but untill then we will never be free from Tyranny.

[OLDSKOOL60813]

Hell Turks made more than that from hash sells. Are you guys sleepers for Obama?It sure looks that way to me. How many years did you serve? I didnt think so . Your Videos are kinda like the Broadcaster here ,Worthless. I served with some Turks in the Army .They were a bunch of Dumb asses also

[sniperRobert]

they are Private Contractors, not mercenaries you stupid fuck

[tetiraelian]

@sniperRobert and what's the difference?

A mercenary is a person who takes part in an armed conflict, who is not a national or a party to the conflict, and is "motivated to take part in the hostilities essentially by the desire for private gain and, in fact, is promised, by or on behalf of a party to the conflict, material compensation substantially in excess of that promised or paid to combatants of similar ranks and functions in the armed forces of that Party"!!

[TheTone714]

@sniperRobert You are a sucker. I cant tell you have no fucking idea what you're trying to talk about.

[sniperRobert]

@TheTone714 so maybe you will explain to me why im wrong?

[MisterWeed]

@sniperRobert same thing, moron

[Mudrabbit308]

@sniperRobert a mercenary is a private person following a contract deal....so yea they the same people

[M0EJ0EKING]

@Mudrabbit308

a mercenary is contracted by a business that is funded by the government.

while a military is constricted with red tape a private firm( like BLACK WATER) has nothing that they cant do .

in other words

US GOV cant get it trouble for what black water does because BW is their own private business

you dont like it?

suck it the fuck up

they get payed more because they kil teh people that we dont want to be connected to us

America is corrupt

the sooner u realize the sooner WE can change

[Xigano1]

I recommend everyone to watch the video responce from danjdklfajlkdsjflkaj .

If you think the soldiers are treated badly in Irak, wait 'till you hear his first-hand report on those who return home for medical treatment.

[TruthLogic]

Just Some evidence WTC demolished using explosives! 0 WT7 Fell at free fall speed 0 2ndry explosions caught on cam B4 collapse 0 Squibs seen at reinforced points of Towers 0 Lobbys of Towers destroyed B4 collapse 0 No resistance put up by 80,000 Tons of structural steel 0 No evidence of Pancaked floors 0 Molten Metal Found At ALL 3 Towers 0 Giant Steel Columns Blasted Hundreds of Feet Away 0 Fires Burned for Months 0 1100 Bodies missing Can Gravity do this? NO!

[Justinpfx]

No, but the explosion of a commercial airliner CAN.

[TruthLogic]

Justinpfx

please tell me in which dimension

on which planet

can Jet fuel ( Kerosine ) Melt Steel

i await your answear,,

[AMordaciousGoat]

I don't even know how to respond to this. When does steel lose structural strength, does steel need to melt to become malleable? So, in what dimension on which planet, does steel not lose strength from room temperature to 1 degree below melting?

[TruthLogic]

@AMordaciousGoat

steel will lose some strength when heated up..

But we need to look at the facts, study the evidence & use scitific facts.

Fact: Evidence of Tons & Tons Of Molten Steel Found At All 3 Skyscrapers!

Science : Kerosene will Never Burn Hot Enough To Melt Steel Neither does a office fire.

Or did Binladen change the laws of science on 9/11?

[AMordaciousGoat]

@TruthLogic:

I find it sad and funny that you spelled scientific wrong when saying to look to the facts. Next what you did with your Fact is an example of moving the goalposts. In the first case the question was if fire can cause buildings to collapse which I have shown (unchallenged) yes jet fuel can. Then the question is how molten steel appeared and the site. For the answer which is unrelated I turn to your 9th point.

[TruthLogic]

@AMordaciousGoat

Very perspective of u , may be I sud spell chk b4?

But im sure you understood the context?

we could argue about the dynamics / properties of that particular fire if you like, or the structural strength of fire proof steel.

My point was a lot easier for you to understand as it was a simple list of facts using layman terminology.

but i rather take this one step & a time so i can prove how Ignorant u realy are.

DO U AGREE THAT JET FUEL CAN NOT MELT STEEL?

