Building Hope

Kent Davy, editor of the Escondido, Ca. North County Times, brings a great feature to our attention. It's the work of two North County (San Diego) Times journalists who were embedded with the Marines during the Iraqi elections. The story by reporter Darrin Mortenson and slide show with audio narration (note - view the flash movie version) by photographer Hayne Palmour serve as a compelling tribute to the Marines' in Najaf - and an outstanding reminder of the strength and courage of the people of Iraq.

I must take a moment here to acknowledge the fine work done in Iraq by many of the reporters willing to take on the task. Their hours are often bad, the stories often grim, but those who are willling to tell it like it is from the front lines are performing an historical service at obvous risk. I've corresponded with many such individuals and respect their work tremendously. All too often I use the generic term 'media' when accusing some of faulty or slanted reporting. Such broad brush terms are convenient shorthand but unfair to so many individuals doing great work at extreme personal danger.

As a side note: the Times feature is also a great use of the versatility of the internet in transmitting information, an outside the box presentation concept for a primarilly print media site. Those dead tree publications who'd like to thrive into the middle decades of this century would do well to note the shifting paradigm.

Go see.