Blackwater private security in New Orleans?

[mburbank]

Blackwater is a private security firm specializing in very heavy duty paramilitary shit in Iraq. Reports are coming out of New Orleans that they are there, they are armed with automatic weapons, and they were hired by the department of Homeland Security.

Now I know we need all the help we can get, but is it even legal for the government to privatize domestic policing?

It's very early in the reporting of this story and honestly I don't even know if it's credible or not, but if it is and it isn't shady as hell, why no announcement on it from Homeland security of the state of Louisianna. Blackwater is known for two things. Mercenary work for foreign nationals and security for western firms in nations with a major anti western population.

For those of you with Liberatarian leanings, let me put it this way. If this story is true, our govt. is sending a force of privately hired paramilitary into a US city where private citizens are being disarmed and coerced to leave their property. Ho does that sit with you?

Me? I think everyone should be evacuated, but I don't think anyone should be forced no matter how stupid it is to stay. I think they should be disarmed, but that's because I'm personally in favor of strict gun control, not just when a hurricane hits. I am totally not in favor of private militaries for hire, and when the US govt. hires private military I'm really worried, 'cause don't they already have a military? With for real policemen from all over the country ready to go and in many cases already ther, what ppossible reason could their be for Blackwater's presence?

I sincerely hope I am jumping the gun.

[KevinTheOmnivore]

It's probably okay under Martial law. Or Marshall.

[KevinTheOmnivore]

For those of you with Liberatarian leanings, let me put it this way. If this story is true, our govt. is sending a force of privately hired paramilitary into a US city where private citizens are being disarmed and coerced to leave their property. Ho does that sit with you?

But Max, don't you see? there's nothing "Libertarian" about it at all, it's more like para-statism if you ask me. Now, if the private militia hadn't contracted with the state, and instead just went in to disarm everybody (and let's be honest, everybody else is simply a really poorly organized militia), then that'd be okay. It would be the better financed, better trained militia, dealing with the inferior one. Power of the market, my friend.

[Dr. Boogie]

I sincerely hope I am jumping the gun.

This is no time for puns, Max.

[El Blanco]

Blackwater also trains civilian police forces. Are you sure thats not what they are doing there?

[KevinTheOmnivore]

According to the news reports, they're walking around with M-16's.

[El Blanco]

Don't the LAPD carry them in the trunks of their radio cars?

Anyway, Max, yes, other cities do have police forces. Of course, they kind of want their cops.

I know NYPD and FDNY sent 300 each, but the logistics are a nightmare. NO seems to have a completly different lingo and work within different parameters.

[KevinTheOmnivore]

Don't the LAPD carry them in the trunks of their radio cars?

Um, but aren't they LAPD, with the emphasis being on PD...?

I think it would be fine if Blackwater were down there training cops, but it sounds like they are actually walking around armed, and are being kept exempt from the disarming deal by NOPD.

[El Blanco]

Because the NOPD is obviously out of its league. That and Mayor Fuckhead has no idea how to handle a disaster. Did he really start sending them on paid vacations to Las Vegas? They must be exhausted from helping to clear out those electronics stores.

So, the NOPD are not up to the task. And other towns can't spare that much manpower. Anybody have another solution?

I don't see why a local government in one of the most corrupt regions of the country (seriously, Boss Hogg isn't just a parody down there) is somehow more trustworthy than a bloodsucking corporation in it for the money.

[The One and Only...]

But Max, don't you see? there's nothing "Libertarian" about it at all, it's more like para-statism if you ask me. Now, if the private militia hadn't contracted with the state, and instead just went in to disarm everybody (and let's be honest, everybody else is simply a really poorly organized militia), then that'd be okay. It would be the better financed, better trained militia, dealing with the inferior one. Power of the market, my friend.

Too bad no one in their right mind would ever pay someone to disarm him.

[mburbank]

Well, dubya says we have plenty of troops for Iraq and Katrina. So, he's lying or no one told him we hired Blackwater.

Seriously, these private security firms scare the crap out of me. Yes, it says on their website they 'train police', but the main thing they do is hire out paramilitary to foreign wars. This is not a war, it's disaster relief. And I really, really don't like the idea of the government sending private soldiers into US cities. It's a precedent I don't like seeing.

As we've already found out in Iraq, private contractors, even when involved in activities like fighting and interrogating, are not required to answer to the same rules as soldiers. The US army has done some fairly shady stuff in the last couple of years and hs been less than accountable, but that's different than not accountable at all. File a Freedom of Information Act query and the army and govt. can stall you to the best of their abilities, but Blackwater does not have any obligation to respond. They don't have to tell you who's there, they don't have to tell you what they are there for, they don't have to tell you who hired them.

