#809: Privatized Mercenary Scumbags Of Blackwater with Morgan Lerette
2Digest
This podcast delves into the world of private military contractors, specifically Blackwater, through the personal experiences of former employee Morgan Lorette. Lorette, who worked for Blackwater in 2004-2005, shares his story in his book "Guns, Girls and Greed," which serves as the basis for this podcast. The podcast begins with Lorette's account of how he became a mercenary for Blackwater, highlighting the role of chance and opportunity. He joined the Air National Guard in 1999 and was activated after 9/11. A friend who worked for Blackwater recommended him for the job, and the high pay sealed the deal. Lorette then contrasts his initial expectations of military service with the harsh realities of war. He found that Blackwater exceeded his expectations for combat, but also revealed the human cost of violence and the moral dilemmas it presented. The podcast explores the origins of Blackwater, founded by Eric Prince, and its rapid growth after the Iraq War. The demand for security for diplomats and the lack of trained personnel led to Blackwater's expansion. The discussion then shifts to the profit motive behind the continuation of war, with Lorette arguing that the military industrial complex benefits from prolonged conflicts, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of violence and profit. The podcast examines the evolution of Blackwater, now operating under the umbrella of Constellis, and its expansion beyond Iraq and Afghanistan. The company engages in various activities, including border security and training, in countries like Syria, Libya, and the US-Mexico border. The podcast also delves into the moral ambiguity of private military contractors, particularly in the context of child trafficking. Lorette acknowledges the difficulty of finding evidence and the lack of accountability for these actions. The discussion explores the close relationship between intelligence agencies and private military contractors, suggesting that contractors often operate in a gray area of the law, blurring the lines of accountability and responsibility. The podcast highlights the challenges of border security and the potential threat of sleeper cells. Lorette emphasizes the difficulty of identifying individuals without biometric data and the potential for exploitation by intelligence agencies. The conversation examines the controversial figure of Eric Prince, founder of Blackwater, and his efforts to rebrand himself as a thought leader, despite his past involvement in shady dealings and questionable actions. The podcast also delves into the speaker's experiences during the surge in Iraq, particularly the use of cash and bribes to pacify locals. The speaker discusses the effectiveness of this strategy and its limitations. The speaker reveals that Blackwater members are hostile towards him for writing a book that exposes their activities. He recounts threats and insults he received from former Blackwater colleagues. The speaker discusses the prevalence of prostitution among military personnel and contractors in Iraq, attributing it to the stressful nature of the work and the availability of cash. He shares anecdotes about his own experiences and observations. The conversation shifts to a discussion about the military industrial complex, its vast influence, and the potential for conflict within the United States. The speakers express concerns about the complex's power and its potential for exploitation. The speakers discuss the ethical implications of Blackwater's business model, which profits from war and conflict. They express sadness and disappointment at the motivations of those involved in the company. The conversation takes a humorous turn as the speakers discuss LeBron James's relationship with his agent, Rich Paul, and Adele's dramatic weight loss. They speculate about the reasons behind Adele's transformation and make lighthearted observations. The speakers discuss the Democratic National Convention, criticizing its scripted nature and the perceived desperation for black votes. They express skepticism about the reported job creation figures and highlight inconsistencies in the narrative.
Outlines
The World of Private Military Contractors: A Former Blackwater Employee's Perspective
This podcast explores the world of private military contractors, specifically Blackwater, through the personal experiences of former employee Morgan Lorette. Lorette, who worked for Blackwater in 2004-2005, shares his story in his book "Guns, Girls and Greed," which serves as the basis for this podcast. The podcast begins with Lorette's account of how he became a mercenary for Blackwater, highlighting the role of chance and opportunity. He joined the Air National Guard in 1999 and was activated after 9/11. A friend who worked for Blackwater recommended him for the job, and the high pay sealed the deal. Lorette then contrasts his initial expectations of military service with the harsh realities of war. He found that Blackwater exceeded his expectations for combat, but also revealed the human cost of violence and the moral dilemmas it presented.
The Rise and Evolution of Blackwater: From Firing Range to Global Operations
The podcast explores the origins of Blackwater, founded by Eric Prince, and its rapid growth after the Iraq War. The demand for security for diplomats and the lack of trained personnel led to Blackwater's expansion. The discussion then shifts to the profit motive behind the continuation of war, with Lorette arguing that the military industrial complex benefits from prolonged conflicts, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of violence and profit. The podcast examines the evolution of Blackwater, now operating under the umbrella of Constellis, and its expansion beyond Iraq and Afghanistan. The company engages in various activities, including border security and training, in countries like Syria, Libya, and the US-Mexico border.
The Ethical Dilemmas of Private Military Contractors: Moral Ambiguity and Lack of Accountability
The podcast delves into the moral ambiguity of private military contractors, particularly in the context of child trafficking. Lorette acknowledges the difficulty of finding evidence and the lack of accountability for these actions. The discussion explores the close relationship between intelligence agencies and private military contractors, suggesting that contractors often operate in a gray area of the law, blurring the lines of accountability and responsibility. The podcast highlights the challenges of border security and the potential threat of sleeper cells. Lorette emphasizes the difficulty of identifying individuals without biometric data and the potential for exploitation by intelligence agencies. The conversation examines the controversial figure of Eric Prince, founder of Blackwater, and his efforts to rebrand himself as a thought leader, despite his past involvement in shady dealings and questionable actions.
