First, I agree with Cole's note that if Vincent was doing what was describe in the arties about him, he was acting like an idiot. No body guard, mixed sex couple as interpretation - reporter team, arguing politics and generally being an politicised person in a war zone.

Well, although the Right Bolshies who have a hard one for Cole are whinging on about this, the reality is if (and I note I paid no attention to the fellow, have not read his materials and really generally don't give a fuck about him one way or another) he did do what was described, he was really fucking stupid.

One does not pick up and run off to Iraq like that, and comport as if one is arguing politics in a bar in Jersey (or online). And frankly, if one is not an experienced war correspodant (who have remarkably fucked up lives in general), one should bloody well take precautions. Further, if one knows not the language nor the customs of a country (and indeed if one feels contempt for both), one should pretty bloody well not be traipsing about telling everyone.

In short, I have no idea what the bloody fuck Vincent wrote, have no idea as to his politics or whatever, but good fucking lord, again if the reporting is accurate, he was one clueless dumb-ass git, and while clueless dumb ass gits do not necessarily deserve to get whacked, I bloody well don't have much sympathy for them when they do.

Actually, I seem to generally short in the sympathy department so I suppose that's not saying much at all.

As an aside, in re the romantic attachment or merely rumoured romantic attachment angle Cole cites as perhaps the 'real' reason for Vincent getting whacked, I should note it need not even be true (the reality of a romantic attachment), it need only have been a rumour. As readers of my old livejournal know, I was warning US contractors in Amman not to go fucking around for this very reason (in this context, looking to pick up Xian Jordanian girls who were said to be hot, looking for men to marry, etc. All true, except fucking around bloody well be marriage or her cousin and brothers will come round with an AK, and these are Xians mind you.).

Iraq, much worse.

Well, cheap outrage and all that.