I have some experience at weapons control, and the Peshmerga could use some training. And the jocks would gain from real-time target selection as well as a better air SA.
The main problem will be funding, not finding volunteers. I've looked into a Kickstarter, and am advised that DHS will be all over it if I try to raise money for such a company that way.
Looking back, the volunteer groups pre-American involvement in both world wars and the Lincoln Brigade that went to the Spanish Civil War had government backing of some kind. I don't see that possible here- The Kurds don't have the money (I don't think or they'd be smuggling in more weapons), The U.S. isn't going to be doing anything overtly or clandestinely for this cause under this administration, and what other government (including the Iraqi government in whichever form survives) doesn't look likely either. There might be those in Saudi or Jordan that would like to see more done against ISIS, and who might have money, but how to connect the dots. Then, if you can secure some funding, how does one recruit? I can't imagine open recruiting wouldn't be frowned upon by our government and others...
I don't think the oil companies would touch 'hiring mercenaries' with a ten foot pole.
Private citizens, when you can reach enough of them could work, but given what you said about Kickstarter, it's tough to see it happening from volume. One or a few rich people, maybe, if you can find the right people. How did Team Rubicon get going (different but similar in a way, a kind of strike force)- was it only mass funding (ala kickstarter) or did they have some patrons? I know it took some time.
Oh, and in all this thought about some sort of AVG, I forgot about my other concern. Is anyone else concerned that the Pope speaking out to encourage military force as a response to 'the new caliphate' might be seen as getting the war between 'Islam' (islamism) and Christianity underway? Not that these creeps need more encouragement.
What happens as a result of the Pope's comments is done. That we cannot stop.
But as far as obtaining support for a private, volunteer effort... that I think I will explore. It is a cause a man might pursue with all honor, wherever it took him.
Sure, what's done is done- I'm just trying to anticipate if they will continue to work on Iraq, or start thinking about expanding their theater of operations. I can't see any AVG force getting off the ground in less than a time frame measured in weeks at least. In the meantime, ISIS continues to operate and plan.
That's probably correct in terms of time frames. So we'd better get started.
I think the hardest issue will be logistical support for the effort. That requires money, and an ongoing provision of it. Who has ideas about how to obtain that (legally, of course)?
Well, bake sales are out unless you really want the Feds poking their noses into things. ;)
On a serious note, I have no idea how one raises funds for such things, since you can't really offer investors shares of loot or some of the more traditional bonuses.
Right, that's how ISIL itself is funded. Apparently effectively!
I'm thinking that it most likely has to be voluntary contributions, since the legal regime makes a return on the investment unlikely. Maybe churches would like to donate to an organization that's helping defend Christians from being wiped out? Maybe some wealthy Christians would like to? Maybe Western people in general might like to donate to the defense of the Yazidi?
Frankly, it may be too late for us on this one (which is not to say we shouldn't try; we might get something), but we need to put together a package, anyway, for the next time--and there will be a next time.
An AVG TPFDL. With emphasis on the DL and additional emphasis on reducing/eliminating the bureaucracy associated with the current instantiation of the concept.
Oh, and we're not mercenaries; that set of US laws doesn't apply. We're volunteers; expenses are legitimate. Anything else is contributory, not wage.
Is anyone else concerned that the Pope speaking out to encourage military force as a response to 'the new caliphate' might be seen as getting the war between 'Islam' (islamism) and Christianity underway?
I don't give a rat's patootie what the terrorists think (which was not your concern,either). The thinking folks over there will watch us all leave after the Kurds have won, and that will go a long way toward disarming the rest of their concerns.
Some initial talks confirm the value of a foreign corporation. I am thinking there will eventually be two -- a for-profit that can take security contracts (as for example from the regional Kurdish government) and a nonprofit that can solicit donations especially to fund relief efforts.
23 comments:
Excellent. I wonder if he would endorse a new military order?
Democrats are the war party. Elect Democrats, get war. So simple, yet Americans never got it.
Get back to me when he says "Deus Vult."
If Obama won't act, how about a new AVG?
I've been thinking the same thing.
Curious, , me too.
Now about those A-10's we are mothballing... I bet there are a lot of guys out there who would love to get back into the cockpit.
