Aren't private armies against the law in the U.S.?

[shraby]

It seems I remember learning that from someplace, but I can't remember where.

[msongs]

1. both our presidential candidates support them, private armies must be ok then

unless I missed the reports of obamahillary introducing legislation to get them out of Iraq and other places and cut off their funding.

Msongs

[NNN0LHI]

7. "Clinton Sponsors Legislation to Ban Private Security Contractors"

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/14875

February 29, 2008

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton announced today that she has cosponsored legislation to ban the use of Blackwater and other private mercenary firms in Iraq.

"From this war's very beginning, this administration has permitted thousands of heavily-armed military contractors to march through Iraq without any law or court to rein them in or hold them accountable. These private security contractors have been reckless and have compromised our mission in Iraq. The time to show these contractors the door is long past due. We need to stop filling the coffers of contractors in Iraq, and make sure that armed personnel in Iraq are fully accountable to the U.S. government and follow the chain of command," said Senator Clinton.

The legislation requires that all personnel at any U.S. diplomatic or consular mission in Iraq be provided security services only by Federal Government Personnel. It also includes a whistleblower clause to protect contract personnel who uncover contract violations, criminal actions, or human rights abuses.

[Horse with no Name]

2. I'm sure that there is a signing statement somewhere that

fixed that.
I believe it happened around Hurricane Katrina.

[MethuenProgressive]

3. Heck no.

They just aren't called "private armies"...

[againes654]

4. Well I am pretty sure that

Blackwater is privately owned, but I don't know if it is considered an "army".

[Winterblues]

15. It is as much an army as Iraq is a war.

Definitions have gone topsy-turvey since Republican rule..

[HereSince1628]

5. No. Arnie's Army has been around the links for years.

[marmar]

6. Legal/illegal have become murky concepts under our current NeoFascist government....

n/t

[Selatius]

8. That depends on what the definition of "private" is. Also, the definition of "army."

Halliburton contractors fully armed were employed in the devastation of Katrina to police civilians.

[MaryCeleste]

10. Were they deputized somehow or were they working on private holdings?

[MaryCeleste]

9. Not as currently constittued

As long as they abide by the applicable laws, they are fine. I have mixed feelings about it and they are somewhat situational.

[bryant69]

11. What law do you think they are breaking?

There have been a number of militias set up.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[shraby]

12. It seems I learned it in high school in

Government class when learning about the constitution. That was a long time ago, but I know that's an impression I've always had that private armed militia (armies) are illegal.

[bryant69]

13. Ah - well why don't you take a minute an look it up or something

I have a hard time giving a damn about an impression you've always had.

[ThomWV]

14. I would imagine that there are state laws going way back against private militias