I wish to God they could all come home and never have to fight another war again. We open our arms with love only to have them slap us in the face. If we could only make them see what kind of world it could be without hate, mistrust, greed from all corners then we could go to bed and rest peacefully. Grant us God that someday in my generation it will be. Mike keep your head low,stay safe, you shouldn't be there any more than those brave young men and women but you are so God bless take care. Fight the good fight.

Be safe where ever u are i think u should not feel any guilt.I think that things happen for a reason and we have learned from this and will continue to learn more ahead.Mistakes were made everywhere plus nobody but the guilty should feel pain for this.

Im confused as to why after all this time we still connect 9/11 to the so called "war on terror" I have come to terms with the fact that countries will wage wars and leaders will make that order to send troops to their death and kill civilians while they are at it. But, the bottom line, Iraq was never, and will never be a war against terrorism. Oil, Power, Money.. I am sorry that you find yourself in emotional distress over something that does not exists. If you want to fight what happened on 9/11 i suggest you fight the leadership in the US, UK and the Arab world at large.

I'm glad someone is trying to find the truth and "ring the bell" Last time OUR goverment failed us. As a military wife, daughter, and granddaughter no matter what our troops do I will always support them. People don't go into the military to go to war, they go for pride, education, and sometimes a second chance. I'm sick of the Arab world saying they hate us and then doing cowardly things like 9/11. I say if they want to fight, let's fight. Do you notice how they HIDE all over the world. Bin Laden is proably no where near the Middle East because he knows we will find him. But you don't see him defending the Middle East. At least you can find our leader. The Muslim leaders hide in holes, and run from what they claim they are so proud of! If Bush was smart he would declare war and go for it. The Middle East thinks that Americans are weak! It's been 5 years, it's time to show the Middle East and the world WE are STRONG and not afraid of Bin Laden. I hope the American public does what the Muslims do when American people die. When and if they find Bin Laden. I hope Americans flood the streets burning their flags and holding signs that say things like "CRUSH THE MIDDLE EAST" I say bring out the big boys. I'm tired of playing with Bin Laden. Bush call him out! Mike, keep up the good work. God Bless America, Our Troops, and all those who have died or suffered because of men like Bin Laden!

I am so proud of our country, and to those who would ring the bell and keep it ringing, thank you. All of you are in my prayers, and thank you for your dedication, despite the very verbal (and sometimes abusive) minority folk that disagree. Our way of life is taken for granted by too many in our own country. Ignoring the previous attacks and thinking that if we just love them (Muslim extremists) enough, they will stop killing doesn't work. It only empowers and encourages them to start killing us on our own soil. It has more to do with their theology than anything we do.

May you stay safe, while you do your job. And thank's for bringing the news to all of us! Keep your head down man!

MIKE.. KEEP REPORTING THE NEWS AS YOU SEE IT FIRST HAND. I APPRECIATE AND HONOR THOSE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE THE BACK BONE TO GO TO A WAR ZONE. THE MIDDLE EAST IS A POWDER KEG AND IF WE WERE NOT FIGHTING THESE RADICALS THERE, WE WOULD CERTAINLY BE FIGHTING THEM HERE. GOD BLESS YOU AND BE SAFE.

Mike, to feel 5 years later that you did not do enough as a journatlist is sad...did you not say that you had just gotten back from the Middle East?! I say that your having gone to the Middle East and to this day continue to report in war zones is more than many people can say they have done...It is because of journalists like you, we get a better understanding of what is actually happening "out there" in "our" world. Having said that, listen to your friends and family....you said yourself that you are in the front lines, have been reporting for more than a quarter of a century and have convered pretty much every conflict...Mike you are a very strong, popular yet caring journalist...the journey you are on is both heroic and just...the guilt you feel is understandable but you have to believe that not having aired your report did neither cause or provoke the inhumaine realities of that day...there are a great many people who feel some sort of guilt from 9/11...yours is a pain (although different)that many share. For you - it may never quite go away but I hope and pray that it shadows soon so your friends and family may enjoy you for many years to come....As someone who enjoys your journalism and hopes to enjoy it for many years to come (I don't think age is an issue!)... Stay well and PLEASE keep your senses about you! I hope you make it home safe and sound soon (for your family's sake) Can you imagine their guilt of perhaps not having said or done all they had wanted to appease your guilt of 9/11?! Take care of yourself Mike. A Canadian Fan.

Perhaps your presense and guilt would be better placed in Afganistan or Saudi Arabia where the real perpetrators were or came from. Instead of in a country where we've killed over 100,000 innocent people who had nothing to do with 9/11(including there leader Sadam). But, Oh yea, sorry, they do have oil and a good location to control other middle east oil. So while we brave Americans look back on the misplaced anger and killing of innocents on 9/11 we might consider that continuing to kill 1000's more inocent people in Iraq may also be misplaced....and quit buying the spin from whitehouse AKA Oilmen's-house.

