Do you think this article is racist?

[Raydawg1234]

I recently read this article from the army times. It describes New Orleans as "LITTLE SOMALIA", it also talks about combatting "the INSURGENCY" : http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1077495.php

So, I emailed the army times, here is the response I was given:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Ray,
Sorry for not replying earlier, but my entire mail program maxed out
and
crashed. I'm just now getting to some of the back e-mails.
I won't say I don't understand your point, but ... the author quoted
the
military personnel in this regard. If that's the mindset - and
remember,
they are (or were) being fired upon, then shouldn't he report that? In
fact, wouldn't you, the reader, want to know that?
Further, is the reference to Somalia race-based (I would point out that
race is never mentioned in the story) or is it rather a common military
frame of reference to a city where chaos ruled and the military was
taking potshots from residents. Either way, if the commander of the
operation is quoted in that way, wouldn't you want to know that, too?
These are thorny issues you raise (by the way, some other readers
raised
similar objections) and I'm not sure there are easy answers. Of one
thing I am sure. I know the reporter who did the story, and he is no
racist, overtly or otherwise. I think he was just accurately reporting
what he observed.
I do appreciate your comments.

Regards,

Kent Miller

Editor, Times-News Online
Military Times News Group
Defense News Media Group
[e-mail]

---------------------------------------------------------------------

What do you think?