looks like cops are the same throughout the world

kevin your site catches the true grit that follows our daily struggles in iraq. it's refreshing to see a unbiased opinion with (certain security measures). training the locals to police up their country is not a easy thing to do, but the majority of these guys drive-on with death around every corner. remember, freedom isn't free.

I spent 22 years in Saudi, retiring in Aug 2001. Kevin has always captured the true feeling of the Arabs in this situation. the American advisor to the SWAT unit is 100% correct when he says the people are hedging their bets. They are waiting for the strong man to emerge. I pray that he will be ours.

Good to see you manipulating electrons and phosphors once again. Good story, as always. Stay safe, but keep at it.

Wow...thanks for the post. It is AWESOME to have updates from the field. I am so proud of you guys.

One thought..I dont really find the corruption in the Iraqi guard to be shocking. I worked in Mexico for a while and thats the way the police are there...They are not really your friends like they are in the US...mostly because they arent paid enough and get the rest by extortion. Even their leaders are power brokers that manipulate people to get what
they want...and then set up a mafia to keep it.

We are so spoiled by our Judeo Christian heritage that we think that people are automatically born thinking " Do unto others" when that's just not true. You get that way by being taught the rule of law...and it takes a long time.

I know that they are trying to train the Iraqi's in the western police ways but it doesn't seem to be working. It will take a while for democracy to sink in with these people. Great post and good luck.

Edited by author 09-23-2004 03:04 PM
is it an illusion, or can you see the motion blur filter's stripe down the wall (turning the boingboing photo [boy with hands raised] into three distinct columns: blur-no blur-blur). not that it matters. just wondering if an effect like that is in-camera as a lens/hardware or software. or hey... heaven forbid...it's just a cool photo.

Always good to see another article coming from you.

How long have you been with the 24th MEU ? Are you planning on making daily or weekly updates as you continue to be embedded with them.

What king of camera do you use out in the field? Thank you for your courage and bravery. See you soon.

I thought things were bad over there. It appears my most cynical moments don't even approach the reality. Thank you, Kevin.

as always kevin the reporting you do makes me want to know more... stay safe ... see you on the tv