"Shut up. I'm broadcasting!"
The American-led operation to liberate Iraqi fish has come to John Simpson's personal barrel. The BBC's World Affairs Editor was travelling with a convoy of US special forces and Kurdish fighters in the north of the country when they came under attack from American aircraft.

Although John was only slightly injured, and on air (RealMedia clip) minutes after the attack, a number of Americans and Kurds with him were not so lucky, initial reports suggesting that 10 people had been killed by the "friendly fire" incident. With this attack on its own special forces, the USAF is quickly developing a reputation as the country's Special Needs forces.

Thing is, I can't say I'm surprised. Just a couple of days ago I was listening to John on one of our audio traffic channels used to route reporters in the field through to studios. He was waiting to do a live question and answer session (or two-way, as we call them) with Radio Five Live from his position in northern Iraq. He was clearly quite nervous and wanting to get on with the report, as he said there was bombing going on around him, and that either planes or missiles (he wasn't clear) tended to gravitate towards mobile phone signals. Nobody - neither Helen operating the line, nor Simon Mayo doing the interview - seemed to appreciate his predicament. Doubtless they'll do so from now on.

This war "to disarm Saddam" (of all those weapons of mass destruction they've found) has already seen several journalists die, and we've just got to hope that all the BBC people come home safe. A valued and respected cameraman has already been lost, and I fear he may not be the last. This, of course, on top of the thousands of Iraqi civilians to have lost their lives.

Damn that Texan redneck sub-human piece of shit. If I'm wrong and there is a hell, I hope he burns in it.