Drowned out by the primaries

While TV news seems to be almost totally absorbed by today's primaries, here is a report that few will hear. (For the full story by Jeremy Scahill--who wrote "Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army"--go to http://www.alternet.org/rights/75244)

Last October in North Carolina. about 50 activists gathered to protest the slaughter of 17 Iraqi civilians and the wounding of more than 20 others by Blackwater mercenaries last September in Baghdad's Nisour Square.

For carrying out a nonviolent protest at the gates of Blackwater's 7,000-acre private military base--reenactomg the slaughter and putting red hand prints on a Blackwater welcome sign--seven of the activists spent five days in jail.

The first judge had a fit and carried out the trial in secrecy, clearing the courtroom of all but officials and one person from Blackwater. The defendants appealed and were back in court Jan. 24 before another judge who was much more open. Part of the testimony he allowed: "Mohammed Hafiz was driving four children when Blackwater mercenaries riddled the car with bullets. His ten-year-old son Ali was shot in the head. Mohammed had to gather up pieces of the child's skull and brains for the burial. During one point in the massacre, Blackwater operatives concentrated fire on a passenger bus. A small boy fled the bus in terror and was shot down as was his mother who ran after him."

This judge sentenced the activists to time already served. And Blackwater? While this trial was going on, the Bush people were again working to preserve immunity for Blackwater and other mercenaries in Iraq.