As Africans continued their onward journey towards impreessing their faces in the cultural and social landscape through a National Holiday several other persons made their contributions. Among such contributors were MAU-MAU SCHOOL OF DRUMS and EGBE ONISIN ELEDUMARE. The face bearers of these two organizations were at the time JAHJAH OGA ONILU and OLAKELA MASSETUNGI-then Oludari Agbaiye of EGBE ONISIN ELEDUMARE.Together with the support of a few they worked to establish what is now the openning Emancipation March. They ideally named it THE MARCH OF 1000 DRUMS.

Jag vet inte om det har med hösten att göra men jag har fått en vagel i ögat, eller som vi så skämtsamt säger här hemma, en vaktel i ögat. Allt för att göra det lite roligare.

Det gör iallafall ont och är förmodligen anledningen till att jag gått med huvudvärk i två dagar nu. Min snälla sambo gick ner till apoteket igår för att köpa migränmedicine till mig, då jag troddde att det var migrän jag hade. Men nu är jag säker på att det bara är vakteln som spökar. haha!… vaktel…

Ska ladda med både migränmedicin och vanliga huvudvärkstabletter till jobb och hoppas på det bästa.

Håll tummarna!

Kom just hem från skogen a.k.a. Håleberget. Vi drog ut och gick med hunden lite på förmiddagen. Han älskar verkligen att springa runt i skogen och lukta på diverse allt möjligt Passa på att (som vanligt) ha med mig kameran och stativ för att se om det fanns nått kul.

Tog denna bild i alla fall.

Blev nice med vattnet bakom och de där vad det nu är som liksom “tar sig uppför” stocken.

(haha bra jag är på att beskriva bilder ^^ )

Sen igår tog jag en ganska lyckad ögonbild. Svårt som fan att få något sånär bra fokus på just ögat.

Klurigt att få ögat still när man ska ta kortet. Och stativ är ett måste!

(c) Anne Kananen 2009 – “?”- Blandad media

(c) Anne Kananen 2009 – “Hästöga” – akryl – (såld)

Denna är såld, och ja, det finns möjligheter faktiskt att köpa min konst som jag lägger upp här på bloggen i fall man hittar något som man skulle va intresserad av…

Det knastrade under hans fötter precis som om han trampade på knäckebröd. Han tittade ner och såg att någon faktiskt hade lagt knäckebröd där. Det här blev allt konstigare ju längre in i grottan han kom.
Någonting droppade uppifrån, det smakade som juice, som om det var någon som hällde juice på honom och när han tittade uppåt var det någon som satt där med en tillbringare i handen. Men han skakade bara på huvudet och fortsatte djupare in.
Plötsligt fick han någonting i huvudet och allt blev svart. När det började klarna lite i huvudet såg han ett par rosa ögon blinka åt honom.

Ögonen räckte honom en hjälpande hand och drog upp honom innan ögonen blinkade till och försvann. Mannen såg sig förvirrat omkring och tog sedan några stapplande steg framåt.

Det kändes som om han gick i en evighet innan han kom såg någonting. Först var det litet. Sedan blev det större och större. När han stod några meter ifrån den slocknade allt runt honom förutom den röda blomman framför honom som började lysa innan den förvandlades till en blomängel.

Det har varit en väldigt lugn helg och det har varit väldigt skönt måste jag säga.

Jag tog en titt i kalendern och såg att det var första gången på länge jag vilade två dar i rad.

Här kommer en lite sammanställning från de två senaste veckorna.

Sön: Volleyboll

Mån: Boxning

Tis: Boxning hela dan i Skellefteå, innebandy på kvällen

Ons: Boxning

Tors: Boxning hela dan i Norsjö

Fre: Ledig

Lör: 5 timmars promenad ut i vildmarken och grottklättring

Sön: 5 timmars promenad tillbaka från vildmarken

Mån: Boxning

Tis: Innebandy

Ons: Boxning

Tors: Boxning nästan hela dan

Fre: Vila!!

Lör: Vila!!

Och ikväll ska jag avbryta vilan och spela volleyboll. Men det har varit två väldigt uppskattade vilodagar. Jag tror kroppen kommer att tacka mig nån dag.

