Nice to hear a story about private contractors like Dave, who I would guess are more the rule than the exception. Good Americans representing their country with pride and dignity. Thanks Dave! Happy Fourth

This young man is my baby brother. He has worked long and hard for this country and sometimes does not get the respect that he deserves. His family misses him as I am sure so do the families of allthe men and women in this war. Proud of you baby brother - just come home safe. Happy independence day!

'He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny...'

While Mr. Maddis may have noble intentions, the idea that a mercenary working for profit is somehow representing the USA is ludicrous.

Thanks for making this clear though: these heinous wars would be impossible without profit motivated people.

And BTW most of the world described the Blackwater killings as 'murder'

I am Jan Mohammad AZAD
the Administrative Manager, EODT-ANTC, Herat Province, Afghanistan. Mr. Dave is officially my Supervisor and personally my best friend and i thanks him for his great services for the people of Afghanistan. Mr. Dave is a talented manager with a very good behavior and we like all like him very much. Thanks once again for the good things you do for us and Happy independence day!

Hi Jan!

Happy Independence day to you too!

I'm curious... what exactly do you think we are celebrating our independence from?

I'm also wondering if you are making these remarks on your own free time or if you are trolling as part of some PR campaign?

And Herat? Is that where all the Heroin comes from?

Wow Pat - -
Aren't you a prime example of an ugly American?

I'm not sure you understand the term "ugly" American. I just don't think this is the time or place to discuss the present wars or the use of mercenaries in them. Happy Independence Day everyone.

pat76, I am truly sorry that you feel that way. Part of my job though is insuring freedom. And that means your feedom of speech and the right to your own opinion.

I would encourage you though, to maybe get off your ass, get on a flight and come to Afghanistan. I will gladly pay for the flights, meet you at the airport, even put you up and feed you. It is a free country here, and all you will need is a passport.

Or, I will be home the end of July to visit with my first family, the one that waits for me in the US. Come to my house, I will share my life in Afghanistan with you via the many pictures I have taken of the people and cuture here.

Once you do either of these things, I will say that yours is a well informed and intelligent opinion. Until then...well, you decide.

Also, maybe you should also look up the meaning and history of the word Mercenary. You might be surprised at what you learn.

All my other brothers and sisters out there, both military and civilian...fear not. You are loved and MOST people are very proud.

Happy 4th of July!

Ugly American:
I fully understand the meaning of the term. One does not have to be traveling abroad to portray themselves as loud, arrogant, demeaning, thoughtless and ethnocentric Your response to Mr. Azad conformed to a stereotype that gives Americans a bad reputation. Shame on you! I thank Mr Marris for portraying the US in such a positive light.

Mr Marris,

If you are so interested in changing the public perception of people in your line of work maybe you shouldn't make veiled threats and sideways insults to members of the general public.

I mean do you really think my personal arrival is going to alter the geo-economic situation on the ground? Or were you just offering me a flight to nowhere?

And if you think looking at your pictures is going to somehow affect the public's moral judgment why don't you just post them online?

I have only expressed one opinion here so far: that thinking a soldier working for profit is representing the USA in doing so... on Independence Day is ....silly.

Clearly, I understand the meaning and history of the word mercenary... I gave an historical citation in my first post!

Yes, MOST people like myself, support actual US soldiers, but SOME people are manipulating them for their own profit and political gain.

It always amazes me that the people who are the least educated always have the most to say. The most interesting in reading this is my brother would never be disrespectful of the job you are doing - ever. Why do you feel the need to criticize when you don't even know these people? There are good and bad in everything - no matter what job you are doing. Yea, maybe there are some bad people in this line of work - but there are bad people in the military as well - and our government. You probably voted for the very person who got us into this mess. My brother has always been a natural born helper. That is his motive - nothing more. If you were broke down on the side of the road he would be the first to stop and help you and he wouldn't even think what color you were, where you live, how much you have or don't have. He would be there. He has also helped the people of Katrina - have you? And yes, he is paid - he needs to make a living - just like you and me. And what comments did he make that made you feel threatened? Give me a break!

Ummmm, Pat? Could you please point out the veiled threats and sideways insults in Mr. Marris' comments? I only see a man who puts himself in great danger each day to ensure your rights giving you much more respect than you could ever possibly be worth. Thank you for all you do, Mr. Marris!

I haven't been disrespectful to your brother, or his profession Crystal. While you and he have both made ad hominem attacks on my intelligence and education.

Let me spell this out for you...In the Declaration of Independence... the signing of which we are celebrating today... the employ of mercenaries is a specific grievance raised against the British Empire. So to suggest, as "Joe" did that your brothers attempt to 'make a living' working for a Kuwaiti 'security company' is somehow 'representing america' is ...ironic.

Unless Mr Marris works for the government in some undisclosed capacity he is no more 'representing' the USA than the guy making lattes at Starbucks.

