You don't need war to experience these emotions. Just take a trip to any '3rd world' country that doesn't have a Club Med, walk down any street in the middle of any medium-sized city where you don't speak the language, and you will find the same sense of isolation, if not of the same magnitude.

I can't feel empathy for this 'reporters' view of these foreign emotions as being triggered by the war in Iraq. I see nothing special in his view, either. This piece could've been written in India.

Natural human distrust of anyone who looks different, can't communicate, or whose intentions are not clear- these things are only magnified by this war, they are not a result of it. Americans hold the world standard when it comes to "looking different", "being unable to communicate", and "having unclear intentions". It is simply not a part of their culture to find a way through cultural barriers - to do so is 'un-American' ...

Fantastic stuff, Kevin! We appreciate that we are able to read your reactions and feelings and then add that to what we see on TV screens as we drink our morning coffee or eat our evening meal in the comfort and safety of our homes. This helps make it more real to me/us.

Your accounts allow us to see that progress IS being made. You've quelled some of the frustration we feel. We mostly only hear that yet more people--Americans and otherwise--are dead.

The descriptions of your capture sober us. By sharing your feelings on that day back in April, you show us what most of us here will hopefully never experience...Freedoms taken away...the threat of imminent death.

We Americans are vastly fortunate--whether we've agreed with this war or not--we are "doing good" with our continued presence there. A multitude of thanks to all who sacrifice each day to bring about--and insure--freedom.

And Thanks to you, Kevin, for your gifts of words and images. Blog on...