Igår var jag på surströmmingsfest i Raggsjö. Där visade jag ett bildspel från Afrika, det gick bra.

I know it’s been a while, but I finally have something worth blogging about:  Fact!

My computer recently downloaded a Microsoft Windows Update called Microsoft Genuine Advantage.  Even though I have a perfectly legitimate copy of Office, the advantage software did not like it.  Well, I did not like the software telling me what to do, so I took matters into my own hands, hitting the blogs hard to find the answer.

Turns out there are many answers out there, so here’s the short of what I did.  You’ll need some medium to semi-advanced computer skills to achieve the win, I think.

This website has a pretty nice walkthough, listed here:

“Step-by-Step Guide to Solve
====================
PART 1 – Uninstall the related update (KB949810)
1. open Command prompt: Start > Run > type “cmd” (without quotes) > press “Enter”
2. paste/ type following command, then press “Enter”:
msiexec.exe /uninstall {B148AB4B-C8FA-474B-B981-F2943C5B5BCD}
* note: a “Microsoft Installer” will popup to uninstall “OGA Notifier” automatically. No user interaction needed.

PART 2 – Kill the Tray Icon
1. open Task Manager (either press Ctrl-Shift-Esc / right click on task bar, select Task Manager)
2. kill “WGATray.exe”
3. go to your Windows system32 folder (default is C:\WINDOWS\system32\)
4. from the menu of the file manager, select Tools > Folder options…
5. select “show hidden files and folders” and uncheck “hide protected system files”
6. locate WGATray.exe and WGALogon.dll
7. rename them to WGATray.old and WGALogon.old
8. open Command Prompt again.
9. type/ paste the following command, then press “Enter”:
regsvr32 %Windir%\system32\LegitCheckControl.dll /u
10. Restart computer

Part 3 – Cleaning up (Optional)
1. delete WGATray.exe, WGALogon.dll and LegitCheckControl.dll from your Windows system32 folder
2. delete registry using Registry Editor (regedit)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify\WgaLogon
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify\WgaLogon
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\removeremove\WgaNotify

After doing the above, you are free from OGA’s annoying message. Yet, you have to manually disable the patch from Automatic Update.”

Now, the problem I ran into was with part one, which was answered in a comment at the bottom of the blog:

“The code {B148AB4B-C8FA-474B-B981-F2943C5B5BCD} is specific to the US-English installation.

For instance Swedish {DB427EF6-F13E-4AA6-9D40-5D962394774F}, and UK-English {B2544A03-10D0-4E5E-BA69-0362FFC20D18}.

To find out what data ID your OGA Notifier uses for your locale you have to:
1. Run: Regedit
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurentVersion\Uninstall
3. Here you will find several folders with a similar data ID name. Go into each and every one of them and look for the REG_SZ name: [DisplayName]. This should show something like “Office Genuine Advatage…” or “OGA”.
4. Once you find it perform the same steps as described but replace the data ID with your ID. in “PART I”"

Also, another problem was with deleting WGALogon.dll  – I found some AMAZING free software here:  http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

This freeware allows you to basically kill the processes that windows is running that are locking up the file, in effect “unlocking” the file that you need to dispose of.  Wish I had access to this program a few years ago.

Anyway, I did a bit more noodling around in Regedit and cleaned out some more WGA stuff, and after a quick restart, it was gone.  The first restart blue screened my compy out, which worried me, but a second, hard restart yielded satisfactory results.

*NOTE* – If your copy of Office is pirated, I don’t support using this process on it, of course.

Hope this helps.

“Pruttar” med munnen, det verkar Vilmer tycka är jättekul nu. Han sitter så precis hela tiden, tom när han både ammar och äter smakportioner. Inte det roligaste när han gör det just när han äter för det sprutar liksom mat överallt då, men jag kan inte annat än att tycka det är lite gulligt just för tillfälle…..om några månader lär det inte vara gulligt om han fortsätter så

Vi kämpar fortfarande med smakportioner här, det har alltså inte blivit något mer än smakportioner för den lilla mannen verkar inte var så där jätteimponerad av mat om det inte är mammas tutte då förstås. Men även vid bröstet ligger han inte värst länge. Han verkar inte ha ro att ligga och äta utan ska upp och vara med hela tiden. Han är otroligt nyfiken, kan inte minnas att Filippa var sådan. Så det är lite roligt att se, jag minns ju att han var nyfiken redan när vi kom hem från BB. Då gick huvudet från sida till sida precis hela tiden när man hade honom i famnen och gick med han.