Yup, By Golly we are definitely winning the War in Iraq or as Bush says "the WAR on terror".
According to the Brookings Institution:
82% of Iraqi's want US and coalition forces out of Iraq NOW!
There is only about 1,000 Al Qaida terrorists currently in Iraq!
53% of Iraqi's rate the economic conditions as POOR!
75% rate the security situation in Iraq as POOR!
87% favor establishing a timeline for withdrawal of US and Coalition forces!
47% support attacks on US and Coalition forces!
Number of Iraqi's killed by violent causes has increased from 1600 in Jan. 2006 to 3500 in July!
Number of daily attacks by insurgents has increased for 60 in Jan. 2006 to 90 in July!
Number of attacks against US and Coalition forces has been increasing since Apr. 2005!
http://www.brookings.edu/iraqindex

View Iraq Index Archive

Jim Frego
Grants Pass, OR

While most Americans stateside get ready for yet another cozy,comfy night of rest in homes with power, water and food there are many on the other side of the world who wonder what tomorrow holds for them. Perhaps they can visit the market to buy some essentials and make it home safely? Perhaps there will not be a bomb explosion down the street or random gun shots fired at innocent bystanders. I applaud all those brave enough to fight on the side of freedom for a people unable to fight by themselves. I thank all those men and women courageous enough to choose to live in the midst of war to provide others with protection against evil in this world. Wake up America if you think kind words will keep this world safe. Stop blaming our brave President for this war and instead thank him for having the courage to do something about terrorism. IF YOU'RE NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION, YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM!!!!!

WHY IS EVERY THING A CONSPIRECY TO ALL OF THOSE IN THE FAR LEFT YOU FREAKS ALWAYS BLAME BUSH FOR EVERY THING BEFORE YOU BLOG PLEASE GET INFORMED FIRST. HERES A CONSPIRECY FOR YOU LEFT WING LIBERALS BUSH WAS ONLY IN THE WHITE HOUSE FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS BEFORE 9/11 WHO WAS THERE FIRST? WHO HAD MOTIVE TO BRING DOWN THE TOWERS A NEW PRESIDENT WHO WAS STILL APPOINTING POSITIONS TO HIS CABINET OR MAYBE IT WAS AL GORE AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY FOR LOOSING THE ELECTION AFTER ALL THE FAR LEFT WAS CRAZED LIKE A RABBID DOG JUST LIKE THEY ARE TODAY WHY DID AL GORE DISSAPPEAR FOR AWHILE SHORTLY AFTERWARD YES I BELIEVE THE TOWERS WHERE BROUGHT DOWN BY THE USA BUT NOT BY BUSH WHO HAS MOTIVE HERE YOU SAY IT WAS FOR OIL WHERE IS IT. I BELIEVE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY THE LEFT WING NUT CASES BROUGHT DOWN THE TOWERS. DURING THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION CLINTON SAVED THOUSANDS OF ISLAMIC LIVES IN KOSOVO SO CAN WE AGREE THAT THE ISLAMIC EXTREMIST HAD TO REPAY A FAVOR TO CLINTON BY BRINGING DOWN THE TOWERS TO PUNISH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FOR VOTING IN A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT. TO ME IT SOUNDS LIKE A COMMUNIST CONSPIRECY TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD. NOW BEFORE YOU START COMMENTING ON MY BLOG TRY PULLING YOUR OWN HEAD OUT OF YOUR A** AND UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED HAPPENED ITS NOT THE FAULT OF BUSH. AND IRAQ WE AS AMERICA HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO GO IN. SADDAM WAS UNDER UN SANCTIONS AND HE VIOLATED THOSE SANCTIONS BUSH AND THE "UN" GAVE HIM MANY CHANCES TO COMPLY THAT IS WHY BOTH "DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS" VOTED TO INVADE IRAQ DID YOU KNOW THAT THE "UN" GAVE SADDAM A FREE TICKET TO ANY COUNTRY OF HIS CHOICE AND THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO LIVE IN EXILE? YES THIS WAR COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED BUT YOUR BUDDY SADDAM DID NOT WANT TO GIVE UP HIS SUPREME POWER SOUNDS LIKE A DEMOCRAT TO ME.
MIKE B. YOU ARE DOING A FINE JOB DO ME ONE FAVOR PLEASE DON'T LET THE POLITICAL OPINIONS OF A FEW INFLUENCE YOUR REPORTING YOU DONT NEED TO TAKE SIDES TO WIN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF THE PEOPLE GOD BLESS YOU YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS.

do your tears extend to the 48 THOUSAND, yes 48 THOUSAND innocent iraqi civilians killed by your countrymen - makes 9/11 look like a vicar;s tea party

Mike, keep up the good work. As to the people in this blog who have NEVER stepped foot out of the US (except a possible brief vacation), they do not understand the culture and thought process in the middle east. I traveled extensively in the US Navy and know personally many familys in the middle east. Many cultures teach their children at the dinner table that Americans are Satan worshipers and must die at all costs. "They" will NEVER give up trying to crush the US in the name of their god. Iraq not part of the war on terrorism? People PLEASE get your head out of the sand! Study and research for yourself! One more thing, since we've waged war on terrorism......no one has flown any planes into our buildings. God Bless America.

