Since this is a chrome extension, there's a different frame of reference for what _self and other targets mean. Instead of trying to use mailto, how about sending them to a site's "Contact Me" page?
Since you're in a Chrome Extension context, you should be using chrome. Tabs APIs. If you have an extra tab floating around, you can just close it via http://code.google.com/chrome/extensions/tabs.html#method-remove.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.