Braving blogging like a wildebeest in the wild

Lyn, St Geo, Ut — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:38:17 GMT

Enjoyed your report. Wish I could travel and see some of the world!! This is nice to read someone elses views.

Braving blogging like a wildebeest in the wild

Jayne Ferguson, Los Angeles — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:38:33 GMT

Well Mr. Fletcher, I am glad that you took the time to read some of the consumer blog responses. Journalism is just not about pointing out problems - that seems to be a pretty simplistic answer.
And as I said in my post, and after years of working internationally, one needs to check their expectations at the plane door when one leave one's
country, but remember your manners and integrity.
Not saying you didn't exhibit manners and integrity, I don't know, but your blogs on the issues of Kenya seemed to be whiney and "crybaby" for one who has been an international correspondent for years. That is certainly why you got the "blowback" from me.
Jayne Ferguson, Los Angeles

Braving blogging like a wildebeest in the wild

Lisa McNeil.Alpharetta,Georgia — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 20:04:40 GMT

Dear Mr.Fletcher, First, I just want to say that I would never call you or any one of your team a "bunch of crybabies". Some of the conditions in the regions where you do your reports can be hostile and I agree that you may have my permission to complain if you want to in the posting. Too bad for the wildebeest,but I suppose that is the "circle of life" so to speak. As I stated in a previous blog of yours on Africa, my mother went on a safari and she said it was one of the most interesting trips she ever took. She did say the roads were rough and their vehicle did become stuck every once and while, but it was worth it. She saw some of the Masai and the way they were living. There are problems and as you say they do need to be fixed. Hopefully some of the current problems can begin to be corrected. Thank you for the interesting posting Mr.Fletcher. You do fine reporting. And I don't believe it is right to be rude to the journalist who makes the posting. Just have a reasonable discussion. Keep up the great work Mr.Fletcher! Peace to all!

Braving blogging like a wildebeest in the wild

Jenny Washington DC — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 20:31:26 GMT

You were generally right about why the Maasai life expectancy is so short, but another part is indoor air pollution from cooking inside thier homes. In Kenya where wood is generally scarce the Maasai then to burn dung to cook with. If you have been inside a Maasai home while they were cooking you know the amount of pollution that they are breathing in. That is why you will often hear about the big push for solar or kerosene stoves for people living in Africa. However there are a lot of factors that count for short life expectancy and no single one is the soul cause, but they work together to short life span.

Braving blogging like a wildebeest in the wild

Jim Anthony Baltimore MD — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 20:46:59 GMT

Bravo !

Braving blogging like a wildebeest in the wild

Dot, Illinois — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 21:25:20 GMT

Your reports were excellent. However, I am surprised that you were surprised by the "sheer vituperation" of some of the blogs. Perhaps the blogs just provide an opportunity to vent, but if you look at the submissions on "First Read" about the various candidates for president, you will quickly see that civility and respect for views that differ from our own are often lacking. There seems to be a tremendous amount of anger, mean spiritedness and in some cases almost hatred, abounding in our country these days.

I urge you to keep up the good work--we need to learn more about the various peoples with whom we share this planet.

Braving blogging like a wildebeest in the wild

Athena Smith — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 22:40:33 GMT

I hear Africa has a captivating magic. My husband used to travel there often and he left his heart there. He is contemplating a semester's teaching assignment in Ghana.

Braving blogging like a wildebeest in the wild

Sgt Shot, just got back from second tour — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 23:07:10 GMT

LOL...nice blog, excellent writing, even if you are a crybaby, I enjoy it. You want to really experience Iraq and a bad situation? Put down your writing tablet, pick up a rifle and you can accompany me on my next tour. Don't feel like using a rifle? Hell, just come along for the ride, I will take you into the deapths of hell, push you to your limit, strain every emotion you have, open your eyes wide, and give you and experience you will not have the words to describe. Pretty bold claim, but yeah, thats what I will do. I enjoy your writing and would like to see your take on it, email me back if you are interested in any of my writings on it, they are close, but words alone cannot describe the chaos, terror and horror or battle.

Braving blogging like a wildebeest in the wild

Derwin, Cherry Hill, NJ — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:51:17 GMT

I thought that it was spelled, "Mtatu"!?! =) I spent some time in the Nairobi area visiting relatives of a friend and training for the marathon. I got to visit the Mount Kenya Safari Club and I agree that safaris nowadays are for the abercrombie and kent crowd. I enjoyed your report. I love Kenya. I'm glad that you have thick skin like a pachyderm. Keep on writing.