2002-02-21 @ 9:42 p.m.

daniel pearl got his start in the mid 1980s at the newspaper that i presently work for. my mother saw this as a good opportunity to point out to me how see, i can move up and travel the world. even though i work for a small town newspaper now. whatever.

our government let him down. thats my opinion. and until someone proves otherwise, it will remain my opinion. from reports ive read and seen about him, a beautiful, kind man died doing what he was meant to do. he was brave. more brave than our president and his so-called officials. the world will never be a safe place for journalists until our 'leaders' get off their fucking thrones.

in a very conservative estimate, 43 journalists were killed last year doing their jobs overseas. a much higher number than the military personnel killed. in this war, since january first. one military person was killed. one cia agent was killed. and NINE journalists have been killed. already. this. year. whats wrong with this picture?

i think this probably hits most newspaper journalists, photojournalists, and editors somewhere deep in their hearts. regardless of whether they knew him. and regardless of whether theyre stationed in karachi pakistan or nowhere north dakota. its just a sad reality. that hits home no matter where you are.

and honestly. it makes me have second thoughts about moving up. moving on. of pursuing the one dream ive really always had with me. of seeing the world. and perhaps ill just stay at my safe little small town newspaper. and photograph the kids growing up and the pancake breakfasts and the annual fair in august. and never risk a thing. but i could never do that. and i think he proved. unknowingly. how important it really is.

my heart hurts. for his family. his friends. his unborn child. for anyone who ever knew him. for what the future holds for journalists.

and may he rest in peace.