This post, written by Cliff Schecter, originally appeated on Cliff Schecter's Blog

We earlier reported that the Iraqi Interior Ministry--unlike those paragons of virtue at Blackwater--is claiming that the Blackwater employees now tentatively scheduled to be banned from Iraq started the firefight.

Well, the victims provide their own harrowing tale of being fired upon by jacked up mercs:
As we turned back they opened fire on all cars from behind. The bullets are in my back. Withing two minutes the helicopters arrived. They started firing randomly at citizens. No one fired at Blackwater. They were not attacked by gunman. They were not targeted.
So yeah, I'm glad to know that Blackwater roamed freely in post-Katrina New Orleans and might set up a base in California (watch the video and go sign the Courage Campaign's petition to stop the latter!).

(h/t Crooks & Liars)