What would the NYTimes do if Michael Yon were kindnapped? Keep quiet or print it because it is news? I'm pleased Mr. Rhode is safe and commend all of the media silence. However, when the lives of American and coalition troops are at risk, the press is all too willing to print what it pleases. The double standard is at best categorized as "troubling".

It's absolutely grotesque that the press would be so careful to protect news about one of their own while happily filling their pages with endless details about our top secret intelligence programs. They don't care how many soldiers they kill with their leaks but when it comes to one of their own, they actually give a damn about secrets. It is a genuine shame that this turd survived his ordeal.

Ira and the anonymous coward are disgraces to America. To suggest that Mr. Yon should have ignored the requests to stay silent about Rohde's escape and put his life in danger just because you don't care for the New York Times is beneath contempt. I am disgusted.

Thanks for doing the right thing, Michael, and congratulations to Rohde and his wife.

Let's face it Rohde was there for fame and fortune(greed). The riches to be gained from a book and the adulation of his peers and public if he should win a literary prise. I don't begrudge him that as long as he did not put even one member of the US military at risk and efforts to gain his release were the same as for any other US or Allied Troop.
People who go to Afghanistan, Iraq, Etc. voluntarily are there for because they want to be and have something to gain either monetarily, psychologically , or spiritually. Greed, self serving, egotistical you pick the reason.
If they get kidnapped that is just part of the deal, no one made them be there.

Maybe some go to discover and reveal what is actually happening.

Mr. Rohde managed to survive and good for him. I find it curious that the enemy didn't proclaim his capture over these many months and then do to him what they have done to many. John Solecki, the kidnapped American working for the UN in Pakistan, got little notice when released though; he was exchanged for some imprisoned Taliban leaning insurgents. We'll see how Mr. Rohde's story plays out in the media.

Michael, when you get details about how he escaped, I hope you will write about it. Was it a military rescue? Was he able to get free by himself? Thanks, Michael.

Thank you for informing us, Michael, as the press certainly doesn't...at least with the truth you present. I read every dispatch with interest and always come away with a new appreciation for what is happening with the fight for freedom in places we never dreamed we were. Our gov't sure does share positive information regarding these places as you do.

Have noticed comments made which include any criticism of our leader(s) (where criticism is quite earned I might add) is not posted...are we to believe you, as the press does, edit and exclude anything nonpositive toward our gov't in OUR fight to KEEP our freedoms? Hope you aren't falling into the same category as the U.S. press...in O's pocket!

Scott....have noticed your attitude (perhaps a tad self righteous are we?) in previous posts. Obviously the example is not there because it was not posted.

Admittedly, I was wrong....for (this time) my comments did make the post. Perhaps it was a glitch previously, or perhaps these words were not as offensive...be it as it may, I am not swayed by sarcasm but will keep proudly expressing my opinion.....jus t as Michael does and all of us should during these very dangerous times. Regardless of attempts at intimidation.

Quick comment from Michael: Am about to reach Afghanistan. Long road ahead.

Comments are not edited other than for profanity. We don't edit comments and my webmaster is told to let all comments stand. But am told that our software will take out profanity. Kids read this site and I do not like profanity flying around, but that's the extent of the censorship. Some have complained that the software can be difficult to negotiate. For that, I apologize, and agree! I do not know why some people have problems posting comments, but we have had some complaints and are trying to figure this out.

But comments can be interesting: If I say people in Nepal love Obama (they seem to), many Americans will say I am an Obama supporter and am drinking the Kool-Aid. When I went to the inauguration... I was actually in D.C. on separate business…this was seen as a political statement. The inauguration was just down the road. Who would miss that? After the inauguration, I flew to Israel. When I say that Israelis seem to deeply mistrust Obama (they seem to), eggs and soda bottles fly my way. I just report what I see and hear. Good, bad, ugly.

Post what you like here. The software goes for curse words but those don’t include names like Bush or Obama.