And if we truly need them there, then it's a load of crap that the war in Iraq and the gaurd members over there and their equipment that's over there haven't affected our ability to respond to catastrophes. If privtae paramilitaries are part of our homeland security strategy, that needs to be on the table so voters know.

[El Blanco]

This is not a war, it's disaster relief.

And yet federal soldiers don't bug you.

[Abcdxxxx]

So let me get this straight...we have the NO police, various outside law enforcement agencies, the NationalGaurd, the FBI, the 82ndAirborn, and now a private security team? All trying to coordinate? So they can all shoot at each other and pretend they're fighting looters?

It's the FBI that creeps me out the most. They were on MSNBC bragging about covert operations that started the night of the storm. I still wonder if "cover operations" is another way for saying "wearing blackface".

[mburbank]

Of course federal soldiers bother me, but to my mind they are the option of last resort and this was as big a crisis as we've ever had. The military, at least theoretically are answerable to the public. Blackwater is only answerable to their client.

And WHY does the federal govt NEED a private army answering only to them when they've GOT the army?

I'm not saying theirs any creepy shit neccesarily going on. They could be their simply out of the compulsive neocon need to privatize everything, I'm amazed they don't privatize their own bowell movements.

But the reason we hired private interogators in Iraq IS creepy shit. The whole reason we have them is so we can do stuff we don't want to ever see the light of day. Taking the risk of having that kind of mission creep on US soil is bad Juju.

[GAsux]

Im not convinced they are either hired by or work for Homeland Security. Just to clarify, on the level at least Blackwater specializes in Security, sort of like a hardcore version of Wakenhut.

They aren't some kind of A-Team of commandos hired by governments to fight war. I was kind of getting the impression that that's what their being described as here. Blackwater DOES specialize in personnel security and DOES specialize in doing it in shitty places like Iraq and as a result hire lots of former service folks to include special forces guys (ie the guys that were hung on the bridge in Fallujah were Blackwater hires, at least one of whom was a rather high profile former Navy SEAL).

Anyway, its all just heresay but my understanding was that immediately after the hurricane a lot of richy rich type folks who fled but own multi million dollar homes in the swanky districts hired private security, to include Blackwater contractors to protect their estates in the absense of a police force.

At least in the short term this would explain why some could be seen in parts of N.O., M-1s ablazin. As for currently, I'm skeptical to believe that they are wandering around New Orleans and that their presense is even sanctioned by any law enforement agency, much less hired by them.

[CaptainBubba]

For those of you with Liberatarian leanings, let me put it this way. If this story is true, our govt. is sending a force of privately hired paramilitary into a US city where private citizens are being disarmed and coerced to leave their property. Ho does that sit with you?

But Max, don't you see? there's nothing "Libertarian" about it at all, it's more like para-statism if you ask me. Now, if the private militia hadn't contracted with the state, and instead just went in to disarm everybody (and let's be honest, everybody else is simply a really poorly organized militia), then that'd be okay. It would be the better financed, better trained militia, dealing with the inferior one. Power of the market, my friend.

What the fucking Christ are you socialist douchebags rambling about? Just because OaO is an idealistic weirdo who centers all meaning and universal importance in general around anarchy and privatization doesn't give you carte blanche to go "OMGLOL LOOK HERE IS A TOTALLY NON SEQUITER EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING VAGUELY REALTED TO LIBERTARIANISM THAT IS BATSHIT INSANE OMGOMG"... too many people do that already.

1. NO is not a libertarian state. It is a fucking disaster area. Stop comparing it to a political shift into anarchy. It makes you look desperate for some example to use against OaO.

2. I totally agree with your anti-gun policy max! That’ll take away any notion of fear or worry regarding corrupt police officers and corrupt individuals in general from being able to entirely take advantage of the situation! Genius! Helpless people are twice as safe from social disorder and armed criminals I always say. ;p ;p

3. Kevin, LOLOLOLOLOL OMG THS IS A PRFECT EXAMPLE OF STATE MILTSA! DYIN UNARMED CIVIKIANS WHJOS GUN OWNING RIGHTS ARE NO DOUBT PRETTY RESTRICTED CUZ OF LAWS OMG I APPROVE
OF LOL OMH IM WITTY THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE.


