Being close to the story

I don't usually write about personal stuff on the Web (or for the magazine, for that matter), but I'm breaking that rule today to write about three of my reporting colleagues–from CBS News, two of whom were killed yesterday, and one of whom remains in critical condition after being hit by a roadside bomb.

It's chilling, under any circumstance, to hear about someone you know suffering this kind of fate. But as a journalist it's also tough–because these were professionals, just doing their jobs. None of these journalists were cowboys; they were pros, used to the difficulties of covering wars, not anxious to take any risks. But they were in the wrong place at the wrong time–and, in Iraq, there are more wrong places than right ones these days.

Killed were cameraman Paul Douglas, 48, and a sound man, James Brolan, 42. Still in critical condition is the correspondent, 39-year-old Kimberly Dozier. They went out on Monday on a routine story–covering soldiers on Memorial Day. And before Kimberly left the office, she sent a note saying she was working on a story about a wounded serviceman who insisted on returning to Iraq. She was always working.

All of these journalists represent the very best of all of us who try to report the news. And sometimes we forget that doing that job is tough, even life threatening. Our thoughts are with these families today. As for Kimberly, we know she's tough and strong, and our prayers are with her.