Iraq Day 4: Chris Cuomo Answers Your Questions

ByABC News via logo
January 25, 2007, 1:48 PM

Jan. 25, 2007 — -- With just hours left in his Iraq trip, Chris Cuomo spent time at ABC News' Baghdad Bureau answering more viewer e-mails.

Question: Curtis Abendroth, from Lincoln, Neb., is involved with something near and dear to your heart after recent happenings. Curtis asks: "Chris, saw you were in an attack recently. What do you think of the armor on the vehicles? My guys here in Iraq install the armor for vehicles like yours. Just wanted your feedback."

Cuomo: It is amazing that we ever allowed soldiers over here without the armor. Many soldiers didn't even have adequate personal protection. Much has improved, soldiers say, over the past year to two years but still, not every Humvee has the doors that barely stopped the shrapnel in the IED we witnessed.

Question: Gwen Darling, from Little Rock, Ark., asks: "Has this trip changed your personal perceptions/opinions about American involvement in Iraq or the Iraqi people in any way?"

Cuomo: Too much of the coverage here has been about the military actions, not sure why, many reasons perhaps but I think another powerful perspective is of the Iraqi society's challenges. That's what we have been trying to illustrate with our reporting, that the unrest will grow out of lack of education, lack of jobs, and lack of civil contentment. Notice you rarely see extremist actions in a wealthy nation.

Question: Mary Oglesby of Grapevine, Texas, a mother of one of the soldiers you were with the day your convoy was attacked, had this to say: "My son, Pfc. Oglesby, was with your convoy the day it was attacked. Thank you, Chris, for your testimony about your experience, the good words you shared for our soldiers and sharing the truth about how they are prepared. They indeed saved your life, as well theirs because of training and leadership. Far too many reporters look for only negative. Please tell Jeff his mom is proud, as always and the pound cake is in the mail."

Cuomo: I was with your son. He is kind and brave and cool as a cucumber, and apparently highly regarded by his battle buddies. I have not seen him since reading this e-mail, but I want you to know that he gave me a ride back from a scary day, and cheered me up along the way. I am sure your pound cake will be gone in short order. Take care.