Companies like the one your brother works for are paid to assist in the process of 'rendition'- which much of the world describes as 'kidnapping'.

So your brothers offer to fly me to Afghanistan and 'pay for the flight' or to seek contact with me in the states in order to 'educate' me imply a specific threat.

No...I did not help the Katrina victims but you can rest assured that I VOLUNTEER/DONATE for and to several other charitable organizations.

Now that I have answered your questions (and I notice neither your brother or his friend has done me the decency of answering mine) let me ask you a question...

Do you understand what this means?... 'to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.' ?

Crystal and Diana,
Where did my response to Mr. Azad (who is Mr. Azad?) conform to a stereotype that gives Americans a bad reputation. Shame on me?
I would never criticize the men/women fighting a war even if I may not think that war is in our best interest. I'll stay away from personal insults cause that would bring me down to your level.

Diana,

I trust your questions are answered by my last post.

Is it my defense of the principles inherent in the Declaration of Independence or my implied disapproval of the heroin flooding our streets that makes you think I'm unworthy of respect?

Luckily for all of us our rights are 'inalienable' eh?

MR/Ms Pat/AKA Ugly American: to quote: "I'm also wondering if you are making these remarks on your own free time or if you are trolling as part of some PR campaign?
And Herat? Is that where all the Heroin comes from?"

That comment to the Afghani gentleman who chose to answer your post in defense of Mr. Marris represents a stereotype that gives Americans a bad reputation. Your implication that this man is somehow responsible for the heroin traffic in the US indicates an individual who remain ignorant of local culture and judges everything by their own narrow-mindedness. While it seems quite clear that Mr Marris is working hard to reverse the anti-American sentiment the poisons our relationships in the Middle East, you seem hell bent on perpetuating the stereotype.

And to respond to your post to Crystal, it is clear that you are making broad assumptions regarding Mr. Marris' work in Afghanistan. Perhaps you should read the article again? I see no mention of death, desolation, tyranny or rendition. It appears the Mr. Marris' job is to aid the Afghanis in their struggle to rebuild and recover in the face of overwhelming poverty and turmoil. A noble cause, I believe. Perhaps it would be more prudent to do your homework before throwing rocks at a man you do not know.

And, no...you did not answer my question asking you to point out the veiled threats and sideays insults. Read his post agian, and nope, don't see that....

I did not make those statements. I can't even find them here. City Paper must know this. I see now who made the remarks you're referring to. No comment on those remarks, but maybe you should read a little closer before you start insulting people.

Oh, you think I'm also using another name to post remarks. That's quite a leap of stupidity. City Paper also knows that's not true. Calm down.

Diana,

Are you on crack?

You have already demonstrated you are unable to follow a simple online dialogue by mistakenly attacking ‘Uglyamerican’ thinking that they were me. Nevertheless I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt again (which you didn’t give me)….

There are private security companies, very similar to the one Mr Marris works for that fly people in airplanes to countries where they are tortured. So when he offers to fly me to Afghanistan and feed me all expenses paid, I have to wonder if he means feed me through a wet cloth draped over my face.

I am not perpetuating a negative stereotype of America. I am drawing attention to the fact that it exists…can you grasp that distinction? I also didn’t suggest Mr Azad is personally responsible for any heroin that comes from his province. Which, being in Afghanistan, is not in the ‘Middle East’ . Nor did I throw any stones at Mr Marris.

Why don’t you take a deep breath and think about some of the issues being raised here?

Here's one of your own that you should think about.

"It appears the Mr. Marris' job is to aid the Afghanis in their struggle to rebuild and recover in the face of overwhelming poverty and turmoil. A noble cause, I believe."

Maybe we could try this at home.

He HAS done it at home - both in New Orleans AND Texas.

Why are you taking my posts personally. I said we. Dave sounds like a true hero.

I didn't take it personally when I do I let people know - just pointing out that HE did do it. Sometimes I wonder why I haven't - so turst me, no criticism toward anyone else. And a hero - no. He is just doing a job. He doesn't want to be a hero - he knows who the hero's are.

Ugly American-my sincere apologies. I mistakenly lumped you in with Pat. My bad but I am not stupid, simply mistaken as your post were stacked.

Pat - I do not do drugs, and again you are making accusations about people you know nothing about.
There is nothing in this piece that indicates that Mr Marris is involved in torture. There is nothing in Mr. Marris' statement that even remotely indicates that he wants to "feed me (you) through a wet cloth draped over my face". There is, however, every indication that Mr. Marris is giving you the opportunity to see exactly what it is that he does in his work with the Afghani people. You painted the picture of this man as a kidnapper, torturer, death monger. I believe that he has every right to offer you the opportunity to see the kind of work that he actually does.

