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Jan-18-2008 12:57printcomments

Salem-News Reporter Heads to War Again

More details will be announced about this special assignment.

Salem-News.com
Tim King with Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski in Afghanistan
Photo by: Lt. Janette Arencibia, U.S. Navy

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem-News.com reporter Tim King will go to Baghdad, Iraq in March to cover the war and report specifically on the progress and mission of the Oregon National Guard forces deployed there.

Tim spent two months covering the war in Afghanistan over the winter of 2006/07, embedded with the Oregon Guard in the Army's 41st Brigade Combat Team. This time Tim will go to Iraq where hundreds of Oregon soldiers are stationed over the course of a year long deployment.

Tim will file video reports as he did in Afghanistan and those reports will be seen here on Salem-News.com. We are not sure at this point if we are going to partner with television stations in the Northwest. Portland's FOX station carried Tim's reports from Afghanistan but they say they are not interested in the Iraq coverage. Much is still up in the air as would be expected.

According to tentative plans, Tim will spend time with a number of soldiers in the combat theater and the assignment will be roughly four weeks in length. He plans to cover the activities of an Oregon Guard C-23 Sherpa cargo plane squadron, infantry security forces that patrol the ground around Baghdad, and also a Combat Engineer group. There is also a plan to send Tim to the Kirkuk region to cover a number of soldiers with the Army's 10th Mountain Division if possible.

Why Iraq? Tim says reporters don't always have the ability to select the locations of their assignments, much like the soldiers already on the ground there, the point is covering the mission of these soldiers and politics will not be part of the agenda, he says.

"I'm really excited about seeing this place and gaining a closer understanding of what is going on there and where the future is going to lead this unpopular mission. I know though, that the Oregon Guard soldiers are making life better for people when and how they can, and at all costs that has to be recognized. These soldiers did not start this conflict, but they did follow their sense of duty in serving there. That is enough for me."

More details will be announced about this special trip to Iraq that will take place in the coming weeks.

It is important to note that the general climate in television news is inspiring our desire to send a reporter into harm's way. The broadcasters have turned their backs on Iraq and they are ignoring it. This is not acceptable and ignoring a military conflict will not make it go away, it is a total disservice to the people of our state who serve in uniform. It creates a more ignorant nation.

Tim says he is completely disappointed at the lack of interest both Oregon and national broadcasters have in covering Oregonians, he hopes a few phone calls will be placed by people who are also bothered by this lack of desire to report on our nation's single biggest dilemma.

"I guess this all supports new media and the entire Internet news concept, it shows that our direction is correct as is our thinking; that the traditional things people expect in news aren't coming from the same places they used to."

He says two Oregon radio stations will carry his reports, and other Internet groups are showing interest. So even if it doesn't make the Portland news, at least residents can visit this site to get the latest. But don't write the Portland news market off completely yet, there are stations that have not yet been contacted, so that door remains open.

Tim will be traveling to Iraq with Evergreen Aviation out of McMinnville, Oregon. This group agreed to authorize transportation into Kuwait for Tim and it is one of the few options for gaining access to Iraq. Salem-News.com is grateful to Evergreen for giving us a green light on travel plans. At this point departure is tentatively scheduled for early March.




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A Guard Mom January 25, 2008 3:10 pm (Pacific time)

Jefferson, Thank you so much for your support and my thanks to you for your service to our country. God bless you.


Jefferson January 25, 2008 10:18 am (Pacific time)

Guard Mom, your son reminds me of what a lot of what my fellow Vietnam combat vets said. He sure has my support, 110%!


