Wire service reporting

"Huge explosion rocks Baghdad"--Reuters

"Huge explosion rocks Baghdad"--AP

"Just before sunset"--AP

Nice try, AP, but there were still a couple of hours of daylight left.

These headlines alerted the world to an "attack" yesterday on the Green Zone!

Both wire services have new writers here, apparently. I thought I'd never again have to chase down these hysteria-producing bulletins, which were so frequent three years ago when the insurgency began. They eventually stopped when it became obvious to everyone (except, perhaps, those in New York) that rockets or mortars hit the Green Zone every week. Its a 6 mile area with an enticing target inside. Why wouldn't insurgents take aim for it?

And since many of those rockets and mortars appear to come from MY neighborhood, I often hear the out-going and have, on occasion, alerted my favorite soldier that he's about to have company. Unfortunately, by the time I can utter the words he's already saying "whoa!"

They travel that fast.

The latest tactic from the wires, to get our NY Desks all excited, is to add "the public warning systems were heard blaring 'this is not a test, duck and cover'."

Again, very sexy, but the military in the Green Zone Ducks and Covers frequently, thereby avoiding needless injuries caused by walking about, and enjoying the sunshine, while there are rockets and mortars headed their way.

The wire services cover their tracks now by reporting "slight injuries" afterwards. It makes them feel better for sending out their bogus "alerts" and "bulletins". What they don't mention is...those slight injuries are likely due to dust in the eyes from those rockets or mortars hitting dirt.