Tillbaka till maten. Har nu provat gröt, katrinplommon, päronpuré, potatis-palsternacka och morotspuré. Gröten är ju det som är favoriten plus päronpuré. Vissa dagar öppnar han munnen jättebra och smaskar i sig gröten, dock äter han inte mycket. Andra dagar vill han knappt öppna munnen. Jag hoppas han snart blir mer intresserad, för gud vad jobbigt om han skulle bli en kille som matvägrar eller som man måste truga med maten för hela tiden. Har liksom aldrig (nåja, lite nu på äldre dar) haft det problemet med Filippa, då hon äter det mesta och äter väldigt bra (på dagis var hon den som åt mest och bäst enligt fröknarna)

I alla fall så är han fortfarande vår lilla solstråle, han har otoligt nära till leende och skratt hela tiden och det är så härligt. Så fort man pratar med honom skrattar han!

Visst ser han lite rolig ut på huvudet, alldeles bar på sidorna och även bak. Trodde faktiskt inte att håret skulle försvinna såpass mycket som det gjort eftersom han hade så mycket hår. Men mitt på huvudet har det inte försvunnit något hår, där har det blivit mer istället. Han skulle nog passa bra i tuppkamm nu faktiskt

När ni ser bilder på Vilmer, tänker ni någonting på ögat då. Att det ser ut som att det inte hänger med? Att han skelar? Jag tänker på det ganska ofta, men jag vet ju om det. Det vänstra ögat är det alltså, ibland ser det ut som det är mycket större än höger öga. Sedan ser det ut som att själva pupillen sitter längre in mot näsan än det andra. Det sa även BVC också då sist. Jag tycker inte det har blivit bättre sedan vi var där senast, men inte heller värre utan håller sig som det alltid varit. Vi ska dit igen nästa vecka, då är det även läkarkontroll så vi får se vad de säger då.

Annars, är det som vanligt här. Ont som vanligt, men kämpar väl på. Ska åka in till stan med Filippa en sväng sedan när hon slutar skolan, ska se om jag kan fixa en mugg till henne som hon kan ha med sig till skolan.

Hej!

Sorry för dålig uppdatering igår, vi fick inte sitta vid datorn eller tv:n för de vuxna. Jag solade typ hela dagen, och gjorde lite grejor med Syskonen. Men, till saken: Inatt fick vi ett litet föl som är hur gulligt som helst. En liten häst-bebis. Det blev en tjej, som är ljusbrun och har ett blått och ett brunt öga.

1. Aprire risorse del computer
2. Scrivere nella barra degli indirizzi: %SystemRoot%/System32
3. Dal menu selezionare “Strumenti” e quindi “Opzioni cartella…” e nel tab “Visualizzazione” assicurasi che sia selezionato “Visualizza cartelle e file nascosti” e deselezionare “Nascondi le estensioni per i tipi di file conosciuti” quindi premere il pulsante “OK“
4. Trovare tutti i file che iniziano per OGA (troverete dei file con estensione .dll e .exe) e rinominateli sostituendo l’estensione in .old
5. Verificare se è presente nella stessa cartella il file WGATray.exe e rinominarlo in WGATray.old
6. Rimettere le opzioni di visualizzazione file come erano inizialmente – Vedi punto 3 (opzionale)
7. Riavviare il PC

I would love to spend my summer with pursuit of an adventurous love too! Except I’m in the dumps and always stay indoors plastered to my computer, but at least I got my week’s worth of the awesomery that is Beezlebub. This week’s chapter featured a obligatory pool day (as stated by Oga) but we only really were able to see Aoi’s two underlings in their bathing suits, quite impressive however. Also, it focuses more on Furuchi’s natural reluctance to be with his power-driven friend and the associates at school. Instead, he would like to get away and spend some time alone only to get dragged along by Oga once again. Of course, the Baby-BL came along as well. Looks like the next few chapters will be focusing on Furuchi’s history with the delinquets Aoi’s underlings and him meet up with at the end of chapter. Maybe we’ll get to see how badass Furuchi can be, but that’s just me.

