Discussions
Banned Photos of Fallen Soldiers?
Posted by fearless21 • 2/12/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: coffins, photos, Soldiers, war
Do we have the right to see the effects of the war, our losses? Right now we don't. Photos of military coffins, our fallen soldiers are banned. Is this appropriate?
See Story Below:
"Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered a review Tuesday of a Pentagon policy banning media from taking pictures of flag-draped coffins of military dead, signaling he was open to overturning the policy to better honor fallen soldiers."
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090210/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_coffins
User Comments
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As someone who has served in the military, I personally feel that they should be shown to honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their families, friends, and country. However, I do think that this needs to be regulated so that it would not turn into a media circus.
Any media coverage of fallen soldiers should be done with respect. It should be done in a way that does not promote one agenda or another. It should be all about honoring that individual.
I also believe that the military/government should shoulder the responsibility of getting the immediate family members to Dover Air Force Base, so that they may see the how their loved ones are honored upon their arrival back into the United States. -
The only reason they don't want to show it is that it shows the world the true cost of their grubby little ambitions. -
Quite frankly, as a veteran and a military spouse, I agree with the decision to not show the photos. Have you ever heard of the Westboro Baptist Church? They boycott soldiers funerals, plaster their photos all over a hate filled website, etc. They are the type of "christians" that make most people hate the religion, even though they are few and far between. If the media had access to the photos to use, then WBC does, as well as every protesting group. They use the images in some really sick and twisted ways, so in my opinion, it is best that the photos are regulated since it protects the rights of the families. Afterall, would you want to see caskets and casualty photos on a sign that says "Thank God For IEDS" or "God hates soldiers" or "another bullet sponge"? I wouldn't, I would probably attack someone if I saw that and I am sure that a majority of folks feel the same way. US casualties deserve the utmost respect, therefore I don't think that their images should be freely available to be used as propaganda clip art.
As for Bush being a censor freak, well google WBC and the amount of times laws have had to be made to keep them out and it will make a little more sense -
Geez, I remember some pretty gruesome photos that made papers and magazines back in the Vietnam days. I think they helped us back home understand just how terrible things were, and to muster up some compassion for our soldiers.
On the other hand, if a dead soldier can be identified in the picture, I think it better to be respectful of the family and keep things private. -
This discussion just refers to ban on photos of flag draped coffins. What about those photos?
The fallen soldiers are not pictured and I agree they shouldn't out of respect be able to be identified..-
I think they photos of the flag draped coffins should be seen and honored as they died for OUR country. After the family takes possession then it becomes a private matter. -
there are several signs with flag draped coffins that say things such as:
"Another bullet sponge"
"Bush's latest victim"
"Thank God for dead soldiers"
"kill them all"
etc.
I think those particular images, which become viral weather it be due to outrage or sick humor, that desire to hide those photos is needed. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church if you look at some of their signs, I think you'll get a pretty good idea as to why one bad apple spoils it for the whole bunch. -
I would think a photo of a flag draped coffin is appropriate in the local newspaper, since that's where the soldier's family lived. The image makes a stronger point that this community member fought for freedoms than just having a text obit in the paper.
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I am familiar with who the westboro people and the vile abuse of images, they will use fake means or grab any image to support their cause, but to me that is not a reason to deny honoring our soldiers when they arrive at the airport or print photographers of murdered gays.
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I agree, it is actually a dishonor to our men and women if we cave to the lunatic fringe.
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From teh article:
Shortly after Obama took office, Democratic Sens. John Kerry of Massachusetts and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey also asked the White House to roll back the ban that was put in place in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush.
However, some exceptions to the policy were made, allowing the media to photograph coffins in some cases, until the administration of President George W. Bush and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In a Feb. 9 letter to Obama, Lautenberg said the Pentagon should develop a new policy to allow "respectful" media coverage while protecting the privacy of the victims and their families. Generally, the remains in the caskets are not publicly identified.
This ban has been in place for some time now, stated originally as a sign of respect for the privacy of the families attending the funeral services.
I would state that if families want or consent to media coverage of the funeral, then fine. But if they don't want it, please respect them. They are in mourning, let them mourn without being splattered all over the papers and TV.
And that goes for those crazy West Borough Baptist protesters, too. Stay away from the funerals, and leave the families alone.-
well said, lol, I think that you said what I meant better than I did
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I agree as well. I just have an issue with the government banning unidentified photos of coffins. That suppression of the media is a form of propganda in itself.
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Man, I can't stand those crazy people - who protests funerals? That's the one group I think both anti-war and pro-war groups can agree on hating
I think it's crazy, personally. I mean, I oppose the Iraq war, but that doesn't mean we should go all paparazzi on the families. They still lost a loved one. I agree to showing the human cost of war, but not like that. It's just...disrespectful.
Edit - fearless, I don't know that the ban specifically addresses the photos of the unidentified, it seems to be more about media at funerals and funeral processions.
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Hey Anok found another thing I agree with you on. Keep this up and I'll have to stop that list.
Anyway if they want to regulate it to an extent like they do alcohol or pornographic sits than I say that is okay. To restrict minors is one thing but do deny free speech is something entirely different.-
Wait, what list? Am I on a poo list? Oh noes!
I have to say that some of the images shown say, on the news are simply too graphic for my taste. I know people want to show the face of war, but really, during dinner time? When the kids are wide awake and trying to eat? I don't need the brutal details, I can understand the face of war without the gore, you know? -
A lot of us didn't till Vietnam. I recall the case of some soldiers who captured 2 Viet Cong. The announcer said they were not going to show the next part of it but stated that they had split the backs of the VC members with a knife. We were all shocked as we would be with any atrocity. And we find it on both sides in any war. That's what war is. Those of us who learn are bruised to the heart if we're normal people at all. We ask ourselves, "Is that what we want? Is that what we want?" Sometimes as a nation we deserve to be shocked to our senses.
Nevertheless, the policy Anok proposed is a balanced one I think. The option should be there for the families. And we all need to remember that regardless of what the politics might have been, or whether such and such observed his/her duties honorably, these are our own. They aren't just someone's sons or daughters. They are OUR sons and daughters. And their families are due the same respect as we would give to our own family.
You aren't on any poo list of mine, Anok. -
Yay!
I have a real hard time with graphic depictions of war and violence. Probably because I'm an intuitive, and immediately internalize my surroundings. There are books, good books, that depict some brutal war crimes that still give me nightmares to this day. It's not something I need to understand the atrocities. I already know, you know? -
You have a problem because you do care about people. A lot of others don't. And ya know? Those kind are least likely to look at the book.
The 6 o'clock news is really made for these types. Shut off the TV and enjoy your dinner. It's time you want to spend with the kids anyway. -
No it wasn't a poo list. That list would be WAY too long. More like a list of agreements, but it seems like that is growing a little here and there.
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In guess it should be left up to the families on if a loved ones coffin or anything should be displayed. Personally I would want to be asked first.
I wouldn't be surprised that a lot of them would agree, because it is a honor to fight and die for something you believe in.
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