News 3 Special Assignment: Baghdad
Transcript From Live Chat Held Jan. 6
Channel3000:Thank you for logging on. John Karcher is online and getting ready to chat with you. We will begin at 2 p.m. tevi98: Hello John Karcher: Hi Tevi ljsense: You served in the National Guard. What was your role? John Karcher:Actually I was in the navy...in a m*a*s*h unit on Guam, during the Vietnam era ljsense: What are you going to wear?
John Karcher: I've read mixed opinions on that. some reporters wear camo. Others drab clothing. ljsense: Will you wear a bulletproof vest or other armor? John Karcher: Yes, I'll have full Kevlar armor on my body and head ljsense: Will you carry a sidearm? John Karcher: Only a pen and paper John Karcher: The military does not allow sidearms channel3000:: John: Can you tell us when and where you are going? How are you getting there? John Karcher: I'll be leaving this Saturday from Madison. To Detroit, Amsterdam then Kuwait. It should take about 25 hours including layovers. Baghdad is 9 hours ahead of Madison......so its 11pm there now if my math is right. sketch1972: a layover in Amsterdam would not be a bad thing for tension relief sfc_d: and a cocktailchannel3000::what are you looking forward to and what do you dread? John Karcher: I'm very much looking forward to talking with the soldiers and bringing home their stories. I hope to show how they live, work and play and what they're doing to improve the lives of Iraqis ljsense: are you embedding with a particular unit? John Karcher: ill be with the 32nd military police unit out of Madison. there are 160 from Madison, Milwaukee and other small towns around here John Karcher: I'll be on the ground for about 8 days living with the 32nd at the former vp headquarters right in Baghdad gsnews: are you flying normal airlines or military aircraft? John Karcher: I'm flying northwest all the way...then military into Baghdad roots538: what are you going to eat over there? isn't the food kind of funky? John Karcher: I'll eat what they eat...and I hope its good sketch1972: don't drink the water John Karcher: MRSs John Karcher: they've got bottled water there.... sketch1972: Ahhh, that is a good thing sfc_d: will you be stopping in Kuwait at all? John Karcher: I asked the commander of the unit if there's anything I should bring. He said cigars and cheese. I have one suitcase full of both John Karcher: I already asked northwest airlines for some slack because my suitcase is so heavy sketch1972: you should take a case of brats & beer, and maybe the sports page!! sfc_d:john, how 'bout the brats and beer? sketch1972: I agree!!!! gsnews: yeah, bring newspapers and tapes of newscasts :) John Karcher: I'd need another suitcase sfc.....I'd love to take some sausage along John Karcher: northwest has already agreed to waive the surcharges for the cheese and cigars John Karcher: I'll be in Kuwait for just a short time before the military c-130 picks me up John Karcher: hi Jim John Karcher: the mp unit I'm staying with is in charge of security in Baghdad. They train the locals in how to be police...I'll be filming that John Karcher: John Wacker from WISC-TV is my photographer andykron: who pays for the military flights? John Karcher: taxpayers sketch1972:so do you have any fear? John Karcher: I've been having a few issues with it....but, I'm looking at it as just another day at the office sketch sketch1972: understandable andykron:well we all hope you have a good flight! John Karcher: I'm paying my own way from Madison to Kuwait...its about $1,600 sketch1972:what motivates you to take on such an assignment John Karcher: it's what we do in this business sketch....we go where the stories are and there is no bigger one than all the Wisconsin national guard troops serving us sketch1972: God bless all the troops!!! storyboard: Will we be able to get a good sense of the morale of the troops do you think? John Karcher: storyboard....it will be as if you are there. I guarantee it. storyboard: will you be doing any live reporting? John Karcher: I'll be taping for 8 days and bringing the stories back John Karcher:they begin airing on Super Bowl Sunday night at 10pm John Karcher: and will run at 5,6 and 10 all that week...as well as an early morning appearance with Susan and rob local4:I have heard that we are not getting the true story about what is going on in Iraq and that it's out of control. do you think you will find this? storyboard: will you be talking to any Iraqi citizens? John Karcher: I will be in downtown Baghdad during the whole trip with a few excursions outside. I'll have an interpreter with me John Karcher: I also plan on visiting the mother Teresa orphanage which was adopted by the 32nd mp unit John Karcher: they've received boxes of goodies for the kids there and we'll show it to you John Karcher: the weather is much like a Wisconsin fall.....60's and chilly at night ljsense: do you think this war makes sense? John Karcher: if I was an Iraqi it might......I don't think I could live under Saddam. storyboard: How long as the 32nd been there? storyboard: And do they have any idea when they will be back? John Karcher: The 32nd has been there since last June storyboard.....and a few months left storyboard: Have any members of the 32nd become