Breaking: Journalist Michael Kelly Killed at Baghdad Airport

ABC radio news | 4-4-03

[Rudder]

Just announced 5 minutes ago, journalist Michael Kelley embedded with US troops for the Atlantic Monthly Magazine was reported killed during the military action at Baghdad International airport.

That's all.

[Sunshine Sister]

Why is this any sadder that any lost life? Lots of troops have lost their lives. This man chose to be there. When you time is up, it's up.

[shhrubbery!]

Oops, I must take that back about not knowing Kelley was one of the embedded jouralists. I had been reading his columns in the Canadian paper, the National Post.

But I see now at least one of his WashPo columns has the byline, "WITH THE 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION, Southern Iraq."

[hobbes1]

Yes, they do. go to Drudge, and read his last column (Yesterday).....

[dep]

just listened to their update -- no mention of it. are you certain you got this right?

dep

[Interesting Times]

I don't think it's the same Michael Kelley. He is not one of the embedded journalists -- at least I don't think so. His recent columns don't reflect that, anyway.

I'm afraid they do... his last column, written yesterday, was Michael Kelly in Iraq

[ricpic]

This hits home.

[Paladin2b]

No word of this on washingtonpost.com, which would certainly break the story as soon as possible, seeing as he is also one of their regular columnists in addition to his leadership of the Atlantic. They only have an item about a soldier and an unnamed embedded journalist being reported as killed in a Hummvee accident. No mention of the airport and no mention of Kelly. I hope it isn't him too.

[shhrubbery!]

Yes, just saw that myself. It's sad, whoever it is; but if it's THAT Michael Kelley, it's devastating.

Almost like losing Barbara Olsen on 9/11.

[The Toad]

I hope this isn't the Michael Kelly, I think it is. Sad.

[Cincinatus]

I've been scanning the news channel web sites as well -- no word on this. Ditto Drudge and major newspapers.

[kristinn]

Link to yesterday's dispatch filed by Michael Kelly from Iraq.

[shhrubbery!]

Yep, saw that too. Hope I was not just in denial, and it's not true.

[Trust but Verify]

His recent columns DO reflect he's in Iraq.

[litany_of_lies]

See http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/nation/nationalsecurity/abroad/iraq/dispatches/

At this point, the WaPo site says the journalist and soldier killed have not been ID'd pending notification of next of kin.

Probably Kelly.

[MindyW]

It did say for what organization he was reporting.

...journalist Michael Kelley embedded with US troops for the Atlantic Monthly Magazine was reported killed....

[dighton]

Sad news. He was definitely one of the good guys, and he'll be missed.

[fightinJAG]

I was thinking the same thing---how I felt when I heard Barbara Olsen had been killed came right to mind.

Michael, we will miss you.

[Lancey Howard]

Kelly was a good, thoughtful writer and I enjoyed his columns.
May he rest in peace.

[dighton]

"Michael Kelly is editor of the Atlantic. His [Washington Post] column generally appears on Wednesdays."

[shhrubbery!]

Yes, yes, yes, I've already corrected myself at least twice. Sorry for the pique but I think that's enough.

As I said, I usually read his columns for the National Post, not the WashPo. They're apparently different columns. Here is his most recent column. It is more about SARS than Iraq.