Why would being classified as 'mercenary' be an insult?
It is the oldest profession after all (well, that and prostitution, same same really, just a differant service for sale)
I would think that most 'mercenaries' would take a certain pride in the title, and I garuntee that ALL of them know that by selling their knowledge/abilities/services to anyone other than their own country's government, they forfiet their 'serviceman' status where their govt is accountable for their actions, and usually will do all in it's power to ensure correct treatment.
Thats why they are worth big money to hire, they are taking big risks. Their parent company would be about the highest authority they could count on I would think.( and in a lot of cases, you wouldnt want to count too high)
When such a company is registered as a US company, and contracted by the US govt though, I can see that there is a bit of a grey area.
You would have to wonder why they were there and not 'regular' soldiers though, surely they cost a lot more.
Surely the US Govt understands the risk involved and the likelyhood of these operators being injured/killed? Maybe that is precisely why they use 'mercenaries' not regular army?
If it had been regular troops/ federal agents, there would be no option but to retaliate, with 'mercs', there are other options available? Like doing nothing.
I may be way off track, but thats my take on it.
I have to agree with Medicboy too......just how the hell DO you plant an explosive device of that sort of power without anyone noticing? That vehicle looks like a Ford Bronco (???), according to the article it was armoured too....and it is blown in half nearly, that wasnt half a pound of C4 that did that.