The original Pinkertons were more in line with being the predecessors of national investigative law enforcement. Often compared to a template fo the early FBI. So tied into government by contracts that acts of congress were needed to make a distinction. (the Pinkerton Acts)
The Pinkerton acts wre, however mistakenly, used as a recent reason to attempt to eliminate government contracting in Iraq, and other foreign places. The Pinkerton acts essentially prohibit(ed) government from hiring contractors for security services during labor disputes. The Pinkertons were considered gummint-sanctioned strike-breakers.
Gerry Adams
A Pinkerton
1972-2002
--- In rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com, Jack Bludis <buildsnburns@...> wrote:
>
> Somebody correct me on this, because I'm not certain. (Jim?)
>
> Weren't' the Pinkertons of Yore *often* much like the U.S. "contractors" of Iraq. I don't want to say because the police were inadequate, but perhaps because there weren't enough of them?
>
> Now that I write that, I think someone else already said it--although not in the same words.
>
> And do they still do that sort of thing? But someone clarify if you would.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jack Bludis
>
> Read, read, read. Write, write, write.
> (I hate semicolons or I would have punctuated it differently.)
>
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