Jane, I for one believe the reporters over the Administration. Things will be better when Condi can go shoe shopping outside of the Green Zone.

Jane,
You tell them. I have friends who have returned from Iraq that tell your story not that of Bob. I to am outstanded by the lack of compassion from the American people for the plight of the everyday citizens in Bagdad and the surrounding areas. Says alot for our society. I am outraged that children are being blown up and tortured and have to endure such hardships. We recently have had a string of violence in the American schools and everyone seems to be up in arms regarding school safety. As a mother, I am terrifed to send my child to high school in a country that is relatively safe and these incidents are not the norm. Please continue to fill us in on the everyday situation in the area and ignore the ignorant comments of those that cannot seem to find a compassionate bone in their body.

It is completely clear that situations in the Middle East have gotten worse. To ignore this or to lessen its severity would be a disgrace and dishonor to those who are serving over there in our armed services and also to the citizens of Iraq.

Cudos to the job yourself, Richard and the NBC reporters are doing. Please let the Iraq people know that there are those in America who care and do have compassion for what they go through. I remember reading a blog from one of the Iraq journalist who stated he feared for his family and had to move them out of Iraq. I think of him often and wonder how he and his family are. Please keep us informed.

Jane, It is quite clear that this administration will do anything and say anything in order to retain power. What could be more clear than the Foley case.

I so appreciate your being there and willingness to "tell it like it is". I for one don't want a slanted story, good or bad. I just want the truth; a seemingly rare commodity these days.
You're in my prayers. Be safe.

does the emperor have clothes?

Ms. Arraf, Bob is not in Iraq, Bob has never been to Iraq, and Bob is, in all likelihood, not even named Bob. Bob is just one of the common garden variety trolls that infest blogs and spew nonsense. Recent polls show that only 3% of Americans think the war in Iraq is going well- Bob is a 3 percenter. I am certain he has opinions that he would like to share on the flatness of the earth, the inferiority of certain races, and the presence of monsters under his bed, as well.

hi jane, pleae give us these messages, the public how ordinary it might sound is not busy with iraque, but with careers and mortages, that's their teror, so they clinge read or see only their favorite programs, and are not really intersted in the far east, it is a world wide phenomenum and as old as they road leads to rome, so to speak, but we, the public needs you, we are dum, would appreciate to know of your next assignment as many journalists after all also prefer nice hotels, keep up the good work, you are coming through, at least to people who are interested in ''history'', your most sincerely chris jongerius thailand

I think the people who claim the violence is that 'same' as in America are being disingenous. They seem to be comparing the total crime rates of both nations...of course, Iraq has a few less people than the USA so it isn't really an accurate comparison.

How dare you give away our nation's secret military plans...are you trying to put our troops in danger like Geraldo did?!

Unless we totally support our Great Leader's un-ethical prosecution of this war, we are not patriots and are actively hurting our brave soldiers.

This is what I hear from a certain slim majority of voters...

Amen! The people/commentators who believe things are being exaggerated ought to go over there and see for themselves... "Put up, or shut up," as the old saying goes.

Just as much violence in US cities as Baghdad??? One car bomb in Wash DC, imagine the terror, confusion, finger pointing, and new security measures that would be imposed. Then add 3-4 more car bombs a week, then add 3-4 suicide bombers a week, then add 100 or so death squad torture/deaths a week. There is no comparison.

Is Mr Rove in Baghdad ?