As you appear to be getting more and more self-defensive and as your posts become more and more shrill, let me very succinctly explain what my issues are with your original post and your posts that followed.
You made broad assumptions about this mans integrity and character based on the fact that he works for a private company and because some private security companies have had some unpleasant, offensive and downright criminal incidents, he is culpable, which I believe is simply a absurd presupposition based on the article. Many or these companies do much good. Many of these companies send men to places no one else wants to go. Many of these companies work in conjunction with the Afghani and Iraqi governments as well as the US military to train the Afghani and Iraqi people to become self reliant. It is your sweeping generalization that because this man works for a private security company he is somehow less a patriot, less of a good man, that I find offensive. By all accounts and based on Mr Azad’s post, this is an honorable man and unless proven otherwise, does not deserve the characterization of a murder/torturer/evil American. I am no fan of the American involvement in the Middle East, but I do take offense at your characterization of this man.

Huh? Diana, I didn’t accuse you of anything I asked you a question…..

I didn’t accuse Mr Marris of anything either and the only assumption I have made about his character is ‘he may have noble intentions’.

But, the idea that a foreign based mercenary…making a living… is representing the USA is silly….and it is especially ironic because on July 4th 1776 our forefathers specifically complained of mercenaries being employed against them.

They also complained about the process we know as rendition. Mr Marris may not personally take part in this practice but it is common knowledge that private mercenary companies do.

Jeesh have any of you even read the Declaration of Independence!?

If the actions of Blackwater in NOLA were so laudable, how come CityPaper fails to mention Mr Marris’ experience there?

And what exactly are the Afghani's and Iraqi’s recovering from?

Personally, I think Iraq which has been civilized several thousand years longer than the USA and which sits on one of the worlds largest oil reserves - doesn’t need lessons in self reliance.

Wow! A great article about someone doing some good in a sea of bad. Too bad an idiot or two would try to discount that with their nonsense. Most people see Pat for the dope that he is, and Dave for the hero that he is. Thanks Dave. Pat should be there to kiss your feet when you arrive home.

Hi Pat,
Dave’s wife here. Perhaps I can clear up any misconceptions that you have about my husband. My husband’s job is to train Afghani policemen. It is his job, it is how he makes his living, and it just happens to be in Afghanistan. He does not work for Blackwater and never has. He works alongside the people in Afghanistan. He does not murder, kidnap or torture anyone. He is respected and respectful. He is the face of the United States to hundreds of people who are weary of battle and live in abject poverty. He is trying to make a difference each and every day. I have sent box after box after box of medical supplies, school supplies, toys and clothing at his request. We pay for this and we do it because we want to make a difference wherever Dave may be. We have repeated these efforts around the world and we just do it because it is the right thing to do.

The City Paper fails to mention his efforts in NOLA for no other reason than the article was about the individuals currently in the Middle East, but I can assure you that his contributions in NOLA were extensive. Again, clothing, toys, food, baby formula, baby car seats, and most notably 2 bicycles for 2 little boys who no longer had a bicycle, all out of pocket. We do not do this for kudos or for recognition and we tell no one. We do it because we want to. I’m not telling you this for brownie points, Pat. I am simply stating fact regarding my husband’s character so you might understand just a bit better.

I can also tell you that his gesture to have you visit Iraq was an honest one. Hey, I cleared the offer. It was done with no malice or ill intent.

Despite the words of the Declaration of Independence that you refer to so often, the world is a different place today and the current state of affairs requires that individuals with the skills, knowledge and, pardon me, balls to work in dangerous places around the world is a necessary fact. As unpalatable as that is to many people, it does not change reality. Lord knows, no one knows this better than I. Birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas holidays are lonely.

To state that his representation of the USA is silly or ludicrous is quite difficult to swallow for me. I know what he does, I know what he is made of and I know his commitment to his mission. I can understand how you may not be able to glean this from a short piece on Dave, but it seems harshly unnecessary to vilify him based on past history. No one is a bigger proponent of respecting other’s opinions, but they should be informed opinions based on fact. Hopefully, I have offered you some fact regarding my husband. Admittedly biased, I am proud of his representation of the US and it’s citizens.

Kel,

If you want to disregard the Declaration of Independence and the concerns of our founding fathers….thats up to you, but don’t go acting like you are doing so out of some patriotic ideal.

Actually, according to the polls MOST people are against this war and as detailed in the article MOST people have a rather negative opinion of so called ‘private contractors’.

Why would I kiss Mr Marris’ feet? I don’t expect anyone to kiss my feet when I do charitable work. I also don’t get paid for the good deeds I do, nor are the people I help trying to constantly kill me.

Ohh this is just getting weirder and weirder...hang on Mrs M, I will read your post and get back to you asap...

Well now Pat, I honestly don't need any response from you. Just giving you some background on this man your refer to as a murderer and torturer.
As to the polls? Well you may be very surprised to know that I am one of those people very much against what the US did in Iraq….very much against it. And I can also understand you negativism toward private contractors. Dave is aware of the negative feelings as well…..much of the reason why he was reluctant to do the piece.

