Breaking: ABC Reporter Bob Woodruff & Camera Man In Surgery - Iraq Attack

[matcom]

ABC Reporter Bob Woodruff and his cameraman are both being treated for serious injuries after an attack in Iraq. Their convoy apparently hit an improvised explosive device (IED).

http://www.cbs4boston.com/

update: local news says both have SERIOUS head injuries

[Mr.Green93]

1. Someone trying to stop the truth

from getting out?

[bpilgrim]

23. recently been reporting how our guys are KIDNAPPING the wives of Iraq's

was he targeted :shrug:

peace

[hang a left]

25. Was that his story??

How many journos does this make now?

[bpilgrim]

31. it was a story on ABC's 'World News' last night - n/t

peace

[hang a left]

35. hmmmm

[BiggJawn]

53. I read that. doesn't that violate the Geneva conventions? (yeah, I know)

Naive me.
That was his story?

[Hissyspit]

85. This doesn't have to be a conspiracy. It's VERY dangerous over there.

ANY time you go out in a vehicle, you risk an IED. Think about how many times you go out of your house in a given week - and these guys are reporters. Many people are not victims because they have been LUCKY - timing or sitting in the right vehicle at the right time.

[Tesha]

105. Actually, it's more like the *FORCING OUT* of the truth.

Since Peter Jennings died, ABC has been doing its darndest
to switch over to the same "The Ware is Going GREAT!" happy-
talk that the rest of the American news media has been pushing.

Now, it's evident for a few more people that the war isn't
going quite as well as the neocons claim.

Maybe now ABC will send to Iraq the bimbo other talking head
from World News Tonight so she too can be convinced that just
because she spouts nightly the expected propaganda, that still
doesn't make it the truth.

Tesha

[Maiden England]

2. Damn liberal media - Iraq is so peaceful

So they have to go search out a bomb to drive over to make it LOOK like there is unrest.

:sarcasm:

I hope Bob Woodruff and his cameraman have a speedy recovery.

[global1]

3. Here's The ABC News Link and Picture Of Woodruff......

http://abcnews.go.com/

[bananas]

27. abc news story link is up now

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1553947

[UpInArms]

83. link: ABC:Martha Raddatz on Bob Woodruff

http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/story?id=1554171

excerpt:

RADDATZ: Bob and Doug were in a convoy, and they were with U.S. military as well from the 4th Infantry Division, but they were with Iraqi security forces. As you know, the U.S. military is training Iraqi security forces. Bob and Doug were apparently with the 4th Infantry Division in an up-armored humvee and wanted instead to go in a vehicle with the Iraqi military forces.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Much softer target.

RADDATZ: Much softer target. It was a mechanized vehicle. At least it wasn't one of the pickup trucks which they usually drive around in. They were in the lead vehicle and they were up in the hatch, so they were exposed. They did have all of their body armor on. They had helmets on. They had eye protection. But the IED went off, the improvised explosive device.

They were both immediately injured, taken away. They have shrapnel wounds. Both apparently have shrapnel wounds to the head. They were first transferred to the green zone, the international zone. Their medical condition — they were stabilized. Then they were flown by helicopter to Balad. Balad is north of Baghdad.

<snip>

RADDATZ: It's become a primary target. It's a softer target, as you know, but it is a primary target to attack these forces. There have been hundreds and hundreds — thousands, probably — of Iraqi security forces killed. Sometimes they're attacked by suicide bombers, but they have become a primary target. It is very dangerous business, training these troops for that reason alone.

...more...

[tularetom]

4. Shame on me

I read that as Bob WOODWARD and I don't want to tell you what my reaction was.

[RaRa]

7. God, same here. My bad. n/t

[Carni]

69. I did too

And I think I may have just caused myself some bad karma :(

[qanda]

5. Oh, that's terrible

Prayers for them and their families.

[Surya Gayatri]

9. self-delete

edit: Was relying on hearsay about B. Woodruff being J. Woodruff's son--Wikipedia is silent on the subject, so I stand corrected. Sorry!