-Anualmente salen al mercado cientos de mangas de los más diversos tópicos, cifra que con facilidad podría aumentar a miles si consideramos en este numero también a los doujinshis y el trabajo de mangakas independientes. Si aproximadamente solo un 1 % de esos mangas gozarán de éxito, y de ese reducido número solo una mínima fracción logrará consolidarse en el tiempo, podemos concluir que el mundo del mangazine es uno bastante competitivo, y que alcanzar algo de fama, por muy pasajera que resulte, ya es algo que merezca respeto y admiración.

En Japón existen diversas “casas” o mejor dicho “revistas” especializadas en mangas, que reúnen a una gran cantidad de artistas en el área en pos de recopilar sus trabajos con fines lucrativos. De todas estas revistas, lejos la mas famosa y popular es la Shonen Jump, el hogar de series de tan alto nivel como Naruto, One Piece, Bleach, Gintama, Eyeshield 21 (manga de reciente conclusión en Japón), D. Gray Man, entre otras series mas recientes como Psyren, Bakuman y Beelzebub, el manga del que trata todo esto.

Cada cierto tiempo, más o menos cada dos o tres años, aparece una historia realmente popular que causa un “desequilibrio” en el universo del manga y anime. Series que por novedad revolucionan el sistema (Death Note, por ejemplo), o que por bien planteadas sobresalen incluso dentro de un género explotado al cansancio (One Piece o Naruto). Como sea, estos casos son escasos, y lo normal es que demoren cierto tiempo en “prender”, es decir, en coger buen ritmo y crecer hasta transformarse en un monstruo. Caso emblemático de esto es Naruto, que a las pocas semanas de su nacimiento estuvo al borde de la cancelación. Es por eso y mas que es raro, muy raro que una serie con solo 18 episodios a sus espaldas ya goce no solo de una solidez consolidada, sino que también de una base argumental estable, y lo que es mas importante, un ejercito de fans que desde ya levantan banderas y gritan a los cuatro vientos que Beelzebub es la verdadera revolución que estaba esperando el mundo del manga y animación japonesa desde hace tanto tiempo.

Lo de este manga realmente es increíble. Un dibujante (Ryuhei Tamura) que hace su debut en Jump, logra con su One-Shot el primer puesto en la Golden Future Cup (concurso para mangakas) y al acto consigue la serialización. Con solo tres capítulos ya tiene armada una historia mas sólida que un ladrillo de concreto, una comedia mezclada con acción y aventuras que saca lo mejor de diversos géneros. Aquel humor sarcástico de Gintama que es tan raro de encontrar, y secuencias de acción que no tienen nada que envidiar a la misma One Piece.

Beelzebub cuenta la historia de Oga, un delincuente juvenil que un día cualquiera, mientras agarraba por los pies a alguien y lo asfixiaba en un río, nota por casualidad la silueta de un hombre en el agua. Al rescatarlo esta persona se parte en dos (así, literalmente) y revela en su interior a un bebe desnudo que de inmediato se encariña con nuestro protagonista, y le sigue a todos lados. Aquel niño es en realidad Beel, el hijo del Rey Demonio en persona, quien lo envió al mundo humano a causar caos y destrucción. Pero como por el momento no es más que un infante, para desarrollar sus poderes debe estar en contacto con un humano increíblemente despiadado y cruel.

Oga, pese a ser un idiota que le encantan las peleas, no esta interesando ni en el fin del mundo ni en criar a un bebe diabólico, por lo que frecuentemente intentara deshacerse de niño, buscando a las personas mas malvadas y fuertes de la zona, en espera de que Beel se encapriche con alguien mas.

Del “staff” de personajes hasta el momento destaca Hilda, la bella pero letal mujer-demonio encargada del cuidado personal del joven Beel. También Aoi, pero aun es muy pronto para hablar sobre esas cosas. El manga es demasiado reciente, y muchos personajes aun se encuentran sin desarrollar.