Bonnie,
While I don't know Bob, and have no idea where he is, I can't help but feel that you are basing your opinion of an entire country/war on your little corner of it. There are LOTS of bad things happening over there, but there really are GOOD things happening too. Can't we (our nation) just focus on some good things for a change. Must we dwell and linger on the ugly? We all know that war is hell!
Is it wrong for us to want hope for other nations? I personally don't believe the reporters OR the administration... I believe the SOLDIERS! I know first hand that we HAVE built schools, re-opened hospitals and built water treatment plants, restored electricity and much more.
We shouldn't have to look over our shoulder while we help re-build their country... but we do! That's life. In an ideal world there would be no bad guys! But there are!
There weren't 60 bodies... just 7 sweet and inocent little girls in an Amish community.... shot to death for NO reason... not even a religious war! It DOES happen here. Then there was the school in Colorado. Those children didn't expect to die, and the parents weren't prepared for that either! Our culture is very different from where you are. We value THIS life, they value the after life more.
I'm sorry that Iraq is going through such a horrible time, but if the final outcome is democracy and freedom for ALL it will be worth it... even as awful as it may seem now. Remember the history of the US? It wasn't very pleasant either!

Bob must be one of the ditto head followers of this administration. He's probably a contractor for Halliburton, making an exorbitant salary and living under much better conditions than the oridnary soldiers. One of the (many) travesties of this unethical war is that many defense contractors and employees are getting rich while the average soldier risks his life every day for very little.

Ms. Arraf is right. If "Bob" is teaching anywhere, it's on a secure compound. Otherwise he'd be dead. Iraqis I have worked with tell me stories of horror daily. Every time I went out, I was in extreme danger.

Well what can I say...I wonder how long we are going to tolerate this crap from W.

It is time to Impeach W and bring our boys home.

Jane, If Bob has a good story to tell, I am sure anyone would appreciate hearing about it. On the other hand, if, as you note, he must still wear body armor to travel around the city, that puts his comments in a different light.

I thought Condi's bulletproof vest nicely complimented her outfit on the tarmac of the Iraq airport. Nothing says safe zone quite like a flak jacket.

If Condi Rice has to wear a bulletproof vest when landing at the Baghdad Airport, three + years after the war began, then we clearly have a problem.

It took the U.S. about this long to win WWII but the Iraq War/Occupation/Insurgency/Civil War is clearly far from over.

Jane, only fools and idiots still believe the Administration spin doctors. When the Secretary of State has to circle the Bagdad Airport for 45 minuets, because it is under mortar attack, before She can land than even God Himself can't spin that one. We ill informed Americans can often be sold a pig in a poke but There is a time when even the best liars can't remember Their Story line. Even the most Partisan supporter of the President can't deney the disaster that is Iraq. It is time to quit living in the fantasy World of lies and spin.

If this cause is so "noble," why aren't the Bush twins and the Cheney girls over there fighting for it.
Enough of the Bush Administration's lies. Get our troops out of that hell hole created by Crawford's village idiot.

Feel good stories don't sell Jane, and you are well aware of that. How can the America be accused of atrocities when the enemy drills holes in their kidnap victims beofre shooting them in the head. We fight with one hand tied behind our back because of reporters like you.

I was in Iraq for a tour of duty. I can attest to the fact that 'most' reporters don't spend enough time with units. They get in and get out. There are the exceptional few who decide to spend long periods of time reporting the actual facts on ground. I just don't see what the big secret is? People want to know the truth so they turn to Milblogs.

Good luck in Iraq!

Jane, Thank you for a very enlightening report. Indeed the level of terror that the average Iraqi family has to deal with is unimaginable. Just watching the pictures on TV tells us that. Isn't it a shame that the picture that the world sees of America is the destruction that we have caused to this country. As opposed to the good-hearted people that we truly are.

But according to a poll that I read today, 3% of the American poulation think that the Iraq war is going extremely well. Your school teacher "Bob", Cheney, Bush and Condi are defenitely in that group.

This administration creates their own reality. don't bother them with pesky facts. They truely believe if they just keep clicking their heels together and repeating "Everything is just peachy" they can make themselves believe it so. Only problem is that it has stop working on the American public. What a disgusting incompetent bunch. Every person who cast a vote for Bush should hang their head in shame.

I've got $5 that says Bob is sending his comments from his basement bedroom in Iowa.