According to the Iraq Government, on September 16th, a Blackwater convoy opened fire indiscriminately at a busy Baghdad crossroads killing 17 bystanders.
Blackwater officials argued that the men were forced to react in defense because they had allegedly come "under fire".
Of course, Blackwater is the private security firm that has racked up more than 1 billion dollars in American Government contracts, mainly to protect diplomats overseas.
To many, the Blackwater guards are just plain trigger happy; in fact, according to a report by the House Committee on oversight and Government reform, Blackwater was involved in at least 195 shootings in 32 months to their knowledge.
On four out-of-five of the occasions, evidence supports the allegations that Blackwater guards often shoot first, then ask questions later.
Investigative agencies have gone so far as to accuse Blackwater of engaging in "cover-ups" and allege that company officials are prone to make pay-offs to keep the incidents out of the press and under wraps.
Erik Prince, a former Navy Seal who founded the company, told the committee that:
"No individual protected by Blackwater has ever been killed or seriously injured."
He admits, however, that over a thirty-year period staff have died.
None of the security staff have been prosecuted for their alleged wrong-doings, though.
In addition to a formal request that Blackwater exit the region, Iraq officials are demanding compensation for the victims' families, as well.
I think it is pretty much common knowledge that security guards, in general, lack people skills.
Through my own experience, I have found that guards on a campus, or on duty for property management companies, are ill-qualified to handle the job.
In my estimation, a number of them couldn't make the "cut" as cops, so they selected the next best career option within their grasp: security!
A number of these guys appear to have psychological problems, often substituting a badge and a gun to compensate for their inadequacies (sexually and otherwise).
A case in point.
One day I was a passenger on the Metro line when an in-uniform, off-duty security guard - who was not even in the employ of the subway - started to harass a passenger about the way he was perched on his seat.
For some inexplicable reason, he thought the fact he was a security guard gave him carte blanche to hassle a citizen at whim!
The commuter quickly put the "guard" - and I use the term loosely - in his place.
All the passengers cracked up as he wimped away having been made a fool of!
Ralph's supermarkets have the creepiest security guards you'll ever encounter in the Los Angeles area - but Pavilion's runs a close second.
One female guard often sits at a table outside with dark glasses, glaring at all the customers as they come and go.
Somehow, she managed to forget her true duty - to patrol the parking lot - and make sure customers' cars are secure!
I'm willing to bet if you crossed her, there would be hell to pay!
Yeah, rent-a-cops are the worst!
And, Blackwater is the ultimate example.
In spite of this - the outfit, and its dubious modus operandi - are sanctioned by the U.S. Government.
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