Frontline reporters have second thoughts

Marine Corps News ^ | Nov. 07, 2004 | 1st Lt. Robert Shuford

[Ramonan]

In racing, the defining term was" when the flag drops, the BS stops". Looks like some reporters are not a daring as they would like to think they are. Be sure to read Editor's Note, bottom.

[Max Combined]

"The Marines are trained for this, the media is not, continued the CNN reporter who was actually covered other battles including the Iraq invasion during the spring of 2003."

More importantly, the Marines have big brass balls and the media do not.

[mondonico]

If the action gets really close and hot, they embeds might get in the way of the Marines or otherwise endanger them. Maybe they should be in the second or third wave.

[TADSLOS]

Media Father Dan says, "Courage".

[dan_s]

(Editor’s note – the names of the media representatives were left out of this article as a courtesy because they are doing the Marines, the United States and the world a great service by accurately reporting on the rebuilding of Iraq.)

CNN, LA Times, NYT???

yeah right...

[ProudVet77]

The MSM is funny. Compared to the original war this will be a cakewalk. No expectation of chemical or biological weapons. The original invasion was supposed to take weeks just to take over Baghdad. This invasion will be over in 48 hours max. I think the media is afraid of showing our men in a good light.

[LibFreeOrDie]

I'd hate for a Marine to risk his life to protect a reporter in combat. Let the reporters stay home.

[edfrank_1998]

They're just now figuring out that this stuff is dangerous? What insight.

USMC 69-72
Army 75-92 (Retired)

[rface]

the women in our military are great Americans - the American media (and especially the international media) is largely a bunch of pussies - (can I say that???)

[GaltMeister]

This isn’t what they expected, said one CNN journalist

What did they expect, bunny rabbits and kite flying?

[xsrdx]

War correspondent bump. They don't call them combat photographers for nothing.

Not a job for the timid - just ask We Were Soldiers Once, And Young author - and reporter/photographer - Joe Galloway.

The problem here is that most reporters today are groomed as liberals, and there are few liberals - or atheists - in a combat zone.

[G.Mason]

“What if I get separated, what if I think I’m in a safe place and all of a sudden an insurgent walks in with a gun,” he said."

What if he goes home and get a job he's more suited for?

Someone pass this guy some Tums please, and tell him the 18th conflict has his number on it. ;)

Reporting on the rebuilding of Iraq indeed.

[MKM1960]

It is nice to see the media realizing just what it means to be a Marine. This crop of reporters in no Ernie Pyle. God Bless the United States Marine Corps and keep them in Your care as they fight for freedom.

[FreedomCalls]

Modern-day "Ernie Pyle's" they ain't.

"I love the infantry because they are the underdogs," he wrote. "They are the mud-rain-frost-and-wind boys. They have no comforts, and they even learn to live without the necessities. And in the end they are the guys that wars can't be won without."

Despite the warmth he felt for the average G.I., Pyle had no illusions about the dangers involved with his job. He once wrote a friend that he tried "not to take any foolish chances, but there's just no way to play it completely safe and still do your job." Weary from his work in Europe, Pyle grudgingly accepted what was to be his last assignment, covering the action in the Pacific with the Navy and Marines. He rationalized his acceptance, noting, "What can a guy do? I know millions of others who are reluctant too, and they can't even get home."

[Humidston]

...Maybe the journalists are also thinking seriously about being separated from their heads by those savage jihadists.

[Radix]

"More importantly, the Marines have big brass balls and the media do not."

I have seen what some in the media have publicly presented as "objective journalism," they certainly do have balls.

[RepublicanArmy]

Well maybe now they will have a little more respect for what our soldiers do & go through. Maybe they will start giving us the real news about what is going on over there & not just the body count or when one of our soldiers does something wrong....

But then again who am I kidding 90% of the media over there don't care as long as they get the story first & they can make a name for themselves in the process.

[McGavin999]

Accurately reporting the rebuilding of Iraq? If they are, then it's the editors who have refused to print their reports. Just what is the truth in this?

[Let's Roll]

Or some of the media are genning up to accept the insurgents offer to embed with them?

Posted yesterday on FR.

[Landru]

"'What if I get separated, what if I think I’m in a safe place and all of a sudden an insurgent walks in with a gun,' he said."

If you're gonna cover combat you needn't ask a stupid question like that, eh?

I mean no reason for the guy to come unglued.

....& lose his head. :o)