WASHINGTON, March 28 (UPI) -- The popular belief that there is a huge disparity between what U.S. private security contractors and military personnel are paid has been exposed as a myth yet again.

WASHINGTON, March 21 (UPI) -- Contrary to popular wisdom, "private military contractor" is not a euphemism for mercenary. But the connections between today's security industry and the infamous freebooters of yesteryear like "Mad" Mike Hoare and Col. Bob Denard -- whose antics inspired and were immortalized by the 1978 movie, "The Wild Geese" -- are clear, especially when one considers the recent case of a real mercenary.

WASHINGTON, March 14 (UPI) -- Blackwater's response to charges that it has tried to avoid taxes and reap small-business benefits by wrongfully labeling its employees as contractors has seemingly confirmed every self-appointed critic's worst fears.

WASHINGTON, March. 7 (UPI) -- It was inevitable that at some point the two Democratic contenders for their party's presidential nomination should skirmish on the political hot-button issue of U.S. use of private security contractors.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 29 (UPI) -- Talk about not getting it. When it comes to issues of accountability, oversight and transparency in the private military and security industry -- once you get past the casually uninformed rhetoric of pundits and bloggers with too little knowledge -- there is actually a fair degree of consensus that, yes, there should actually be such a thing: not just in words, but deeds as well.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- One of the enduring debates over the use of private military and security contractors is whether there are sufficient means to prosecute them if their employees do something wrong.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Frequently in the history of military and security issues the public and policymakers take for granted the conventional wisdom of the day. That is, until it is proven false.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Nowadays "oversight and accountability" are virtually sacred cows. Who could possibly be against it? Judging by the events of recent weeks Uncle Sam for one.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- If private military and security contractors are motivated by patriotism, as well as by the mighty dollar, they should welcome oversight of the way the government spends taxpayers' money. Besides, if you take the king's shilling, you must take the king's auditor, too.