Posted: 4/25/2009 7:23:42 PM EDT
| I have watched a number of episodes and do find some interesting. I was just wondering what some of the "experienced" people think? How much is just drama? |
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I think that its odd that a man who worked for Executive Outcomes would care if the UN had an arms embargo in place.
Although he could be in the same situation that many American big city dwellers are. An honest citizen in Chicago would have his life ruined if caught carrying against the will of the IL state legislature, while a street thug could care less. The street thug most likely already has a record and its his SOP to take off as soon as he is released, he will continue to commit crimes until busted for something again. Then he is booked and released and the circle starts over again. While the honest man is horrified by the legal system, does everything to comply and has his whole life turned upside down. I wached the episodes about illegal fish harvesting of the Liberian coast tonight. I may have missed some details though, I was restoring the ancient leather sling that came with my PSL at the same time. It seemed to me that the UN could care less if the crews of those illegal fishing ships had weapons, but I know damned sure that they would be happy to bust an evil white South African that carried a rifle to defend himself. The UN has arms embargos for a reason, to make sure good guys can't fight back. Remember Katanga, or Rawanda? What realy disturbed me was what the teams sexy blonde intel babe said. She was upset that she could not carry a sidearm while boarding hostile vessels. She mentioned that there were laws in the US that would ruin her life if she carried a weapon and used it to defend herself. |
| Well I have noticed a few times some of the white S.F. types wearing AK-47 mag pouches and other equipment so I wonder if they are just keeping the weapons on the lowdown during filming. These guys are real smart and cool. No need to be a complete dumbass and repeatedly violate someones law on camera like that loud mouthed dipshit owner of S&S aqua logging did during the entire first season of History channel's Axe Men. That guy is going to lose everything he owns and do some jail time on top of it. What a doofus. |
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I think the history channel plays up the danger of these missions. Generally these guys and one gal are operating with the blessing of whatever fucked up third world government they are helping. I would be willing to bet at minimum they get an armed escort wherever they go or at least can call in backup if the SHTF. I don't know anyone who would willingly travel around any nation in Africa unarmed especially white, well dressed, obviously carrying cash, and a camera crew with thousands of bucks of gear in tow. ETA: You never see where they are living, what their food supply and water supply is. I can imagine  |
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I think the presence of a camera crew has a tendency to dissuade the local A holes from violence. Certainly not a guarantee but a large camera crew is somewhat intimidating.
Also, unless some of these guys are carrying their man jewelry around with them, the leather fanny pack things around their waists might just contain some other type of hardware. |
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One episode that takes place in Africa shows the American and British
advisors armed on a patrol. I believe they were on a training patrol with the locals using some new commo gear in a somewhat hot area and thought they might have a contact with the bad guys. Like someone else mentioned, I bet there's more than a passport and some smokes in those fanny packs. Another episode shows the local rangers setting up a roadside ambush using their troops in an "L" shape formation. They way it looked to me they were across the road from each other. I was never a soldier but that looked like friendly fire incident waiting to happen. Maybe it was the camera angle. I think that same episode shows some good clips of African bush flying in a Cessna 206. That would be some fun flying for sure. Not a bad show but a little boring due to no real action most of the time. Does show how primitive things still are in Africa. I've seen deer hunters in Texas that have better gear than the park rangers in Africa that are out hunting very well armed poachers. EMSflyer |
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Cobus is the real deal. Robert Pelton tells some of the story of how he transformed himself from soldier to caretaker of the fishing rights of these small countries in 'Three Worlds Gone Mad' - http://www.amazon.com/Three-Worlds-Gone-Mad-Dangerous/dp/1592281001 .
The TV series makes more sense after you read more about Cobus and what he's trying to accomplish (but in this case he's also trying to make a living by selling a 'dramatic' TV reality show). In interviews he expresses his affection for the people of these countries (he's S.A. himself) and believes that if these small nations can effectively license their fishing rights and police their waters that they may have a chance at earning their own money. Possibly forming an effective government someday (I think he's treading water, but respect his efforts). I'm sure the lack of weapons displayed on TV has a lot to do with the liberal minded UN types, and wannabe dictators - that are mortal enemies of EO and their accomplishments. Video of Cobus sorting out these pirates (as they should be dealt with) might land him in a kangaroo court somewhere. Interesting character and he has serious man skills IMO... |
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I've been "off" the history channel for a long time but I'm kind of hooked on this show now. I find it extremely interesting. It's neat to see all the old guns they have over there. Some of the locals seem like great folks, a lot seem like POSs. All of the team members seem pretty dang sharp. The girl is very impressive.
They should do an episode there they bring them to a bar and just film them telling stories. I kind of want to do what they're doing. 
I too have noticed the chest rigs, fanny packs, and alternating tucked and untucked shirts. Better to be judged by 12 than carried by six... |