[TruthLogic]

@AMordaciousGoat

Fact 2, there was NO jet fuel any wear near WT7.

yet it came down at free fall speed , ( Controled demo )

[AMordaciousGoat]

This is moronic at best. How many controlled demolitions blast huge steel columns hundreds of feet? Most of these facts are wrong, I challenge you where is the evidence that squibs were seen at the reinforced points. Point it out to me, If there was evidence everyone would know. None of this is evidence it is all assertions. You are wrong about the free fall speed, you are wrong about the "2ndry" explosions, the squibs, the lobbies... everything.

[randy95023]

Blackwater, KBR guys do a job that no one else wants to do. That's why theyre paid well. Feel free to join... We should thank these guys for the job they do unless mommy wants to see her little boy drafted to do the job. No, we can't have that!!

[GamertownUSA]

KBR also does quality electrical work.

[biankajeg]

I think - at Blackwater + KBR's payrates - there'd be many more takers

[evilmoneysystem]

Sad but true. But what can you expect from a system that encourage corporation to gobble up all it can or pay tax. Now that we have private army's the power freak military corporations will us theme to deceive us in to war with Iran, Pakistan, or worst WW3. All they need is another 911. These things have been happening for 100 years and they will not stop until we find a lest evil primitive system.

[hammy606]

laying it straight, keep up the good work cenk

[nalejbank]

Congress should have lived up to the Constitutional requirement to declare war as Ron Paul offered and KBR and Halliburton would not have so highly profitted. We have now been there for longer that we were involved in WWII.

No military subcontracting to private companies.

Cost of Iraq now over 3.5 trillion.

Great points about war making support by corporations. You sound like Ron Paul.

Go Ron Paul. Speak truth to power!

[sealsparrow]

You do understand that the President doesn't need Congress to declare war to deploy troops right? It is a precedent that was set a very long time ago. So Congress doesn't have a Constitutional requirement to declare war. Also, WW2 may have lasted longer, but we had less restrictions on what we could use in combat and we weren't worried about civilian casualties. If we could bomb the way we did in WW2 then this war would have been over in a couple of months because Iraq would have been wiped out.

[conorJones]

yeah...when bush did that...that was illegal...it violates our checks and balances system. A war proposal should be treated like a law wanting to be passed. It's introduced in the house, its voted on, goes to the senate, its voted on, and if it passes, then the president SIGNS it. He doesn't have the direct authority (by the constitution) to declare war on an extraneous entity. Are you suggesting that you would prefer a socialist government in which we have a dictator that can do whatever?

[sealsparrow]

No I'm not suggesting that, but CONSTITUTIONALLY speaking the President is the Commander and Chief of all armed forces which means while he cannot officially declare war he can and does have the power to send troops into an area for a variety of reasons with or without the consent of Congress. That is in the constitution and it is a well recognized power of the President. You should know this if you ever took a US Government class.

[Windshearing]

Orr maybe America shouldn't have gone to war illegally in the first place.

[Reqrezentin]

The gains for the US was worth it.

[conorJones]

The oil resources? perhaps that was a gain, but the war has put an irreversible strain on our national budget. You do know that the iraq war (alone) sucks in a million dollars per MINUTE? Heed Eisenhower's warning "beware the military-industrial complex."

Another question. Quo Bono (Latin for who benefits)? Private Contractors, Oil cartels, and the Big Banks all benefit from war. The American people? Other than having a few more years of oil, our image abroad is permanently tarnished.

[Reqrezentin]

Yeah it was a big strain but you'll get that back from the oil.

[Ballsooker0lol]

Hahahah thats funny.

[CaptAdams35]

Hey, Cenk. I think you're a great reporter! I don't agree with everything you report on, but respect you just the same. If you don't mind, could you start listing your sources? I'd like to do a bit of research as well. Thanks ~

[CaptAdams35]

Sad that our military has been put on such a short leash and forced to take up a police position over a miltant one, to the point that the people who need hard protection have to hire guns (mercs) to do the job because our military isn't allowed to do its job the way it was intended. You put the terrorists and insurgents in uniforms and have them face our military face to face, and people would be able to get around unaided in 2 days flat :~D Alas, we all know they won't do that, buncha pusses

[The111DooD]

Awesome. I never realised that being a Mercenary was really proper. I knew of them, but it didn't realise it was like serious buisness and shit. Cause I never seem to see them (not that I know what they look like).