Blackwater's Impact on Individuals and the Military Industrial Complex
The podcast also delves into the speaker's experiences during the surge in Iraq, particularly the use of cash and bribes to pacify locals. The speaker discusses the effectiveness of this strategy and its limitations. The speaker reveals that Blackwater members are hostile towards him for writing a book that exposes their activities. He recounts threats and insults he received from former Blackwater colleagues. The speaker discusses the prevalence of prostitution among military personnel and contractors in Iraq, attributing it to the stressful nature of the work and the availability of cash. He shares anecdotes about his own experiences and observations. The conversation shifts to a discussion about the military industrial complex, its vast influence, and the potential for conflict within the United States. The speakers express concerns about the complex's power and its potential for exploitation.
Blackwater's Business Model and its Ethical Implications: A Discussion on Profiting from War
The speakers discuss the ethical implications of Blackwater's business model, which profits from war and conflict. They express sadness and disappointment at the motivations of those involved in the company. The conversation takes a humorous turn as the speakers discuss LeBron James's relationship with his agent, Rich Paul, and Adele's dramatic weight loss. They speculate about the reasons behind Adele's transformation and make lighthearted observations. The speakers discuss the Democratic National Convention, criticizing its scripted nature and the perceived desperation for black votes. They express skepticism about the reported job creation figures and highlight inconsistencies in the narrative.
Keywords
Private Military Contractors (PMC)
Private companies that provide military services, such as training, security, and combat operations, to governments and other organizations. PMCs operate outside the traditional military structure and are often criticized for their lack of accountability and ethical concerns.
Blackwater
A private military contractor founded by Eric Prince, known for its involvement in the Iraq War and other conflicts. Blackwater has been involved in numerous controversies, including the Nistra Square shooting, which led to its expulsion from Iraq.
Military Industrial Complex
A network of defense contractors, government agencies, and military personnel that profit from the production and sale of weapons and military equipment. The complex is often accused of influencing government policy to promote war and increase military spending.
Moral Injury
Psychological harm that can result from participating in or witnessing violence and trauma. It can manifest in feelings of guilt, shame, and a sense of moral violation, often leading to difficulty reintegrating into civilian life.
Constellis
A global security company that acquired Blackwater in 2010. Constellis provides a wide range of services, including training, security, and logistics, to governments and private clients worldwide.
Eric Prince
Founder of Blackwater, a controversial figure known for his involvement in private military contracting and his close ties to the US government.
Surge
A military strategy involving a rapid increase in troop deployment to a conflict zone. The surge in Iraq was a major escalation of the war, aimed at suppressing the insurgency.
Mercenary
A person hired to fight for a foreign army or private entity. Mercenaries are often motivated by financial gain and may operate outside the laws of war.
Q&A
How did Morgan Lorette become a mercenary for Blackwater?
Lorette became a mercenary for Blackwater through a chance encounter with a friend who worked for the company. His friend recommended him for the job, and the high pay of $550 a day convinced him to take the opportunity.
What was Lorette's experience like in Blackwater compared to his expectations of military service?
Lorette found that Blackwater exceeded his expectations for combat, but also revealed the harsh truth of war's impact on individuals. He experienced the intensity of combat firsthand, but also witnessed the human cost of violence and the moral dilemmas it presented.
What is the military industrial complex, and how does it benefit from prolonged conflicts?
The military industrial complex is a network of defense contractors, government agencies, and military personnel that profit from the production and sale of weapons and military equipment. The complex benefits from prolonged conflicts because it drives demand for weapons and military services, leading to increased profits for those involved.
What are the ethical concerns surrounding private military contractors, and how do they operate in a gray area of the law?
Private military contractors are often criticized for their lack of accountability and ethical concerns. They operate in a gray area of the law, blurring the lines of responsibility and accountability. This allows them to engage in activities that might be considered illegal or unethical if conducted by traditional military forces.
What is the current status of Blackwater, and how has it evolved since its involvement in the Iraq War?
Blackwater, now operating under the umbrella of Constellis, has expanded its operations beyond Iraq and Afghanistan. The company engages in various activities, including border security and training, in countries like Syria, Libya, and the US-Mexico border. This expansion highlights the growing role of private military contractors in global security and the potential for their involvement in controversial operations.
What were some of the strategies used by the US military during the surge in Iraq to pacify the local population?
One strategy involved bribing locals with cash and gifts, such as farm equipment, to gain their cooperation and reduce hostility. This approach was effective to a certain extent but had limitations, as resentment could resurface once the money ran out.
How did Blackwater members react to the speaker's book about their experiences in Iraq?
Blackwater members were highly critical of the speaker's book, viewing it as a betrayal of their shared experiences. They threatened legal action and hurled insults at him for exposing their activities.
Why was prostitution so prevalent among military personnel and contractors in Iraq?
The speaker attributes the prevalence of prostitution to the stressful nature of the work and the availability of cash. He suggests that many soldiers and contractors sought solace and escape from the harsh realities of war through sexual encounters.
What are the ethical implications of Blackwater's business model?
Blackwater's business model, which profits from war and conflict, raises ethical concerns about the company's motivations and its impact on human lives. The speakers express sadness and disappointment at the mercenary nature of the company's operations.
What are some of the concerns about the military industrial complex?
The speakers express concerns about the military industrial complex's vast influence and its potential for exploitation. They worry that the complex prioritizes profit over national security and could lead to conflict within the United States.
Show Notes
Thank you for joining us for another episode of Tin Foil Hat with Sam Tripoli. In this episode, we welcome author Morgan Lerette to discuss his new book, Guns, Girls, and Greed: I Was a Blackwater Mercenary in Iraq, and the deeply disturbing world of privatized mercenary work. No amount of money can justify committing war crimes or trafficking children. The excuse 'If it wasn't me, someone else would be doing it' only paves the road to hell. Thank you for your support.
Please check out Morgan Lerette's new book: Guns, Girls, and Greed: I Was a Blackwater Mercenary in Iraq- https://bit.ly/3yX7JJE
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