Para concluir, me gustaría adjuntar que esto no es una recomendación ni nada por el estilo. Es un imperativo categórico, incluso quizás un poco amenazante. Bájenlo, o perderán la oportunidad de ver los comienzos de una de las historias que más dará que hablar durante la próxima década. No hay que pensar nada, solo háganlo y punto. Ya me lo agradecerán después.

Idag har varit typ lika hård som igår om inte lite mer, men det var i alla fall blå himmel när jag steg upp och helt ok väder hela dagen.

Igår på boxningen fick jag en smäll på guarden när jag sparrade mot Joel så min hand studsade in i mitt ansikte. Jag hade inte direkt dom mjukaste handskarna så det blev en liten smäll.

Jag borde ha skrivit om det redan igår men vi fick aldrig tid att ta kort på det så det blir idag istället.

Så nu har jag ett blått öga också och det är gött!

Nu ska jag bara fika som en björn och sen gå i ide tills imorgon.

Vi hörs!

David

Preface

Although often criticized as being immoral, the modern mercenary has become essential to the battlefield of today. Ever since the dawn of civilization, rulers of great lands have utilized private soldiers to fight their battles; they were even trusted to rule kingdoms. However, the current trend is to criticize these professionals, on the grounds that countries must be solely responsible for their own military support and protection.  But this is an unfair and unrealistic demand.  With an ever-increasing risk of terrorism, private military corporations (or PMCs) will continue to thrive and protect the people from what the military cannot.

Executive Outcomes

The first PMC in the 21st Century to receive serious criticism was Executive Outcomes, which was a company founded in South Africa by former Lieutenant-Colonel Eeben Barlow of the 32nd Battalion, a famous South African Special Forces regiment. On paper, EO was responsible for providing military personnel, logistical support, and training to official governments. However, they often were accused of unfairly supporting major corporations, specifically in the diamond business (there first contract was with DeBeers.)

Executive Outcomes hired ex-South African military personnel, of whom a large portion were former Special Forces and Special Police: their battalions were shut down by Nelson Mandela, and so these soldiers needed some place to go in order to utilize their skills. These men came from the best unconventional warfare units the South Africans had to offer. They were highly capable of delivering anything down range. Executive Outcomes mission statement was

“To provide a highly professional and confidential military advisory service to legitimate governments.
To provide sound military and strategic advice.
To provide the most professional military training packages currently available to armed forces, covering aspects related to sea, air, and land warfare.
To provide advice to armed forces on weapon and weapon platform selection.
To provide a total apolitical service based on confidentiality, professionalism, and dedication.”

Executive Outcomes was directly involved militarily in Angola and Sierra Leone. The company was notable in its ability to provide all aspects of a highly-trained modern army to the less professional government forces of Sierra Leone and Angola. For instance, in Sierra Leone, Executive Outcomes fielded not only professional fighting men, but armor and support aircraft, such as Mi-24 Hind, Mi-8 Hip helicopters, and the BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle. It also possessed medevac capabilities to airlift the wounded out of combat zones, and then transported to green-lines via their Boeing 707 aircraft.

Eventually EO was shut down, as it became too controversial: Firstly, EO provided a military force to back “ARRC’s (Africa Rainforest and River Conservation) efforts to raise its own money through trading diamonds dug up in its conserved territory.” This meant that they would take contracts that were often in violation of international laws and regulations. Further interpreting this incident makes it seem as though EO was summoned by an offshoot of the government, against the government itself! Another contract of EO was to train with the Angolan government against UNITA, although this was later terminated because of pressure from the United Nations and the USA: the UNAVEM (peacekeeping force) took over, only for Angola to return to civil war shortly thereafter. 

Another incident that gave EO flack was their security force that was commissioned by the British Heritage Oil Company in order to retrieve their equipment from Soyo, off of Angola, from UNITA rebels. Eeben Barlow directly states, in his book Executive Outcomes: Against all Odds, that a few “bluffed” themselves into the security force, which was made up of primarily ex-32nd Battalion, Paras, Koevet, and other elite units. Mr. Barlow could not have stated his qualms any more directly: “If we chose to fight UNITA, we would be classified as mercenaries. If we chose not to fight them, the men would probably be killed or captures. Making the right choice was easy for me as my men’s lives depended on it…For the next 60 days the men of EO were engaged in some of the most brutal, intense, close-quarter fighting seen in northern Angola” (Barlow, 107) .

