Pentagon ends photo ban on war dead return

Amen. Once this country sees the real cost of this disaster, things will change. God Bless them all.

Reality TV at it finest.
It won't be heartfelt. It will lead to a morbid expose'.
Thanks Media Kings. You and the elected Zookeepers deserve each other.

Not what America needs right now, The veterans of this country deserve better. As a veteran of the Iraq war our troops deserve praise not to be humiliated as some political statment. The US won in Iraq, isn't it funny that the media is not talking about it? The media was wrong. Truth, justice and the America way won not MSNBC!

God Bless George W Bush,
God Bless Barack Obama
God Bless our troops
God Bless the USA

This is a family decision, not a military nor governmental decision. The responsibility of the decision is exactly where it belongs, for once.

maureen, everyone knows the cost. you don't need to be so disrespectful to the fallen as to show them coming off the plane. What is next making them open the coffins to see who it is? Obviously you have never served. but the media doesn't care as long as they get a story.

everyone knows the cost.

No. Most people think that the $2.99 they paid for a little magnet for the car is the cost. If people knew the true cost of war, they'd be less likely to start them for no reason.

I'm glad it's now back to being a decision made by the families, not a government bureaucrat, which was the Bush administration's Stalinist media control stance.

Jasbak - your sentiments are obviously heartfelt, but the truth is that US citizens don't pay attention to the cost of war anymore, nor do they get involved in policy associated with it, unless they are personally effected by it. Seeing the terrible price of our fallen countrymen and women is eye-opening. Their memory is honored in their lasting impression of sacrifice.

The family deserves the right to decide if they wish to share their sorrow. Thanks to the Pentagon for making the decision to lift this ban.

I can think of no better respect to be shown coming home to a proud nation. If that coffin was not shown, if that soldier's story was NOT shared it would be an even greater disrespect. By seeing that coffin on the news I learn about the soldier, his family, about what he/she liked.

For those coffins to go unseen would be a huge, huge disrespect. If they can be filmed going out, they should be filmed coming back in. The family should, and now does, have the say. It is a personal decision not to be under minded by anyone else. I respect the families--either way.

And at 11, Obama picks a dog...o wait, that actually was news.

If it is up to the families, then I see no problem with it, however, I agree with Joe, this is not what America needs right now.

What America needs right now: Quote from Enemy at the Gates

Nikita Khrushchev: [addressing a roomful of Soviet political officers] My name... is Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev. I've come to take things in hand here. This city... is not Kursk, nor is it Kiev, nor Minsk. This city... is Stalingrad. *Stalingrad*! This city bears the name of the Boss. It's more than a city, it's a symbol. If the Germans... capture this city... the entire country will collapse. Now... I want our boys to raise their heads. I want them to act like they have *balls*! I want them to stop shitting their pants! That's your job. As political officers... I'm counting on you.
[he looks at one man]
Nikita Khrushchev: You. What's your suggestion?
Sweating Officer: [visibly nervous] Sh-shoot all the other generals who have retreated, and their chiefs of staff, too.
Stammering Officer: [Khrushchev moves down the line to another man] M-m-m-make some examples. D-d-d-d-d-d-deport the families of the d-d-d-deserters -
Nikita Khrushchev: [turning away] Yes, that's all been done.
Danilov: [from the back of the room] Give them hope!
[Khrushchev turns around and strides down the line to Danilov]
Danilov: Here, the men's only choice is between German bullets and ours. But there's another way. The way of courage. The way of love of the Motherland. We must publish the army newspaper again. We must tell magnificent stories, stories that extol sacrifice, bravery. We must make them believe in the victory. We must give them hope, pride, a desire to fight. Yes... we need to make examples. But examples to *follow*. What we need...
[he glances quickly at Khrushchev]
Danilov: ... are heroes.

Good to see the decision back in the hands of the families. For too long our leaders were eager to send our brave men into harm's way for political ends. Now people can see with their own eyes what the cost of nation building is.

I find it hard to buy the whole line that somehow those brave men and women were sent into Iraq to somehow "protect our freedom". I don't see how knocking over two-bit dictators who we were just propping up a few decades ago is fighting for our freedom. Glad to see so many good people had to die to get rid of all those weapons of mass destruction old Saddam was hanging onto in defiance. the international community.

kruschev was not the soviet leader in WW2, It was Stalin.

Good thing this law passed, otherwise the liberal media would miss out on another opportunity to remind us that people die in war by showing us dead troops. Freedom isn't free, and if you have to see a casket to be reminded of that, then you are too ignorant to deserve the freedom that these fine men and women provide for you. I find it very disrespectful that the media chooses to focus on solely the end of someone's life, rather than what good they have accomplished with it. You never get to see an American troop succesfully stop the next terrorist from killing more innocent people on the news, or an Iraqi girl receive an education. I wonder how far we would have gotten in WW2 if MSNBC and the Globe was there to show all the dead Americans on the beaches of Normandy; my guess is not too far. We shoudl never forget the ultimate price that these men and women have paid, but we should never forget what they provided for others, including us, in doing so either.

As a person who served for twenty five years, no one respects free media and free speech more, and few have given so much to insure it! That being said, the families should control the coverage from the time their loved one leaves Dover. Until then, I respect the previous policy. Until our heros leave the base, we are their family too, and we deserve to mourn in private, and serve our fallen brothers and sisters in our own way!

I'm glad that the decision is in the hands of the families. If a family feels that showing the rest of the country "the cost of war" might prevent the next generation from making the same mistake, then they should have every right to do so. Personally, I feel that it IS important for the country to see what "the cost of war" actually is. Hiding the fact that death is a part of war from our countries eyes does not change the fact that death is a part of war. Personally, I think the country needs to see this and know this, not just be told and imagine it. That has no impact. At the end of the day though, this is definitely a decision that needs to be made by the family.

