What do you think of our dispatching Marines to various Embassies in the Middle East?

[Stinky The Clown]

The Marines, traditionally, have provided security at US Embassies. I confess to not following the status of Embassy security, but it seems that we have reduced or eliminated the Marine Guard in favor of outsourced contractor security. It seems in some cases that this includes Blackwater.

I'm saddened that we find ourselves in need of fortifying our Embassies. I'm glad we're sending in the Marines.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Standard and don't get me started on the leeches

Err....mercs.

[Dkc05]

2. get out now. dont get sucked into the Abyss.

No more war. Get out and don't get into WW3.

[kestrel91316]

5. Isolationism is for children. And freepers. But I repeat myself.

We need diplomats in all nations with which we wish to have diplomatic relations. And they all have theirs here. Isolationism is how we got WWII.

Suck it up and deal with it, dearie.

[bhikkhu]

8. Its not the abyss - its a world of people

the vast majority of them very good people - kind, generous, industrious, creative, curious, etc.

What sane person wants to hide in a hole from the big scary world? And who, knowing the good that can be done, imagines that there can be nothing but war between us and the rest of the world?

Too much fox news and hate radio can lead to that perspective; I don't know what else.

[oberliner]

11. Including diplomats? Ambassadors?

We shouldn't have embassies in foreign countries?

[Politicalboi]

3. I hope it works

Because it could get so bad. Perhaps we should use some of our sound waves to keep them away.

[SQUEE]

4. for the most part...

MSG are actually more for security of classified intel and equipment, there are units on a regional deployment schedule that can get there most riki-tik, such as a NEO team to exfil personel. Marines no longer are deployed to hold embassies.

[Poll_Blind]

6. I think our embassies should always be guarded by American troops, never mercs or...

...anyone else. These are our embassies, they're not chain stores. With this Libya thing I was floored to find out that we didn't have Marines stationed there, guarding them.

PB

[panader0]

7. Better the Marines than Blackwater

Contract security makes no sense to. Blackwater security should not be necessary with the Marines, Army Rangers etc.
When I heard that the two guys killed in Libya were security, I knew they had to be Blackwater.
End the government contracts with Blackwater and their ilk. Why privatize security for the embassies?

[cherokeeprogressive]

9. When the barbarians are at the gates (book reference!) I want Marines.

As a former Sailor, I have nothing but the utmost respect for Marines, current and former. No one is more dedicated; no one is more willing. I can say this because I know current and former Marines personally. Say what you want about the military, but know this: Marines will pull your ass out of a fire even if it means they might get burnt, and this is true whether they currently wear the uniform or not.

I loves me some Marines. They're bad ass.

If I were the one making such decisions, Marines would be the ONLY people guarding our diplomats, and for that they'd get a lifetime 5% tax deduction. For that matter, I'd give a 3% lifetime tax deduction to ANYONE who volunteered to serve.

[grasswire]

10. the "merc" who died was a former Navy Seal

...working for Blackwater, apparently. He's from my area. People have nothing but praise for him.

So I guess we need to consider whether even mercs can be good and loyal troops?