Gangs claim their turf in Iraq (Latino gangs, that is)

[TomInTib]

The Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings and Vice Lords were born decades ago in Chicago's most violent neighborhoods. Now, their gang graffiti is showing up 6,400 miles away in one of the world's most dangerous neighborhoods -- Iraq.

Armored vehicles, concrete barricades and bathroom walls all have served as canvasses for their spray-painted gang art. At Camp Cedar II, about 185 miles southeast of Baghdad, a guard shack was recently defaced with "GDN" for Gangster Disciple Nation, along with the gang's six-pointed star and the word "Chitown," a soldier who photographed it said.

The graffiti, captured on film by an Army Reservist and provided to the Chicago Sun-Times, highlights increasing gang activity in the Army in the United States and overseas, some experts say.

........


Barfield said gangs are encouraging their members to join the military to learn urban warfare techniques they can teach when they go back to their neighborhoods.

"Gang members are telling us in the interviews that their gang is putting them in," he said.

there is plenty more at:

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-gangs01.html

[brook]

1. I read this story

this morning and found it pretty disturbing. It's not as if they'd be exposed/encouraged/helped into a more positive lifestyle. All I could think was "Well, there's the core of a mercenary force. It's just a question of designing eternal War to keep them employed/busy/useful." Bush's wet dream?

[MikeNearMcChord]

2. Sadly the military

has these kind of problems, funny they don't want to mention white supremicists who populate the military also or is the writer bucking for a gig at National Vanguard?

[brook]

3. Wherever I read the story

this morning,and I think it was the Chicago Sun, it mentioned white supremicists, but not with as much emphasis as they did Latino gangs.

I find myself emotionally conflicted. Is it okay for antisocial or possibly sociopathics to die for a lie?

[TomInTib]

5. I don't think that is the point. The deal is, these gangs are putting..

their people in a situation where they learn Urban Warfare.

If you know anything about those guys, you know this has serious implications for inner-city gang influence. This is serious.

[brook]

7. Exactly.

It's what's had me uncomfortable all day...

[LeftofU]

4. This could become the type of army.......

that's willing to raise its guns against its own people in a large scale way.

[brook]

6. Yes.

That's the thought that's haunting me. It's something the current administration would find 'convienent'.