Iraq bound?

I was wondering whether anyone here has reported from Iraq or knows someone who has reported from Iraq and has any advice... I'm thinking of going for a story -- for a few days at the outside -- but I really don't have any idea how these things work, which probably means I'll get myself killed, which I'd like to avoid.

I believe my employers will help with training and provide me with the "How to Embed for Dummies" text, but I was wondering if anyone here really knows what it's like to work over there.

Thanks in advance, except to Yawn.

Yawn, you can go fuck yourself in the Amman.

 

You should have gotten your colonoscopy in Baghdad. That would have been a takeout story for the ages.

 

Takeout ... I get it.

Nice.

 

I would recommend Michael Yon's dispatches to get a feel for what it is like over there.

 

Best book I've read in a long time.

 

Jones: Best of luck to you. Be safe.

 

Jones, do you have to get some sort of permission from the military first?

 

I'm not Jones, but yes, yes you do - if you want to be embedded, which is the only way to report from Iraq these days if you're not an Iraqi.

 

"Over There -- From the Bronx to Baghdad" by NY Times reporter Alan Feuer was especially good. I don't believe he was embedded, making his account even more riveting.

 

Jones, I know someone from ABC News that has gone to Iraq a few times to cover news, especially during the war. He always says the experience is great for a journalist and that he was especially grateful for going early in his career (he went there in his twenties). His role was to report on soldiers and their families but he learned a lot about the conflict itself. He did fear for his safety, but knew that it was all part of the job and opportunity overrided fear.

He would go there again at any time and the news network did prepare him for the trip and what to expect and some things he could do to protect himself.

Jones, this is an opportunity that I would honestly consider doing. If I were you, you should go and take the risk because it will be worth it in the long run.

 

Agreed, damn fine reporting and writing.

 

Jones,
This is actually great advice. Give Alan a call. I think he's on leave right now working on a book.
Kim Murphy, L.A. Times is another one. I think she's back in Moscow now. But, their wisdom would eclipes anything any of us could offer. Kim is good people.