Honestly I dont see what the big deal is about Blackwater. You dont know what theyre there for. They might be handing out water bottles to children and tenderly kissing black babies on their cute little cheeks. Private organizations hold accountability for their actions too. In your mind does privatization really register as something worse than THE SAME GOVERNMENT YOU NEVER STOP CRITICIZING EVERY FUCKIGN DAY IN THIS FORUM.

Mother fucker I hate George bush, hes made both ends of the political spectrum crazy as shit.

[KevinTheOmnivore]

Because the NOPD is obviously out of its league. That and Mayor Fuckhead has no idea how to handle a disaster. Did he really start sending them on paid vacations to Las Vegas? They must be exhausted from helping to clear out those electronics stores.

I'm going to note that this is probably a gross exaggeration of what's going on.

I don't see why a local government in one of the most corrupt regions of the country (seriously, Boss Hogg isn't just a parody down there) is somehow more trustworthy than a bloodsucking corporation in it for the money.

Then federalize it, and use U.S. servicemen and women to monitoe and protect the city. If we can't do that, i.e. we are incapable due to a lack of resources, then we have a problem.

It's not a big deal to me if the DHS is contracting out, but why like Max already said, why do they have to???

[KevinTheOmnivore]

Oh, I nearly forgot.

CaptainBubba....you're an idiot.

[mburbank]

Buba, I can't tell wether you're talking to me or Kev, but I was being serious.

While I think there are a lot of Liberatarian fruit bats out there, I have a certain amount of sympathy for basic Libertarian tenets.

Here's what I'm trying to point out: Over the last 12 years of seen a lot of ultra right wingers hiding under Liberatarian masks. The same people who thought Janet Reno was the most dangerous person ever remained largely silent over the patriot act.

The same people who think Gun Control advocates have a secret plan to enable a hippie facist take over don't seem to mind the citizens of NO being disarmed 'cause their all looters and shit instead of good honest folk who really need armor piercing bullets for their 'sport hunting'.

If the Government I complain about every day is now hiring private troops (and I say if) isn't some worse alternative, it isn't an alternative at all. It's the same govt. doing even worse shit. Blackwater is just a service provider. Somebody is paying their bill.

[KevinTheOmnivore]

I think you're being far to kind to Buba, Max. If he's going to cry and whine because he can't stand seeing a paper-thin ideology get picked at, then he deserves no empathy. You're too kind to give a thoughtful response to a bitch of a post.


I'll say what the rest of the mockers say over on general blabber every day: If you can't handle being mocked, then don't come to I-mockery, jackass.

For the record, I think guns are swell. I think we need to clean up the gun laws we have before we create more. I've also INTHIS THREAD noted that I have no problem with privatized services such as black water.

I do however have a problem with bitches. So sorry, Bub.

[KevinTheOmnivore]

Not quite kissing "black babies on their cute little cheeks."


http://www.blackwaterusa.com/

Blackwater USA responds to the call for assistance in the Gulf region.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 13, 2005


BLACKWATER USA CONTINUES TO SUPPORT KATRINA DEVASTED AREAS


Aid Focuses on Humanitarian, Security and Clean Up Needs

Since first joining the relief efforts on September 1, Blackwater USA continues to provide support to the hurricane devastated area through a variety of services including search and rescue, helicopter support, security services, and critical infrastructure protection.


“Blackwater is proud to serve the people of New Orleans,” said Bill Mathews, Executive Vice President of Blackwater. “First and foremost, this is about Americans helping Americans in a time of desperation. We will continue to support local, state, and federal offices and commercial entities with talented professionals to augment their relief and recovery efforts.”


To date, Blackwater continues to provide, on a pro bono basis, a helicopter to support U.S. Coast Guard rescue missions. As of Sept. 12, Blackwater aircrews have moved over eleven tons of supplies and rescued 121 people. Blackwater is also providing security services to federal agencies working in the declared disaster area.


Blackwater is working to secure critical communications infrastructure and is also assisting in securing necessary petrochemical facilities in the immediate aftermath of the storm. In addition, Blackwater employees are currently supporting numerous insurance companies in conducting accurate assessments for what will no doubt be the largest disaster claim in U. S. history.


As a private company, Blackwater USA is capable of responding quickly and cost effectively in order to have an immediate impact on crisis situations and mitigate, to the extent possible, the risk associated with loss of life and property, and support local, state, and federal agencies who are tasked with response efforts.







The following services are available:



Airlift Services

Security Services

Communication Support

Humanitarian Support Services

Logistics and Transportation Services



Anyone with security or evacuation needs may call
(252) 435-2488.


