5/23/2004: Iraqi firefighters

Presented without bias is this shot of Iraqi firefighters, fighting a pipeline fire. From MSNBC Week in Pics.

I think this is one of the finest news images I've seen in a long time. It tells you an enormous amount. It's frightening, glorious, beautiful, amazing, informative, all at the same time.

That is an awesome, awesome picture. I can't really say anymore about it, and merely echo my appreciation for those who run the wrong way.

That is an awsome pictures, damn, kudos to the photographer.
Secondly, those are some brave motherfuckers.

Nice bubblebath

They played with the whale penis too long.;)

Firefighting is probably one of the most difficult and honourable jobs of them all. Good pic.

Originally posted by xoxoxoBruce
They played with the whale penis too long.;)

That's nasty dude.

After a little thinking I don`t think these guys are actually firefighters, more likely pro blowout control dudes, the mercs of the firefighting world. They work in close teams and are hired to cap wells that are on fire.

They are still technically firefighters.

Fire fighting sucks. I've dealt with two fires, neither of which was on that scale. Thank you, no.

Check this guy out. Red Adair

Putting out a fire and firefighting are really two different things.

You only have to ask a firefighter about it to easily see the difference. Firefighters both love and hate fire. The movie Backdraft comes very close to expressing that.

Maybe it`s a distinction without a difference but I thought it was worth pointing out. They do get paid a buttload and tend, like anyone that does risky work for money, to be a little nutty.

Says the guy going to the west bank.

Washington post said they were Iraqui firefighters at a sabotaged pipeline fire.;)

Originally posted by jaguar
Says the guy going to the west bank.

Good luck to you. Safe journey, keep your head down, wear a vest, and don't forget your "I'm not an American" tee shirt for over it. Hope you get a lot of good pictures!

"OK, now if the fire looks like it's going to flare up yank like hell on my safety rope"!:D

Good luck to you. Safe journey, keep your head down, wear a vest, and don't forget your "I'm not an American" tee shirt for over it. Hope you get a lot of good pictures!

Thanks =) Few months yet but looking good, there are a wealth of organisations on both sides of the situation eager to help people report their side so I`m confident I`ll come back with something.

Hopefully, not with a bullet in your brain...

And if you see a bulldozer heading for you, move the fuck out of the way. If it's a possible Pulitzer shot, you will have to decide whether it's worth a limb all on your own.

Thankyou :P I`m faily good at keeping my head down and I`m not looking for closeups of tank treads, to be honest, I`m not all that worried about getting shot, more worried about being an unwanted collateral in a targeted hit or getting locked in for a week or three by a border closure.

Don't forget that being taken as a hostage in those parts tends to shorten one's lifespan, not to mention one's height. Keep your head on straight (natch) and don't take any chances.

Brian