Howie Searches For Online Camaraderie

Earlier today, Howard Kurtz held his online chat where he covered such topics as the coverage of media casualties in Iraq, his fashion as a younger man, and his MySpace prowess. Some excerpts: Arlington, Va.: Mr. Kurtz, I haven't heard much backlash from anyone else about this issue, but I find it rather offensive that whenever a member of the media gets injured in Iraq it becomes a huge news story. Our soldiers are dying over there every day, but all I saw Memorial Day weekend on TV was about the CBS reporter who was injured by an IED. I agree that it is terrible that she was hurt, but when our soldiers often only get the "Seven Soldiers Killed" headline I find it a bit skewed. Do you think these stories are overplayed, and if so do you think it's a big story because it is "one of your own"? Howard Kurtz: If you had seen Kimberly Dozier's special or read my piece, you would know that she puts the emphasis on what happens to American troops, not on her injuries or the deaths of her two CBS colleagues. Yes, prominent network correspondents who are injured tend to get more attention than unknown soldiers, but both Dozier and Bob Woodruff have used their personal tragedies to train the spotlight back on the soldiers. Here's what Dozier, who had more than 25 operations after the bombing, told me: "The importance of that day is not that we were there. We were there during what happens to soldiers 20 to 30 times a day. Everything that happened that day is the story of the U.S. military in Iraq." ... wiredog: Did you really admit, in print, to having once worn bellbottom jeans? Could you possibly have embarrassed yourself more? Howard Kurtz: I probably did embarrass myself more, but this self-revelation is going to go only so far. Besides, making bad fashion choices doesn't seem so ludicrous when everyone around you is doing the same thing. Plus, I was young and irresponsible. ... Arlington, Va.: I found today's Facebook column to be rather humorous. I am an adult (late 30s) user of MySpace and have been for a little more than a year. I current have a grand total of 74 "friends." That is largely because I am rather selective. I can't even begin to count the number of spam friend requests I have received from users using photos of scantily clad large-breasted women as their personal photos. I always assume they either are looking to sell me something or phish me or something. So they go immediately into the big trashcan of "deny". So, don't feel bad you have few friends. It's quality, not quantity that matters online, as in real life. Howard Kurtz: Now I feel WORSE! I haven't even been approached by any scantily-clad women looking to scam me. At least you get the opportunity to take the high road and reject them.

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Howie Searches For Online Camaraderie

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