[Conservomax]

Not much of a mystery - if the cord moved while the shutter was open, it would have blurred and would then become more difficult to see against a dark BG - if you look you can see the blur.

I just hope the wife of the soldier in fron t doesn't see this pic.

What is up with the non-stories on Drudge today?

[Charles Henrickson]

Where did the Mic Cord Go?

Yeah, where DID McCord go?

[Redcloak]

You've nailed it. The cord is there, but the motion blur makes it hard to see. If you look at some of the Marines in the audience, you'll see other examples of motion blur: One guy's elbow is moving and another's hands are a blur. Sorry, folks; but no fauxtography here.