Mercenaries in New Orleans

In an appalling misuse of private security and public funds FEMA and the Homeland Security Department were busy not organizing the National Guard and Relief Efforts but negotiating with private and mostly Foreign Mercenaries for use on civilians as well as on the public streets of New Orleans.

Once again instead of using and organizing the immense amount of volunteers from around the US and world, global material aid offers, and already established local, state, and federal agencies with experience, the Bush Administration chose to concentrate on securing contracts for cronies and campaign donors with the end result being a disaster for country and civilians on the ground. Blackwater had no problem getting through while the Red Cross was told to stay away and not give food and water to Katrina's victims "so as not to encourage them to stay," in what was left in the city.

How long before the Bush Administration suggests the dissolution of FEMA and the National Guard for help in disasters in favor of private security firms like these and points to their own mismanagement of resources as proof that private industry is needed to do the job?

Link to The Nation's Article, "Blackwater Down."


Blackwater USA's PR photos on relief for the Gulf Coast.