Well, I think the embedded journalists in some ways are more of a hindrance than a help. For example, in this case. Or how about the news today, that Jesse Jackson is going to go to Iraq to try and find the 2 Newsweek journalists that have been missing? I understand that it is distressing, but IMHO, if you are a journalist and taking the risk of going to a war zone, then you are acepting all the risks. Now the Rev. Jackson(what church is he a reverned of, anyhow???) is going to go there with all kinds of hype, put himself in harm's way, put our soldiers in harm's way who will be expected to protect him.
My opinion on non-military people in a war zone...if you go there of your own free will, you're on your own. Accept responsibility for your decisions and actions.