A Guard Mom January 24, 2008 2:58 pm (Pacific time)

Vic, I can't say that I completely disagree with your comments about why our government put us there nor am I so naive to think that the rest of the world may not agree. I was speaking more of logistics and what the hell the plan of action is for getting out of this mess and bringing our soldiers home.I wasn't specific so I understand your comments. My son does insist that we are needed there and that their presence and work in that part of the world has prevented many terrorist acts on the US since 9-11. He can't tell me specifics and I respect that. I also believe he knows what he's talking about. He's far from a war monger. However, he believes in what he does and why he does it. I'd trust him and his unit with my life anytime,if need be. I appeal to all to support and show respect to the men and women who are putting their lives on the line day and night for this country, "so" as my son puts it "you don't have to"


Vic January 24, 2008 6:45 am (Pacific time)

A Guard Mom wrote: "And then again, let's face it if they tell us, they tell the world and how smart is that? " Well , it isnt very smart to think that we are somehow fooling the rest of the world. The rest of the world knows we are there for money, oil and big business, period. The rest of the world knows that our leaders lied repeatedly to us and we do NOTHING. We arent fooling anyone. Look online and you can see the results of our invasion...dead kids, dead families, more innocent people murdered for the almighty dollar. Quit kidding yourselves....we arent fooling anyone.


A Guard Mom January 23, 2008 2:55 pm (Pacific time)

Tim, take care and above all be safe. I look forward to your reports. My son is always telling me to stop reading the papers....it's all a bunch propaganda and crap. They are not about to tell us what is really going on. And then again, let's face it if they tell us, they tell the world and how smart is that? Anyway, I wish you the best and you will be in my prayers that you come home safe. Godspeed.


Henry Ruark January 21, 2008 5:06 am (Pacific time)

Vic et al: You wrote:"Normally I would dismiss any reporting that comes from an "embedded" reporter as crap, but in Tim's case, I expect we will get honest reporting. That is priceless!" "Right on": we know Tim and thus we know his integrity, demonstrated here for years. Responsibility and its other side, accountability, are the main components of credibility forming that "priceless" integrity, otherwise hidden. (as "behind a tree !") That has great value every day in every way, but no time, nowheres more than from a "wasting war", where sons and daughters and friends and perhaps relatives lives are at stake --all ordinary people caught in crushing politics. Journalism has no higher calling than that honored one of "war correspondent", and integrity is indeed priceless, in today's media-mix.


Anne January 19, 2008 9:26 am (Pacific time)

Take care out there, will look forward to your reports.


Vic January 19, 2008 8:11 am (Pacific time)

This is good, Tim...you are right, people just dont want to hear about the war anymore, it makes them uncomfortable. Americans would rather hear about Britney Spears, or the latest celebrity arrest. We have become conditioned to accept perpetual war! I also would like to hear more reporting from Walter Reed ..most people probably think it is a college. Normally I would dismiss any reporting that comes from an "embedded" reporter as crap, but in Tims case, I expect we will get honest reporting. That is priceless!


Godsofchaos January 19, 2008 7:06 am (Pacific time)

I have one thing to say. Good Luck Tim King.


Neal Feldman January 19, 2008 2:03 am (Pacific time)

Bring me back a present. LOL But keep your head down while you find it! And keep showing things the way they are, not the smiley face the Shrub admin keeps trying to lipstick onto this particular pig. Ah well...


Jason January 18, 2008 11:50 pm (Pacific time)

Oregon Soldiers, Airmen, Seamen and Marines have got to appreciate your service, Tim. Thanks on their behalf!


Tim King January 18, 2008 5:12 pm (Pacific time)

Thanks Glen and Jefferson, I feel really good about it and the whole thing is important to the families and it is hard to put into words how separate that is from everything political. We need to move forward as a nation and world as we need to improve our own problems here at Salem-News.com. Our "peace effort" in the comment section seems to be the kind of thing we can all agree on, and that is just a beginning. I look forward to showing the personal side, the story of the people, so I hope to have the opportunities that are on the table right now. There is a story that will be published tomorrow that is written by Maggie Nelson, an Oregonian stationed over there, about improvements in an area within the Kirkuk region; it says many things about all the news we are missing, I hope to add to that. Thanks again for the supporting thoughts!


Glen January 18, 2008 5:08 pm (Pacific time)

Take good care, buddy. We want to hear your stories, but we want you safe, too.


Anonymous January 18, 2008 4:59 pm (Pacific time)

The Oregon Guard is an outstanding organization! Cover them well and show the better side of the individuals, if that is indeed what you find. If not then tell us that too.


Jefferson January 18, 2008 4:00 pm (Pacific time)

Good luck Tim

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