I quess that i must have been the only person in the U.S. not surprised by what happen on 9/11. After spending 20 years in the military and much of that time in the Middle East anyone could have come to the conclusion that it was only a matter of time before we were hit hard. You should not feel guilty, all americans only had to pick up a paper or watch the evening news to get the idea that the U.S. was a target.
My son joined the military after 9/11 because he believed in what the president was doing and the love he has for this country. He spent two tours in Irag and could go back agian.
A majority of the American public just do not get it, these terrorist want us dead and they do not care how that is accomplished and how many of thier on people they have to kill to get the job done. The public up until 9/11 just hide thier heads in the sand thinking it couldn't happen here.
So, Mike stay safe over in Irag along with all our brave troops. Tell it like is with no sugar coating.

Dale USN(RET)

Mike keep up your good work. We need more people like you. As an Iraq vet I understand your position. I have only one comment to those people at this point that don't believe Iraq is part of the war on terror. Take a trip to the city of Hit. Terrorist cells from all over the world are operating from this small city and given the chance (ie. non military presence) what will happen years down the road will make 9/11 look like a small incedent. The politics of why we invaded Iraq at this point is in the history books. As a vet of this war and a proud American I hope you people realise the impact of your words on forums, chat-lines, news, and all over the internet have on our troops all over the world. They do listen. They need to know they have a country behind them and there mission. Thanks Mike for what you do.

There will be thousands more killed for the next 100 years. Opinions - comments till the end of time will not - cannot desccribe the horrors yet to come. Words are totally useless. Man will continue to destroy man - especially in his own back yard if encroached apon. Stay out of other back yards - unless invited. Period.

Lots of people here buy into lies being spread by our Glorious Leader. They are convinced that every Middle Eastern child is taught from birth to hate Americans. Unsurprisingly, these people never stopped to think WHY these people hate us so much. They just parrot some phrase like "They hate our freedoms". They also parrot phrases like "God Bless America".

Sorry, I think it's a bit more complicated than that. Decades of beligerant and imperialistic foreign policy is at the core of the hate. Add in some good old fashioned religion...religion being divisive by nature...and we've got us some terrorists!

America was 'surprised' by 9/11 because America doesn't pay attention to world politics. Americans trust their government...and their government has been betraying them. Wouldn't you be pissed at England if they kept funding armed rebel groups with the intention of performing a coup and setting up a England-friendly government? Wouldn't you want to blow up the Russians, if the Russians assasinated the man your fellow citizens elected to power?

Yeah. You would.

Too bad the 'mission' our brave troops are on is a LIE. Sorry, I respect their choice to serve, but I WILL NOT give up my right to speak out against a war of lies and greed. Aren't they fighting to protect my freedoms? Funny, that a citizen should be expected to give up the rights that the army is fighting for, so the army can better fight for those rights.

Bring them home NOW!

Honest reporting, by honest reporters is one of the keystones of our freedom. And, honest reporters cannot control what their superiors decide to publish. That is what makes the concept of a Blog so vital.

As to why Mike is on the frontline? I don't know him personally, but as a writer and a patriot I imagine that he is there so we all can rant and rave and say what we want about whatever we call our leader in the comfort of our own keyboards without worrying about prosecution or death squads.

Thank you, Mike!

as horrible as all this is...we experienced the same thing, the civil war 620,000 americans killed by combat or resulting thereof...we fought each other

Here is a powerful and amazing statement on Al Jazeera television.

The woman is Wafa Sultan, an Arab-American psychologist from Los Angeles.

This is a very interesting interview. It's in Arabic with excellent sub-titles.

I would suggest watching it ASAP because I don't know how long the link will

be active.

http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ai=214&ar=1050wmv&ak=null

Even if Al- Quaeda is in western Iraq now, it wasn't there when we went to Iraq. And no matter how many people say that it doesn't matter about that, that we should focus on the hear and now, all I want to say is that anywhere our troops are will be where you will find Al-Quaeda. That's why the terrorists are in Iraq now - because we are there. It's not the other way around. AND THIS POINT DOES MATTER.