Yuratuhl wrote:
So we're annoyed that she's not complaining in the slightest and will be going back to work immediately. Right.
I'm impressed that she's devoted to her job, so few people are.
No. I, too, am impressed that she seems to be the real deal. Initially, I complained that she should have known something would eventually happen, as if she was acting like a surprised victim. She’s not. I still think she was stupid. I still think she made a bad decision. But her response makes me realize that she did understand the dangers, and she accepted/accepts it.
Now, I'm actually more annoyed at all the people who are trying to use her to publicly show everyone how sympathetic/sensitive they are, from news organizations to celebrities to fellow reporters to the president. According to the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights, 98% of non-Egyptian women are [at least] sexually harassed in Egypt. I realize the difference in harassed and assaulted, but I wonder if anyone is tweeting, calling, facebooking any of them.
Aestu wrote:
Would you be raising these points if she were not a woman but a man?
Ugh. I admit that I feel differently because she’s a woman, but my point that she should have been aware of the danger, and should accept some responsibility for her safety stands whether we are talking about her or Anderson Cooper being assaulted.
Aestu wrote:
Would you be raising these points if she were not a reporter but a soldier?
I think the difference here is that she voluntarily put(s) herself into danger while soldiers follow orders. So, no.
Aestu wrote:
Would you be raising these points if she were not harmed but accomplished her goals and escaped potential danger?
No, I don’t think so, because her attack made it a story.
Aestu wrote:
Would you be raising these points if she were not seeking to play a role in a foreign revolution but in a struggle against a hated enemy (e.g., Al Qaeda terrorists, etc)?
Yes. She’s been in Afghanistan, as well, among other places where revolution wasn’t the story. I believe these journalists often put themselves unnecessarily in harm’s way more to one-up other reporters than to get a story. Nir Rosen’s comments regarding Anderson Cooper and Logan were insensitive, but I’ll bet there’s some underlying truth in what he's implying about her motivations. She’s not playing a role in anything. She’s making a name for herself by reporting on those playing the roles from whatever hot spot she can get to. She wants to report history in the making, but certainly not anonymously. This is not a criticism. Let's just recognize that her bravery and devotion to her job aren't entirely selfless.
Aestu wrote:
Like I said, it's pusillanimous to languish in mediocrity and the status quo for fear of something not working out or someone getting hurt.
You told me something, one time, and when I see you post statements like this, I can see your admiration for people like Logan. But, I also wonder if you apply this philosophy to yourself, and if so why you’re still doing what you do, in light of our previous chat.
