xterrapin, that's the same AP story that's all over the net. Someone in another thread linked to it earlier on Yahoo's page with a different, less slanted title.

A wierd thing is why exactly was the guy there? Did he really pack up his shit and head to Iraq just looking for a job? It says he didn't find one and was headed home. Was he planning on picking up the local classifides and starting the interview process?

I can't understand why any American would go there unless they were allready a contract worker or worked for a company that was a contractor.

It sucks that he was killed and used as an example by pissed off millitants. I can see why the government might have been a little suspicious of the bearded guy who just shows up with nothing to do looking for a job.

The fact that he was there really bewilders me.
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If we do not succeed, then we run the risk of failure. - Vice President James Danforth "Dan" Quayle