We would also like to thank Iridium Satellite www.iridium.com for providing satellite phones for our relief efforts due to Hurricane Katrina.

[KevinTheOmnivore]

And here, it sounds like there may be some water bottles involved, but still no sign of black babies receiving any free market loving.


http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.mpl/nation/3349334

Sept. 12, 2005, 4:09PM

ALONG GULF COAST

Business booming for private security
Firms help escort supplies and rescue files

By TERRI LANGFORD
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
HURRICANE KATRINA


Need a helicopter to get you to your waterlogged New Orleans offices? How about a computer technician to retrieve critical company computer data and board up the company windows?


Perhaps someone to get your cat and your Lamborghini out of the French Quarter?

After Katrina's storm waters flooded New Orleans, the city's moneyed and corporate elite reached for their cell phones and called people like David Nicastro, who owns one of the many private security and risk management firms that have descended on the city.

"We're getting requests for all kinds of things," said Nicastro, president of Secure Source Inc., a risk consulting firm in Southlake, near Fort Worth.

"We're lining up transportation services, any need you might have. Porta-Johns to fuel and other things. Everything needs to be escorted in."

As federal troops and rescuers struggled to get to New Orleans and other ravaged Gulf Coast areas last week, convoys of private security and risk consulting firms, many made up of ex-military and former law enforcement officers, quickly arrived on the scene.


"We're actively engaged in New Orleans," said Jodie Rosenbloom, spokeswoman for Kroll Inc., the New York-based risk management consulting firm, which has a mix of corporate clients and the "high-net-worth individual."

The company, which stresses it is not a private armed security firm, has offered all clients storm damage assessments of their office buildings.

Computer data retrieval has been a large part of Kroll's job.

"Since the storm hit, we're offering free evaluations, we're telling them not to power up their waterlogged hard drives," Rosenbloom said. "We've been busy."

Private security guards, many armed, are doing everything from checking on individuals' houses to retrieving damaged computer files to pulling out luxury cars and photographing storm damage.

"We're chartering aircraft and getting people into their homes," Nicastro said. "We're protecting large companies."

Most of the private security consultants have been hired by Louisiana and Mississippi businesses.

"You're looking at energy companies, critical infrastructure type of calls, real estate management to provide security for the owner," said former FBI agent Bob Doguim, president of Safeguard Security Holdings Inc. in Houston.

Some companies are working with the government as volunteers and contractors as well as with individuals.

North Carolina-based Blackwater USA, like other companies, took about a day to get in place in Louisiana, a lightening-speed mobilization compared with the one organized by local, state and federal governments.

"We're working with the Coast Guard as well as some private sector clients," Blackwater spokeswoman Ann Duke said.

Some companies are providing individual homeowners with protection against looters.

For $150, Secure Source will check on your house.

"They want someone to drive by a few times a day and make sure it's not being looted," Nicastro said. "Some have us actually sitting on property to protect it. Some we are escorting in and want to get back into their home."

Armed security stationed at the home costs between $700 and $2,000 a day, Nicastro said.

Before Katrina hit, Louisiana had about 185 private security companies licensed in the state, according to Wayne Rogillio, executive secretary for the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners. By Friday, 33 more companies had registered.

John Moritz, who owns Moritz and Associates, a security firm in Houston, said Louisiana officials have been helpful and welcoming to private security personnel.

"If you're properly licensed and all of your ducks are in a row, you can get over there," said Moritz, whose security personnel were hired to guard Gulf Coast casinos.

Until New Orleans engineers are able to pump out the floodwaters, security companies will continue to pour into the city and work with businesses and homeowners in retrieving and protecting their belongings.

"We're getting requests for all kinds of things," Nicastro said. "We've had one person who called to say, 'I've got my Lamborghini in the French Quarter, and I have to get it out.' "

The client told Nicastro he only cared about his cat and car.

terri.langford@chron.com

[mburbank]

Okay. A little personal analysis of the above. Kev, this is not intended to point anything out to you, since you posted it. This is for skimmers.

The first post is a press release from Blackwaters web site, posted by Blackwaters marketting and PR folks. Any material written by a for profit company about itself should be taken as a comercial, self promotion and nothing more.

The second post is mostly not about Blackwater. It does speak to the fact that if you're rich you can afford protection and if your poor and you rely on the government you better hope you enjoy living on your roof, but that's an entirely separate issue.

