Jay Kersting's Blog

So members of a CBS News crew were killed in Iraq.  This is sad.  The death of anyone is sad.  But these people put themselves in harms way intentionally.

What does this become?  Stupid?  No, not exactly.  But it is not any more tragic than a member of the armed forces getting killed.  I personally think, that it may be less so. Here is why.

A member of the armed forces is there to do a job that most of us would not choose to do.  AND they do it for very little compensation.  A reporter makes the same choice, but does it for a chance at more money and possibly some fame that will lead to more and more down the road.  So, yeah, it is about money.

Would I go to Iraq as a reporter for our radio station?  I am not sure. BUT, if my employer was to throw a LOT of money my way? Yeah, I probably would.  And let me define a lot of money.  Enough to offset my current income for the next three PLUS years.  PLUS, an insurance policy that would pay my family about two million dollars if I was killed.  That figure would offset my income (by sticking it in an interest bearing account) forever, pay off my mortgage and enough to send my sons to private schools if they wanted, both secondary and college. 

Now, if the conflict was in the Caribbean, and I was reporting on the Pirates of the Caribbean, I'd probably do it for less.  I would offer to be a good P.R. forum for the Pirates.  They give me rum and enough limes to keep me from getting scurvy, and they come out pretty good on the deal. They would not even have to share their buried treasure.  Sounds slimy?  Hey, I am more honest than the so called "journalists" who are going to Iraq. 

I know this sound ridiculous to you.  I am trying to make a point.  The news media that leaves the "green zone" risks their lives for some money and for a chance to help destroy the morale of the folks back here at home.  And for what?  A little change in their pocket going jingle-lingle-ling? 

The story DOES need to be told.  But it would not hurt me if it did not get told.  In fact, most people in the world would not lose a second of sleep over stories of more of our folks being killed over there.  The story that REALLY NEEDS to be told is the one that is ignored by the media because it is too positive.  Tell us about how safe things are for the Kurds now, as compared to three and a half years ago.  Tell us about how more of Iraq has electricity and running water than three and a half years ago.  How most of the country is NOT fearing for their lives.  How the parts of Iraq that have folks fearing for their lives on a daily basis, were the sames one who did three and a half years ago. 

The story can be told with ALL of the issues addressed.  Their have been more murders in other major cities in the world than there have been in Baghdad this year.  The job of a journalist is to bring the story, with perspective, to us back at home.  We are not getting perspective.  We are getting the bad news.  Like this CBS News crew having its members killed and injured.  That is sad, but it is without perspective.

And don't expect me to feel sorry for you when you get killed.  I will feel sorry for the soldiers, sailors, marines and their families instead.

THAT is my perspective.  What are your thoughts?