[scoxx]

Washington Post article:

Since the end of the Vietnam War, presidents have worried that their military actions would lose support once the public glimpsed the remains of U.S. soldiers arriving at air bases in flag-draped caskets.

To this problem, the Bush administration has found a simple solution: It has ended the public dissemination of such images by banning news coverage and photography of dead soldiers' homecomings on all military bases.

The truth shall set you free from office

[Lerkfish]

Originally posted by scoxx:
Washington Post article:



The truth shall set you free from office

Bush to America: YOU CAN"T HANDLE THE TRUTH!

[chris v]

The great Neocon conundrum:


"Sept. 11 changed EVERYTHING!

...

We'll take it from here, folks. Nothing to see, keep moving. Go about your business as if nothing has changed."

CV

[daimoni]

.

[Lerkfish]

Originally posted by daimoni:
Actually, I prefer Timo's term: "paleo-con"

OMG! Love that.

[Timo]

Can't take credit for it personally, but by all means, get the word out!

[ThinkInsane]

Actually, it's been a policy since the first Gulf War, it just hasn't been enforced. I have mixed feeling on this. It's always a solemn thing to see the flag draped caskets unloaded and recognize the sacrifice these soldiers have made.

On the other hand, it tends to get sensationalized, and I imagine that's not too good for the family of the deceased.

The coffins of dead soldiers should be used to further ANYONES agenda. They deserve more respect than that.

[Lerkfish]

Originally posted by ThinkInsane:
Actually, it's been a policy since the first Gulf War, it just hasn't been enforced. I have mixed feeling on this. It's always a solemn thing to see the flag draped caskets unloaded and recognize the sacrifice these soldiers have made.

On the other hand, it tends to get sensationalized, and I imagine that's not too good for the family of the deceased.

The coffins of dead soldiers should be used to further ANYONES agenda. They deserve more respect than that.

well...I'd agree except I don't think that's the administration's motive here. By NOT showing them is also a way to use the coffins of dead soldiers to further an agenda.

[macvillage.net]

Originally posted by Lerkfish:
well...I'd agree except I don't think that's the administration's motive here. By NOT showing them is also a way to use the coffins of dead soldiers to further an agenda.

Exactly my thoughs.

IMHO there should be some coverage of it. From what I read a few days ago on the same topic, they don't even aknowledge the returning coffins to the media. Only family is notified of the date.

IMHO it's something the American public should be part of. America should be aware of the toll paid by our soldiers.

There is a reason why the tomb of the "unknown soldier" is a sad situation. Because the soldier is/was unknown.


Funerals and burial is a private family matter (unless they invite the public).

But when the American military brings American soldiers back from an American Mission... the American people should be aware of the tolls being taken.


Not doing allowing to do so, is using the situation manipulating the people. Not appropriate.

At a bare minimum... the families should be making the decision.

[ThinkInsane]

My point was, I don't care about anyones agenda. You don't use dead soldiers to further your political goals. It's not fair to the soldiers that have sacrificed their lives, and it's not fair to the loved ones that they leave behind. Every time a soldier is killed, I hear about it on every news outlet. People know it's happening. To show these coffins being unloaded from the plane serves no real purpose. Everyone knows soldiers are getting killed. There is no need to sensationalize it. And again, this isn't a new policy. It's been in place since 1992. It was discussed yesterday on Talk of the Nation.