"I was sure I was Dead"(unilateral reporter has to be rescued by US forces)

Newsweek ^ | 3/23/03 | Scott Johnson

[I_saw_the_light]

A NEWSWEEK photographer and I had been hiding out in the desert frontier. We had crossed the border on our own. Now here we were with a group of Marines. As “unilaterals,” journalists who are not embedded with U.S. forces, we were not all that welcome. But they let us join their convoy in our Pajeros (basically, gas-guzzling SUVs). We drove down a road with mines on either side. At night, the Marines told us that we had to go back south. Despite the dangers, we chose not to follow their orders.

[I_saw_the_light]

You gotta read the whole thing. All I could think was what an idiot. And our guys gotta slow down and save his stupid butt.

[Bogey78O]

Look at the positive. The reporter baically served as a scout. 7 more Iraqis that are not a problem.

[rs79bm]

My guess right now is that *MOST* of the embedded reporters placed into divisions and calvary units wish they were back home sitting at their media desks. But let's face it, they asked for it.

[GeoPie]

Newsweek. Figures.

[Born to Conserve]

Independant reporters make good Iraqi bait.

[MEG33]

Now that's a good thing!

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

At night, the Marines told us that we had to go back south. Despite the dangers, we chose not to follow their orders.

If this child is under twenty this is understandable behavor.

If he is over twenty he needs a keeper.

[Starrgaizr]

Paging Mr. Darwin.

[U S Army EOD]

If I had been in their place I just might have given the Iraqis there weapons back and pushed him out of the HUMV. Just kidding-----I think I'm kidding----well who knows.

[I_saw_the_light]

I guess its my laugh for the day. From what I am hearing several others have not been so lucky.

[I_saw_the_light]

I think Darwin was napping on this one....

[dawn53]

The guy on Fox that was reporting from the middle of a firefight earlier this AM sure sounded like he was nervous.

[mtbopfuyn]

If one stands in front of a bulldozer or drives across Iraq alone, one should not be surprised at the results.

Lol, your name fits that guy very well.

[Drango]

Boy, wait till Newsweek gets the bill for this one...

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

idiot reporter alert bump

[GOPJ]

The ongoing story of turning (one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist) liberal media members into Ernie Pyle.

The days of sitting in enemy hotels watching the "show" is over.

[Drango]

and I’m basically embedded now.

No you're not. You are a burden. The squad now has to share scarce food and water with you. 'Cause you don't kow the rules and/or are willing to violate 'em, the troops can't trust you. Will you turn on a light during a nightfight? Will some trooper take a bullet 'cause of you?

I say put him in a POW camp.

[stands2reason]

They don't seem to understand that to the Iraqis, they might as well be unarmed soldiers. They WILL be fired upon. Remember all that flack Geraldo got for carrying in Afghanistan? "Because everybody knows that journalists shouldn't be engaged in combat--the gun will make the Taliban think that they are fare game." Well, idiot media foks, not "everybody" plays by the rules. You ARE fare game. "But, it will only hurt their cause, cuz we're special!" Hurt their cause? The lefties stand by Saddam, and look what he did! They know they can do anything they want, and the anti-Americans will still back them. And that's why they do it.

[stands2reason]

Seems like there have been more reporters killed by the Iraqis than military...

[I_saw_the_light]

I agree, at the least find someplace to dump his butt ASAP. Our boys got a war to fight, their job ain't babysitting stupid reporters.