[GAsux]

Im not convinced they are either hired by or work for Homeland Security. Just to clarify, on the level at least Blackwater specializes in Security, sort of like a hardcore version of Wakenhut.

They aren't some kind of A-Team of commandos hired by governments to fight war. I was kind of getting the impression that that's what their being described as here. Blackwater DOES specialize in personnel security and DOES specialize in doing it in shitty places like Iraq and as a result hire lots of former service folks to include special forces guys (ie the guys that were hung on the bridge in Fallujah were Blackwater hires, at least one of whom was a rather high profile former Navy SEAL).

Anyway, its all just heresay but my understanding was that immediately after the hurricane a lot of richy rich type folks who fled but own multi million dollar homes in the swanky districts hired private security, to include Blackwater contractors to protect their estates in the absense of a police force.

At least in the short term this would explain why some could be seen in parts of N.O., M-1s ablazin. As for currently, I'm skeptical to believe that they are wandering around New Orleans and that their presense is even sanctioned by any law enforement agency, much less hired by them.