I knew Yon in the army in the 1980s. There was not the slightest indication he would be the Ernie Pyle of this war, which he indubitably is. He may, indeed, be better than Pyle.
Pyle wrote for the mainstream media. Yon does not. Both tell the truth about the war and the warriors. The character of the reporter has not changed, but the character of editors and publishers most assuredly has.
No one at the New York Times or AP has the talent to write this story, the courage to pursue it, and -- most importantly -- the respect of the warriors needed to get it. Instead, the NYT reporters cower in the Green Zone or uncritically reprint material brought them by terrorists acting as stringers. In the worst cases (AP repeatedly, AFP, Paris Match) the reporters actually participate in terrorist attacks.
If you wonder why AP didn't write this, it's probably because their guy was the one with the detonator, and by the time he's sprung from Abu Ghraib it won't be news any more.
d.o.l.
Criminal Number 18F
For three years now, I have been frustrated and discouraged. I knew that our soldiers were doing outstanding work in Iraq, but it was almost impossible to obtain honest information.
Today, because of this thread, I have found my honest source.
Having served in the Army for 20 years, I would have detected BS in a second. I agree, Yon has (at least for me) become today's Ernie Pyle.
I have always supported our troops, but was never able to identify a way that I could personally help them.
Perhaps, by donating money to Yon so that he can continue to tell our soldier's story, I have just located that method.
This is the most outstanding war stories that I have ever read. While reading Yon's reports, I honestly feel like I am sitting right next to him while these events occurred.
That is perhaps the best compliment any author could receive.
I hope he has better luck at getting home in one piece..........
Standing with the troops at the bleeding edge is hazardous to your health.