A commissioned follow-up investigation gave the results:

“ ‘Reference PDS930801, November 1993-To: Unit Commander, Counter Espionage and Crime Intelligence’ Stated:

The Attorney General’s remarks: “I decline to prosecute. “ (Barlow, 126)

Executive Outcomes was dissolved on the 31st of December, 1998, and thus was the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act set in stone. This act was responsible for preventing mercenary armies from directly participating as combatants in armed conflict for private gain, and also for requiring approval of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee for offering of military assistance overseas. When Executive Outcomes disappeared, one would hope that the fear of reckless, bullet-bearing men who killed for money would as well, but unfortunately it has since tarnished the reputation of the modern outfits. 

Modern Outfits

Since the beginning of the second Gulf War, business for PMCs has been booming. PMCs such as Blackwater, Hart, Triple Cannopy, SM, and many, many more are being utilized in supporting roles for the War on Terror.  Their function is largely defensive and protective, helping to maintain a fragile peace in some of the world’s most war-torn regions. In Iraq, Blackwater, the media-plagued US-based firm, has been awarded the most contracts. Like most PMCs, Blackwater is responsible for protecting individuals in the public eye, convoy protection, maintaining peace in the “Green Zone,” and maintaining an ever-growing air-transport business. Like EO, these companies are made up of a large ex-Special Forces community. 

Becoming a modern mercenary, or as they now refer to themselves, “private military contractor,” takes a lot of courage and dedication. For the skilled soldier who has left the military, working for a Private Military Company seems like a path to take. Firstly, these men and women who were making anywhere from $28,000-$60,000 per year would now be making up to $1,000 per day (and higher, depending on certain contracts), with hazard-pay on top of that. The people who do this want to continue making a difference in this world, and also crave adventure: there is an almost romantic aspect to being a professional soldier. The companies these soldiers represent usually reflect the personality-types of the soldiers themselves. For Example, Blackwater USA (recently renamed XE) has had a reputation of getting into trouble. The laws that they follow are very lenient to say the least, if they can even be deemed “laws” to begin with.  In 2004, a handful of Blackwater snipers tasked with protecting a Marine compound in Najaf, Iraq, were attacked by 400 Iraqi rebels. As the friendly forces ran out of ammunition, a Blackwater MD500, attached to the unit known as “Ass Monkey Aviation,” touched down on the roof: they extracted two wounded Marines and dropped off an ammunition crate. This proved to be controversial because NATO Law clearly states that no private company can interfere in an international military event unless authorized by all participating nations.  Blackwater, while recognized to be operating in the region, was not authorized by the local governments and Military to get further involved.  Despite the technicality, there were no repercussions. Following Blackwaters’ unnecessary slaughter of 17 civilians on September 16th, 2007, the company has since had their license to operate in Iraq revoked by the Iraqi Government. They now operate primarily in Afghanistan for “logistical” purposes under the watchful eye of the US State Department.

On the 7th of March, 2004 a paramilitary force was lead by ex SAS operative Simon Mann in favor of seizing oil billions. The crew (around 60 men) saddled up on a 737 haling from the United States of America: it was cleared to fly to Equatorial Guinea without any hassle. Amongst the 60 contractors was the new president for their new country, of whom they were going to bring into power. In short, the plan failed after the team landed in Zimbabwe, offering the wrong people $10,000 for looking the other way. Currently in Malabo, public Prosecutor Jose Olo Obono said that “Mann would face three charges – crimes against the head of state, crimes against the government, and crimes against the peace and independence of the state. On July 7, 2008, Mann was sentenced to 34 years and four months in prison by a court in Equatorial Guinea.” (Wikipedia, Safari)

  To this date, paramilitary specialists have helped bolster the hunt for terrorist leaders and continue to uplift Afghanistan, along with the forces a select few of these professionals work closely with: such as the CIA, Army SF, and Civil Affairs. 