I have some experience at weapons control, and the Peshmerga could use some training. And the jocks would gain from real-time target selection as well as a better air SA.
Eric Hines
Indeed.
The main problem will be funding, not finding volunteers. I've looked into a Kickstarter, and am advised that DHS will be all over it if I try to raise money for such a company that way.
Ideas, gentlemen?
Looking back, the volunteer groups pre-American involvement in both world wars and the Lincoln Brigade that went to the Spanish Civil War had government backing of some kind. I don't see that possible here- The Kurds don't have the money (I don't think or they'd be smuggling in more weapons), The U.S. isn't going to be doing anything overtly or clandestinely for this cause under this administration, and what other government (including the Iraqi government in whichever form survives) doesn't look likely either. There might be those in Saudi or Jordan that would like to see more done against ISIS, and who might have money, but how to connect the dots. Then, if you can secure some funding, how does one recruit? I can't imagine open recruiting wouldn't be frowned upon by our government and others...
Maybe the Vatican- they've got money, and now it appears they've got an interest...
(not really serious, but who knows!)
Oil companies have money, as does the Vatican, and private citizens. They all have an interest here.
I don't think the oil companies would touch 'hiring mercenaries' with a ten foot pole.
Private citizens, when you can reach enough of them could work, but given what you said about Kickstarter, it's tough to see it happening from volume. One or a few rich people, maybe, if you can find the right people. How did Team Rubicon get going (different but similar in a way, a kind of strike force)- was it only mass funding (ala kickstarter) or did they have some patrons? I know it took some time.
Oh, and in all this thought about some sort of AVG, I forgot about my other concern. Is anyone else concerned that the Pope speaking out to encourage military force as a response to 'the new caliphate' might be seen as getting the war between 'Islam' (islamism) and Christianity underway? Not that these creeps need more encouragement.
What happens as a result of the Pope's comments is done. That we cannot stop.
But as far as obtaining support for a private, volunteer effort... that I think I will explore. It is a cause a man might pursue with all honor, wherever it took him.
I'm in.
Sure, what's done is done- I'm just trying to anticipate if they will continue to work on Iraq, or start thinking about expanding their theater of operations. I can't see any AVG force getting off the ground in less than a time frame measured in weeks at least. In the meantime, ISIS continues to operate and plan.
That's probably correct in terms of time frames. So we'd better get started.
I think the hardest issue will be logistical support for the effort. That requires money, and an ongoing provision of it. Who has ideas about how to obtain that (legally, of course)?
Well, bake sales are out unless you really want the Feds poking their noses into things. ;)
On a serious note, I have no idea how one raises funds for such things, since you can't really offer investors shares of loot or some of the more traditional bonuses.
LittleRed1
Right, that's how ISIL itself is funded. Apparently effectively!
I'm thinking that it most likely has to be voluntary contributions, since the legal regime makes a return on the investment unlikely. Maybe churches would like to donate to an organization that's helping defend Christians from being wiped out? Maybe some wealthy Christians would like to? Maybe Western people in general might like to donate to the defense of the Yazidi?
Frankly, it may be too late for us on this one (which is not to say we shouldn't try; we might get something), but we need to put together a package, anyway, for the next time--and there will be a next time.
An AVG TPFDL. With emphasis on the DL and additional emphasis on reducing/eliminating the bureaucracy associated with the current instantiation of the concept.
Eric Hines
Oh, and we're not mercenaries; that set of US laws doesn't apply. We're volunteers; expenses are legitimate. Anything else is contributory, not wage.
Is anyone else concerned that the Pope speaking out to encourage military force as a response to 'the new caliphate' might be seen as getting the war between 'Islam' (islamism) and Christianity underway?
I don't give a rat's patootie what the terrorists think (which was not your concern,either). The thinking folks over there will watch us all leave after the Kurds have won, and that will go a long way toward disarming the rest of their concerns.
Eric Hines
Some initial talks confirm the value of a foreign corporation. I am thinking there will eventually be two -- a for-profit that can take security contracts (as for example from the regional Kurdish government) and a nonprofit that can solicit donations especially to fund relief efforts.
Post a Comment