[minatorus]

Mercenaries ain't that common in the US, you'll only see packin mercs on the street at some countries like: Indonesia/India/Africa

Most mercs in other countries only perform subtle assassinations (russia/america/China/Iran)

[spottyspooof]

Why don't mercs buy armor like in army of two, Andy Mc Nab in bullet proof armor and the taliban are gone

[sparda9060]

becuz lol i'm sorry but its the truth. The mercenaries are on the taliban's side too. its not like the US is the only one hiring mercs to do the fight. Mercs are neutral n will be on anyside who pays a good price. its basically mercs against other mercs in the same war.

[MrMalstrom]

after i get out of the marines im going to join Blackwaters haha no joke make some money after 2 years i can retire 1 of my friends got offered over 200,000 a half A year

[XxsousukesasukexX]

before I watch this... Damn nice job 85 bill.

[vengencefrom1979]

ok, here's the real plan. i'm going to bury time capsules designed to last 20,000 years, and positioned so that they should be discovered easily.

that way, when archaeologist dig up your skulls and wonder what kind of primitive ape like creature you were (20,000 years from now) they will have real evidence that you were't so primitive after all.

[vengencefrom1979]

like they say in some circles, you don't want to lose money in a war do you?

i'm gonna add 'failing to invest in the war industries' to my list of regrets.

i have 2 now.

the first is not realizing how retarded humanity really is.

[thecolorofdye]

contractors arent mercenaries u tards!

[kmvpinoy]

lmfao

[eirefrance]

In October 2007 the United Nations released a two year study that stated, that although hired as "security guards", private contractors were performing military duties. The report found that the use of contractors such as Blackwater was a "new form of mercenary activity".

[Fata1ty4]

no fucking duhh...

[zerox505]

wtf this isn't the mercenaries video game

[dragonlancefire]

Blackwater soliders are better trained than the US Amry soliders, better equipped, and make more money. I think that US Army should probably follow them. Haliburton and KBR just are ripping us off.

[ArizonaMtKingsnake]

dragonlancefire Blackwater soliders are better trained than the US Amry soliders, better equipped, and make more money. I think that US Army should probably follow them. Haliburton and KBR just are ripping us off.

--------

Most are USA or UK soldiers usually experienced infantry,etc. They aren't better trained at all but they are not tied by Geneva convention and to some extent did what they wanted and many would say an out of control militia who terrorized civilian's and a danger to Iraqi's

[studio7manga]

This is a good reason why socialism is a fundamentally better system.

[Danmelch1983]

The contractors are making things happen that the military dones not even think about attempting.

[ArizonaMtKingsnake]

Danmelch1983 The contractors are making things happen that the military dones not even think about attempting.

-----

Many should be in jail and I hope in time many do wind up in jail

[e8urls1]

Why should "many" contacters be in jail?

[Basta11]

Wasn't it Truman and FDR who said WAR PROFITEERING IS TREASON. WELL. IT SHOULD BE!!!

[ArizonaMtKingsnake]

Basta11 Wasn't it Truman and FDR who said WAR PROFITEERING IS TREASON. WELL. IT SHOULD BE!!!

---------

Behind every wheel chair vet there is a politician who made money in the war be it war related stocks,-pentagon contracts for friends',etc

[vengencefrom1979]

you don't think the holy roman empire had anything to do with this, do you?

[e8urls1]

First of all these contractors are making things happen over night that the Military has a hard time even thinking about doing, I've seen it first hand.

Second these private companies were awarded many contracts by the Clinton administration KBR and Black water included.

[Vindispite]

Quite right. The military would have a hard time indeed when it came to even *thinking* about electrocuting our own soldiers to death, much less actually DOING it. Take THAT, military, you incompetent bastards! Can't even figure out how to turn an air conditioner into some kind of lightning machine! Shame!

[rextrek]

The America gov't has turned to SHIT under the GOP...every aspect!