[matcom]

10. is Judy his mother?

was wondering that. wonder how she will spin THIS on IMUS

[cornermouse]

12. If she goes on Imus in the near future, you'll know she's not much

of a mother. If she goes to be with her son, you'll know she's taking it hard.

[Garbo 2004]

21. Bob Woodruff is not related to Judy Woodruff. n/t

[Cooley Hurd]

14. I don't think so - she was born in 1946, he was born in 1961...

:shrug:

[Surya Gayatri]

24. That's what I thought

I'd read somewhere. But, Wikipedia is silent on the suject. So, I stand corrected, I guess. Sorry! SG

[Junkdrawer]

18. NOT HER SON...

Judy Woodruff
Born: 20-Nov-1946
Birthplace: Tulsa, OK

Gender: Female
Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Journalist

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: CNN newscaster

Husband: Al Hunt (m. 1980)
Son: Jeffrey Woodruff Hunt (b. 1981 with spina bifida)
Son: Benjamin Hunt (b. c. 1986)
Daughter: Lauren Ann (adopted, b. c. 1988)


http://www.nndb.com/people/805/000050655/

[MaineDem]

20. Also, his ABC bio mentions nothing about it

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=127761

[skooooo]

52. it is....i'm so sorry...

I hope they will both recover.

[Fox Mulder]

6. It's on CNN.com also...

Breaking News banner at the top of the page: http://www.cnn.com

[WinkyDink]

16. Well, it's not on TV's CNN.

At least, not right now.

[Garbo 2004]

29. It's been on CNN. I saw it reported earlier when the story first broke. nt

[warrior1]

8. bob woodruff

[goclark]

98. Damn this war! End it now! nt

[Hyernel]

Bush Mafia sending a message to ABCNews???

Just want to throw it out there....since the first image that popped into my head was that M1 Abrams tank blasting the hotel where reporters were staying (at the beginning of the war).

Best wishes to Bob and his camera man.

[Peachhead22]

11. Any relation to Judy Woodruff?

I wonder if there's any relation? And like everyone, I hope both people have a speedy recovery and no serious long term effects. Head injuries are a bitch.

[BeatleBoot]

30. No relation. He's from Michigan.

Bloomfield Township, Michigan I believe.

My prayers are with him and his family.

[Surya Gayatri]

32. Hope not, but this could put an end

to his career as a reporter. Head injuries (the visible scars aside) are the longest of all traumas to heal. SG

[JuniperLea]

36. He's a great journalist

He would no doubt wear any scars as a badge of honor.

I always liked him and thought he was one of the few that told it as it was.

Note he was wearing a helmet and body armour. I wonder what kind it was.

I always wondered if we were distant cousins or something. Woodruff isn't a very common name, despite it's long history.

[Surya Gayatri]

39. He'll have a long road back, not to mention

PTSD to deal with. May he have the strength to deal with it. SG

[JuniperLea]

40. I'll hope that for him as well

I always found myself thankful for his reporting.

Holding positive thoughts.

[xxqqqzme]

92. head injuries are a bitch

Lost the use of my left side from a head injury. In a coma for 4 days until the swelling subsided. Two years of physical theapy gave me the use of my leg/foot but not my hand or arm. I send nothing but healing wishes their way 'n hope it is not very damaging.

It is rather startling 2 C the brain's MRIs knowing the back area is dead cells. I rember thinking - I thought drugs were supposed 2 do that!

[Justice Is Comin]

13. Maybe this will finally get CNN

to tell it like it is on this damn body bag war.

[johnfunk]

15. Son of Judy Woodruff (?), showed lots of potential

I was surprised that he had been tapped to co-anchor ABC World News Tonight; neither he nor Liz Vargas struck me as impressive in the anchor chair. The ratings hadn't been impressive either. But Woodruff's not bad in the field. No matter my feelings about corrupt media, I hope he pulls through -- it sounds bad.

