Bill Delahunt: “I do not know if my friend was aware, but the second largest army in Iraq today is not the army of the United Kingdom…”

“I do not know if my friend was aware, but the second largest army in Iraq today is not the army of the United Kingdom, but it is this army of private contractors. Let us call them what they really are, they are mercenaries. I dare say, to privatize a war without the command and control of American generals and American officers is a very, very dangerous precedent that is being established. I think what we are seeing here tonight, what we are talking about tonight, rather, is an example of where it can lead. We all have to acknowledge and remember that the entire world is now viewing, not just simply the photographs, but the realities of the war on the ground and the fact that the United States of America is privatizing its military, privatizing its war, delegating to those who are not necessarily responsible and accountable to American military command absolutely significant duties.”