As you’ve probably heard by now, private security firm Blackwater USA has been banned from operating anywhere in Iraq, by the Iraqi government, following a gunfight which left 8 locals dead. CEO of American-Iraqi Solutions Groups Carter Andress said of the incident, “Our people saw a couple of cars destroyed, dead bodies, wounded people being evacuated. The U.S. military had moved in and secured the area. It was not a good scene.”

It should be noted that the company has also been involved in many firefights before. Private military companies like Blackwater lack accountability, but the Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesman said, “The investigation is ongoing, and all those responsible for Sunday’s killing will be referred to Iraqi justice.”

In California, Blackwater’s plan for a huge training facility along the US/Mexico border has been raising concerns with local residents, who fear that the company will be hired by the government for border patrol to do the dirty work agents can not.