As horrible as the video of the shooting Marine may appear, it is quite clear from the footage that a mistake of tragic proportions has been committed. Apparently the said Marine had been told or otherwise was under the certain impression that the #3 insurgent (from right to left in the video footage) in the room was dead. There were two known dead insurgents already in the room, and it is easy to confuse the status of the various bodies in the heat of a battle.

Now this marine was injured and another Marine next to him killed just the day before when an injured insurgent had exploded a suicide vest or a grenade. So there is real danger that an injured or dying insurgents would attempt to blow up Marines that come close enough. The suicidal tactics of these Islamic insurgents are legendary.

So the Marine unexpectedly sees the #3 guy move and gets the impression that he is feigning death and planning to detonate some kind of a device, possibly a suicide vest. That is when the Marine shoots the insurgent to prevent harm to himself and other Marines in the room. There is very little time to take this life and death decision.

This is further confirmed by the Marine's exlamation prior to the shooting that "he is f***ing faking to be dead" and after the event his remark "Sir that was a mistake, that was a mistake".

Hi Kevin, I come from Poland and I have just come across your interesting site. Can you tell me something about Polish soldiers serving in Karbala. Have You met them ? What is popular view among American soldiers about Polish engagement in the conflict ?
Dan

   Hi Kevin,

  May be I missed the party but that doesn't mean that I wasn't there by spirit, when I went out I felt what you feel being away from every one you know...and trying always to be careful not because its not secure but because you feel like a stranger...although I don't want you to feel anything like that because we are all here like your family..remember I'm always your little sister...May God protect you always

Hi Kevin! I have never written anything like this before, so please forgive me. Let me preface this by saying that I don't mean to trivialize what you do. My brother is in the Navy, he can't tell me where he is, but I know he's closer to you than me! Well, I just want to tell you I think you are so hot!! OK, I said it! I'm not desperate, or some psycho-stalker. I started watching your reports every morning from Baghdad and I just said to myself "This guy is really hot!" I told my sister and she said "Him?" I said "Yeah, him! He's got that sufer-dude look! And he's balls out brave!" My brother, Joe, was supposed to go to see the band Incubus with me. The tickets were my birthday present. He couldn't go because he was getting shipped out. I managed to meet the whole band, (this was not an easy feat) and get a poster for Joe, signed by all the band members. Joe owes me one! So if you ever meet a sailor who wants your autograph for his sister, you'll know who he is refering to. Seriously, Thank you for doing what you do. You must see, hear, smell, and experience things no one sitting safe in the USA could ever imagine. I admire you tremendously for your unaffected insight into the people over there. Stay safe and God bless! I just thought you might get a kick out of my crush! Best Wishes, Mary Longtin

Edited by author 10-08-2004 11:08 AM
Thank you kevin for the sweet story and the sweet words about my wedding u are really a good man ..and thank's for all who red the story . hope to meat you all in one day ,stay safe kevin and i will be alwys there when you need me..thanks

Hey Kevin,
Its always heartningh to read someone who has time for human stories. Sometimes we get caught up in the mundane things of living and forget the human angle. Your pictures show that what is missing in even a place as hostile as Iraq. Happiness and good luck to the married couple, and please take care of your selfs and friends. Please convey my good wishes to all the US men and women serving there. They need all the luck. I will always wish them well. Take care guy. We need people like you around. You are a good person to know.

 Is it really responsible, after describing how dangerous it would be for an Iraqi to reveal any association with western media, to post photos of them and all their relatives on the internet? I am so happy for them, they look so happy.

All the best to the young couple. All the best to the Iraqi people as they try to make a normal life for themselves. Here's to America (I am an American) getting out as soon as possible!

What a lovely couple! I wish them nothing but happiness, safety and the opportunity to build a beautiful future together.

Jade Walker
http://www.jadedwritings.com
http://www.blogofdeath.com

Despite all the danger and frustrations in the current situation, at least without Saddam we have the freedom to see two Iraqi's getting on with their lives and their freedom.

Dear Kevin,

Thank you for your writing and photographs. The two
cut to what is important to remember. Human lives. I wrote this some years ago. It helps me when I find myself (often) in far away, alone places. Maybe it will put a smile on your face too.

Amara

--------

Golden Threads

When I am stripped to my essence,
sublimely precious
is the small, the shadow, the trace.

Childrens' questions heard in passing through a door.
A muddy footprint planted on a hallway floor.

Whiffs of garlic through an open pane.
A missing cosine angle, searched for in vain.

A cuckoo from a clock heard while in bed.
Olive oil dripping from a piece of fresh bread.

A misdirected email from a woman in pain.
A dog's sorrowful eyes seen through the rain.

The hands in a photograph of a long lost world.
Reading glasses on a table with one stem uncurled.

Elements weaving through the fabric of my life,
these are the golden threads,
which become the cloak, which I wear
to keep me warm.

Amara Lynn Graps
4 March 2001
--------

This was taken from a article posted on MSN....
“We are terrified by the violent approach used by the Americans to subdue the city,” said Mahmoud Saleh, a 33-year-old civil servant. “My wife and children are scared to death and they have not being able to sleep since last night. I hope that the fighting ends as soon as possible.”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6095119/

I don't understand...the thinking...yet he's not worried that his children could innocently walk by a car..that explodes..left by another Iraq who has no care or concern of his own people?

Thanks for all the great pictures and words. I have friends who have gone over there to do their duty and it's helpful to understand what they have seen and gone through in that faraway land. Take care and keep your head down.

I'm glad you seem to have taken up more grequent blogging. I've missed your insight. I'm curious, are your Iraqi colleagues at all worried that their pictures (from the wedding) may compromise them or endanger their safety? Please ensure that you take whatever precautions neccessary to keep yourself and your colleagues safe.

Is this kind of like saying you're going stir crazy having to stay behind the blast walls? :)

I've enjoyed your blog and I've enjoyed your on air reports. I think that this is the kind of journalism that every young journalist student dreams of, without actually understand the reality. It is also the foundation that our media was built upon. I applaud you for doing it.

Without people like you and your collegues, how on earth would anyone who isn't there, ever understand what is really going on.

Its the personal stories, the individual who faces life every day under some of the worst circumstances, who can get married and bring the video back to show his friends, while living with the unknown, that shows us who aren't there, how life can go on and even in some instances flurish.
And in other instances can end abruptly. That the spirit of the individual can be stronger than the anguish of the whole.

Thank you Kevin, for sharing your experiences with us.