Black, White and Red All Over

Is beginning to take on an entirely new meaning in this conflict. My condolences to his friends, family and coworkers.

6abc.com: ABC Anchor Hurt in Iraq: "Woodruff and Vogt both suffered head injuries and are being treated. They are listed in serious condition after being flown to the Balad Air Base, which is about a 15 minute flight. Woodruff is still undergoing surgery.

Officials have told ABC News that Woodruff and Vogt were wearing body armor, ballistic glasses and helmets in an effort to protect themselves."

And from ABC,

Both men suffered head injuries. Woodruff sustained shrapnel wounds and Vogt was hit by shrapnel in the head and suffered a broken shoulder.

They were probably wearing the most up to date models, and doesn't seem to have helped as much as one would have hoped. On so many levels this will present problems. Number one is the severity of his injuries. A head wound with all that protection on is not good, and as an anchor he can't afford to have a serious face wound. Number two is the relatively high visibility of Woodruff. The administration had been hoping to avoid a Cronkite moment. Number three this could be construed as unsafe for the press (war kills everyone and isn't always fair about it) and even less news will be presented to the American public. Number four, unfortunately ABC (whose article reads like an obituary) will have to rethink it's new news strategy, or look for an immediate replacement. Those are a few of the ramifications and I'm sure that there are more out there.

I hope things are not quality of life threatening to him and his family. Good luck and good surgeons.

Tags: Bob Woodruff, Cronkite, Iraq, armor,