The fact that this Blackwater Training Facility wants to build itself isnt safe. If the community and schools feel unsafe it should tell for itself. It's better to be safe then sorry. - Michelle, San Diego
BW is a gift for San Diego. They will provide enhanced training that the Armed Forces cannot afford to invest in, such as training aids, which allows for more effective service members. We should welcome them. - C, North County
Otay Mesa?? Someone actually cares about that dump? The city will benefit more with Blackwater there than an abandoned industrial park. - Joe V, Rancho Bernardo
Since when does the Navy need outside contractors to provide combat training? I thought that is the business of our branches of the service. What's next? Trainers to train the police or firemen? Since when does our professional service organizations not possess the skill and knowledge to train for any and all circumstances? - Joe P, Hillcrest
Once again, I cannot believe the opposition that this city puts up when an organization comes to town to help our armed forces. Blackwater will provide invaluable training to our sailors to prevent another incident like the one in Aden, Yemen when the USS Cole was attacked. I should know as I was involved in the offload of the survivors from the Cole. Blackwater should be allowed to push forward and the ignorance of the opposition should be ignored by the mayor as well as the city council. - B. S, Oceanside
If the protestors protest the specialized training of our military, maybe our military will not be trained well enough to protect the protestors - or anyone else - the next time an emergency arises, in which case, we ALL lose. - *** H, Serra Mesa
I think its a good thing they are coming to SD i worked with them in Iraq. It's a good company and have good training for the military police and military training are totally different the Navy. Sailor's need this type of training. - William, City Heights
Given there are over 180,000 private contractors in IRAQ (more of them than our military personnel, and why there will not be a quick withdrawal) this kind of facility is no friend to peace, hope or change. California should ban all these mercenaries! We, as Californians deserve better from any violence oriented business and should make sure these facilities are not welcome in our state. - Linda B, Vista
People who are against blackwater have no idea what they do or what they are about. Blackwater protects Americans in war zones. Every contractor who works for them is someone who has served in the u.s. military. - Jewremy, Eastlake
Councilmember Hueso again shows he is an idiot. Blackwater has a contract from the Department of Defense for training because they have some of the best, most experienced ex-military personnel to share their skills with military, law enforcement, and appropriate civilians in the art of warfare. A private company has signed a contract with another private company to conduct business. The City of San Diego has no business sticking its nose in private business for legitimate purposes. - Ivan N, San Diego
I can't believe that people are protesting aginst this. If we have special training places, we will have better trained soldiers. Better soldiers means that they have a better chance of coming home safely. - Wayne H, Spring Valley
As a local San Diegan and a military spouse, I am shocked and appalled that such effort is being focused on the prevention of life saving training in this day in age. With other important issues within the community in need of attention, I find it insulting that my husband's safety is a source of complaint for people who's lives he fights to protect!!! I feel that if those 20 or so protestors really wanted to make a difference, they could plant some trees or clean up some of our less desirable communities plagued by drugs, prostitution and gangs. - Iolee D, El Cajon
If you cannot stand behind Blackwater which trains our troops -- maybe you should "stand in front of Blackwater" The are experienced in the military field. - Rich J, Chula Vista
I have personally taken courses from Blackwater that pertains to ship security. The courses provided are invaluable to Sailors and in no way are a threat to the public. All of the instructors I have been in contact with have all been prior Active Duty Military Special Operations, and Prior Police SWAT, they are all the best at what they do and safety is always paramount. - Chelsea, Imperial Beach
Let them operate and train for the jobs people don't want to know about. Maybe they can help secure our borders! - Richard F.
Everyone is reacting to fear. The fact is Blackwater is a professional organization and not above any law. They have a great record of protection, many dieing in the line of duty. Many of their employees are former military with an honorable discharge from the service. The job they perform is not illegal. If any of the San Diego politicians went to Iraq to see whats going on there first hand, the protection they'd get would come from Blackwater. - Michael T, Camp Pendleton
Since when does the Navy need outside contractors to provide combat training? I thought that is the business of our branches of the service. What's next? Trainers to train the police or firemen? Since when does our professional service organizations not possess the skill and knowledge to train for any and all circumstances? - Joe P, Hillcrest
For contractor/corporations to take on a money making ventures killing people is appalling to me. I say NO!!!!!!!!! to Blackwater and all the policies that gave them legitimacy. Everyone needs to wake up. Go Obama !!!! - Barry S, Rancho Penasquitos
Its my understanding that blackwater has been providing training to the navy for the past 6 yrs so whats really the issue? As long as its not contract work in Iraq, we should make sure our service members receive the training they need. - Sean
I'm a former U.S. Marine who understands the benefits of high caliber training. Blackwater has their hands in way too many things to be good at anything in particular. The DoD shells out billions of dollars in "Contract" money to them and Blackwater turns around and purges the U.S. Military of its best and brightest. The U.S. Military needs to retain their senior men and women and train for contingencies internally. Finally, Blackwater is a privately held company with little transparency. If they go under then all the billions of dollars goes with them and the U.S. Military is stuck with having to build its training infrastructure again. No to Blackwater, yes to improved U.S. Military support and training. - Gary, North Park
I am an Operations Specialist Chief in the U.S. Navy and am trained in Visit Board Search and Seizure tactics and techniques. I was once involved in a "Standoff" between Iranian Republican Guard (IRG) off the coast of Iran just after the USS Cole was bombed. We were lucky not to have to endure the fate that the British Navy Sailors endured last year, but during that time, my team would have preferred not to have to deal with such politics that are involved in the most recent battle between "Blackwater" and San Diego lawmakers. It is very easy for someone that has never been placed in such situations, to make assumptions on "What is best for training", but in reality there is no one better qualified to train for such situations, than people that have actually been in those combat situations. Blackwater represents those people and I back them 100%. - Christopher P, Poway
There is a book on Blackwater. If America read it they would find out it is an unholy organization owned by a religious fanatic that is in direct contact w/ the Bush family and their pseudo-religious views. They have profited greatly since their involvement with their neo-conservative connections. They are a mercenary killing force that have killed innocent Iraq citizens with out any legal consequences or prosecution. They openly discharged weapons in New Orleans and nothing was done to them nor did any employ fill out any report of discharging a weapon. They are a private Army for the wealthy not fit to live in a true democracy and they manipulate their employees so the don't have to pay taxes on them. If everyone read even the more conservative newspapers they would wonder what place in a civilized nation they belong. 75 years ago they would have fit right in with Hitler's Brown Shirted Storm Troopers. - Terry M, San Diego
