Hey, Jyl! Glad you're back.

Kevin, are you staying safe? Looking forward to hearing/seeing what's happening where you are. The TV news has been frightening to me and I don't even have anyone "in country." (The Viet Nam analagies are popping up again.)

Marley

Hey!

So good to see you all back here. I am looking forward to reconnecting.

Stay safe Kevin, I am a devout fan. I enjoy reading your articles, and have missed them.

Lance, luckily we arent responsible for our familys actions.

Donna, Marley. Jimmy, lizard and all...

Namaste

/m27 In response to the georgiep who is digging for information, it is much the same for the wives. However, you may be able to contact the Family Readiness Group for the unit. Some units have email lists for family members who wish to receive such updates. Please feel free to email me (cyndic1@mac.com) if you would like more information on how to get that information. My husband has been there for 7 months and the info I got in the beginning was mediocre at best until the email update list, Mr. Babcock has been doing a wonderful job keeping us updated as well. Hope to hear from you soon. Thank you and God Bless

Kevin, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog today. I was referred to your site by a parent contributing to Bob Babcock's "4th ID Update From Iraq" newsletter. My son (1-9 CAV/TF 1-34 AR) is somewhere in the Suni Triangle and I get a short letter from him about once every two weeks. Yesterday he informed me that the mail truck had been blown up and the driver killed...so, I'll just pack more boxes. They don't have the luxury of electricity, water (they ration theirs to 1 bottle a day), A/C, internet or telephones. He and the little group from Ft. Hood have only been there a month and already it seems like an eternity. I believe people get more information if they are the spouses of the serviceman...us mothers just have to keep digging for sites to keep us informed. My husband died of brain cancer 2 years ago, so it's just me and the two boys (the other in the Navy--tucked safely in Pensacola).

Hi Kevin: I study media and international affairs at Columbia University, so I'm following print coverage very closely & have been since the begining of the war. An area of coverage that's going vastly underreported: the impact of the war on women. The Times ran an article about a month ago about the ramifications of Hussein opening prisons just prior to US engagement on crimes against women, specifically rape and kidnapping.

The article suggested that the US military is doing little to address this issue specifically, and I see little in the press on the topic. Please don't be shy about persuing this coverage. What's the real story? What's the awareness of troops as to the issue? What can Iraqi men and women tell you?

Thank you, and good luck out there.

Glad to see you are with MSNBC! Stay safe Kevin!

Kevin:
     If you want some real ideas for reporting in Iraq, what I think we don't get the picture of on regular news is the inside politics and political science so to speak of the various groups there. For instance you hear alot about the Shi'ite being in Sunni controlled areas, or of the marsh Arabs having been part of the ruthless Saddam dictatorship and regime, or of the Kurds there in Northern IRAQ. However little if anything is said how these groups see themselves in relation to each other in the Coalition Provisional Authority. Much less seems to be said about the tribal difficulties and whether some or any of them really want to be a part of a greater IRAQ or are more aligned with other Arabic nationalities. There needs to be some more reporting along these lines to see if there is a consensus among these tribes or if the damage done by the Sunni and/or Baathists has changed the nature of what we now know of IRAQ.

Kevin:

This is my first time corresponding with someone in your line of work. I've been around long enough that watching the evening news and the news anchors gives me very little, hard, objective information. I as well as millions of americans are sick of "if it bleeds it leads". So, when I ran across your report on the MSN website, I didn't see the flocked and molded hair, the down the nose gaze and the strictly scripted news. And even though you are working for the establishment, your blog seems to give an even handed "objective" observance of what is up in Iraq.

I am in the insurance claims business and work for a couple who have a son who is currently stationed in Bagdad with an engineering company. He's helping put the city back together I guess. I have had the opportunity to sit next to this young man and talk with him prior to his being deployed. I find him to be a very focused, thoughtful person with a hell of a lot of caracter. His parents are of course worried for him but life goes on as usual. They are able to talk to him from time to time on borrowed sat phones, so they are at least in touch. It seems everyone I know has some connection with what is going on in Iraq.

We all worry about those we are aquainted with or relative to.

