Pentagon probes Indiana Marine's death in Afghanistan (opium & contractors)

[IndianaGreen]

Source: WTHR-TV

Pentagon probes Indiana Marine's death in Afghanistan

Updated: Mar 03, 2010 10:12 PM EST

Indianapolis - The U.S. military is investigating the death last month of an Indiana Marine in Afghanistan.

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell says the military is looking into the circumstances surrounding the Feb. 19 shooting of 24-year-old Lance Cpl. Joshua Birchfield of Westville. He declined further comment.

Maj. Carl Redding of the Marine Corps confirmed the investigation but referred additional questions to Marine Corps officials in Afghanistan.

WLS-TV in Chicago reported Wednesday that the investigation focuses on whether Birchfield was shot by U.S.-hired private security contractors.

Morrell told the station that seven contracted security guards were detained after the incident and that investigators confiscated guns and opium from the guards' compound.


Read more: http://www.wthr.com/global/story.asp?s=12080576

[denbot]

1. U.S. privateers involved in opium smuggling, murdering a U.S. solder .

One of the worst decisions Bush made after invading Iraq was trying to privatize warfare. More death on the alter of private enterprise.

[IndianaGreen]

4. and the government is still relying of private security firms in Iraq and Afghanistan

There is too much money on the line, and our government and Congress are unwilling or enable to stop it.

[dmr]

2. Mercenaries, guns & opium; and a dead Marine.

How heartbreakingly tragic. He deserved more out of life.

I'm glad they caught up with these guys, and detained them. Here's hoping a thorough and true investigation is completed, and those responsible be held accountable.

Rest in Peace young Lance Cpl. Joshua Birchfield.
:cry:

[leveymg]

3. Lots of this sort of thing in Vietnam. But, without the Blackwater/Xe Connection.

Read "The Politics of Heroin in Southeast Asia". Available free on-line, in its entirety. Just Google it.

Extremely illuminating book.