Goudie wrong about Blackwater

This is a rebuttal to Chuck Goudie's completely ill-informed and biased opinion piece regarding Blackwater.

My information is not second hand or hearsay from an ignorant taxi driver with his own ax to grind. It is from my nephew, a true patriot, who has been in Iraq for the last 18 months.

My nephew is a former combat decorated Marine and veteran of the Gulf War.

Most, if not all, Blackwater personnel are combat veterans including Navy Seals, Green Berets and Navy Recon. These men have already served their country in the military and are now doing it again as civilians. They are true patriots who are putting their lives on the line so that Mr. Goudie has the freedom to write his dribble. Sure they are well paid, but they receive no medals, no recognition and serve in anonymity.

People like Mr. Goudie are the reason we cannot win. War is a tough business; sometimes the wrong people get hurt. But we put our people in danger and jeopardize our ability to win by second guessing every action.

I am a Vietnam veteran, and even after My Lai, we didn't suffer these rules of engagement. I suppose the sailors in the Merchant Marines in WW II were also mercenaries because they made five times what the naval gunners made on the ship.

To blacken these dedicated and highly motivated men who are doing a thankless, difficult and extremely dangerous job, is a crime.

Louis Poulos

Schaumburg