[Fla Dem]

28. NO! Not son of Judy...Short bio here....................

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1553947

<snip>

Woodruff was named co-anchor of ABC News' "World News Tonight" with Elizbeth Vargas this month after the death of Peter Jennings. In an unusual approach to evening news shows, one of the two co-anchors typically reports from the studio in New York while the other reports from the field, as Woodruff was doing in Iraq.

Woodruff grew up in Michigan and became a corporate lawyer in New York. He took a leave of absence to teach at a school in China, helped CBS News during the Tiananmen Square uprising and became hooked on journalism.

"When I realized there was a job that existed in this world where I could be in the middle of huge world events and actually get paid for it, it was an epiphany for me," he told The Associated Press in a recent interview.

He has covered the Justice Department and reported from Iraq, Afghanistan, Belgrade and Kosovo.

[johnfunk]

47. That was why the question mark!

It was a "Huh?" reaction.

[DesertRat]

17. That's a shame

I hope they both fully recover.

[UpInArms]

19. I do hope they both will be okay -

I have felt that it was only a matter of time before a television reporter got injured - but think that maybe the networks will not have to pay attention to how horrible the situation in Iraq is/was and will be if we don't get out of there.

:(

[shayes51]

57. At least maybe this sad story will put a face on the Iraq casualties.

[hang a left]

22. A little more information...

Woodruff and cameraman Doug Vogt were hit by an improvised explosive device near Taji, Iraq, and were in serious condition at a U.S. military hospital, ABC News President David Westin said.

The two were embedded with the 4th Infantry Division and traveling with an Iraqi Army unit.

The U.S. military headquarters in Baghdad confirmed that the ABC News team was involved in an attack but declined to provide further details to The Associated Press. An official military statement was expected to be issued later Sunday.

Woodruff was named co-anchor of ABC News' World News Tonight with Elizabeth Vargas this month after the death of Peter Jennings. In an unusual approach to evening news shows, one of the two co-anchors typically reports from the studio in New York while the other reports from the field, as Woodruff was doing in Iraq.

Woodruff grew up in Michigan and became a corporate lawyer in New York. He took a leave of absence to teach at a school in China, helped CBS News during the Tiananmen Square uprising and became hooked on journalism.

snip>

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2006-01-29-woodruff_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA

[WinkyDink]

26. Judy's children are Lauren, Ben, and Jeff. Husband is Al Hunt .

So children's surname is Hunt, not Woodruff.
Or, what #18 said.

Bob was a lawyer in China, translating, when the ex-lawyer head of ABC (CBS?) hired him to report on Tianenmen Square.

[hang a left]

33. Where is Taji, is that in the North?? West?? Can't find it.

[hang a left]

34. Al Taji Army Airfield / Al Taji Camp

on edit: found it, 12 miles north of Bagdad.

[durablend]

37. Damn liberal media!

Having them get injured by an IED to make * look bad again.

THE NERVE!!!!

:sarcasm:

[BeatleBoot]

38. Bob Graduated from the University of Michigan Law School

Got his Bachelor's from Colgate.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=127761

[LizW]

41. The anchorman?

Crap, that's awful. He's a young guy, and I'll bet he has kids.

My thoughts are with him and the cameraman and their families.

Who wants to bet Bush turns this into a reason to enrage Americans against the "terrists"?

[shaniqua6392]

42. He is only 44 years old

and he has 4 children. Thoughts and prayers for his family. I hope he will be alright.

[onehandle]

43. Now will the media report how "perfect" Bush's illegal war is going? nt

[Tesha]

107. No. (NT)

[Kalisiin]

44. Too Bad About The Cameraman

'nuff said.

[Kalisiin]

45. Aw, Crap...Self Edit!!!

I read that as Bob WOODWARD. Sorry. Hope WOODRUFF also has a speedy recovery, too bad for him, too.

[johnfunk]

48. A damn shame WoodWARD is not covering Iraq

Send the biggest whores into their Dear Leader's mess, I say...

[pyro858]

46. My Sentiments Exactly

I just can't muster much sympathy for the media. Too many of our sons and daughters have died because of the complicity of the media in selling this war. I think we tend to forget there would be no war in Iraq without the lies the media spread!

