Paratus Protection

In these posts, there seems to be no curiosity about, or anger towards, the perpetrators of these attacks. In the post below, the question of who conducted these attacks is also given short shrift.

Are there any ideas as to who targeted these civilians? Sunni insurgents? Al Queda? Americans? Who do we need to hold accountable for these attacks on noncombatants.

Also, is there any anger at all among the people toward the AQ, insurgents, and militiamen who conduct the majority of these attacks.

Reportage (not just here) of these events takes the approach of "Two rockets landed nearby..." or "A bomb exploded near his car" as if bombs and rockets have their own will and, independent of humans, just up and decide to go somewhere and explode on their own.

Just curious about the reticence to point the finger at what groups exactly are doing this. I understand this can't always be known in that environment, but leaving the question dangling makes me wonder who it is we should be holding accountable. -- jordan

I came here through Iraqslogger, originally from Wired.com's Danger Room.

Powerful stuff, and i hope to read more! Or really, i would like to read less, if that were to mean that the conflicts in Iraq had been resolved.. but we all know that's unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Anyhow, the private-security-contractor view is unique, and extremely valuable. Please keep posting, and please help at least those who seek out other viewpoints informed.

Thank you, for what you've done and what you're doing.

~aaron

Thanks for the comment. I must point out that security contractors, a vast majority of them, really believe in what they do. And, if something bad happens they are the first people to turn to (unless you have Uncle Sam watching your back). There are some good ones and some bad. They work hard to weed those folks out and I am confidant in saying they do a tremendous job in a very tricky environment

My hat's are off to every one of them. And sadly, we forget that they are dying here too. Far too Frequently. No purple hearts, no visits from dignitaries.

As a testament to the "money is driving our activity" mentality. I am undertaking a mission where a father and son were beheaded for simply trying to delivery medicines. This supersedes payment.

Please keep coming back as I will try, as time permits to post more.

Jordan,

I certainly understand the anger you feel. I am not one to put bland, neutral writing up on my blog. I call a "spade a spade." In the instance of my man having been inflicted with severe trauma by the two rockets, I want to make it clear that it was an everyday dealing that got him into that situation---he was buying cigarettes.

The truth is, it was probably a Sunni Insurgent group targeting a nearby hospital (or the market itself) for reasons that only warped minds can try and justify.

My man was not an enemy of peace. He defended people and places from men like those who launched the rockets. I would like nothing more than to put my hands on the bastards that did this. I, too, would like to ask "why?" But at the end of the day, they lost---the means did not justify the end.

Truth be told, the attack strengthened my resolve and now my team and I are going to Baghdad to get medical supplies that have been "held up" for nearly a year.

So a man lost his eyes, but a country gained a team of even more dedicated security professionals.

You will not see the last of these terrorists. Huge unemployment, a small baby boom after 1992, and outside influences (Iran, Syria, and Saudi Arabia to name just a few) are more than willing to give these men something to occupy their time. Whether it be doctrine on one extreme or weapons on the other.

More picture like the ones you saw will be posted, sadly.

Your anger is right minded, but I pose this question to you: Why are moderate Muslims not standing up in mass and protesting this kind of indiscriminate violence?

Thanks for the posts, Marshall. I also came here via IraqSlogger.

Thank you for sharing. Please keep the posts coming as time permits.

As for the question "Why are moderate Muslims not standing up in mass and protesting this kind of indiscriminate violence?"

I think all non-Muslims should be asking this. Someone draws a cartoon, or the Pope quotes someone and hundreds of thousands of "moderates" protest. Indiscriminate violence in the name of their "peaceful" religion? Nothing.

It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but that's besides the point. Thanks for the very powerful and moving blog.

Iraqslogger is where I, too, first came upon your blog. I was just reading your response to Jordan's comments. I am curious to know how you think it will all "end"? You sighted the immediate good your men can do by making sure supplies are getting to where they are needed the most, and the amount of dedication you and your men have is very clear, but do you think it will all be for not in the end? I can’t help but wonder that when I read or hear any of the news coming out of Iraq.

Most of us outside of Iraq have strong opinions on what is going on and what should be done, but that is all that they are---opinions. No matter what news we seek out, we are never going to see it with clearer eyes then you. The actual situation on the ground is something I can imagine, but you are living in it. With what is there now, Iraq as it is at this point, is there a way to a positive outcome? Or do you think it will remain a place where violence and death will be just part of the ebb and flow of life for decades to come? Iraq’s problems seem so multilayered that I wonder if they are surmountable. And where to begin?
Please continue to write. Your view point is unique and needed! We will pray for you and your men.