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father had asked – in an interview and in a follow-up phone call — that the image, taken by an embedded photographer, not be published.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.”

[TXnMA]

Had it been their "embedded reporter" wounded and dying, would AP have published his photo -- over his parents' objection?

Scumbags! :-(

[mkjessup]

And you know what is the most ironic and tragic thing about 0bama’s butt-boy Gates?

Gates was a protege of the greatest CIA director in our history, the one and only William Casey of the Reagan Administration, Casey considered Gates to be not only his protege and brilliant, but practically like a son.

Bill Casey is spinning rapidly in his grave I’m sure.

[Hank Kerchief]

“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.”

I agree. There is no reason the photograph could not have been published “anonymously.” The issue is not the photograph, in my opinion (it’s a “fact” and there is no justification for obfuscating a “fact,”) but the individual’s identity is irrelevant to the fact. That is information no one has a right to.

I’m very sorry for the parents of this obviously decent young man, but perhaps the horrid photograph might prevent another unnecessary horrid death.

Hank

[Mad Dawg]

I’m thinking it’s time for some intimate photos of AP higher-ups to hit the web.

[SuziQ]

This is just disgusting, especially since the Marine’s father specifically asked that the photograph NOT be shown!

[Repeat Offender]

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

But he doesn't have any balls. Gates himself stated he pushed the message the media was not the enemy. Therefore, Gates not only underestimated the enemy, he failed to identify the enemy. He failed to see (or chose to ignore), along with all the rest, the subversion in front of him. This belief that the embeds would cast the war in a positive light was a folly.

Reporters in Iraq outright REFUSED to report on the humanitarian works the troops were doing. REFUSED to accompany the patrols/operations unless there was a high probability of attack. Worse, the MNF-I website that reported "news" for the war in Iraq provided links to websites that displayed multiple anti-war/anti-Bush banners, displays, and advertisements. Almost every single time you clicked on a link to an external site, the site you were taken to was contrary to the war effort.

A nickel says the same is true for Afghanistan; and is demonstrated by this latest incident.

FUBO? Why not start with all the lazy, Marxist, race baiting @ssh@les that voted him in?

How do you like your hope and change Amerika?

[mkjessup]

Well said, and bravo.


PS - Welcome to FR!