I was sad and upset to hear of the untimely death of NBC correspondent David Bloom in northern Iraq. At first I thought he was a victim of shooting or friendly fire; I later learned that he died of an apparent pulmonary embolism (not sure what that is).

David Bloom was a familiar face long before this war was even imagined. I used to catch him on weekend editions of NBC's Today Show, and was always taken by his genuine enthusiasm - unlike many anchors who shall remain nameless. May he rest in peace.