According to this webpage a 1/07 change of the word "war" to "declared war or a contingency operation" to Title 10 of the US Code means: "contractors now now can fall under the purview of the military justice system. This means that if contractors violate the rules of engagement in a warzone or commit crimes during a contingency operation like Iraq, they can now be court-martialed."

Lee Quinn

Los Angeles, CA

It was in todays paper that Dick Cheney will have use of the Secret Service after leaving office. Why can't he use his pals at Blackwater to protect him? Save the tax dollars!

Thomas O'Brien

Casper, WY

Talk about the fox in the hen house! With the downfall of the Soviet Union, we saw former KGB operatives take over major Russian business interests. We may also see former CIA people taking control of major multinational corporations. As we have seen with the current economic crisis, the business community is not very bright. This is a bigger threat to the world than terrorism or any other "ism"!

Pervis J. Casey

Riverside, CA

The real sad part of this story is the selling of the US government. Our tax dollars increasing go to pay for private companies to do the work of government. And with all the lobbyists, special interests, ex- and current government employees with stakes in economic interests vying for government monies, our government is being sold.

This is not free market. This is freedom to rampage. And there are no real loyalties and allegiances other than to the $$$$. When the US fails to be the profit haven that it now is, these companies (with their collected intelligence about the governments, people, businesses and technologies of the world) will go elsewhere with their money and knowledge.

Government working efficiently for the interests of the people, not corporate profits and opportunities, is our path of hope for the future.

How Kuff
http://www.changing-history.com

Red Star, AR