[e8urls1]

....OK

[DeeLikesVids78]

my husband is an E6 who makes about $40000/yr benefits included, take home pay a lot less. it's a slap in the face to him how much more these mercenaries make. he's served this country for 12 years and plans on making it to 20. sometimes i feel like this country doesn't deserve the sacrifices he makes.

[theendofconfusion]

OF COURSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[e8urls1]

the point is people are grossly misinformed when it comes to world events becsue of the media.

[e8urls1]

Do any of you have experience in Iraq or operations in the Middle East. We have a saying "If you were not there...shut the FU** UP!"

[eirefrance]

I have a saying: "My money, my country, I'll fucking say what I want."

[darthscumbagus]

For 20 years,Obama attended Wright's church, listened to his weekly sermons, entertained him in his home. Yet, says Obama, he never heard any racist rants at church, nor was he aware that Wright held so poisoned a view of his country. Sorry, that is not credible. Wright is a famous preacher in black America, and Barack's denial he was aware of his views marks him down either as a dissembler or a man so obtuse he ought not be a security guard at Wal-Mart,let alone president of the United States.

[mohammadmurtaza]

poor soul, you are unknowingly defending the people who pee on you. obama '08!

[UGOTDAJACK]

why are you even on this site? did you not just here what your country has been doing to you, your family, your neighbors and everybody you know? You americans deserve what awaits you. I just hope that the grief stays with in america and doesn't affect the rest of the world in a major way.

[rydar1978]

stupid to the end

[patsagainstrats]

The DNC has hired Blackwater as security for the Denver convention.

[Voodooray007]

sure they did *wink* *wink*

[eirefrance]

That is shameful. Still, for decades we have been turning over govt programs to private industry, so we shouldn't be suprised when expertise in these fields is found mainly in private industry (who are, of course, free to charge the taxpayer whatever they feel like).

[lookslikepat]

I wish more people had this in mind (and made the same connectins) when asked about the war... OF COURSE they lobby for it, they lobby for the war to NEVER END, which for them means MAKING MONEY INDEFINETELY.

[sugarpuddin88]

Where do I sign up?

The military troops are paid nothing!

Eisenhower warned us of the Military-Industrial Complex!

American sheeple haven't cared - So they deserve what they get!

Thank god for my second citizenship!

[macman851]

I see a commercial a lot where they claim that if you owe back taxes to the IRS you can settle for a fraction of what you owe. So it appears that anyone can hire an army of lawyers and accountants.

[grahamkeithtodd]

the sadist thing is that the british army9that for YEARS) used there own people to do jobs like this(cooking,engineering,trans­port,ect ect ect) are now all OUTSOURECED to(sound of fanfare) HALLIBURTONS and Blackwater! (yes british taxpayers pounds at work!)

[iraqkur76]

they need to move out of iraq and wory about usa only there is no reson for war saddam is dead bring troop back and say no to blood

[sunwing2x]

It would be great to seee an in depth story on cnn about which groups and companies most benefitted financially from the Iraq war. But thats probably not going to happen.

[hasankhalid]

now i will hire an army of accountants and i will pay no taxes

[MojoJuana]

money is not roots of all evil...avarice is!!!

[DRDNIBOY]

The only reason why Bush has not been assasinated yet is because all the crazy nuts that actualy would go and shoot him are ON HIS SIDE! lol All the nut cases are republican! LOL

[FurkDaJerk]

Meh, go watch iraqforsale and learn what cost+ is.

Obama has stated that these forces would stay in Iraq even after the troops have been pulled out.

Oh, Brave New World...

[Richardgwm]

KBR can't build a shower that doesn't electrocute our troops. Super 8 can seem to do it, but not KBR.

[Idtelos]

The U.S. has gone to shit! War will be the next biggest economy after oil. companies will pressuere countries to go to war, while they profit. Capitalism at work. Kill all these Illuminati bastards! And get them to stop fucking with our world. destroy the NWO!

[MopacMurtaza]

Exactly what was on my mind, you aint alone bro.

[godzillaislarge]

ya, its the new world order.they destroyed there own towers.

[mickeysears]

One thing wrong with that. That's not Capitalism. Corporations running and influencing the government is Fascism.