Recently, the mainline news stations, radio and television have been hammering on and on about some of the soldiers and families troubled about the length of their deployment. I have not had the opportunity to serve in the armed forces, however my father, brother and grandfather all served as did many others I know. Most of them are of the opinion that if your deployed, you stick it out and make the best of it. If your not focused on your job, the enemy sneaks up and bites you in the ass.

In the past I have met numerous recruits who volunteered without thinking of what and where they may end up. I can't recall a span of more than a couple of years in the past 50 when members of our armed forces have not had to ship out to hostile lands. The fact is that if you sign up, chances are that before your stint is up, you may be shot at. What do the soldiers you run into have to say about this?

Anyway, I read through your blog today and saw it as a bit more true to life than what the media fatheads report. The public has little trust in the daily news. We see too much of the death and destruction and not enough of the rest of the reality of life that is all around us. What we all want to know is what is truly going on. Can you get up in the morning and see the sun shine or see the sun set at the end of the day? Do you see a smile on the face of any of the people of Bagdad? Can you get a decent meal?

I really don't give a damn that the weapons of mass destruction have not been found. What I do care about is that evidently thousands of Iraqis lost their lives simply because they lived under the heel of a family of murderers. Sadam is either still on the run or better yet, dead, but he no longer is the puppet master over all the henchmen that murdered thousands of their own countrymen.

What also disturbs me a great deal is the news we hear these days fails to give us a true picture of what good is coming out of this. Yes there is a terrible cost of lives but how many Iarqi lives have been saved by destroying the Sadam Regime.

Well, I've said enough for today. I will keep an eye on your blog. I'll let you know when you are not being objective. Be safe and watch your backside.

G Grass

April-- A BLOG is shorthand for WEB-based LOG. It's a personal log or journal that is posted on the World Wide Web. Kevin's Blog is viewable by anyone who clicks their way to it. The Blogger can log on and share their experiences with whoever chooses to read. Pictures, graphics, even audio can be added to enhance the Blog. Don't ask me how it's done though cuz I'm no techie.

Kevin was able to share quite a bit about his experiences with the 4th Infantry--I think--in Tikrit today on MSNBC. Sounds like he's been gaining lots of firsthand info about what's going on with the US troops.

Marley

I am the mother of an MP in Iraq. He sends home very interesting letters when he gets the chance. My frustration is that I seem to miss ALL news about reconstruction, and only hear about the latest fatality. Does it have to be about all or nothing? Can't we hear about the sacrifices and the progress? I missed the school opening and the sewer treatment plant. My son said they went out to police an accident and saw Iraqi's with guns at the site, so were very nervous, then discovered the Iraqis were American trained police handling the accident with integrity and professionalism. That was his first sign of hope, as the old police were so corrupt they were orchestrating most of the convoy hijackings. He said the American trained police seemed very proud of their job and doing it well. Is it a hopeless mess or is there progress? I'd like to know. I certainly don't expect it to take less than 10 years. Thanks for the personal perspective and the photos. PS What is a BLOG?

That was a long wait!! I'm a brazilian reporter and my first - and until now only - experience in war zone was one year ago when I spent 33 days in Israel and in the West Bank. So I read your blog I think: Wow!!! This is why I love so much journalism. I look up to you as an axample and hope one day I also have so many experiences to share as you have now. Take care, Kevin. It's good to have you back. Oh! And I loved the latest photos.

Great to see your blog back Kevin, looking forward to hearing a first hand account of things!

Kris
Scotland

Kevin, thank you for all you do. I just found this site thanks to my husband serving in Tikrit...I appreciate all the news I can get regarding what is going on over there.
Take Care
Cyndi

Hi Kevin..
good to have u back..finally :)
all the best!!

Hmmm. It's very quiet in here. It's not like there's nothing going on in Iraq you know. It's still a very dangerous place to be, yes? Kevin are you still up North? Didn't see you on MSNBC today. Only Aspell.

Greetings back to you, Donna. Lance? Jimmy? Jyl? Someone jump in here!

