What is the real reason the media can now take pictures of the fallen troops arriving in the USA?

For years, the ritual of welcoming the war dead back to U.S. soil at Dover has been performed in private by the various services. Last night's was conducted by an Air Force team based at Dover. And now that the Obama administration has lifted the ban, the event was broadcast across the globe. Under the new policy, families of the deceased decide whether the arrival will be open to the public. Bush refused to allow the media to take pictures due to the fact Americans would be angry if they observed the fallen. Bush did not want a repeat of protest like the Vietnam war.

Mark F

The ban was put in place only in 1991 for the express purpose of limiting dissent against Operation Desert Storm. The public relations excuse was that is was "out of respect for the families" even though the families didn't ask for the ban and for the 150 years prior there was no problem taking pictures of military coffins or even actual dead bodies. In short, it was a government sponsored effort at suppressing our freedom of speech.

Obama is returning to the people the right to see the effects of our foriegn policy. True conservatives should be cheering.

CeciliaM

It should be up to the individual servicemember as to whether his/her casket gets photographed and published. Period.

I wouldn't want my casket photographed or published, and would roll over in my grave if my family went against my wishes.

The media's intention is to exploit. Period. I want no part of it. The argument that people need to "see the cost of war" fails because we know people die in war. Anyone who needs pictures to illustrate that sad fact must be 1) living under a rock with no awareness of reality; or 2) is an insensitive morbid bleep.

jackson

You are overthinking.

Bush did not go for it because it was a private thing. Not a political thing as you might think. The public thing is when the service member is actually honored publicly.

Nobody needs to see a coffin coming off of a plane. All understand that the person died right?

It has everything to do with total and utter respect. With allowing this now it means Hopeobama has zero respect and is trying to use this as a political tool.

GUMBIE DAHMIT

The President authorised it saying that by not showing the caskets de-huminises the fact that Americans are dying. Busch was the reason that pictures were not allowed before to cover up his war crimes.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: