Mr. McIntyre is a first-class guy and I have thanked him repeatedly for reading and writing on my work. By the way, I think he was being sarcastic about me bugging him to read my book. We’ve been communicating on Facebook for a while and I mentioned it to him several times.

Really interesting debate — unfortunately, Steve Valley (whose book I’ve meant to read for some time) sort of descended into stridency, which overwhelmed some of his good points.

I will say that the soldiers I met at small JSS’s would not have respected me if I’d given up anything controversial. I think they liked I was there to do my job, and they would do theirs, and we’d all get along just fine. One of my photos ended up getting a soldier in a bit of trouble — but when I re-embedded with his company again some time later (when the soldier had left the unit), not only was nobody angry at me, but they blamed him for being stupid about what the picture showed. So they had a face-to-face opportunity to complain to me, and actually took my side. If I’d said what Harrigan did, I can’t visualize any of the soldiers looking at me with much more than disdain — they just wanted the truth to be told, not for me to try and fit in as one of them.

Steve Harrigan had an opinion about an event he didn’t participate in, right? I can’t say I really respect anyone who tries to curry favor by saying what he WOULD have done. I only concern myself with what I’ve DONE. So who knows what Harrigan’s actual decision would have been, had he actually been confronted with it. Of course, the Marines did the right thing, as the insurgent seemed to be going for a weapon. I think that goes without saying. But I’m still keeping my video.

And, Jamie, I’m not sure I agree with the “picking fights wins you respect” argument. I mean, yeah, you’re showing your hard-nosed, but if you’re just a bully (which I know is not really what you’re saying), that’s not gaining any sort of long term benefit. I was just a freelancer with nobody backing me up, but a few times when a CSM or 1SG tried to bully me, I could usually get my way just by crossing my arms, sort of half-smile and say, “I was in the Army in 1991. This isn’t 1991.” They’d bluster a little bit, but it always turned out okay.

But…I was in a much different setting than Valley worked in, and those major outlet reporters were putting much different demands on him. So I guess I’m not sure how relevant my experience truly is, as far as a comparison.

And, if the Fox guys were always friendly to me, back when I was in a PAO situation, I’m sure I would have made them my go-to guys as well. So is that really anything other than an honest statement? I don’t think so…

Good debate, though. Steve should relax! He’s getting his word out, and that’s what’s important!

Another point — no person can be available all the time, everywhere. Someone could be regarded as a good reporter but they gotta sleep! In a zone as large as even Baghdad — there is plenty to see and plenty to do. So if one person gets the story time after time — does someone delay calling the press until a certain person is available?

And we cannot talk to an individual (military, reporter, whatever) and get The Story. The situation is too big, too fluid, too complex.

This is all “inside baseball” for most us to read about. I’d just like to see stories done in context of strategy and how operations are stacking up to achieve goals. And yes, we have them. Gen McChrystal is pretty damn specific about COIN.

Regardless, I really appreciate you for showing both sides. You are an honorable gentleman. I follow you because of Jim Long and your willingness to work with him in the past (he is a hidden gem in the media).

Haven’t read the book so I won’t comment on it yet.