Everyone needs to see "Taking Chance". It is right that the people see these images in order that a full range of thought on the issue can occur.

That the American Legion, of all groups one you would expect to want to honor the war dead on their return to the United States -- that the American Legion should oppose this policy change makes it clear that they are now merely a mouthpiece of the Republican party.

God bless George W. Bush, my eye!

The heart of this issue is intent, so let's look past the rhetoric and try to understand why the ban was issued, and let's examine the faux patriotism of the braying douchebags posting here about how glad they are that the ban is lifted. You wanted to embarrass the president by giving up in Iraq. It didn't work. Suck it.

But now that Dear Leader is in charge, I'm happy about the ban being lifted. Every coffin returning from Afghanistan will be a testament to his weakness.

The press handles itself with such dignity anyway. How long before one of them sneaks a peek inside ?

Well as an iraqi vet i think it should be the solders,Sailors,Marine,or Airman who make e decision before they deploy for a tour. The media just wants to exploit the dead . Also they are dead American Troops not victims not one of my fellow veterans would consider there brothers and sisters in arms victims that is a poor choice in words and it saddens me that we would allow someone to address us as victims. Also who is the Iraq, and Afghanistan Veterans of America if there the largest group how come i have never heard of them. O and John Kerry you turned your back on the Veterans years ago so keep your trap shut you disowned us after vietnam and we don't want to hear from you now of what u think.

I applaud the decision to lift the ban and allow families to determine whether their loved one should be mourned privately or publicly. I don't know anyone who is serving, or has served, in the current conflicts. I feel totally disengaged from the young men and women that represent us in these efforts. I do contribute funds and material goods to our troops.

I believe ending the photo ban will allow ALL to understand the sacrifice (can we bear to say death?) that has been made by our service people and their families. We are interested because we want to pay tribute to them, not for prurient reasons.

" If that coffin was not shown, if that soldier's story was NOT shared it would be an even greater disrespect. By seeing that coffin on the news I learn about the soldier, his family, about what he/she liked. "

Yes. And it's all about *you* and your needs, isn't it?

What prevents the national media from writing about our soldiers and Marines? From showing what kind of people they were, and why they fought? You'd learn a LOT more about the true cost of war if the media cared enough to do that. But they don't, do they? It's just too much effort. So much for "honoring" the dead.

I'm personally all for this..America needs a firm reminding the true costs of our freedoms that many take for granite every day, as for the military families my heart bleeds for every American solider that gave his or her life in the defense of our great Nation...We must never forget the cost our freedoms bare...and we must never forget who it is that lays their lives on the lines for us all. In my opinion America needs this...no matter the sorrow that comes with those people are heroes lets mourns them all like they should be honored.

The reality of war needs to be addressed not covered up.

" Do you think the government should or should not allow the public to see pictures of those events on TV, in newspapers, and on websites?"

What about the First Ammendment? I do not think the government should allow or disallow anything. For better or worse, morality cannot be legislated.

"... That being said, the families should control the coverage from the time their loved one leaves Dover. Until then, I respect the previous policy. Until our heros leave the base, we are their family too, and we deserve to mourn in private, and serve our fallen brothers and sisters in our own way!"Posted by cdrpat February 26, 09 04:03 PM

I could not have said it better. And yes, they, our "freedom fighters" have died and when they return home to Dover, there, they are treated with dignity and respect and HONORED. If you have ever served or had a close family member or friend serve, then you know their battalion is their family too.

Why not have designated service members to film our fallen heros and present a copy to the family to do with as they please. It may sound a bit strange but it could prevent media filming while still allowing families to decide what is right for their own famlies.

I fought in Desert Storm, in Bosina, and afganistan, I understand the rights of the people who stay here and are to afraid to serve their country in an honorable manner. So all the people who think that is is YOUR right to see the coffins of the soldiers that give you the freedom to sit around on your rears whining about a war you are too scaird to do something about, need to wake up. you people make me sick. your the same people who think that petifiles should not have to register because it is inhumane. i am tired of people using freedom of the press to satisfy their sadistic appetities.

Wow, so basically the statements from some of you (pro goverment ban of photos of the war dead) is that You want Your Goverment involved in the decision instead of Your Family.....? Bet you are republicans.

One of the flaws in this country is it never takes things seriously unless it is pushed in thier face. Maybe this will help convince some of you not to go into war without knowing the full reasons for a war.

We had every right and fully justified to go into Afganastain. They harbored and helped the terrorist who attacked and killed our people. Iraq, um we well had Weapons of Mass Destruction, oh no we never found any. Wait they harbored terrorist, oh wait the terrorist hated Sadam Hussain cause he ran a non religous goverment... Wait they um, they um, pissed off Senior so Junior had to have revenge, thats a great reason to send our sons and daughters to war.

The people that approve of this action are probably the same people that slow down to look at car wrecks. Voyeurism at its best. There are many ways to honor the fallen, but being there to snap photos of the famalies as they greet their fallen is not one of them. It will only be used to serve the agendas of the behind the camera.

They died so we could live, didn't they? I mourn every soldier who doesn't come back from their tour of duty. Whether or not you agree with lifting the ban, every one of us should use any images we now see as a moment to reflect on sacrifice, not on gov't policy.
I am against war. I vote democrate. do with me what you will.

Can you print the pictures of our soldiers, journalists & others that had their heads cut off? Or, would that be hurtful toward Islam?