[leyubar]

@mickeysears It's not fascism, it's oligarchy

[mickeysears]

@leyubar LOL. What's the difference?

Oligarchy; a form of government in which all power is vested in a few persons or in a dominant class or clique.

Fascism; a government system led by a dictator having complete power to suppress opposition and control all business and commerce.

Socialism; a theory of organization in which vesting the ownership and control of the means of production and distrubution of capital and property.

THEY ARE ALL THE SAME THING

[PaxBrittanica]

It happened in Britain, The Chinese halted the opium trade in China and the traders forced the British government to intervene and the empire took over Hong Kong and some of the coast of China and forced the Emperor of China to sign a biased trade deal giving the traders a killing in riches at the expense of the Chinese who had a drug addict epidemic. It seems the son follows the father.

[blmoodring]

i agree 100%. But the biggest cost of them all is the troops being put in harms way. Its like wiping their nose while the shoot at us.

[hypnofan35]

You probably have to figure, there is nothing happening as it is presented over there. It started with a staged "terrorist attack" and has gone on from there. Government is not about honesty or serving the people anymore, but about fooling them and ripping them off. Truthful news is a death sentence over there. 100 bil is probably a bogus figure as well. It is more like a red herring, decoy topic or a talking point. Basically power is about getting more power. It is like poker and more chips.

[siogyumolcs]

now, now, fiscal conservatives!

[hume12345]

(continued) and leave your people to poverty's care

[hume12345]

Talk of the economy suffering under a republican administration hasn't happened as america imports (on the last time i heard these figures) 73% of japanese and 21% of chinese goods. The world has a vested interest in borrowing america as much money as it needs to fund it's overseas empire. on a macro scale this is communism without the unpalatable label. american's elite are made up of primarily english descendants and like the english they will conclude it's best to secure your empire abroad

[hume12345]

Mccain will win the november elections. The iraq war wil continue for another 8 years in which america will syphon off more iraqi oil (ala senator coleman). The problem is this, half of america realise the moral issues but take a view 'it's a us or them', appraoch, concerning the procuring of oil resources. The debate is entrenched in subliminal survivablity of a people and nation. therefore no rational arguement based on morality will counternance such base reasoning.

[TheGiantRobot]

190,000?! I'm so glad the press makes this SO well known.

Yeah, often the most profitable businesses of all pay no taxes.

[A31Chris]

My cousin works for Haliburton afte he got out of the army and he's still fighting the war. He makes 300k a year.

oh and hes now above the law. He comes home and gets in legal trouble, Haliburton makes it disappear.

[allocater]

tell your cousin he is a disgrace for America and betrayes everything this country stands for (used to anyway)

[A31Chris]

He wont listen. That whole side of the family is right wing religious nutjobs.

[TheGiantRobot]

And our next President isn't going to do anything about that, either. I wonder what it takes for Americans to actually demand change.

[matthewschark]

Vote Nader!

[rydar1978]

Yeah vote nader so the Dem vote can be spit in half and John Mccain wins the election giving another 8 years of GWB.

What an idiot you are.

[Basta11]

Yes, I blame that self-righteous Nader for Bush. Oh God, he screwed this country.

[TheGiantRobot]

Nader isn't trying to win anything but publicity for himself. I'm voting Green Party, unless Obama picks an amazing running mate, because I actually want change.

[notscooter952]

...and the problem is, you guys vote for these people over, and over, and over. And odds are because nobody seems to care, you'll vote McCain into office come november.

Please, for the sake of your international reputation, don't vote for McCain.

[ArtypNk]

Thats whats Iraq war is all about. Getting rich.

[darealdjnutz]

Thanks neo-cons. You destroyed this country, but you did get very rich. Where's the shame?

[DrakeMagnum]

Even Eisenhower warned us about this. It keeps getting more frightening. Ten years ago I would have never believed to what an insane level our corporation-driven corruption has reached.

and 2/3? yikes! We need change.

[jesse1018]

right on cenk, i hope KBR and friends get some kind of punishment some day

[dustynbones]

No, our own m litary should be doing and handling all of these contracts, and our military shouldn't be spread all through out the entire planet.

[Gadgetglanman7]

Cool!

[GerardMontague]

how so?