BUT – you are trashing Dave because of the actions of a few. There are thousand of private contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan, many of them trying to assist the people of these war torn countries to rebuild. Is this ill begotten war part of the cause? Of course it is. Are many of these contractors trying to fix it? Yes.

That’s why I decided to weigh in on this discussion (not so weird, I think). Another one of the tenets of this great country of ours is “innocent until proven guilty”. You have chosen to judge my husband based on the actions of others and declare him guilty. Knowing the facts, I believed it was my right (possibly even duty) to set some things straight. Quite honestly, all things considered, I really have nothing more to say to you. In the end, you will believe what you choose to believe, but I wanted other people reading these posts to have a measure of truth by which to judge my husband.

Many thanks to all for their understanding and support.

Mrs M,

What on earth are you talking about?

I have not referred to your husband as a murderer. I haven’t trashed, vilified or judged him either. Nor did I state that he or his representation is ludicrous …I said …’the IDEA that a mercenary … is somehow representing the USA… is ludicrous.’ The idea is ludicrous….the idea- not the person ….cmon can any of you read?

Your contempt for the Declaration does not change the fact that the founders specifically spoke against the employ of mercenaries and so it is ironic on July 4th to idolize them.

Thank you for clearing up my misconception re your husband’s employment with Blackwater. So he was in NOLA on his own free time or under contract?

I sincerely hope for your sakes Dave does not kidnap, torture or murder. However, it is a historical fact that private contractors ie mercenaries do. It is also a fact that training foreign police forces often entails the creation of political death squads.

The weird thing is every time I ask one person a specific question on this forum they disappear and a new friend/relative of Dave steps up to accuse me of something I haven’t done.

And your husband may be polite and respectful but he certainly wasn’t to me…

Maybe they speak up because they read the article and believe that a person could be trying to do some good. You know what I find interesting? That even though people here have said how unpatriotic it is for someone like my brother to profess working for the US on July 4th - no one has gone to the other people in this article who are in the US military - is that against the declaration? - and thanked them for their time and putting their lives on the line for us and the people of the US. Not one person that I saw as of last night. All the comments are about one person - how sad. I would like to see some of you - today - do as I am about to do,go thank those people and their families for their sacrifice - weather you believe in this war or not. It is their job that they do everyday. Without a military we would have no safe heaven. And dear sister-in-law. WE know him and love him and know what he is doing. I wasn't going to mention the bicycles and other items because I knew he would not like it but I am sooo happy you did. Thank you for standing by him at great sacrifice for what he believes in - I KNOW it is not easy for any of us - knowing day to day that he is there - but you are the BEST!!!! You are the one who gives up the most and I know you miss his fiercly. As for those who don't appreciate nor respect him - I have said enough to you. No more - you aren't worth my time. Love you baby brother and can't wait for you to be home.

Mercenaries? You need to be abel to define that better than "working for money" or else you are labeling US military personnel mercenaries as well. Both the term and your argument are obviously antiquated. Look up th term in the Geneva Conventions and you'll see how outdated your's and the pundits' definition are!

Pat,
I'll enlighten you on why your naming of Dave as a mercenary is wrong, and offensive to those who work in his profession. It's treated as a derogatory slur.

In accordance with the Geneva Convention and Laws of Armed Conflict, a mercenary is a person from a nation not involved in a conflict, who engages in offensive combat operations for personal profit. An example from US history are the Hessians that the Continental Congress hired during the war for independence. Other examples you can contrast with would be Executive Outcomes and Sandline, two companies that have performed offensive warfare and violent coups in Africa. Google will be your guide.

Dave's role is as an employee of a DOD contractor (company). His Geneva Conventions status is a DOD contractor, and a civilian accompanying US/NATO forces. He has full protection as a non-combatant under the Geneva Convention. Mercenaries have no such rights.

While he supervises and provides security, he does so in a strictly defensive manner, and only to the extent necessary to protect American, NATO and Afghan lives. He is no different than the manager of the armed security teams that protect US military bases inside the US. They are DOD contract security providers.

I suggest you correct yourself, and apologize to Dave and his family for your uninformed but offensive label.

Dave is a good man, and a friend who would give even Pat the shirt off his back, without question.

Ummmm yeah,

Well I didn’t call Dave unpatriotic either

And since you are asking Crystal….YES the Declaration does mention the glorification of the military as a specific grievance.

July 4th isn’t a military holiday folks. It doesn’t commemorate any battle…it is a celebration of the words and ideas enshrined in that piece of paper of which most people on this forum are apparently contemptuously ignorant.

I appreciate and respect all US soldiers who have taken an oath to protect and defend the Constitution from enemies both foreign and domestic. Mr Marris, while apparently a Saint, works for a company, the likes of which have often been created specifically to circumvent the Constitution.

