Inside PBS Blog

American Journalism Review's latest cover story asks "Whatever Happened to Iraq?," suggesting the media have lost interest in the "long-running war with no end in sight."

Perhaps, but the war still fires up folks in PBS's corner of cyberspace.

At YouTube's PBS channel, users are reacting to "Now on PBS" reporter Maria Hinojosa's June 13 interview with Jonathan Norrell, an Army medic who says he was emotionally scarred by what he witnessed in Iraq.

ww2luv says, "[Y]ou can see that his eyes showed fear in them and bring memories of how he saw people die and the pain he'd been through and seen his [friends] die and get [blown] up."

Another user, Moosie, praises "the raw strength" Norrell exhibits in talking about his experiences.

YouTubers are also weighing in on Sen. Jim Webb's proposal to cut college costs for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, a plan the Virginia Democrat discussed on "Tavis Smiley" last week.

During the chat, Webb notes the Bush administration's opposition to his bill, which disappoints YouTuber tombstonetom.

"Blue collar America and the men and women of the military vote again and again for Republicans. The party should [endorse] this bill," tombstonetom writes. "[The Republican Party] does not support the base that votes them into office."

Meanwhile, TakeThatHill appears to dismiss both Webb and Smiley as "2 wackos," leading wagzel to ask, "Supporting the troops is wacko?"

Elsewhere, "Another Day in Paradise" â€" a kind of lost episode from the "Carrier" documentary miniseries that aired in the spring â€" debuted on PBS this week, triggering a new wave of user submissions to the "Carrier" site.

Chelsey, who writes that she was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Nimitz â€" the setting of both "Carrier" and "Paradise" â€" says she is now reconsidering her military experience.

"My time on the Nimitz was not always enjoyable, but now when I am watching clips it really makes me miss it," she says. "If you are considering the Navy as an option, I would encourage you to do it. It is definitely not always easy, but if you are looking to do something you can feel proud of."

Nancy Jean Schoo, the mother of a gunnersmate serving aboard the U.S.S. Princeton, has another take.

She writes, "The role of the NavyMom is a tough one. As a parent, we have no rights yet we are the one sounding board that is on the ready 24/7."

What do you think? Do you think the media are ignoring the war? Has the coverage you've seen in the media changed your views? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.