Michael Yon discusses Bless The Beasts, and the Children Live From Baqubah
Following Someone You Should Know, Bruce McQuain from QandO stayed with us for an extended interview with Michael Yon, who joined us live from Baqubah, Iraq. Michael is the Ernie Pyle of our generation. If you have the means, please consider supporting Michael’s work.
On Bless The Beasts, and the Children
We covered a lot of ground tonight, starting with his incredible new post Bless The Beasts, and the Children. Despite his well-documented, recorded interviews, video and photographs of an Al Qaeda massacre, and his offer to hand it all over to any media organization who wanted it, he has yet to hear from any MSM organization.
On Kiki Munshi
Michael was aware of Uncle Jimbo’s post at Blackfive from earlier in the day, comparing and contrasting an article on Baqubah that was in the Washington Post by Kiki Munshi with what Michael has been reporting. I asked him if she was right and he said, “Definitely untrue.”
In fact, he said, “The people of Baqubah are ecstatic. This place has had remarkable turnaround.”
For an update on this exchange, with fresh comments from Kiki and Michael, click here.
On the AP’s imaginary massacre, and their reluctance to cover a real one
Michael delivered some well-deserved praise for Bob Owens of Confederate Yankee, saying “He absolutely busted the AP on this.”
On the Iraqi security forces
“Increasingly professional and ready to fight.”
In the second half of the interview, we discussed:
Morale of the troops
With the heavy combat and 110 degree temperatures, how is the morale of the troops? Michael quipped, “110 degrees, it must be cooling off somewhere.” He said that morale was high, but he warned not to extent tours any longer than they are today (15 months).
The Iraq Security Forces
Michael said he’s seen tremendous increases in their fighting capabilities. “A tremendous progression.” The 10 Iraqi divisions are at different states of readiness, none of them ready to fully stand on their own, outside of the Kurdish north.
A Timeline
“If you want success, you just gonna have to knuckle down and stay here..for years.”
Counter Insurgency Strategy
In short, we have the right strategy, but we waited way too long to implement it. If we give it time, it could work.
Reporting from the front lines
“I will not flinch with bad news. The good news is I see lots of progress here and potential for success.”
Michael is a truly independent journalist, fully supported by his readers. If you appreciate this kind of independent, trustworthy reporting from the world’s hot spots, you can support Michael via Pay Pal at his website or by sending a check to,
Michael Yon
PO Box 5553
Winter Haven, FL 33880
What is Pundit Review Radio?
Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Hailed as “Groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.
Iraq, Michael Yon, New Media, Radio | Kevin | 
July 8, 2007 11:10 pm
Excellent program, as usual. I really enjoyed Michael Yon being on tonight. When he is on, I know I am getting the truth from the front lines.
The rest of us could really do a lot to help Michael. If we all go to his site, we could donate to this civillian journalist. He is not getting paid by anyone, except us. If you like getting the truth, please help him. He would be happy with no matter what amount you send. It all adds up. Thank you.
Well said Rosemary. Michael needs, and deserves, our support.
Kevin
[...] Pundit Review Radio interviews Michael Yon, who is critical of, among other things, the Washington Post’s Kiki Munshi, whose descripton of conditions in Baqubah Yon calls “definitely untrue” — noting that “the people of Baqubah are ecstatic. This place has had remarkable turnaround.” [...]
[...] Hours after his interview on Pundit Review Radio last night, Michael Yon published a new Dispatch about Baqubah titled Second Chances. In the section about Stringers, he said… Not to unfairly single out the Associated Press—who have had some reporters in Iraq, like Tony Castenada, who produced fair and accurate reports—but the AP’s Director of Media Relations, Paul Colford, went on the record for Confederate Yankee about why the AP had not picked up the story of the Al Hamari gravesites, with a statement that seems to indicate they place a high value on reliable sources: [...]
[...] Michael Yon, who has been called “this generation’s Ernie Pyle,” is a former Green Beret and freelance journalist. He has been in Iraq since January 2007 and previously embedded in Mosul with the 1-24 Infantry. He has often criticized U.S. policy in Iraq and Afghanistan and the Army chain of command that authorizes embedded journalists. He was among the first to describe the situation in Iraq as a “civil war.” His writing is powerful, direct, and gripping. [...]
Seroquel xr….
Seroquel xr….