One of the most important sectors of the PMCs is private intelligence. Companies such as “STRATFOR” gather and then sell their accurate information to the highest bidder: yes, it is very lucrative, but it is also an essential transaction for the security of many countries.  The benefit of having a private operative is that they are not necessarily attached to any country – theoretically, the operative could not be tried for espionage as he is not working for a specific government. 

The most important reason for using these trained professionals is that we do not need to use all of our special operations assets on security tasks. For example, after the installment of Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan’s first democratically-elected president, the US was tasked with protecting him from his fellow countrymen (sad but true). This would be a hard task to prove because most Afghan warlords had loyal armies; Karzai, on the other hand, did not – those Army’s envied him. In turn, the State Department spent millions of dollars to have SEAL Team Six protect him, who were deployed on June 6th, 2002. On one account, an assassin attempted to shoot Karzai; instead shooting Governor Gul Sherzai due to a lack of precision. Two Afghans wrestled the assassin to the ground, took away his weapon, and stabilized the situation; however, the SEAL’s shot the assassin and the loyalist – the result – even more doubt and an ever increasing decay on the American reputation. It is important to understand that had Private Contractors been protecting Karzai when this incident had occurred, and hypothetically carried out the same response, then the provider of services, rather the American Government would have been blamed. In all actuality these companies can be used as an excuse for governments illegitimate actions. 

Finally, many operators are “sheep dipped,” which means they serve in an official capability in order to bring forth a plausible military or civilian cover. In actuality, these OGA contractors are working black-ops. Most of these paramilitaries come from Delta Force, Naval DEVGRU, ST6, Rangers, and Army SF ODA’s. The Military needs these operators to do the wet work inside of Pakistan, for example: our government then is able to tell the world that we are not in fact in Pakistan, and all blame goes to the provider of services.

Culture

The highly trained personalities that make up these PMCs usually end up forming their own enterprises at some point in their careers, as was the case with Sgt. “Craig,” an ex “submarine-hatch repair-man,” (humbling humor amongst these legendary operators). As I have a close rapport with him, I was able to get a ton of insider information about the culture, draw, and adventure of the PMC the business, along with many adventurous anecdotes.

Me: How did you get into the business? 

Craig: I was prior Military and it fell in place with the qualifications I had

Me: What do you enjoy about your job ?

Craig: I enjoy working (period), the adventure, and the thrill.

Me: How do PMC’s help the war on terror?

Craig: PMC’s do not have to put up with the military’s bullshit, we are a deniable presence. 

Me: Would you say that there is a contractor culture, and if sow hat do you think of it, and what is it all about?

Craig: There definitely is, but I am not one to ask about it, as it does not consume my life. However, I fully believe that it has fallen out of proportion. You know, it is almost like cowboys and Indians, especially in the eyes of the media and to the people who do not know anything about warfare. 

Me: What do you think of Blackwater USA and all of the negative media they receive?

Craig: Max, the truth is that Blackwater is the only company who has done it right: they have never lost a principle, and that says a lot. 

‘

Most of the men and women who make up the ranks of these PMCs are highly trained individuals who, just like Craig, like the money and adventure, and yearn for a safe world safe. For Other Government Agencies, or OGA’s, the going rate is $1,250 per day for a contractor with a security clearance. Three months (90 days) is the usual tour of duty for these people. They are often fitness enthusiasts and even consider what they do a sport, in some respects. Like some professional athletes, these guys use steroids to “stay atop their game.”

 “We like to stay in shape. When you are in combat, you want to make sure you’re using everything you got. You want to make sure you take a few guys with you, even if you only have your bare hands. Most of us are into steroids big time. D-Balls [Dianabol] to bulk you up and Sustanon to help you maintain your gained…We get the stuff across the border in Pakistan…We keep it under control though.” -Contractor (Licensed To Kill)

There are the media-displayed mercenaries, the so called dogs of war with charms and tattoos displaying their bravado.  They give a bad reputation to the true professionals. These are the killers: the ones who hold up the invisible sign: “ have legs and guns, will shoot for food. ” There are no official companies to target in order to bastardize these wrongdoers.  Perhaps this is because they have either are rummaging across the jungle floor, deep in hot and steamy places, or more realistically, have gotten killed their first day out on some shady contract. Modern warfare and diplomacy do not tolerate these individuals. 

