This is *not* what I needed to hear about the 3rd Infantry…

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030404/ap_on_re_mi_ea/war_columnist_killed_6

Some of you know that my cousin is embedded with the 3rd Infantry at the moment. I’ve been trying very, hard not to freak out (I can’t even imagine what kind of state his wife, mother, and siblings are in right now), and numerous people have been trying to reassure me that he will be surrounded by thousands of very well-trained U.S. troops, nobody would want to kill a journalist specifically, etc. But apparently none of this helped David Kelly.

How many innocent people will die in this war? I keep hoping my cousin will piss someone off and get sent home…and once he makes it home, I hope to God he decides being a war correspondent is not a sensible career move for him and never does something this insane again…

My understanding is that Michael Kelly was killed in a Humvee accident; that is, his death was not a combat death per se . I know that probably doesn’t help you much and I hope your cousin stays safe.

Eva, the 3rd infantry is now in Baghdad. Now it could get really icky.

I know. That’s part of why I’m online instead of watching TV. I may institute a “media-free zone” in my apartment this weekend.

Eva Luna, I’m glad you posted this. When I heard about Michael Kelly’s death, I remembered reading about someone here having a relative who was a journalist over there. While I’m certainly not glad for what Michael Kelly’s family must be going through now, I’m glad for you and your family that it wasn’t your cousin. Prayers and good thoughts for his safe return.

I follow the 3ID pretty closely because my “adopted” soldier is among them. But they have had remarkably few casualties thus far.

I’ll keep your cousin in my prayers.

I’m keeping you and your cousin in my prayers, Eva Luna.

I don’t know. But estimates of how many innocent people died before this war, at the hands of Saddam, are hundreds of thousands and more. Hopefully, if nothing else, the war will end that trend.

The embedded reporters are just as brave as our military personnel. My thoughts are with you and your cousin,Eva Luna. May he come home safely.

Quasimodem

In a weird way, I think I can offer you a little consolation.

My brother’s unit is about to be deployed to Iraq. This is not a “front line” unit by any stretch of the imagination. It’ll probably take them a month or so to get there after they load the ships. Tanks don’t fly.

He told me, “if they’re sending us over there, it’s all but over.”

Just hang in there.