Fellow journalists upset at Geraldo Rivera for carrying gun in Afghanistan

The NandO Times ^ | December 12, 2001 6:15 a.m. EST | By DAVID BAUDER, Associated Press

[dhuffman@awod.com]

Whatta maroon!

[KC_Conspirator]

A maroon? I think Jerry is using his head. The execute journalist, rape, and assualt journalists over there. Look what happened to the terrorist supporting Robert Fiske. Jerry had better arm himself...

[Cleburne]

I don't see too much sense in discussing it on television, but the fact the Geraldo is packin' heat and making the liberal propagandists mad and distraught is great!

[white trash redneck]

It makes me sound like a tabloid talk show host goes to war.

Well, he is.

[Billthedrill]

"There are eight journalists already dead," he said. "...This is a very dangerous place."

You know, I never thought I'd be defending Whorealdo, but here he's absolutely correct. And given that Peter Arnett disagrees with him, he's doubly correct.

Afghanistan is a very, very highly armed zone - you're not considered weird or unusual if you're armed, you're considered weird and unusual...and an attractive mark, when you're not.

[Mensch]

Anything that gets Peter Arnetts pantys in a bunch, must be good

[VRWCmember]

"...It makes me sound like a tabloid talk show host goes to war. It's so unfair."

Funny, that's what I thought he WAS.

[Howlin]

The execute journalist, rape, and assualt journalists over there.

Four of those reporters that were killed were SKINNED.......probably before they died.

This is nothing except other journalists trying to tear him down because THEY either 1) can't get there or 2) are scared to go!

[ikanakattara]

Who's the maroon? Geraldo is perfectly justified in carrying a gun. He probably has no interest in becoming some surviving, p*ssed-off Taliban's b**ch.

[Howlin]

IMO, he'd be stupid NOT to be carrying.

[TADSLOS]

They're just pissed that he beat them to to noteriety punch. I doubt he knows how to use the damn thing anyway.

[hawaiian]

I WORSHIP GERALDO NOW.

[general_re]

I don't see what the big deal is, myself. It was SOP for the journos in Somalia to hire some of the local armed thugs citizens as security for their news crews. What's the essential difference between hiring half a dozen locals and carrying a piece for personal protection?

Jerry probably finds carrying his own to be a bit closer and more reliable than the locals. Who can blame him?

[angkor]

I doubt he knows how to use the damn thing anyway.

I dunno. He's a pretty good amateur boxer.

[Howlin]

Are you joking, or are you serious? I think he's doing a great job!

[SJackson]

Yet Rivera's decision to bring a gun into a war zone where eight journalists have been killed has raised questions about whether it's a proper - or wise - thing for a reporter to do.

This question kind of answers itself. War zone, eight dead reporters, is it wise to be armed?

[dhuffman@awod.com]

And of Jerry Rivers' opinions on gun possession by citizens that are unique in the world for their right to legally bear arms for their self-defense, what say you?

If you will quibble on 'unique' then please cite their document equivalent to the Bill of Rights.

The conspiracy of ignorance masquerades as common sense.

[dsmatuska]

Even if the journalists themselves are not armed, many news organizations - including The Associated Press - have hired armed guards for their personnel in particularly dangerous areas of Afghanistan. Expensive news equipment is considered tempting to thieves.

Sounds like they hire armed guards mainly to protect the equipment.

[donozark]

Hopefully when Geraldo returns to USA he will be more understanding/appreciative of the Second Amendment.

Also, Peter Arnet should have carried a LIE DETECTOR and not a gun in Vietnam!

[NittanyLion]

You already tried (on another thread) in vain to peddle your idea that covering a war means forfeiting your right to personal protection. The Taliban supporters have made it clear through their actions that no distinction will be made between combatants and noncombatants - even those noncombatants that are unarmed. Geraldo Rivera is doing what any sensible person would under the circumstances.

Unless you believe that less defense equals greater protection. Do you believe that?