Matters Blackwater (Merged thread)

[Uboat509]

Given that the there is no front in this war and engagement may be initiated anywhere at any time by the opposition I am not clear on the distinction between warfighting and security operations.

Warfighting operations are those operations where we are seeking contact with the enemy. Security operations are those operations which are concerned with just that, security. They are not seeking contact with the enemy and, in fact, often take steps to avoid it but can and will fight if neccesary.

Anyone with a weapon (or even just their bare fists) should be subject to some form of rules of engagement and punishable if they use excessive force. If the DoS have armed employees who are operating outside the law (isn't that a fair definition of a terrorist?) they should be culpable for allowing that situation to develop and the buck should stop with the Secretary of State.

No one is saying that they should not be subject prosecution if they are operating outside the law. They absolutely should face the full penalty of law if they did violate the law. I am just unwilling to make the assertion that they did violate the law based on media reports.

(isn't that a fair definition of a terrorist?)

That's part of the definition.

SFC W