Pat76: You have too much free time and wouldn't last a day in boot camp.

Oh geez Pat- - get off that very shaky pedestal that you have erected for yourself, please! You have been inundated with fact after fact after fact regarding Mr. Marris, yet you still cling to your nonsensical arguments, none of which have any basis in fact in relationship to Mr. Marris’ role in Afghanistan. You continue to insinuate that his role is somehow tied to “the dark side” with not one iota of fact to support your assertion.

While, as an American I can surely rest easy that the Declaration of Independence police are “on the job” for all of us “contemptuously ignorant” folk, your arguments are becoming quite circular and your posts are becoming exponentially insulting. How about you take JS and Bill’s advice and do a little homework before your next rant.

And Pat, for the 3rd time, I will ask what specifically did Mr. Marris say in his post that you found to be “veiled threats and sideways insults”.

I agree with Bill - -apologies are most certainly in order to Mr. Marris and his family. Your continued depiction of him is very flawed, very wrong and very insulting. Or perhaps correcting erroneous statements made about another violates the Declaration of Independence in some way….I dunno because I am apparently “contemptuously ignorant” .

Diana,

I am answering your question for the third time now…

There are private security companies, very similar to the one Mr Marris works for that fly people in airplanes to countries where they are tortured. So when he offers to fly me to Afghanistan/Iraq and feed me all expenses paid, there is a very threatening subtext.

Perhaps Mr Marris didn’t mean to threaten me, but he has failed to say anything to clarify himself. If he feels I have insulted him, I’m sure he is quite capable of defending himself, hopefully with rational discussion and not a jack boot.

Actually, I have always referred to him as King David - but Saint David has a very nice ring to it. Sorry baby brother, couldn't resist.

A threatening subtext??? hahahahahahahaha. A jackboot??
oh brother...

Perhaps Mr. Marris is a bit too busy with his work in AFGHANISTAN to clarify the threat he never made and exists solely in your vivid imagination. Perhaps...

Quite honestly, I don't believe that Mr. Marris owes you the time of day.

Actually Diana, my brother works 18 hour days and with the time difference it is possible for him to not be in contact with anyone - including his family for several days depending on the day of the week and his work schedule. Not to speak for my brother because he is more than capable...he may feel there is nothing to respond to. He would respect anyone's opinion..not that much said here is true. It has all been opinion This person has taken what might be happening with some other companies and decided this is what my brother does and honestly? Nothing anyone says is going to change his mind and my brother is smart enough to know that. But thank you anyway for seeming to be a bit more understanding and knowledgeable than most. It is appreciated.

Pat is a deluded fool who derives pleasure from abusing the first amendment anonymously. Pat you are a coward. I bet you wouldn't say that crap to Mr Marris face.
Mr Marris if you need a man I have my passport. The sooner we can get the people self reliant the better. What you do is an honorable profession and I admire you sir. Thank You - Jim

Pat is unamerican. Merceneries is American heroes. Yoo say!

Personally? I don't think Pat is unamerican - he is speaking his mind and that is a wonderful thing and what our independence is all about - like my brother said. I have been thinking something for days now but felt if I said it it would be taken as a threat - which it is not. But something is picking at me so I am going to say it. I don't think Pat believes what he/she says. If Pat really felt my brother killed and tortured for a living why would he be commenting? I sure wouldn't for fear of someone like that coming after me. And I believe IF a person like that did those things for a living they would not be making reference to threats - they would just do it. He is just uneducated about this particular person - nothing more. It happens in all areas of life.

I thought the purpose of these posts was to opine on the article. I am amused how this has degenerated into a back and forth between Pat76 and everyone else. Pat you shot your load and outed yourself for the idiot you are. Ten posts to defend yourself, jeez! Do us a favor Pat, take the rest of the day off and join our national media in celebrating the life of a child molester who happens to dance and sing well.

I agree with Pat76 and disagree strongly with most others on this comment string. To congratulate mercenaries on the fourth of July is hardly a celebration of independence; is it not, by definition, a celebration of dependence on outside influences, with their private interest? Why not an article devoted to people who dare to disagree with popular opinion, and continue to fight for our nation's principles? Many people throughout our country do this, many without pay.
This is not May Day in the old Soviet Union. It's Independence Day. Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom to disagree with self-interested bullies who know where their bread is buttered. I am not amused at all as to how this conversation has degenerated, and Pat76 has continued to defend himself against a clearly ad hominem and self-interested attack. Friends, colleagues, wife and sister of Dave, please understand; no comment has been levelled against him specifically. Sling your mud at an appropriate target; may I suggest a mirror? G whiz.

