It's refreshing to see actual journalism coming from outside the 'Green Zone' in Iraq. Phillip Robertson's writing is clear, even handed and riveting. It's obvious these days that Baghdad is a very dangerous place for everyone, journalists included. Robertson should be credited not only for his great reporting but for his courage to go out and get the story.

shows the politics of the sectarian violence;

i hope it shows our voters the mire into which we dived

I've read every article Phillip Robertson has ever written from Iraq. He delivers, hands down, the best first-person narrative of the story on the ground that you will read anywhere. Clear, vibrant writing with detailed analysis and truly unconventional sourcing.

I always feel a bit nervous reading his stuff. Needless to say, getting on-the-record sources from the middle of the civil war is a very dangerous business. Stay safe, Phillip.

When I read this piece I'm torn between rage and utter surrender. What does it take to stop this insanity? How many examples of gut wrenching inhumanity do we need? I don't understand how to put this into any perspective anymore. How much more outrage and disgust can be spoken or written before what we call, our elected officials, put an end to the US involvement in Iraq. I think it would be easier to ignore everything and forget there is a war or even an other side of the world. I'm ashamed I live here and enjoy what I have, when I read something like this everyday.

Hassan has three daughters but her dead son was an only child? Ok maybe it's time to disabuse yourselves of this 12th century honor above all shit. Maybe that has something to do with all the killing?

Courage, and insight. I don't know how he does it and survives, but we are all indebted to Mr. Robertson for his reporting under the most harrowing circumstances. I fear for him, and applaud him, and hope he will remain safe always.

He wasn't an only child. "He was only a child..."

As I read these articles of a western journalist moving about in Iraq, I keep having the same question, is he really doing this? My impression is that westerners who travel outside the Green Zone don't live to tell about it. Perhaps I base this on an incomplete understading of what is happening there.

I don't mean to disparage this man, for his contributions are significant if true in the first person or even retelling of others stories. The story is certainly horrendous. Is it really possible to go around Iraq and live to tell about it?

eramsey