Back at home, especially in America, the culture of PMCs is alive and well. These contractors get together at bars and at conventions all across the United States. The biggest convention where they are able to socialize is the ASIS conference, in Dallas, Texas. To the media, ASIS is a high-end electronic security and surveillance conference. 

But, in reality, ASIS a place for PMC professionals to get together, share stories, trades tips, and have a good time.

Conclusion

The business of the professional soldier is often murky, and may seem illegitimate. Although this is true, there are many more legitimate reasons to utilize them. In closing, all I ask, for you to ask, is this: If countries go into war, not being able to support themselves, should they be scolded for fielding out the work?

To the unheralded heroes of The War on Terror,the contractors who have sacrificed themselves in service for the highest bidder

Acknowledgments

Ricks, Thomas E. . Fiasco: The American Military Venture in Iraq. 

     New York, NY: Penguin Books Ltd, 2006-07.

Smith, Michael. Killer Elite. 

     New York, NY: St. Martins Press, 2006-07.

Scahill, Jeremy. Blackwater: …World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army. 

     New York, NY: Perseus Book Groups, 2007.

Roberts, Adam. The Wonga Coup. 

     London, England: Profile Books LTD, 2009.

Barlow, Eeben. Executive Outcomes: Against all Odds. 

     Republic of South Africa: Galago Publishing, 2007.

Fainaru, Steve. Big Boy Rules: America’s Mercenaries Fighting In Iraq. 

    Philadelphia, PA: Da Capo Press, 2008.

Ashcroft, James. Making A Killing: The Explosive Sotry of a Hired Gun. 

     London, England: Virgin Books LTD, 2006.

Pelton, Robert Young. Licensed To Kill: Hired Guns In The War On Terror. 

     New York, NY: Three Rivers Press, 2006-07.

Craig. “Question and Answer.”

Long Distance, ATT.

Idag ser jag ut såhär, och det är en makeup som jag bär väldigt ofta eftersom det går så snabbt =)

m/s Muffin- MUS
GloBlush Sheer petal- glo minerals
Tri brow color- MUS
eyepencil Tropical- MUS
eyepencil white- Wet´n Wild
Telescopic mascara- L´Oréal

Japp, sonen har tappat tre framtänder och jag är fortfarande enögd så det förslår men ikväll fick jag oväntat barnledigt och ska försöka vila så gott jag kan.

Må gott!

Publicerar en makeup som jag hade för ett par veckor sedan, tar bilder på nästan varje make men publicerar bara vissa

Jag tror att det är City Jungle, Explore och Carat jag har använt, minnet är inte det bästa

(c) Anne Kananen 2009 “Häst Öga”

Denna har jag gjort med olje kritor och akryl färg…

//Mumintrollet

Ja, det är mitt öga….

Varför ser man ut så här i ögat egentligen? Har fotat familjens ögon i dag men bara jag har dessa läbbiga rotsystemliknande mönster i ögat…. Skumt.

Hur ser ditt öga ut?

Under my umbrella-ella-ella.. Det øsregnar verkligen nær jag går till trikken och jag førsøker i den mån det går gømma mig under mitt lite trasiga paraply. Jag håller koll på en førvrængd liten metallbit som sticker ut før att av misstag slippa peta ut någons øga, och samtidigt førsøker jag med mindre svårighet navigera mig framåt. Trotts den knappt tre hundra meter korta stræckan från lægenheten kænner jag redan hur mina ben børjar bli bløta, dels från de vattenpølar jag stændigt missar nær jag håller koll på den utstickande pinnen och dels från det hårt fallande regnet. Jag har førtrængt dåligt væder och kommer faktiskt inte ihåg sista gången jag såg regn. Jag får svaga minnesbilder att jag i påskas stod på trappan i mitt førældrahem i Sverige, en Marlboro i høgra handen och den vænstra utstræckt i ett lætt varmt vårregn. Idag ær det annorlunda. Det ær kallt och grått och jag associerar till November, tiden nær jag flyttade hit till Oslo. Det plockar fram många minnen, och underligt okontrollerbara situationen. Motsatsen till hur jag vill ha det.

Och mitt oændliga søkande efter att ta kontroll øver mitt liv fortsætter, æven i regnet.