[NewTeaBag]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

I agree with that. I was just making a point to MidGe, then you jumped in making a point that was utterly ridiculous, so I had to correct it.

[/ QUOTE ]

The Blackwater point was ridiculous? hmmmmmm. I disagree.

I agree that Blackwater is not going to try and evangilize veteran SPECOPS operators. Twould most likely be wasted effort and PISS off these very serious dudes for preaching to them. BUT, I tink it's fair to discuss how Blackwater's overall mission/vision can be/is affected by it's owner/manager's religious affilation/activity.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, thats very simple.

- Blackwaters mission is to make money.

- Blackwater makes money only one way: They complete the mission.

Pretty clear. This type of nonsense drives me crazy, I'm not religious, but I'm also not so closed minded and insane that I honestly believe that a man cannot successfully run a business and hold religious faith at the same time.

To assume he can't, or furthermore, doesn't have a right to, is pure lunacy.

I'm in the small minority of people on this board who believe that any correlation between atheism and higher intelligence is a myth, and that they are believed only because they cannot be disproven, but also cannot be proven either.

If I'm not mistaken, thats the atheist using religious tricks while claiming not to be religious.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll start by assuming you're NOT directly reffering to me as insane or a lunatic, but speaking, more in a general sense.

That bit of unpleasantness aside, I'll say that I'm neither an atheist nor am I closed minded. Nor have I ever argued about correlations atween atheism and intelligence.

I wouldn't care whether Eric Prince was an Evangilical Christian or worshipped toad skins found only in the Lousiana Bayous if he were running a shoe manufacturing buisness or some other such non controversial venture. But he isn't running a shoe buisness, he is running a security firm which uses SPECOPS trained personell to carry out missions, often involving violent combat, in the middle of one of the most controversial hotspots on the planet.

His background and beliefs require far greater scrutiny running this enterprise because it's far more important. Do you not agree?

Much like Blackwater itself has a long laundry list of RQMTS for its contractors (which go beyond mere TRNG/experience) those running the shop also have to meet a higher standard.

I haven't researched into Eric Prince's religious affiliations, so I don't where they go or don't go, but I certainly believe they deserve scrutiny much like other positions of public import.

Would you think it was relevant if he was bought out by a Muslim with potential ties to Extremism?

Would you think it was relevant if an Iranian Security firm comprised of mainly former Iranian Republican Guards and SPETSNAZ operators, headed by a buisnessman with ties to a radical madrassa offered a competing service?