I suppose an ad hominem attack is in the eye of the beholder, eh? I believe that there has been substantive evidence refuting Pat76’s assertion that Mr. Marris is a “mercenary”, who deals in kidnapping and torture. Many people have addressed the substance of Pat76’s posts and addressed the logical merits of his arguments and assertions. There is much fault to be found in his (and your) arguments. The cornerstone of his and your argument is that Mr. Marris is a mercenary, which is an incorrect and derogatory statement. The assertion is that he is not worthy of thanks. I disagree that no comment has been leveled at him specifically.

Again, ideals are in the eye of the beholder. But we do agree on one point….I most certainly do have the freedom to disagree with a self-interested bully such as Pat76. Pat has insulted a citizen of Afghanistan, accused Mr. Marris of threatening him, accused me of being a drug addict, continually asserted that Mr. Marris is a mercenary, referred to people as “contemptuously ignorant”….these are not personal attacks? Mr. Marris’ friends, collegues, wife and sister have freedom of speech and expression as well. Men like Mr. Marris preserve that freedom. This I believe.

Now let's just pass that mirror around….

Again you jump stridently away from the main point, which is CP's editorial decision to focus on paid, private interests. This cabal of private interests, shouting everyone down, beating their chests...ugh

Dad,
I am so proud of everything you have done. You are so brave, and so bold.I tell you, you are a great father. I miss you more than anything, Please come home safe.
Your daughter

The main point? The "cabal of private interests....beating on their chests"?

Its understandable why you agree so wholeheartedly with Pat76. You both are proponents of utilizing the dramatic turn of phrase method to basically say nothing. Good reading though!

Dad
I miss you a lot and hope that your doning good. I love you so much and you are the best dad ever!I know that everyone is missing you so much.
Love forever Rebecca.

I don't agree that CP focused on "paid, private interests". If I am not mistaken my brother was ONE of many they mentioned and spotlighted - all the rest were military - which again, no one here has posted to except my brother. And as far as July 4th not being about the military and honoring instead the constitution. Well for me, I think about the miliary people as well as private contractors every holiday. I think about the great sacrifice they and their families make each and every day so that we may live by the constitution of the United States. I think of all the people around the world - mostly women - who are stifled and not allowed to have a say for fear of retaliation from their government and I feel blessed. And thankful for those men and women who fight in these manytimes senseless wars so we can all have big mouths and say what we want, when we want. So yes, to me every holiday we should focus on those less fortunate than we are - who are not with their families and on their families who worry every day that they may not return - no matter what their job may be.
And to those who make what I feel are negative comments - your comments and thoughts about this do not effect me or my family because we know my brother and you don't. Your loss! Trust me. If ever there was a guy who a sister knows she can always count on and has always been able to count on - it is my brother - and thousands of miles does not change that nor does your opinion of him and what he does for a living. Yea, maybe you haven't said it directly about him - but it doesn't take a genious to read between the lines.

Mr Bill,

Thanks for your apparently serious attempt at communication…

Please enlighten us further on the Hessians hired by the Continental Congress…do you think that the CC was corrupt or that those Hessians who switched sides were doing so out of some moral imperative?

I will admit to being ignorant of the relevant Geneva Convention articles. One article I did find however, mentioned something about equal pay….Are you suggesting that Mr Tim Johnson receives a salary equivalent to Dave’s?

As CPaper suggests ‘private contractors’ have a PR problem….and that is many people immediately associate them with ‘mercenaries’ and many even believe that the term itself is a euphemism which intentionally obscures the nature of much of the industry.

As per your suggestion I did do some Googling and I discovered that Ugandan Mercenaries are universally feared for their ferocity and brutality.

I also discovered that the company which Mr Marris and you presumably work for employs Ugandan soldiers and is foolish enough to post public pictures of them online….This is bad for PR.

It’s also bad for PR when employees describe themselves as ‘DEADLY’ as employee/owners of your company do. And Mr Marris’ appearance with an apparent sniper insignia might not be a great move either.


And to get back to my original point…when ‘private contractors’ are portrayed as somehow ‘representing America’ much of the public reacts with disdain. Why don’t you guys stick to the ‘making a living’ line?

Dang Pat - talk about a mission. I guess it makes complete sense to be in a country like Iraq and Afghanistan and not be snipper certified.

“When ‘private contractors’ are portrayed as somehow ‘representing America’ much of the public reacts with disdain.” Apparently you and gwhiz are the “public” you refer to? Because that appears to be the sum total of a “disdaining public”.

Mr. Marris trains people how to shoot and how to defend themselves. I believe that sniper training would be appropriate.

There is no doubt that private contractors have a PR problem. There is no doubt that there have been some very unfortunate incidents. No one argues that and Mr. Marris is quite candid about this in the article. Has your argument honestly degraded to Mr. Marris’ salary, clothing patches, the proper use of PR and a google search? Honestly, Ugandan soldiers are now being served up as proof of Mr. Marris’ culpability?

Your original point is that Mr Marris is undeserving of acknowledgement for the work he does in Afghanistan. Judging from the posts, much of the public disagrees with that assertion.