[gauguin57]

62. Be that as it may ...

... these journalists are incredibly brave to walk into Bush's mess (a very, very dangerous place to be) to report back to the American people.

If they weren't there, Bush et al would get away with a whole lot more shit than they are now.

So, however you feel about the war and the media, we must salute the bravery of the journalists who go into harm's way like this.

[anitar1]

93. I have read that many of the MSM reporters never leave their

hotels, although there are a few who have some courage. I like Bob Woodruff. One of the few on MSM that I do like.I hope he will recover without lasting damage.

[A Brand New World]

91. Please don't say that! My husband is a local TV news photographer

and it's not fair to jumble those folks up with Bush's illegal and immoral war. The media, for the most part, especially the photographers, are only doing their jobs. Granted there are those who have been complicit with spreading the lies, but there are many others who try to bring the truth to light.

[Edward Copeland]

49. I wish the best for Woodruff and Doug Vogt

Perhaps this will put Iraq back on the media radar screen after their recent amnesia on the situation there. I've put a post on my blog about the subject.

http://edwardcopeland.blogspot.com

[still_one]

50. A well known reporter gets injured in iraq, and it is headline news

a soldier or civillian gets injured, and it is barely covered

Remember it was the U.S. media who also helped push us to invade iraq

[stray cat]

54. Bob Woodruff and Doug Vogt

Two people doing their job and "not the US media who helped push us to invade iraq"

[Straight Shooter]

59. I understand your perspective, still_one. However ...

... a familiar face/personality is going to get a great deal more media attention than someone who is unknown to all but his/her family and friends. Sad, but that's how the media works.

If there can be any upside to this at all, I hope it is that people who are fond of this man will turn their anger towards this illegal war, and not towards the people of Iraq who want us out.

I dread the outcome of these injuries to the men personally. :(

[hedgehog]

89. 'Twas always thus

Why do you think it's such a big deal to get celebrities associated with diseases or disasters? Michael Fox puts a face on Parkinson's disease, Bono won't let people forget third world hunger.

[leftchick]

51. ABC News Link.... Explosion then small arms fire....

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=1553996&page=1

Jan. 29, 2006 — "World News Tonight" anchor, Bob Woodruff and his camera man, Doug Vogt, are both in serious condition after they were hit by an improvised explosive device in Taji, Iraq, today.

Woodruff is undergoing surgery at the U.S. military hospital in Balad, where Vogt also is being treated.

Woodruff, Vogt and their four-man team were traveling in a convoy with the Iraqi army. They were in a mechanized vehicle when the explosive went off. The exposion was followed by small arms fire.

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


Both were wearing body armor, helmets and ballistic glasses. They had been traveling in a U.S. armored humvee, but then transferred into the Iraqi vehicle. Vogt and Woodruff are embedded with the 4th Infantry Division.

[Ian David]

55. Why don't FOX reporters ever get killed or kidnapped? n/t

[Milspec]

58. Thats a nasty thought

for anyone to be killed or kidnapped.

[marylanddem]

68. We all have "nasty" thoughts at times. They come from the

anger, outrage and sheer frustration we feel seeing this war unfold with the blessings of networks like Fox.

[Ian David]

74. Fox created and perpetuated both this presidency and this war. n/t

[Ian David]

73. The point is that all the "accidents" seem to target the REAL press

The ones reporting on how many Iraqi civilians are being killed, for example.

Awfully convenient how many are hit by "friendly fire," especially in light of the memo expressing Bush's desire to bomb Al Jazeera.

Besides, there wouldn't have been a war without Fox. It's a shame none of them are paying the price.

[Kalisiin]

87. Yeah, It Is...But I'm Afraid I Share It

my support for IanDB1.

Yeah, it is a nasty thought. But I am afariad I sahre it. FAUX NEWS helped get us into this war...would be fitting if some of THOSE assholes got hurt...instead of everyone else.

THAT is where that thought is coming from.

Seems to me that those who are PROFITTING from the war...are not the ones paying for it with their life and limbs. And that is making a bunch of us angry. We are seeing that those who get hurt...who give their life and their limbs and their sanity for this cause...are NOT the ones profitting by it. They are paying the price while the chickenhawks reap all the profit.

