09-08-2006, 00:22
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#1
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Asset
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: The Bay Area
Posts: 23
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Not Coming To a Theatre Near You
I wasn't sure where to put this; since it isn't a review or a recommendation, I thought I would toss this out here for discussion. Suffice to say, this would best operate under the 'Hey, Look!' principle.
Frontline did a piece on PMCs back in '05 that was quite interesting; when combined with my own reading, it provided another interesting wrinkle in the 4GW theory, one I find infinitely fascinating. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to delve into it as much as I would like so my knowledge remains minimal. Still, this looks interesting and I have it from a reliable source that this exists as an excellent, evenhanded primer on the mercenary question.
-KS
THE RULES OF WAR HAVE CHANGED.
This year thousands of private soldiers will be deployed in conflicts worldwide.
These individuals, known as private security contractors, are changing
the face of modern warfare.
But to those at home, their world and influence remains a mystery.
Who are these security contractors ?
What do they do ?
Why do they do it ?
Shadow Company, by Nick Bicanic and Jason Bourque, is the
groundbreaking feature-length documentary that reveals
the origins and destinations of these
modern-day mercenaries.
Check: http://www.shadowcompanythemovie.com/
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Berkeley. Baby.
Last edited by Kahuku Saint; 09-08-2006 at 00:38.
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Kahuku Saint is offline
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09-08-2006, 07:55
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#2
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
Posts: 24,812
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Marketing hype.
TR
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"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910
De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2025
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The Reaper is offline
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09-13-2006, 21:10
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#3
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: LA
Posts: 1,653
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by The Reaper
Marketing hype.
TR
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You mis-spelled "bull shit" Sir.
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Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.
Still want to quit?
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NousDefionsDoc is offline
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09-15-2006, 00:59
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#4
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Asset
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: The Bay Area
Posts: 23
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Or is it?
I contend that it could be complete and utter tripe, but I am willing to forego judgement until after viewing. Again, I do place some emphasis on the word primer. When I am done, I'll even splurge on postage, NDD, if you want to confirm your assesment.  Though, I am definitely interested in more in-depth reading. If you have any recommendations, send them my way.
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Berkeley. Baby.
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Kahuku Saint is offline
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09-15-2006, 06:39
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#5
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: LA
Posts: 1,653
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Kahuku Saint
Or is it?
I contend that it could be complete and utter tripe, but I am willing to forego judgement until after viewing. Again, I do place some emphasis on the word primer. When I am done, I'll even splurge on postage, NDD, if you want to confirm your assesment. Though, I am definitely interested in more in-depth reading. If you have any recommendations, send them my way. |
We are not talking about the movie - I haven't seen it. We are discussing the advertising teases in your first post.
And yes it is bullshit. How do I know? 
1. Not mercenaries - look it up.
2. Not even close to an RMA - "changing the face of modern warfare"? Hardly.
3. Nothing misterious about it.
4. Nothing new about it. Riding shotgun on stagecoaches. Samurai BGs.
5. "Shadow Company" LOL - the authors must be Lethal Weapon fans. Is there a Mr. Joshua buring his forearm with a lighter in it?
I'll watch the movie, but the tease info is indeed BS. What I suspect you will see are a very few professionals - former soldiers - quietly doing their jobs.
And a bunch of flakes acting like asses.
Why? Most professionals will either be too busy or too professional to participate in the film.
Mostly it is hard work. A little better pay, less support and more freedom to choose an ensemble for the day. That's all.
__________________
Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.
Still want to quit?
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NousDefionsDoc is offline
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09-15-2006, 08:45
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#6
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Guerrilla
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Vermont
Posts: 342
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc
...and more freedom to choose an ensemble for the day...
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LOL! Reminds me of a photo some chucklehead posted of himself sitting on the ramp of (a Hind?) some Russky helicopter wearing Spetznaz PJs and Oakleys. I think he would have found time to talk to the film maker. 
What was it the Sarge on "Hill Street Blues" used to say - "Stunning ensemble, Faye."
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Cincinnatus is offline
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09-15-2006, 20:10
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#7
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Asset
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: The Bay Area
Posts: 23
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc
We are not talking about the movie - I haven't seen it. We are discussing the advertising teases in your first post.