The Farlex Dictionary definition of mercenary is as follows:

mer•ce•nar•y (mûr s -n r )
adj.
1. Motivated solely by a desire for monetary or material gain.
2. Hired for service in a foreign army.
n. pl. mer•ce•nar•ies
1. One who serves or works merely for monetary gain; a hireling.
2. A professional soldier hired for service in a foreign army.

Unfortunately for you, Pat, this neither describes who I am, nor what I do. Frankly, on a personal level, I could care less what you THINK I do, or what you think of me. It’s all a case of mind over matter. I simply don’t mind, because your opinion does not matter to me. You are, however, entitled to your opinions, as misinformed as they are.

Thomas Jefferson, one of my personal heroes, once said, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” I suppose I will be judged by the Almighty as either one or the other. That opinion carries weight with me. So does the opinion of family, friends and co-workers. Others…well, lets just say not so much.

Just so you have a little history…I served my country with pride, for minimal pay and with great personal sacrifice. An injury ended my service. Now, whether you care to believe it or not, I am serving her again. This is my 3rd war. The fact that now I work for a private corporation does not change this. Do I get paid well for what I do? Absolutely. I have never been better at anything in my life. Does being a qualified Designated Marksman and trainer enhance that skill, and my pay? You bet cha. But not as much as you may think. Not when you weigh the risk and the sacrifice against the reward. And I will share a secret with you…I would have come for free, had my family been able to afford it. You see, despite what you may think, I love my country. As do almost all of the guys I work with. This is why we pack our bags and come to these places of misery, fear and death. Not for the money. Not for the recognition. Not for the glory or the body count. We do it because our country is at war. And this is where the fight is. We do not have the luxury of asking why or how. That is up to the politicians and the leaders. We just come…and we do the job that no one else wants to do. Is it worth it? Some days…others, well, let’s just say I have had some days I would rather forget. I question my own sanity at least once a week. 

I wonder to myself if you have ever served in the military? Or any other type of public service, like maybe a police officer or fireman? I sincerely doubt it. Doesn’t sound like you have the mindset or pack the intestinal fortitude to sacrifice or take a chance with your life for others. Just a wild guess, but I would bet good money on it. You see, I belong to a brother and sisterhood that you could never possibly understand. Nor would I expect you to. You are one of the sheep of the world. Braying at the sheepdog that protects the flock and cussing us because we are stronger than you. That is…until the wolf comes around.

To all my family and my friends that have come here to show your support…I love you all. I did this story for you. I know I do not share enough of my life here with you, but I am trying and getting better. The door is cracked, and things like this help. Some day the door is gonna slide open, and all this is going to come tumbling out. I pray that you will be ready.

Bill, you are and always will be a warrior, with a warrior heart. Stay safe, my friend, and God Speed. I would roll with you any where, any time.

To those of you who do not know me, but have supported me here, and show an understanding of what I do and why I do it…I thank you from the bottom of my heart. YOU are the reason…I need no others.

To my fallen brothers, and there are way too many…your sacrifice has NOT been in vain. You are remembered. I will see you at the table.

I am done with this.

Charlie two, six actual…out.

The hiring of contractors is a necessity with an all-volunteer armed forces. Wars cannot be waged without support services in place and manned by said contractors. Compulsory military service of the type employed in the not-so-distant past by many Western European countries and presently in others is an accepted and necessary method to meet manpower needs. People like pat76 are uncomfortable with that fact which leaves me to wonder if people like him or her (like the ambiguous Pat from Saturday Night Live) are really pacifists at heart, and therefore anything portraying the miltary or military related activities he/she will always have a problem with. What do you think Mr. or Ms. Pat?

I don't know Ray. Would never want to say what another person is thinking or feeling about any topic - it is possible. But I would rather Pat speak for him/herself. What I do know is people who are uneducated about a topic often take a more agressive role in trying to support the reason they are against it. I have worked with birthing women almost half my life and it is no different. I know that is a crazy comparison but it is true and we could probably say that about anything in life. What I also know is before my brother decided to do this work I probably would have thought the same thing. Trust me, I wasn't any too happy when he decided to do this for a living. Knowing my brother, I know he is not tortouring people or killing innocent people. This I know because for 50 years I have known my brother. He is very good at what he does but he would not sell his soul for any amount of money to do those things. Maybe there are companies and people who do that - my brother isn't one of them. As my brother said - and injury kept him from becoming a life timer in the military. And if not for that he probably would still be serving in that capacity - I guess then Pat would have to find someone else to sling mud at. Or better yet, maybe we shouldn't have a military at all. Yea, that would work.