Just once, we would like to see one of THOSE assholes pay the price. Horrible, nasty thought? Maybe so. But I can understand it. And sympathize with it. And even agree with it.

Quite frankly, I'd LIKE to see some asshole like O'Lielly, Limpballs, Hannity, Coulter, or any of the other freaking todaies of Bush get hurt themselves...and THEN see how much support they have for the Bush Criminal Family.

It's always fine when someone ELSE is paying the price, ain't it, chickenhwak bastards?

[area51]

61. Cuz they're too cowardly to go out there. (n/t)

[Charles19]

63. They don't have to leave the studio to report news because

they just make it up.

[goclark]

100. They just have to get a phone call from Karl

and that is what they spin.

They don't need to go near any battle field.

[IndianaGreen]

64. Because they never leave the Green Zone

Faux merely reports as news Central Command's dispatches.

[Posteritatis]

99. Islamic edicts against contact with swine? (n/t)

[kedrys]

56. Oh Jeebus.

Prayers and good vibes to Mr Woodruff, Mr Vogt, and their families and friends. I really like Bob Woodruff, and was glad he got picked to step into half of Peter Jennings' considerable shoes.

What's freaky is that he's my age, and I know I'd never have the guts to put myself in danger's way like he does. I hope he and Doug Vogt make swift and full recoveries.

[Scout1071]

60. I'm sick for Bob Woodruff/crew and families. My thoughts and prayers

are with them.

[bluestateguy]

65. He seems like a decent guy

I'm not really sure what he has done to deserve the vitriol being levled at him by a vocal minority on this board. I wish him well.

[Kalisiin]

86. I Think Most Of The Vitriol Is Coming From

people who, like me, misread WOODRUFF for WOODWARD.

[tabasco]

66. Prayers for the injured.

Here was a reporter trying to do his job, while others sit cozy in Kuwait or safe inside the Green Zone.

I hope he recovers and is able to continue reporting.

Every life lost in Bush's folly is a needless tragedy.

[Karla Marx]

67. The Washington Post Sunday Style section had a puff piece on Woodruff

and Vargas. Guess the paper went to bed before the news got out. Ironic and eerie.

[MountainLaurel]

70. Here's the link to it

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/28/AR2006012801187.html

[DoctorMyEyes]

76. Really unfortunate quote to have published today:

"Moving away from the studio -- the hermetically sealed, perfectly coiffed theory of anchoring -- there is risk in that," Westin says. "In my view, the greater risk is keeping it the way it was."

[GoddessOfGuinness]

104. Elizabeth Vargas said she was jealous...

She is flying solo because Woodruff set off that morning for the Gaza Strip -- "I'm so jealous," Vargas told him -- where he will cover the Palestinian elections. This, too, is part of the new look, using anchors as roving correspondents to add a jolt of energy to an all-too-familiar format.

Guess that put a damper on her envy...

[progressivebydesign]

71. That's really awful. I hope that they get thru this okay.

They were wearing helmets and body armor, but apparently that's not enough. Kudos to them for going right into the middle of things. Sounds like that is the type of person Woodruff is. He began his journalism career after helping the media report during the Tianneman Square crisis, when he was teaching in China (he was a lawyer).

[soulcore]

72. This is, unfortunately, what happens in a freaking war zone.

"Woodruff and cameraman Doug Vogt were wearing body armor and helmets, but were standing up in the hatch of the Iraqi armored vehicle when the device went off. No one else was hurt in the explosion, the network said."

Ouch. So much for last throwes.

I'm curious as to what kind of armor they we're wearing. Bet it was dragon skin, that stuff that's too good for my buddy in Anbar province.

[LisaL]

75. Why were they standing on the hatch?

What, there was not enough room inside?

[RebelOne]

78. I would assume they were filming.

[Cooley Hurd]

79. Probably filming...

They were in the hatch of some sort of mechanized vehicle:

<snip>
Woodruff and his crew had been traveling in a U.S. armored humvee, but then transferred into an Iraqi vehicle — which was believed to be a much softer target for attacks.

