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Current Events => Breaking News => Topic started by: TheSarge on January 21, 2008, 03:31:35 PM

Title: Frontline Blogger Covers War in Iraq With a Soldier’s Eyes
Post by: TheSarge on January 21, 2008, 03:31:35 PM

Michael Yon was not a journalist, and he wasn’t sure what a blogger was. He had been in uniform but not in combat, and he wanted to keep it that way. He went to Iraq thinking he would stay for a month, and maybe find a way to write about the war after he got home.

Instead, he has spent most of the last three years in Iraq, writing prolifically and graphically, and racking up more time embedded with combat units than any other journalist, according to the United States military. He has been shot at, buffeted by explosions and seen more people maimed — fighters and civilians, adults and children — than he can count.

“The easiest thing in the world to write about is combat, because all the drama is there,” said Mr. Yon, a fit, ruddy-faced 43-year-old who was a Special Forces soldier more than two decades ago. He insists that he still does not really know the rules of journalism, but says he has recently, grudgingly, accepted that he has become a journalist.

His detailed, mostly admiring accounts of front-line soldiers’ daily work have won him a loyal following, especially among service members and journalists and bloggers who follow the war. One of his photographs showing an American soldier cradling an Iraqi girl injured in a car bombing (the girl later died) appeared on Time magazine’s Web site and was later voted one of top images of the year by visitors.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/21/business/21iraqblogger.html?ex=1201496400&en=20eee3bc992ccff4&ei=5099&partner=TOPIXNEWS

Title: Re: Frontline Blogger Covers War in Iraq With a Soldier’s Eyes
Post by: NHSparky on January 21, 2008, 03:56:09 PM

After reading the story, it seemed fairly decent and balanced.

Even the NY Slimes can get it right.  Not often, but once in a while.

Title: Re: Frontline Blogger Covers War in Iraq With a Soldier’s Eyes
Post by: Chris_ on January 21, 2008, 04:06:09 PM

I've checked out his site. I liked it.
He seemed to be pretty straight forward, no bullshit in his writing. If the troops thought something was bullshit he said so. If he thought most of the media were full of shit he said so.

Title: Re: Frontline Blogger Covers War in Iraq With a Soldier’s Eyes
Post by: Chris_ on January 21, 2008, 04:09:28 PM

http://michaelyon-online.com/wp/category/danger-close/

The site looks different than I remember. I'm not sure if it's the same guy.

Title: Re: Frontline Blogger Covers War in Iraq With a Soldier’s Eyes
Post by: Crazy Horse on January 21, 2008, 04:16:04 PM

Quote from: JackZip on January 21, 2008, 04:09:28 PM

http://michaelyon-online.com/wp/category/danger-close/

The site looks different than I remember. I'm not sure if it's the same guy.

It's the same person.

Title: Re: Frontline Blogger Covers War in Iraq With a Soldier’s Eyes
Post by: Chris_ on January 21, 2008, 04:31:52 PM

Thanks CH...the name did sound familiar.