And as for you my brother, and not sharing your life there - yea, it annoys me but I also know you hold back to protect us. We worry enough as it is - can't imagine if you shared everything. You hang tough and don't let anyone who does not understand distract you from the mission you set out to accomplish. Can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks after you have reunited with your lovely wife. Love you with my heart and soul - have since the day you were born and will until the good man decides. Oh yea, prefer you without the beard too!! Love,

Dave,

My military accomplishments, charitable work, physical and mental prowess and personal patriotism are all as irrelevant as yours.

The Jefferson quote you mention speaks specifically to the right of the people to REBEL AGAINST THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT
.
‘what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.

'rulers…are warned …that their people preserve the spirit’.

Jefferson is speaking about a popular insurrection from within not a war of conquest and occupation thousands of miles away.

Jefferson also said "I abhor war and view it as the greatest scourge of mankind."

And “War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong;

One of MY personal heroes, a great American General said this “war is a racket’

Your sheep/sheepdog analogy is quite apt. Sheepdogs serve masters, while sheep protect their own. Sheepdogs in fact lead the herd to their eventual slaughter and the sheep fear them as much as the wolf. Minus the hand of the masters, the sheepdogs, no longer fed, would starve or become wolves while the herd would breed Rams that are more than capable of protecting them.

I was aware of the dictionary definition of ‘Mercenary’. It was Bill who mentioned a legal definition under the Gen Con and I was asking him what that was, because by my own admittedly cursory investigation, you didn’t seem to qualify.

I never said you didn’t love your country. I am quite sure that you do.

And it is City Paper that has stated your desire to ‘balance the record’ perhaps they have misrepresented you.

So Pat, if you are saying you detest war I am right there with you. So who should make the first move? Do you believe the US should have no military either? Several, including my brother, have said the private contractors - those who work in a responsible manner - help to support the military. so do we just do away with any military and all war? Wouldn't that be wonderful? And no, I am NOT being sarcastic here. I am being honest - it would be wonderful - but where does peace begin? And at what cost? These are questions I ask and hope others do as well.

And as for interputing what someone said years and years ago - well, everyone does that differently - take the bible for instance. You can read into it what you want for yourself and that will be totally different than what another reads into it and the people being quoted are no longer around to share with us what they truly meant.

Someone actually got poor Michael Jackson into the mix. Pat, it seems Dave has a big family. They will never understand that the use of private contractors to fight a war for the US is, somehow, tainted. No matter what their mission. There have been some cases of abuse by these contractors. There's also a lot of money invested in these wars. They're doing a job.

I detest articles such as this. This is an egotistical maniac who believes we "need" him. We shouldn't even have troops in AFG, much less paying millions of dollars on contractors, about half maybe actually earn their pay. There something to be said for the type of person, civilian rather, that goes to AFG or Iraq, year after year. Just what is their purpose? Money? Surely. Sacrifices their families? Without a doubt. Just do the right thing, get over the ego trip, quit taking outrageous amounts of money, (couldn't get a job in the states?), and go back to your families and face true responsibilities.

Wow...

Clearly I have uncovering a diamond in the rough! A comment board filled with easily refutable statements from naive morons like Ugly American, Pat76, MJ Bogle and more! Lets make a list:

1. A U.S. Security Contractor, especially a "Site Supervisor", in no way can be defined as a mercenary. He's not offering his services to a foreign country, nor is he a hostile force taking hostile action on an objective. Shit, Site Supervisors don't even leave the wire. Hard to hurt those poor defenseless Taliban when you'll never see one.

2. Contractors save the United States government MILLIONS. Especially in the program that Mr. Marris is working on. They employ Ugandans at $800-1000 a month on guard posts and that frees up an American Soldier (with Benefits, insurance, housing, training, equipment, etc. they are worth easily upwards of 8000.00 per month) to fight on the front lines or do another more important job. Contracting has become a necessity in the modern volunteer U.S. Military. So unless one of you naive d-bags wants a draft which would put weak minded-weak bodied individuals like you and your children in the buzz saw of Afghanistan, you owe it to contractors to offset the strain of the military.

Check this out...an EODT Supervisor makes exactly 95K a year, taxed down to 60k, he supervises 12 Ugandan guards that make 10,000.00 a year. That's a total of $215,000 per year before taxes to the DoD...NOW, you have one Staff Sergeant who makes $50k tax free, and 12 soldiers of varying ranks that average about $38k below him on the guard force and what do you get? $506,000.00!!

Even if a company like EODT DOUBLED its profit margin, which is impossible due to the competition in winning contracts, the Military option would still fall 76,000.00 over the red of the civilian option.

Sorry folks, but the Doctor has spoken. And MJ Bogle is definitely a sad sack P.O.S. that is struggling along in life. You can tell he has green envy at the living Mr. Marris is making for his family. The article obviously said Mr. Marris is a vet..there are ZERO individuals more deserving in this country of a decent salary and more prepared for the work than a Military veteran. Should we sent MJ Bogle over to Afghan to shit his pants? Please. Get a life man and spare us the penis envy.