Marley

Hello Marley Can you believe kevin finally appeared again on this site. I just looked on this site the other day and havent for quite a while to see some of the same people are still checking in on this site how great is that. Are you enjoying the school year. I think the last time I checked in we were talking to the musician julian I believe that was her name and the school year was comming to a close. How time flys good to hear your back we can check in a line to eachother if the subject permits take care marley, Donna in ca.

Kevin, glad you're back doing what you love to do. It was great to see you on MSNBC earlier this week. I, or should I say, We, look forward to reading your musings, catching your news stories and moving on to some new and lively discussions.

Lance,JP, Donna,et.al. Missed you guys!

Xeni--THANX!

Onward and Upward...Marley

Welcome back to the blog. Please consider reporting on what the Iraqi people think about the "foreigners" infiltrating their country from Iran and Syria. Also, schools that are open, businesses that are now open and especially those that have started their own business since Saddam is no longer telling them what to do. How do they feel about their future chance at making a living with this business? Thanks for your interest in what WE the people of the US want to know about.

Great to have you back. I saw your report on NBC News last night and wondered, "Now that Kevin's not with CNN any more, is his blog back up?" Then today, Glenn Reynolds linked to it, so that answered my question. Awesome news. I can't wait to read more of your observations and insights.

So glad you're back!

As to coverage, watching NBC Nightly and the Lehrer Report, I mainly see demolished vehicles, damaged buildings, bomb craters, bloodied Iraqi men, frightened Iraqi men, angry, marching Iraqi men, our troops, Mr. Bremer, and, occasionally, the governing council.

Where are the women and children? Who are these Iraqis? How are they getting along, coping in their daily lives? They seem to want our military out of there ASAP, so in what ways are they working with the coalition to assume responsibility for their own security and governance? What do they hope for? We've seen what brings them sadness. What makes them happy?

Welcome back!! I hoped you would return sometime ... :)

How about some coverage of attempts at building the foundations of democracy and liberalism?

1. We hear snippets about local counsels (e.g., town, city, and presumably larger). Why not cover the issues they are dealing with -- from substantive issues to issues related to trying to implement a representative government.

2. What about the rule of law? We hear bits and pieces about the Iraqi courts. What is their organization? What laws do they follow? How does this compare to the situation under Saddam? Once a constitution is in place, are these judges prepared to deal with issues of individual liberty (i.e., freedom of speech, protection of minorities, freedom of religion)? Will there be a supreme court with ultimate authority?

3. What is the state of economic freedom? Is capitalism taking root? Was it present under Saddam? Do the Iraqis understand the link between economic freedom and political freedom?

4. Is there any discussion regarding the need to weaken clan/tribal loyalties? Is this necessary to create a civil society (i.e., loyalty to some fundamental values, rather than just to the tribe)? What about encouraging marriages among different groups (rather than to cousins)?

Good to have you back! I look forward to hearing how you view the current climate in Iraq.

Would like to know the opinion of Iraqis on how the Council is coming along. Specifically, whether the Iraqi people feel that the council was well chosen. The Iraqi government has been a secular one. Presumably in an effort to be pluralistic, the U.S. government clearly used strong religious affinity as criteria for council membership. What are the ramifications? Will this result in a less secular, more religiously motivated government? Do Iraqis think this is a good thing?

Good to see you are back!! Good luck and be careful

Welcome back be safe . Yes on some of the site we were talking about our personal lives how embarrasing. Well so kevin is back in Iraq is that what I understood from this article. Hope nadine is fine too we havent heard anything from you guys so now your o.k. great to hear fm ya. Ill check in more its too early to start talking politics but if there is a subject I can relate too I will jump in. Hello again!!Hope all is well

Welcome Back... Glad to hear you are there again. Do u know there is a french blogger (journalist) in Bagdad now ?

Welcome back, indeed! I'm afraid if you look at what the blog devolved into in your absence, you'll find some rather ugly dirty family linen displayed along with what I hoped were valid personal insights before my estranged brother tracked me down there.

Once again I apologize to all and am glad you're back, Kevin -- blog on!

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Yay Kevin! Welcome back!
Yay Xeni! You go!