Reader Comments of the Week: Iraq

Each week the Hot Zone team will select some of the more interesting reader comments to feature.

Reflections from the Hot Zone: Iraq, Part One, Nov. 8

"Kevin, I have been following you stories for awhile and now wonder why in the world your going to embed yourself again. Is it because you feel safer with Americans, even though they will be nothing but news stories for you. Honest reporting, your sure your not letting your perceptions color the images, your own words point out your frame of mind it seems "Father bless me for I have sinned". God bless the Soldiers and Marines that will watch over you, for I have a feeling all of you will need God's protection. Richard"

Posted by calnonr on Tue, Nov 08, 2005 6:22 AM ET


"Kevin, I have been working here in

Iraq for 18 months now. Before this experience I had never left the U.S. I enjoyed your commentary on the plane ride you described it to a T. I have had the pleasure of trveling more around the Baghdad area myself. I have met so many of the local people who are just the nicest people you could ever meet and it is disheartening when they have the feeling that the gentlemen on the plane had and yet it is so true. If they try to work with us they are in danger ever day when they leave to go to their homes. As Americans we take for granted many of the daily freedoms and oportunities that we are afforded. I hope that anyone who reads your story will appreciate what we have in the US a little more. PD Baghdad Iraq."

Posted by pdvbb on Tue, Nov 08, 2005 8:37 AM ET

"This is only my first glimpse but keep on writing and interacting with the locals. We all need to be reminded about the average Joes and Janes in the field who are affected both positively and negatively by the presence of westerners. Good luck."

Posted by noreen_ray on Tue, Nov 08, 2005 11:20 AM ET

"Kevin, I wonder if you can tell us about what you can (and cannot)report while you are being imbeded? Can you talk to any Iraqi of your choice? Or must you clear that with the US military before hand? Does the US military review any of your reports (and vidoes) before you release them? Could you investigate the use of Chemical Weapons in Falluja in 2004 and their effects on civilians today? We would all benefit if you investigate this crucial issue."

Posted by samgebala on Tue, Nov 08, 2005 1:53 PM ET

"As an Iraqi citizen in Baghdad, I will be following your exploits closely."

Posted by sermed_alwasiti on Tue, Nov 08, 2005 2:24 PM ET

It's hard to accept that Ahmed probably does make more than many of the unemployed engineers, intellectuals, and scientists (and women) over there, just from proximity to foreigners. This from the country that was called most modern and educated in the Middle East. Makes you remember how much life depends on luck and hustling-- so keep the dog tags close. Got to say, as non-American I probably find the reader comments as interesting as anything (though I enjoy your coverage). A frightening glimpse into the American mind, some of them. Might keep some of the sane immigrants away."

Posted by agesheva on Tue, Nov 08, 2005 4:36 PM ET

"Dear Kevin, As the mother of two American soldiers stationed in Iraq I find your reporting only self-serving and insulting to the men and women who have chosen to support freedom and democracy in America and abroad. In navigating your website I find that you are not even romotely in touch with the Iraqi people or the American soldiers who are actually living and working deligently day to day in Iraq to effect freedom and democracy. Instead you report from behind a glass curtain. I found your website because my youngest son/soldier is named Kevin. My daily thoughts and prayers are with Ryan and Kevin and all those who persist in the cause for freedom and democracy throughtout the world. Devora, a Mom in Houston, Texas"

Posted by devoralee on Wed, Nov 09, 2005 12:37 AM ET

"as a former marine i want to thank kevin and his crew for showing everyone what a marine can and will do for his country, keep up the good work and god bless you. semper fi. chris mills concord, michigan"

Posted by fordebat on Thu, Nov 10, 2005 4:16 PM ET

"Youre doin a great justice in gettin these stories out, I am a ten year Army Special Forces Soldier and now have a security firm, Id be glad to go back to those places and protect you while you get the RIGHT story, K.G. Omega security, denver , CO."

Posted by skyhucker on Thu, Nov 10, 2005 11:20 PM ET

 

The Battle to Rebuild, Nov. 9

"Hey! This is CPT Walton's wife, and for the record, I AM very supportive of my husband's military career. I miss him terribly, but realise that he is just doing a job that few peeople want to do...or have the guts to. Anyone that thinks our family is a bunch of redneck conservatives without a grip on reality, doesnt know us. You go Babie, and I will be here waiting when you get back!"

