Search

The article presents information on the 2007 shootings of more than 30 Iraqis by the U.S. private contractors. The contractors accused in killings say courts can't touch them. To the U.S. prosecutors, the shootings represent nothing more than unprovoked and illegal attacks on unarmed civilians and they have promised to hold contractors accountable in a U.S. court. A trial is scheduled for early 2010 for five of the defendants who, at the time of the shootings, worked for Blackwater Worldwide. The defendants argue that the U.S. courts can't touch them because the law under which they have been criminally charged states that the courts can only exercise jurisdiction over civilian contractors working for the Defense Department.

The author reflects on the life and sudden death of Terrell (Terray) Rogers. Rogers was shot and killed when he went to smoke a cigarette during halftime of his daughter's high school basketball game. Information about Roger's parenting style, life changes he made following an arrest, and philanthropic work are all included.