Syria has started it's violent regime change

[Jason California]

When I read stories like this I wonder what the expected protocol is.

When journalists go into war zones, especially freelance ones, what is the expectation when they get into trouble? The injured journalist is calling for a ceasefire and wants a medical evacuation. Who is expected to do that and who is expected to foot the significant bill for doing it?

I imagine they have to take on some level of going it alone. If you are voluntarily setting foot in a war zone, and are not part of some larger contingent, you are on your own.

Expecting governemnt and military to alter or sacrifice plans for your personal needs in such a case is dumb.

[Thudpucker]

The Red Cross to the rescue.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17157549

The Red Cross has begun moving women, children and the wounded from part of the besieged Syrian city of Homs.

Syrian Arab Red Crescent ambulances drove into the suburb of Baba Amr, which has been under heavy attack, after negotiations earlier in the day.

Injured journalists were among those awaiting rescue, but the International Committee of the Red Cross has not made clear if they are among the evacuees.

The news came as a major conference was held in Tunisia pushing for aid access.

[Thudpucker]

Syria: Red Crescent bid to evacuate Homs journalists fails

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17182279

Fresh attempts to bring two wounded Western journalists to safety from the Syrian city of Homs have failed, the Red Cross says.

Vehicles from the Syrian Red Crescent reached the besieged suburb of Baba Amr, but left without them.

Frenchwoman Edith Bouvier apparently would not board the vehicles and other evacuees stayed behind in solidarity.

[Thudpucker]

Interesting. Apparently the wounded reports think it's a trap.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukp...1330380378970A

On Sunday, Mr Conroy's wife Kate said her husband had rejected an opportunity to leave Homs with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent for fear it was "not to be trusted".

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell has said there was evidence of people on the ground "infiltrating" the humanitarian organisation and "posing an additional danger" to anyone seeking to leave the city.

[Jason California]

Syria: Red Crescent bid to evacuate Homs journalists fails

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17182279

Do they state why she chose not to leave and I just missed it? She was just asking for someone to get her out. Someone tries something and she says no?

[Thudpucker]

Well, one of the reporters seems to be safe in Lebanon now. They're not sure about Bouvier

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17188791

Injured British journalist Paul Conroy has been rescued from the Syrian city of Homs, but the whereabouts of French reporter Edith Bouvier remain unclear.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has withdrawn an earlier statement that she was also safely in Lebanon.

The severely-injured Ms Bouvier is believed to have left Homs with Mr Conroy, but there are reports the rescue convoy was shelled.

[Thudpucker]

How Syrian Activists Saved Trapped Foreign Journalists

http://news.yahoo.com/rescue-squad-s...160000512.html

20 Syrian activists gave their lives so that the journalists could be evacuated.

"As for the sacrifices and deaths of Syrians in Avaaz's operation", Patel says, "I feel humbled by their staggering bravery."

[Matt Jay]

I heard on NPR that Al Qaeda is flooding into Syria from Iraq en masse. Apparently they want to help topple the regime and establish something more Islamofascist.

[Thudpucker]

I heard on NPR that Al Qaeda is flooding into Syria from Iraq en masse. Apparently they want to help topple the regime and establish something more Islamofascist.

Seems very likely.

Over 7,000 Syrians are dead now. The activists have begged the West to intervene but we won't do it. They have little choice but to turn to Iran and Al Qaeda for help, it's ether that or die.

[Matt Jay]

Seems very likely.

Over 7,000 Syrians are dead now. The activists have begged the West to intervene but we won't do it. They have little choice but to turn to Iran and Al Qaeda for help, it's ether that or die.

How crazy would it be if we did get involved and we were on Al Qaeda's side? Obviously it's just until the regime is done for, but still very interesting how things can change.