Blackwater, among a few claims, says they are working for the coast guard. Under who's auspices? How are they being paid? Who approved this? Who do they report to? And above all else, why does an agency of the government need to hire professional security?

[KevinTheOmnivore]

Max, I think you hit it on the head.

Yes, the black water press release should be read with scrutiny. But it still, even if just given a cursory glance, fills you in a bit on what they're up to, if you cut out the fluff.

And on the second article-- you're right Max, but here's my take on it. If rich people want to spend crazy amount of cash to protect their homes and move their files, that's totally cool with me. More power to them.

But if these privatized guards are compensating for a lack of NOPD and guardsmen, then that's bad. That creates an inequality of security and services.

[mburbank]

"It is preposterous to claim that the engagement in Iraq meant there wasn't enough troops here, just pure and simple."
-George W. Bush

He means 'weren't', since troops is plural not singular, but that's just being picky.

So... if engagement in Iraq isn't the reason, then what is?

[Abcdxxxx]

I also want to point out that New Orleans isn't Beverly Hills, and even it's largest homes are far from multi-million dollar homes. Most of really large old plantation mansions aren't in the city, and a lot of them have been conversted into commercial spaces. Just to put it into perspective. The whole idea od filthy rich folks hiring private security is pretty slim in this case.

[mburbank]

It's still the haves and the have nots though. I'm not recommending a cmmunist revolution, but I think one of the main reasons you have a government is to protect the have nots in their basic rights.

The haves could leave their homes knowing hired security would protect them. The have nots couldn't and were forced to relly on the govt to maintain order.

[ziggytrix]

The whole idea od filthy rich folks hiring private security is pretty slim in this case.

A few blocks from Mr. O'Dwyer, in an exclusive gated community known as Audubon Place, is the home of James Reiss, descendent of an old-line Uptown family. He fled Hurricane Katrina just before the storm and returned soon afterward by private helicopter. Mr. Reiss became wealthy as a supplier of electronic systems to shipbuilders, and he serves in Mayor Nagin's administration as chairman of the city's Regional Transit Authority. When New Orleans descended into a spiral of looting and anarchy, Reiss helicoptered in an Israeli security company to guard his Audubon Place house and those of his neighbors.

Christopher Cooper
Wall Street Journal
Sept. 8, 2005

[mburbank]

Wow, what's really ironic is that he's head of NO public transportation, and he took a private helicopter to safety while the city buses that ran took people to the Superdome! That's really lettin' 'em eat cake!

[KevinTheOmnivore]

Wait, did a helicopter come from Israel?

[ziggytrix]

No they took a jet from Israel to Baton Rouge, then got on the helicopter.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/katrina/story/0,16441,1567656,00.html

The WSJ story makes it sound like more than just two mercs. :/

[Abcdxxxx]

Weird story.

I wasn't saying there aren't millionares out there who would take some irrational measures, but the real estate assets they're protecting are relative to the real estate in NO itself... as is the corruption.

The whole thing is retarded...why was Sean Penn allowed to carry a rifle in broad daylight as if he was a law enforcement agent?

[KevinTheOmnivore]

"Blackwater, one of the fastest-growing private security firms in the world, which achieved global prominence last year when four of its men were killed and their bodies mutilated in the Iraqi city of Falluja, has set up camp in the back garden of a vast mansion in the wealthy Uptown district of the city."

They should be a little bit more obvious.

[CaptainBubba]

Kevin would you care to explain why when I teased your somehwta idiotic post all you did was call me an idiot and say I cant handle getting "mocked".

My main point is nothing going on in NO is indicative of libertarianism in my mindset and suggesting it somehow highlights the weaknessess of libertarianism is just on the border of retardation.

I guess only Kevin is allowed to mock people though so I'll remember in the future to maintain a serious and professional demeanor in future posts.

[KevinTheOmnivore]

My post was a joke, dear. It wasn't meant to be insightful in any way, yet it managed to make you cry all over your keyboard.

"My main point is nothing going on in NO is indicative of libertarianism in my mindset and suggesting it somehow highlights the weaknessess of libertarianism is just on the border of retardation."

Nothing? The potential for inadequate public protection services, being replaced instead by private security services, which will in fact benefit only those in New Orleans with money, doesn't sound indicative of the failures of a government-hating philosophy??? I've known and encountered enough Libertarians in my time to know that they ultimately want to privatize the fuck out of everything. This doesn't strike up some important talking points at your next Harry Browne book club meeting???

