The rest of the world knows about Blackwater and CACI. They are no secret to militant Islamic factions who recognize the private mercenaries by beheading them and dragging their bodies through the streets.

The American people seem to be the only national body that doesn't know about them.

They are not representatives of the government as are the military. They are as private mercenaries anti-democratic because they represent a minority of weathy business interests. (Oil) They are Bush's Praetorian Guard (as Scahill suggests).

To call them an "army" as has been stated is a misnomer. They are paid assassins.

Frank Hamilton