Dear Richard, After reading the posting on world blog I think I am even more convinced you should come back to the United States. These people don't seem to value the lives of others and only wish to kidnap and kill for what seems to be no rational reason. You have done a remarkable and splendid job of covering this region. As I stated before I always pray for your safety. Maybe it is the time to leave this awful place. I would really wish you would return to the United States and continue your fine reporting. But in the meantime please be safe Richard! Always stay safe! Peace to you!

Dear Richard,
According to your own reports, covering Iraq has been challenging at best for the last 3 years. Embed reporting is not safe (I.E.D.s). Moving about the city or country is not safe (kidnappings). Even remaining in the hotel is not safe (mortars, car bombs). The murders of these local journalists is tragic, to say the least - in particular because they were tortured first. They and others like them were very brave. Unfortunately, we have now become acquainted with a very savage, ruthless, cruel side of humanity - one that is capable of atrocities such as this. There seems to be no end in sight, and while it is noble to want to cover a war in which our citizens are fighting and dying at an alarming rate, you know you are cheating death every day you remain there. At what point does the benefit outweigh the risk? Regardless of whether you and your colleagues remain or leave, many of us back home admire your courage and dedication, and wish you the best.

Dear Richard, Please,Please BE CAREFUL WHILE YOU ARE IN IRAQ. I always admire your reporting and I want the best for you. I want you to ALWAYS BE SAFE!!! I always thought that reporting from that area would be very dangerous. But I hope you take every precaution to TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. I understand your motivation in wanting to see this war until peace comes to that region. But people cannot be replaced ever. You are priceless to this news bureau, please be careful!!! We all care what happens to you. Please be safe!! My prayers are with you always!! Peace to you!!!

Of course you can still report from Iraq. The problem is that these "embed's" are w/ U.S. units deployed as a 'Police' force. The insurgents do not respect our "Rule of Law" or these soldiers authority. They are merely 'targets', to them ! If you're w/ these units, you're a target too. These people will use WHATEVER means they can, to win ! This is what we failed to understand - in Vietnam, Beirut & Somalia. "Showing the flag" doesn't work, w/ people that care nothing for such 'demonstrations' of perceived authority.