crossposted at mediocrisOne aspect of the Woodruff attack that bears discussing is the fact that now, for the first time, millions of Americans know someone who went to Iraq and got injured. Think about this for a minute. While we all felt bad for the Cameraman, he was another faceless figure who took one for the team. But Bob Woodruff, well, people see him every day. You get familiar with TV faces like his, and you feel like you know them.
That's why, for many Americans, the Woodruff attack could be a turning point. Now these Americans know someone. For those of us who have had family come back from the service injured these past few years (myself included) do not need any reminders about the seriousness of the War on Iraq. But, as has been discussed here, many Americans live in a happy bubble, where the War on Iraq is simply a few discomforting moments a day, before you can flip to Seinfeld or turn to the comics.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Bob Woodruff is or should be a tool of the Anti-War movement. The entire war and its mismanagement serves that purpose just fine. I do hope and pray for Bob and for Doug Vogt, the nameless cameraman.
But I hope that Bob goes back on the air soon, scars and all, to relay his experience. I hope he turns to the viewing public as a supportive family, and shares his rehab, his horror with us. Because, for many Americans, it may be the only chance they get to hear it from someone they really know.