Rebuilding Iraq

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Yesterday the Iraq Study Group, as I am sure you know, released their report. At first you might think the report too long to read… or too factually dense. But think again — it is long, but it is fascinating to read.

It is too bad that this matter is so serious (people losing lives every day and the situation "dire"), because in reading the report you can understand why it might make a challenging board game. You move one piece — talk to Iran — and something happens or does not. But everything done has impact… unpredictable and maybe good, and maybe bad, very bad. You help one group in Iraq, you make another mad at you — and that matters much since the goal is to get everyone on the same page working together. You get my point: The situation is extremely complicated and very dynamic.

If by chance you have tuned out Iraq in the last few months, you might want to read the report just to be brought up to speed on the issues and the problems. The situation, in the words of the report, is dire. We have huge problems and we need to figure out what to do. We can't just sit back and we can't wait. The situation is not improving. The report is very helpful to understand the problems — and it is very clearly written. Here is the link.

I often wish we could put a camera in the green room and make-up room. Last night, prior to the show, I spent about an hour speaking with General Robert Scales who later appeared on our show. I learn so much talking to General Scales — he has real life war experiences having fought in one of the biggest battles in Vietnam (Hamburger Hill — Americans lost about 70, the enemy about 630-plus.) It is obviously very different to have been in war instead of reading about it. Plus, one other fact: He inspired his two daughters — both served in the military.

I have posted today a picture of Peter, Catherine Herridge's son, and his brother. Click here to check it out!

Now for some e-mails:

E-mail No. 1

Hi Greta,
Just wanted to weigh in on the commercial in Spanish that Mr. Dix complained about. I don’t know what commercial he had seen, but I live in Virginia and had seen a commercial on ESPN one weekend day. I can’t recall the product/company (maybe McDonald’s), but I remember feeling like something was really wrong with that picture. We live in the USA where ENGLISH is the official language! I can totally understand his being upset. We see a lot of people in my business (many are illegally working/living here) and they have no desire to learn the language. Extremely frustrating! Anyway, I love reading your blog every day — keep up the good work!
Lisa
Richmond, VA

E-mail No. 2

Dear Greta Van Susteren,
I am a fan of The Chapmans from Germany. I support them where I can or I hope that I do that. The Chapmans done nothing wrong and so I cannot understand why they have to go to jail or why someone wants that. Sorry my English is not so good — remember I am from Germany. Dog, Tim and Leland are heroes and I want them to stay in the USA and that they can live their normal live again.
I hope this is over soon and that the Chapmans are going to "win."
Sincerely,
Annika
Germany
P.S. Not only America supports them, the whole world supports the Chapmans!

E-mail No. 3

Hi Greta,
I could not believe how you made it sound like the E-coli outbreak right now is really not that bad. Let me tell you. I got very sick six years ago from eating a bad hamburger. Antibiotics do not help with that sort of E-coli. I spent a week in the ICU, with the Drs. telling my husband to get my things in order because it looked like I may not make it. I did come around, and was moved to another room. That same day, I suffered a stroke, and slowly lost the sight in my left eye and some sight in my right eye. My life really changed from that day on. So really if you ask me, it is a really big deal, and people should know that they can get really sick. At the time I was a healthy 40 something year old. I don't drive a car anymore, and I'm on disability. Also did you know that some meat packing plants are adding chemicals to their meat so it looks red and healthy? Yes, they are, so remember to read your dates on all your packaging.
This outbreak was a really serious one and a lot of people could get really ill from it. I think they need to check more then the workers stool samples also. It's definitely the meat.
I hope you or anyone never gets sick from this deadly bacteria.
Be safe Greta,
Thanks for giving the chance to tell you a bit of my long story.
Sincerely,
Joni Martines

ANSWER: Joni — I did not mean to suggest it is not serious — E. coli is VERY SERIOUS. What I was hoping to communicate is that we should not go into a full-scale panic. What should be done is swift identification of the source and all the contaminated food… and, of course, fix the problem IMMEDIATELY. But yes, you are right, it is serious and in many instances life threatening.

E-mail No. 3

Hi Greta,
I think you might consider that teasing and making fun of others, especially in public, is not the classiest form of humor. Some deep hurt can come from such situations and your audience is not privy to your thoughts when you do this. If you have to make fun of anyone, choose yourself as the victim.
Carol
Walnut Creek CA

ANSWER: I am curious what other viewers think: Was my teasing of Steve Doocy too rough? (Incidentally, he did not think so… he laughed.)

E-mail No. 4

Hi,
Keep Dog Chapman here. What part of "he did Mexico a huge favor" don't they get?
Pat Owens

E-mail No. 5

As a long time resident of the SW Oregon area where James Kim died, I would like to just comment on the situation. I have driven Bear Camp Road hundreds of times, and know it to be a thoroughly beautiful yet extremely rugged and remote area. There are prominently placed large signs at both ends of the road stating that "Bear Camp Road is not maintained for winter travel." Locals know that when the snow flies only snowmobiles and snowcats can traverse it. The road may be completely impassable well into late spring. James Kim is not the first ill-informed, ill-equipped person to die up there under identical circumstances. (Discovery Channel covered the last similar death in detail a year or so ago). He started up a well-marked road unprepared for travel in adverse conditions, failed to ask/seek advice, failed to read or understand the map he evidently carried, failed to understand the folly of going cross country in extreme terrain, and ultimately failed in knowing the basics of survival. I have personally advised lost travelers that Bear Camp was closed for the season, whereupon I was indignantly told that that couldn't be possible since the map showed it to be a "good road."
James Kim's death is certainly a terrible loss to the family, as well as a burden on all of the dedicated searchers who put their well being on the line, but ultimately Kim bears full responsibility for the terrible situation. His death was most certainly avoidable, but unfortunately he won't be the last to pay for the folly of ignoring the obvious.
Kerry Crandall

E-mail No. 6

Greta, it sounds like you may have the same problem I've had in the past with my cell phones.
With my cell phone if I push the redial key without knowing, the same thing happens. I have annoyed so many people. I have been so embarrassed, also! There should be a way to lock your keyboard. Since you don't have your directions any longer, I would suggest you have someone call both companies and get a walk through on how to lock your keyboard. Or, maybe one of your readers will walk you through it that owns one of the particular phones you have in response to this blog.
Alice

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