The traffic's a bitch in Baghdad

At Westmonster, we're not exactly known for keeping our cool behind the wheel — we spout our share of expletives and even engage in the occasional drag race. Hey, what can we say? The traffic in London gets us down. But in Baghdad, some have resorted to more extreme measures.

American mercenary contractors Blackwater, it would seem, were so frustrated with the traffic in Baghdad's Green Zone that in 2005, they actually shot tear gas into an intersection:

Oddly enough, Army officers told the Times that "the Blackwater convoy appeared to be stuck in traffic and may have been trying to use the riot-control agent as a way to clear a path."

The gas was launched not only by the armored vehicle that was stuck in traffic, but also by a supporting helicopter flying over the intersection.

Blackwater's response?

"a CS gas canister was mistaken for a smoke canister and released near an intersection and checkpoint."

Westmonster is duly impressed with Blackwater's discipline — it seems both the helicopter and the jeep made the same mistake at the same time.

(via TPM muckraker)