Posted by marinesmermd on Thu, Nov 10, 2005 1:20 PM ET

"I'd like to say good job and keep it up. The article was informative and based on personal experience and not a slanted report of "carnage and the costs and losses of this war" that we all to often get with the media.I am proud to be an American when I read of this personal sacrifice and can do attitude."

Posted by captagro on Thu, Nov 10, 2005 12:36 AM ET

"As a former Marine, I take personal pride in the reconstruction and humanitarian bridge-building being done by Capt. Walton and his personnel. Confrontation has a purpose and a price but also a responsibility to restore the self-image and trust of those affected. Thank you for your dedication to task. Posted by J. Krall"

Posted by kralljh@sbcglobal.net on Thu, Nov 10, 2005 1:16 AM ET

"as a member of the military who is going back to Iraq for the third time, I want to say thank you for writing about the truth. If more reporters told the truth, and not just deaths, the American people might be a little bit more supportive of the war."

Posted by ravekng on Thu, Nov 10, 2005 1:57 AM ET

"Oh yeah he told the truth about the rebuilding, it's not rebuilt and they are still waiting on fresh water a year later. The people are working out of half of a building and it could be in two weeks, two months or never! Thanks for the truth WALTON"

Posted by dotymac9 on Thu, Nov 10, 2005 5:22 AM ET


"captain walters heart is in the right place....but iraq is in the midst now of a civil war and rebuilding will do nothing to stop it....arabs have been killing arabs for 5000 years and some candy and new schools will not do anything...the united states cannot afford to remake the world in its image...we have plenty of problems and debt here at home...why not put the marines in the south bronx....east los angles...north las vegas or south chicago?....they need help as much as any iraq...and after iraq?....its an endless quagmire...so good luck captain..but you are fighting a losing battle...and a pointless one.....just my feelings as an ex-grunt...."

Posted by pgpgo on Thu, Nov 10, 2005 7:02 AM ET

"What has really hit me is the personal price that Capt. Walton has payed for what he is doing; that of his family....is it worth it?For his sake, i hope it is worth it...."

Posted by estherkmn05 on Thu, Nov 10, 2005 7:42 AM ET

"Today, Nov.10th, is the 230th birthday of the Marine Corps. Not a word of this on the entire Yahoo message board! It wouldn't hurt Yahoo to honor a great tradition. Be advised, all...After 230 years of loyalty and devotion, "Semper Fidelis" is carried in the hearts of all Marines, past and present. And, while I'm congratulating my lod outfit, I also want to take this opportunity to thank all serving members of all our armed forces. God bless. spina57"

Posted by spina57@verizon.net on Thu, Nov 10, 2005 12:33 PM ET

"Fallujah was fine you (US Occupation Force) destroyed it and killed 5000 of its inhabitants. Now, they have to carry ID cards, live in fear from you, and you think that they are thankful?!"

Posted by meegoreng888 on Thu, Nov 10, 2005 5:10 PM ET


"Wow. Finally some positive news about Iraq. I just wish the mainstream media would report things like this. To all who aren't supporting this war: face it. Wars have to be fought. If wars like the Revolutionary War weren't fought, our great country wouldn't be here today. This war isn't any different; we're fighting for Iraqi freedom. With that being said, I support our troops and our Commander in Chief. God bless America."

Posted by yugifan109 on Thu, Nov 10, 2005 5:17 PM ET


"Wow! The American taxpayer got to pay to blow up Fallujah and now we get to pay to rebuild it. What a deal!"

Posted by southwestpaw on Thu, Nov 10, 2005 9:13 PM ET

"Great story of one Marines' sense of duty. It's not all guns, and can't be guns in the end. In the end there has to be rebuilding and trust, which this Marine is doing and earning. Unfortunately, this is just a drop in the bucket, and what is needed for all of Iraq is way beyond our resources and staying power."

Posted by corepts on Thu, Nov 10, 2005 11:01 PM ET

"I would be more impressed with our rebuilding efforts if they had started two years ago before we destroyed most of Fallujah, using phosphorus chemical bombs among other things. People have called it a massacre rather than a battle, a modern day Dresden or Guernica. I've seen the satellite photos. Whole sections of the city are gone. Hundreds of thousands of people were rendered homeless. Thousands died whether they were rebels or not. This reeks of the Vietnam phrase: "we had to destroy the village to save it." Except in this case it was an entire city. We're doing it to other cities as well...."

Posted by stitz80521 on Fri, Nov 11, 2005 1:08 AM ET

ALSO ON YAHOO!