"It was a mechanized vehicle," Raddatz said. "At least it wasn't one of the pickup trucks they usually drive around in. They were in the lead vehicle, and they were up in the hatch, so they were exposed."

Raddatz said both Woodruff and Vogt were protected. They were wearing body armor, helmets and ballistic glasses. Woodruff and Vogt were taken by medevac to the Green Zone to receive treatment. They were then flown by helicopter to Balad which is about a 20-minute ride from Baghdad, said Raddatz.
</snip>

[PCIntern]

77. Clinically, the term 'serious'

has grave implications. President Kennedy sustained what were then described intiially as 'serious' head wounds in Dallas. It is a very specific term...

[Tin Man]

84. I concur - circumstances of attack suggests injuries could become mortal

Body armor, helmets, goggles - yes better than nothing, but when your head and/or upper body are directly exposed to an IED blast you're in serious, serious trouble. Please pray for their recovery.

[Borgnine]

80. Christ, that's horrible.

I stopped watching ABC News long ago and don't have any opinions of Woodruff on a professional level, but that doesn't change the fact that I hope he and his cameraman pulls through this. Even if he was the biggest Bush whore around I'd pray for his recovery.

It's such a shame too. Imagine getting the co-anchor spot and then a month later being involved in this.

[Midlodemocrat]

81. ABC News - breaking. They are out of surgery and stable.

http://abcnews.go.com/

[MiniMe]

96. Don't mean to be negative, but Ariel Sharon is in stable condition too. nt

[high density]

82. Breaking News banner on ABCNews.COM says...

'WORLD NEWS TONIGHT' CO-ANCHOR BOB WOODRUFF AND HIS CAMERAMAN ARE OUT OF SURGERY AND IN STABLE CONDITION

[Rex]

88. Even with body armor they still took serious shrapnel hits.

How many more Americans and Iraqis have to be injured or die before we stop this madness?

[goclark]

101. And just think @ our brave soldiers

who are fighting this stupid war everyday without body armor of real quality.

[graywarrior]

90. Sucks bigtime. Shouldn't happen to anyone....

well, maybe a few that we all know and despise.

[bklyncowgirl]

94. Iraq's getting safer every day, isn't it.

This just shows how out of control things are there. I mean you'd think the army would be protective of a major news guy. This is not the sort of publicity they want.

[LizW]

95. They were standing up in the back hatch filming

IED was triggered by a hard wire in the ground. They took small arms fire from three sides after the explosion. It seems no soldiers were injured in the attack.

The producer who is in Iraq with them spoke on camera on ABC Nightly News. She said she talked to both of them after they were airlifted to the Green Zone. The cameraman was conscious. She did not say that Woodruff was.

It is going to be interesting to see how ABC covers these men's injuries. Many, many soldiers are trying to recover from the exact type of injuries these newsmen have (head injuries and shrapnel wounds).

[graywarrior]

97. The fire they are showing on the Boston link took place at my old

high school hang out.

[dweller]

102. remember, it was when Cronkite came out against the VN war

that the tide turned.

Now, if someone, say Schieffer or (who? now that Jennings and Rather are gone, is Brokaw still there? i never watch him anymore) were to come out against the war, seeing their colleagues being blown away, pointing out the futility of what is going on there...

would it make a difference?

good wishes to Woodruff and crew. Hope they make it.

dp

[tomreedtoon]

103. If Schieffer comes out against the war, will ABC run it?

Will anybody know? Might he "mysteriously" die in his hospital bed if he lets it known he's against the war?

[wordpix2]

106. Biden just said they were hit in Iraqi vehicle and these are not armored!

Said he knows of news guys traveling with Iraqi forces and their vehicles are largely unarmored. Said he warned Woodruff before he got on teh plane not to travel with Iraqi forces. Biden was on Imus this a.m.

Gee, wonder why the Iraqis can't take over their own country. They don't even have armored vehicles????!!! WTF?