This, as I've learned the hard way over the past few years, is the problem with esoteric ideological philosophies. You say "this has nothing to do with Libertarianism, it's a natural disaster!#%!" Well, do hurricanes not happen in candy land? Can't Libertarianism handle the scrutiny of a "what if?" ?????

"I guess only Kevin is allowed to mock people though so I'll remember in the future to maintain a serious and professional demeanor in future posts."

Sounds like a plan.

[CaptainBubba]

Ok. Real quick. Who hired Blackwater?

Riiiight. Good job.

In addition, what indication do you have that Blackwater will serve the poor any less than was already the case? Its entirely possible that they'll just ignore them like our government instead of... well I guess theyd have to fucking execute them wouldnt they?

It wasn't a libertarian governmewnt before the disaster is the point Kevin. Its our government that can't handle the hurricane. If a day after the hurricane everyone in America suddenly saw the virtue of free market economics and adopted Libertarianism as the countrie's political doctrine then what you are saying would make sense. As it is you don't really make sense. Why does a natural disaster = Libertarianism. Our government in a state of chaos is in no way equivalent to a new state of government. I know I'm repeating myself but you really should already understand this.

Seriously if you want to joke around be prepared for other people to have a better sense of humor than you. I never complained or "cried" about what you posted as you so gamefaqesquely put it. As far as I can tell you're the one bitching about what I'm saying.[/i]

I hate to be a predictable little shit but really if you want an example of Libertarianism out of this, its the amount of people donating money to charitable organizations. Without the use of force via the government.

[KevinTheOmnivore]

Ok. Real quick. Who hired Blackwater?

Riiiight. Good job.

"North Carolina-based Blackwater USA, like other companies, took about a day to get in place in Louisiana, a lightening-speed mobilization compared with the one organized by local, state and federal governments.

"We're working with the Coast Guard as well as some private sector clients," Blackwater spokeswoman Ann Duke said."

That's from the article above that you didn't read. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Good job.

And also, your point is moot. Ideally, in a Libertarian utopia, there'd be some small semblance of government, which in a Libertarian-light scenario, would handle contracting out responsibilities to the private sector.


The rest of what you said is boring and blah blah.

[CaptainBubba]

So what is your proof that the ones hired to work with the coast gaurd are doing a bad job? I am assuming you think that otherwise everything you're saying is more of an endorsment for privatization and heaven forbid that.

[KevinTheOmnivore]

Why should I type a reply, you haven't read anything else I've said!!?!

Glad to see you got around to reading the article, though.

[CaptainBubba]

I don't even know what you want from me. I asked you a simple question that you haven't at all answered in any post. I read again to make sure. How in any way are they not doing a better job than the government?

And just for clarification "Kissing little black babies on their cheeks" was suppsoed to be a joke... dear.

[KevinTheOmnivore]

It's not a big deal to me if the DHS is contracting out, but why like Max already said, why do they have to???

and.....

If rich people want to spend crazy amount of cash to protect their homes and move their files, that's totally cool with me. More power to them.

But if these privatized guards are compensating for a lack of NOPD and guardsmen, then that's bad. That creates an inequality of security and services.

That's my position on this.

[The One and Only...]

Hey Kevin.

Nuclear bombs would be owned privately in market anarchy. In fact, it's quite possible that they would continue to be produced.

Why do I bring this up? Because the Kevin-Bubba circle jerk is just plain stupid. OOOH INEQUAL SECURITY... so the fuck what? Who has more to defend? Who values security more? Isn't plurality in available defense a good thing?

Max, those right-wing libertarians you're referring to aren't libertarians at all. Libertarianism is actually a leftist doctrine. A good example of a right-winger masquerading as a libertarian is an Objectivist.

[KevinTheOmnivore]

Hey OAO. How are ya? Everything ok? Good.

Privately owned nukes? Cool.

"isn't plurality in available defense a good thing?"

No. No it is not.

Thanks for stoppin' by. You be well, ok?

[ziggytrix]

brings new meaning to the "fallout" following a "hostile takeover"...:rolleyes

[mburbank]

Hee hee.


OAO, don't you have a thread about Anarcho Capitalism to be in.

And thanks for educumatin' me on my vocabunary, their, highscool boy. I'm sure in your clove smokin' fencin' makin' out world of Rock n' Roll... social philosiphizin' there all sorts of left leaning Liberatarians, which is of course swell, especially in terms of high speed chin wagging, and I'm certain it's swell.

[kellychaos]

Black helicopters, man. I'm tellin' ya. :(