To: Hawkmoon who wrote (183115 ) 3/7/2006 9:23:03 AM From: bentway Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 281500 This is you, Soldier of Fortune mercenary Hawkie:redrat.net ..."According to figures current during the active war a year ago, the salary of a soldier in the lowest rank who has one year's service was $15,480 a year - only a thousand dollars more than the average pay for an usher in a movie theatre in the USA. The pay for an experienced corporal of three years of service was $19,980 a year. For this, US soldiers are on the frontlines in Iraq, risking their lives; with over 700 dead, and many more returning home amputees and permanently impaired, they have much at risk, yet their nation recompenses them with minimal pay. Meanwhile, the government pays private firms between $500 and $1,500 a day for the experienced military personnel they supply in Iraq. That works out to mercenaries who often earn between $150,000 and $250,000 a year. In stark terms, a mercenary works in a less risky position, providing support to fighting men or guarding oil wells instead of going on patrols in hostile territory under enemy fire and assault - and makes 10 or 20 times as much money as a soldier who serves his country instead of a corporation."... It's what you're fighting for - corporations. It's why the chimp Caesar invaded Iraq. Rummy and Cheney knew from long experince that war is a VERY profitable business, from being involved, both in and out of government. You're just a tiny, tiny pawn in the game. You might feel highly compensated, but it's chump change to the true profiteers.brook.edu It was Bush and Rummy that didn't put enough REAL troops in there, requiring scum like you to become involved. So, don't blame it on ME!