Gates: AP decision 'Apalling'

Politico ^ | Sep 4, 2009 | Mike Allen

[teevolt]

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is objecting “in the strongest terms” to an Associated Press decision to transmit a photograph showing a mortally wounded 21-year-old Marine in his final moments of life, calling the decision “appalling” and a breach of “common decency.”

The AP reported that the Marine’s father had asked – in an interview and in a follow-up phone call — that the image, taken by an embedded photographer, not be published.

The AP reported in a story that it decided to make the image public anyway, because it “conveys the grimness of war and the sacrifice of young men and women fighting it.”

The photo shows Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard of New Portland, Maine, who was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade in a Taliban ambush Aug. 14 in Helmand province of southern Afghanistan, according to The AP.

Gates wrote to Thomas Curley, AP’s president and chief executive officer. “Out of respect for his family’s wishes, I ask you in the strongest of terms to reconsider your decision. I do not make this request lightly. In one of my first public statements as Secretary of Defense, I stated that the media should not be treated as the enemy, and made it a point to thank journalists for revealing problems that need to be fixed..."

“I cannot imagine the pain and suffering Lance Corporal Bernard’s death has caused his family. Why your organization would purposefully defy the family’s wishes knowing full well that it will lead to yet more anguish is beyond me. Your lack of compassion and common sense in choosing to put this image of their maimed and stricken child on the front page of multiple American newspapers is appalling. The issue here is not law, policy or constitutional right – but judgment and common decency.”

[mkjessup]

If Gates had any balls at all, he would immediately yank any and all credentials, access and cooperation with the AP regarding ANY interaction with the Defense Department, be it imbedded reporters/photographers in war zones, to getting details of the Pentagon latrine budgets for FY 2011.

[Melchior]

The AP administrators, besides other things, are a pack of ghouls. They have demonstrated time and again a lack of propriety. The quicker they are run out of business the better. True, I always liked the idea of citizen reporters, and the internet is making that possible.

[coconutt2000]

The AP reported in a story that it decided to make the image public anyway, because it “conveys the grimness of war and the sacrifice of young men and women fighting it.”

Translation: "This image served our political purposes so we published it."

[dools007]

You got that right.

[dools007]

You got that right.

[Jeff Head]

War is hell and the reality of war is hell. We all know this and I usually do not mind seeing it.

But, when the next of kin, the parents of this Marine asked directly that the AP and others not display the graphic, bloody image of their dying son, and these people refused to honor that request, they (the ones displaying the picture) showed all the world what they are.

They are sensationalizing the death of this Marine for two reasons only 1) For profit. 2) To push an anti-American agenda.

That is what has my dander up, that they would violate the privacy and direct request of the family for these abomnable reasons is beyond being over the line...and there will be a reckoning some day for these acts where quisling enemies of this nation refuse to offend our abject enemies, but have no problem offending the very people and their families who are suffering and dying on their account.

RIP, Lance Cpl. Joshua "Bernie" Bernard, brave Marine, and hero of American freedom. May God rest your soul, and may he comfort and strengthen your family and loved ones despite the best efforts of our enemies, both foreign and domestic.

AMERICA AT THE CROSSROADS OF HISTORY

[P.O.E.]

Can’t show 9/11 pictures though.

[ConorMacNessa]

Amen to that, Jeff Head!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[Oldexpat]

I hate to say this guys and girls , but we have lost this war at home. None of the libs and many conservatives want us to get out now and could care less what happens to Afghanistan..or the Taliban. They have forgotten that having a really free base for Al Queda spawned the problems. Pakistan is not a good place for them to be..they give up a lot of operational control.
But a lot of my conservative friends have said..let’s leave.

[lovesdogs]

Well no. 9/11 photos would seem to contradict Van Jones since he believes it was a Bush induced thing. The AP cannot dis an obama czar.

Shame on the AP. I hope that the family can find a way to sue them. Their brave son is not a public figure. I wonder why he has fewer rights in death than the blurred faces of the living who do not wish to be splashed upon TV screens?

[GBA]

The decision to publish was not made by the organization, but by one to a handful of people.

Whatever motive they claim, they have chosen to profit from the suffering of others.

If "what goes around comes around" is true, then all responsible for the unnecessary additional anguish felt by the family and friends of Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard should experience that same anguish themselves.

[Ev Reeman]

When if ever has the AP ever shown itself to be humane and snesitive to the feelings of others. They are just as evil as the paparazzi with no respect for human dignity or individual privacy concerns.

[theDentist]

MOst of the media are ghouls... vultures making money off the misery of others, without conscience, without worry of alienation. The AP recognizes that the weakling in the Oval Office doesn’t care.

[Hank Kerchief]

I have no use for the AP, but since when do freedom lovers object to the publication of the truth. The picture was originally published in “The Stars and Stripes.” Not exactly a liberal publication.

If you all think war is noble and wonderful, this picture should be something for you to celebrate. Decent young American man blown to bits to provide primitive muzzies “democeracy.” That’s sure worth dying for, isn’t it?

Hank

[Just A Nobody]

Gates wrote: I stated that the media should not be treated as the enemy, and made it a point to thank journalists for revealing problems that need to be fixed..."

There is the problem you dunder head! The media SHOULD BE TREATED as the enemy, because that is what they are...the ENEMEDIA!!!

Gates is a p*$$ pour excuse for a SoD. Rummy, you are sorely missed!

[Ev Reeman]

When a soldier makes the ultimate sacrifice it should be up to his family to decide if the picture should be released for publication. Until that time, the media should hold back unless they have gotten verbal or written permission from the soldier’s family to do so. Failing that, no publication until they do get it. IMHO.

[Judith Anne]

The AP, out of consideration of the wishes of Zerobama, won’t publish any photos of his daughters.

But when it comes to a young, dying hero, whose parents ask for privacy in his final agony, the AP doesn’t care.

God bless all our young heroes, console their families, heal their grief, and bring them to His Almight peace and comfort.

[lovesdogs]

If you all think war is noble and wonderful, this picture should be something for you to celebrate. Decent young American man blown to bits to provide primitive muzzies “democeracy.” That’s sure worth dying for, isn’t it?

I cannot disagree with anything that you stated. Nor do I believe for one minute that war is anything other than a horror that I could not begin to imagine. But with that said, I do think that this young man's parent's wishes should trump everything else. They suffered the ultimate loss. If they want privacy for their son they should have it.