ALERT: British mercenaries killed in Iraq.

[Gyre]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4730323.stm

"...The pair worked for Control Risks Group, which provides security for the consulate in Iraq.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "A British Embassy convoy was hit by an improvised explosive device. Two security contractors have been killed."

A spokeswoman for Control Risks Group, which employs about 500 people in Iraq, said the company could not comment further on the guards' identity until next of kin had been informed."

Tsk, tsk. Man, I'd like to see the waivers those dudes have to sign before they get hired! Good blood money if you get out alive, and the overwhelming majority do.


Gyre

[leetrisck]

1. Prayers for all and for our

countries.

[lvx35]

2. Its different than when troops die for me.

Somehow, knowing these guys make like $15,000 a month makes their deaths less sad than the poor troops. It just strikes me as an occupational hazard, like working in dangerous mines or something...And they are getting a piece of the Pie, unlike the troops who signed up to defend america.

[bribri16]

3. It's sad, but none of the troops in Iraq are dying for you. n/t

[Cruelio]

5. But that's what they signed up for.

And their sacrifice must be honored for their intentions for it, and not for the bushies perversion of those intentions.

[lvx35]

8. I agree with that too.

I misphrased above, but the intentions of the troops were to die for all of us if they had to.

[lvx35]

7. I meant: for me, its sadder when the troops die. nt

[Cruelio]

4. Their mercenaries when they are british

but if they're from the US, they are "contractors."

[Eugene]

6. Both AP and BBC call them "contractors" or guards.

The actual title of the article is
"Blast kills two Britons in Iraq."

We may call them mercenaries on DU.
That said, the attack on the embassy convoy
they were protecting is still unfortunate and wrong.

edited for clarity

[SpiralHawk]

11. Go to the head of the newspeak class, Cruello

Contractors my ass. Good catch.

Conquering the oil fields to bring "freedom" to the Middle East...

[bluestateguy]

9. They are not troops

They made the choice to go to war for profit (they could have gone home anytime they wanted to), and eventually the chickens came home to roost for them.

[deadparrot]

10. RIP.

...

[goforit]

12. Oh well.......hired militia just ain't what it used to be.

[Chicago Democrat]

13. All violent deaths are tragic and carry profound consequences for now

and the future.

The future is being destroyed one life at a time.