To the Point
Are America's Private Security Contractors Out of Control?
A deadly shooting incident involving Blackwater USA has the US and Iraq at odds over security for American diplomats. Why is the State Department so dependent on private contractors? Are they out of control? Also, foreign aid and peacemaking efforts in the Middle East, and if you live in Orem, Utah, you'd better water your lawn.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenA deadly shooting incident involving Blackwater USA has the US and Iraq at odds over security for American diplomats. Why is the State Department so dependent on private contractors? Are they out of control? Also, foreign aid and peacemaking efforts in the Middle East and, on Reporter's Notebook, a great-grandmother in Orem, Utah faces charges for failing to water the lawn—not to mention resisting arrest.
Photo: Patrick Baz/AFP/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesIsrael Moves to Cut Off the Power in Gaza
As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Jerusalem today on a peacemaking mission , Israel declared the Gaza Strip an " enemy entity ." Ken Ellingwood reports for the Los Angeles Times .
Read the story6 minIraq Wants Blackwater Security Guards Out
All US diplomats are banned from leaving the Green Zone by land as Iraq's Prime Nouri al-Maliki Minister tells the State Department to fire Blackwater USA security guards. Iraq says ten civilians were killed on Sunday when Blackwater guards fired indiscriminately into a crowd. Blackwater says they shot at "armed enemies."
Read the story36 minGreat-Grandma Arrested for Killing Lawn
The police department in Orem, Utah takes neighborhood preservation seriously. One enforcement effort has led to injury, handcuffs, jail—and a high-profile California attorney. The alleged perpetrator is a 70-year old great-grandmother. Her initial offense was failing to water the lawn.
Read the story6 min