casualties since they arrived there, do you know? John Karcher: Yes, I believe one member died from an explosion and 25+ have been awarded purple hearts for wounds John Karcher: Most of them from the roadside explosions I believe sketch1972: Are you prepared to see death up close and personal? John Karcher: I've already seen that sketch. I served during the Vietnam war and was at a us navy hospital mash unit...its something I can handle. sketch1972: what is your greatest fear? John Karcher: Not being organized and keeping my tapes together. sounds trite...but that's about it sketch1972: Do you become numb to it, or is it just a new nightmare on a different day? John Karcher: It's hard to see wounded every day. it's hard to imagine as you look into their future and see the obstacles they will face storyboard: How do you feel reporting about soldiers now? do you bring any biases to the reporting, do you think? John Karcher: I never met a wounded soldier who wasn't in the best of spirits however. they were going home storyboard: What is your military background Mr. Karcher? John Karcher: I was in the US Navy in the late '60s sketch1972: what bothers you more, the children in poverty, or the war and the wounded? John Karcher: the war and the wounded to be honest. these are our neighbors who've given up their lives to serve us jim72: Many journalists who travel abroad for work end up falling in love with the area and staying. do you think there is any chance you might want to live in Iraq if things shape up? John Karcher: I liked Guam very much.....but came home. I suspect a great moment of this trip will be when the plane leaves Kuwait greybeard: are you taking anything with you to share with local soldiers that you may encounter? John Karcher: yes, I have a suitcase full of cigars and cheese and Starbucks coffee...all of it donated John Karcher: they requested it John Karcher: the tobacco bar in Madison, miller's grocery in Verona and Starbucks all said how much and when do you want it...they've all been very generous jim72: isn't it dangerous for WISC-TV to allow someone as important as yourself to be in harm's way? it seems like they could be potentially throwing away the clear leader in this market. John Karcher: you'd have to ask my boss about that. they'll be happy to get me out of the office for ten days I think greybeard: will you be sending back reports during your visit, or saving the material until you return? John Karcher: greybeard, I'll tape everything and begin stories on Super Bowl Sunday night at 10pm. then on the 5, 6, and 10pm news all that week sketch1972: is this personally rewarding to be involved in such an assignment? John Karcher: I think the USS Stennis trip last spring was very rewarding and still think about the things I saw and people I spoke with. I'm guessing this will be a very rewarding trip professionally and personally. I can't wait to bring the stories back and thank them all for serving us. storyboard: are you excited to go? storyboard: what sort of clothing are you bringing? John Karcher: I'll be dressing for a Wisconsin fall season. John Karcher: Capt. Southworth emailed me today and said it'll be 70's during the day and 40 at night John Karcher: I'm very excited. this type of story is what people in this business dream about. John Karcher: I'm also nervous. sketch1972: do you feel as though you are serving our country by bringing our voices to them, and sharing a piece of home with them, and moral support? John Karcher: absolutely sketch. I will pass along everything I've heard from people since the war started in regards to support for troops. John Karcher: serving viewers is more like it....I doubt uncle Sam cares I'm there sketch1972: excellent, I admire your position in the matter!!! sketch1972: do you support the war? John Karcher:I support our troops. there is no braver calling in life than standing up for your country John Karcher: should sad dam have been removed? yes John Karcher: will Iraq be better off without him? time will tell sketch1972: I agree!!! I respect every member of our forces and the coalition!!! sketch1972: what do you consider the ultimate reward for you personally in taking on such an assignment with all the factors involved? John Karcher: it's going to be a long haul for us troops to get that mess in order sketch1972: do you ever think it could be another dragged out situation such as Vietnam? John Karcher: the ultimate for me honestly is being able to go there, gather stories, interviews, showing things and bringing it back for our viewers and all the families to see their loved ones...perhaps for the first time in months John Karcher: I fear it could become another Vietnam. john Straseskie, whose son Kirk was the first to die in Iraq last year, said its Vietnam all over again. John Karcher:he said, we don't know who the enemy is. sketch1972: that is what I have been thinking for the longest time, and I think that is what scares me the most! John Karcher: Straseskie is from Beaver Dam and died while trying to save some downed chopper pilots sketch1972: I remember that story mplsdave: What are the troops telling you about their experiences there? John Karcher: mplsdave.....they want very much for the media to tell the "good" stories over there John Karcher: They said so much good is happening with the rebuilt schools, towns, hospitals...all because of their efforts. sketch1972: What is a good story? John Karcher: And all we see on the news is the bad. I hope to strike a balance sketch1972: No different then the propaganda they have been fed about the us, calling us Hitler and everything else. mplsdave: So do you have the sense that they are 'happy' to be there? I mean, are they willing to stay as long as it takes? John Karcher: Absolutely they want to finish the job. remember the last war we didn't "finish" mplsdave: So what if it takes a year? what if it takes two years? John Karcher: They are happy to serve, happy to help, happy to rebuild from decades of rule under Hussein John Karcher: mpls...be prepared for a long haul. you don't make right in months what took decades to build mplsdave: oh, I agree. but back here in the states you see lots of calls for people to bring the troops home -- especially from families of soldiers. John Karcher: What mother or father wouldn't want their loved one out of harms way? I think parents are most concerned that soldiers have all the tools to get the job done and done right mplsdave: Some people compare it to Vietnam and say that there will be no end to the violence. sketch1972: Do you think the media helps or hurts matters in such situations, everything from lies and deception to moral support? what do you personally believe is the best thing the media can do on a positive note in regards to the war? John Karcher: You may be right Dave......some troops have said that greybeard: Does your family worry about your safety on the trip? John Karcher: I think more time should be devoted to coverage...that'd help sketch John Karcher: My wife doesn't want me to go grey oklnews: I have a question about the packers. I had Brett Farve in fantasy football this year and he did great. how have fans reacted to his stunning end of the year play? John Karcher: www.channel3000.com/sports mplsdave: will you have a military 'handler' with you at all times or will you be able to speak with troops unsupervised? John Karcher: I will have troops protecting me at all times and no handlers. I'll be able to speak with anyone for any length of time. ljsense: are you going to grow a mustache to blend in with Iraqis? John Karcher: I was thinking about a blanket John Karcher: Remember Dan Rather's trip to Afghanistan...he almost looked like bin laden in the hills storyboard: Will you be staying in the military compound or venturing out into the city at all? usrcrp: Wwill you be spending any time with the 32nd mp unit? John Karcher:I'll be living the one of Saddam's palaces with the 32nd mp unit...in their headquarters. I'll venture out in the humvees with them as they work. sketch1972:i Commend you john, get over there and let them no Wisconsin is behind them 110%!!!! John Karcher: Roger channel3000::We are nearing the end of our hour .. john can take 1 or 2 more questions .... John Karcher: usrcrp.....I'll be with the 32nd the entire time John Karcher: one more note....... John Karcher: I arrive at Baghdad international about halftime of the Packer game Sunday. I'll be rushed to the game at the compound and hopefully hand out the cheese and cigars then...hell of a tailgate party after I hope usrcrp: I know this is a long shot but if you have a chance could you look up ken Prieur in the 32nd mp? he's from cottage grove and is my brother-in-law. it would be cool for you to say hi from Chris. mplsdave: have you talked to any soldiers, or do you plan to -- about the difference between supporting the troops and supporting the war? I think that there are people who oppose the war but still support the troops. John Karcher: ex question Dave...there is a difference and no more evident than here in Madison. mplsdave: I would be interested to hear what the troops themselves think of that. John Karcher: ok Dave I'll make a note of it. sketch1972: god bless you and your family, and all our women and men, and thank you for showing the voice of wisconsin!!!! Be safe!!! greybeard: I hope you have a safe trip and bring some comfort to area troops when they see a familiar face. good luck! John Karcher: thanks greybeard usrcrp: I couldn't agree more. please stay safe!! John Karcher:thanks all. I hope all goes well sketch1972: go packers!!!channel3000::thank you for joining us today to chat with john Karcher .. if you have more questions ... you can email him at jkarcher@wisctv.com John Karcher: please do John Karcher: I'll be checking email while I'm there...... sketch1972: need one uplifting moment with all seriousness aside, all due respect of course! John Karcher: if you have anything to pass along to troops please don't hesitate sketch1972: just tell them America loves them!!! John Karcher:I'll pass that on sketch sketch1972: thank you! be safe!!! John Karcher: I will. thanks a lot John Karcher: thanks mollychannel3000::thank you! sketch1972: hello molly, when does John leave for Iraq?channel3000::he leaves this weekend .. you can still email himchannel3000::jkarcher@wisctv.comchannel3000::thanks sketch1972: thank you!channel3000::np
EYE ON IRAQ
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