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Ah yes, as a long standing "gray man" I should've known better: marketing strategies will be met with particular umbrage 'round here. Chalk that one up to a failure in SA. I should've just left a link. Let me know when to drop...
Quote:
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Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc
2. Not even close to an RMA - "changing the face of modern warfare"? Hardly.
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I wouldn't call it an RMA either; instead, a continued evolution in the history of warfare. Of course, this assumes that one subscribes to the 4GW theory and that this is a return to pre-Westphalian ideas of armies and navies.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc
3. Nothing misterious about it.
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To you and to me, maybe (and by extension, those who post here regularly); but for a large part of the public I suspect it is. I doubt many knew what a PMC was before the remains of Blackwater's four contractors were dangling from that bridge in Fallujah. Of course, I should've known the audience I was writing for.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc
5. "Shadow Company" LOL - the authors must be Lethal Weapon fans. Is there a Mr. Joshua buring his forearm with a lighter in it?
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I agree. The title is a rather dubious, but I can see what the filmmakers were trying to do with it. You know, the whole "shadowy" company operating within, but not under, the current Command & Control structure.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc
I'll watch the movie, but the tease info is indeed BS. What I suspect you will see are a very few professionals - former soldiers - quietly doing their jobs.
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I hope you do watch it, NDD (I'll look forward to your expert opinion). My copy should be here in a few days and I'll be glad to review it after I've seen it. So we'll see...
-KS
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Berkeley. Baby.
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Kahuku Saint is offline
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09-15-2006, 21:48
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#8
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DFW Texas Area
Posts: 4,741
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Kahuku Saint
Ah yes, as a long standing "gray man" I should've known better: marketing strategies will be met with particular umbrage 'round here. Chalk that one up to a failure in SA. I should've just left a link. Let me know when to drop...
Of course, I should've known the audience I was writing for.
-KS
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Dude..................TOSS the SHOVEL!!!!
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Martin sends.
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Ambush Master is offline
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09-15-2006, 23:58
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#9
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: nowhere special
Posts: 173
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KS
Why do you keep pubbin the flick? Give it a rest.
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Deanwells
ODERINT DUM METUANT
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deanwells is offline
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09-16-2006, 09:25
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#10
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 20,929
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KS as many of us know 98% of the "contractors" are nothing more than men and women pulling 90 day rotations of guard duty in a god forsaken place for lots of money.
Movie worthy as you think that is I'd personally rather watch rosie odonnell mud wrestling than former mall security guards dressed like soldiers, pulling guard duty in Iraq.
My .02
Team Sergeant
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"The Spartans do not ask how many are the enemy, but where they are."
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Team Sergeant is offline
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09-16-2006, 09:48
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#11
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Area Commander
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,205
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[QUOTE]
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Originally Posted by Team Sergeant
Movie worthy as you think that is I'd personally rather watch rosie odonnell mud wrestling than former mall security guards dressed like soldiers, pulling guard duty in Iraq.
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Oh......I bet that leaves a mark!
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CoLawman is offline
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09-16-2006, 10:15
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#12
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 3,045
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Quote:
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I'd personally rather watch rosie odonnell mud wrestling than former mall security guards dressed like soldiers, pulling guard duty in Iraq.
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That's a picture I didn't need in my mind.
__________________
"Are you listening or just waiting to talk?"
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
"Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing."
Optimus Prime
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Kyobanim is offline
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09-16-2006, 12:36
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#13
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: South Georiga
Posts: 797
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"Movie worthy as you think that is I'd personally rather watch rosie odonnell mud wrestling than former mall security guards dressed like soldiers, pulling guard duty in Iraq."
For anyone who can think, that line has to hurt as bad as getting hit in the head with a hammer!
Jim
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Breaking a law or violation of a regulation is not a mistake. It is willful misconduct.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." [Samuel Adams]
Jim
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incommin is offline
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09-16-2006, 16:12
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#14
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Guerrilla Chief
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Harrisburg PA
Posts: 864
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Team Sergeant
Movie worthy as you think that is I'd personally rather watch rosie odonnell mud wrestling than former mall security guards dressed like soldiers, pulling guard duty in Iraq.
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Well, off to a therapist to get that image out of my head!
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So let me fill my children's hearts
With heroes tales and hope it starts
A fire in them so deeds are done
With no vain sighs for moments gone
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