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All veterans do not agree on allowing press to see flag-draped caskets
The Washington TImes ^ | 2/27/09 | Jennifer Harper

Posted on 02/27/2009 8:52:39 AM PST by lakeprincess

When it comes to the return of fallen heroes, Americans have mixed feelings about the rights of families, patriotism and the demands of the press for "transparency."

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: alteredtitle; bho44; bhodod; caskets; doverafb; fallen; flag; media; press

1 posted on 02/27/2009 8:52:40 AM PST by lakeprincess
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To: lakeprincess
Other than intelligent people agreeing that Obama's a pinhead, is there any subject where "all" of some group agree on something?

Why would an editor allow a headline like that? It's ridiculous.

2 posted on 02/27/2009 9:05:18 AM PST by Psycho_Bunny (ALSO SPRACH ZEROTHUSTRA: Worst. President. Ever.)
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To: lakeprincess
The prospect of press access to the caskets has long troubled the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), however. Both organizations feared the solemn moment would be turned into another photo opportunity, or used "for propagandistic purposes," ...

If my son had returned in a flag draped casket, the last thing I would want is some liberal news organization making a political statement with that picture. A political statement that would be directly opposite of my son's beliefs.

What I want to know is how they are going to sort out who gives permission and who does not? A lot of room for "error" if you ask me.

3 posted on 02/27/2009 9:06:01 AM PST by Roses0508
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To: lakeprincess

I for one do not agree with the new policy.

I think that all these treasonous anti-war groups such as code pink, IVAW, etc will use the images to further their cause without any consideration for the families.


4 posted on 02/27/2009 9:08:01 AM PST by 2CAVTrooper (Today we've discovered a force more powerful than luck or genius----stupidity.)
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To: 2CAVTrooper

I agree with you. Our government will manipulate.


5 posted on 02/27/2009 9:13:22 AM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote.)
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To: lakeprincess

I have very mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I’m concerned about the families of the fallen soldiers. On the other hands, it concerns me that we have people who want to suppress information because they’re afraid of the political ramifications. I’m very much in favor of an informed population.


6 posted on 02/27/2009 9:14:08 AM PST by Melas
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To: lakeprincess
I don't like the press using it for their leftist propaganda. I do like it that Americans should see that freedom is not free and has a high cost. That we should HONOR those men and women who give their lives for this Republic.
7 posted on 02/27/2009 9:14:44 AM PST by RetiredArmy (Obama's initials stands for: One Big A$$ Mistake Amerika!!)
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To: lakeprincess
Pentagon relaxes casket photo ban
8 posted on 02/27/2009 9:17:21 AM PST by A.A. Cunningham
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To: lakeprincess

What the media fails to acknowledge is that it was because of the behavior of the media the ban was put into place to begin with.

I hope no family gives them permission to photograph the flag draped coffins at DAFB.

The brief ceremonies held there are solemn, honorable, and heartbreaking and should not be intruded upon by the rude and obnoxious boors that dominate the media.


9 posted on 02/27/2009 9:19:23 AM PST by Gabz
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To: lakeprincess

Couldn’t “no photos” be part of the military members’ Last Will and Testament or have a checkbox against photos on their military ID, like an Organ Donor card? If an individual doesn’t want their body or casket on public display, don’t they have the right to expect their final requests fulfilled?


10 posted on 02/27/2009 9:20:33 AM PST by mikey_hates_everything
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To: Psycho_Bunny
I believe there should be one pool camera allowed every time one of our finest returns home in a coffin draped under a flag.

It's utterly ridiculous that this war has been sanitized to the extent that it has been. War is war. Young men and women die, so let's not pretend that they don't. Their families sure as hell don't get to pretend.

11 posted on 02/27/2009 9:24:14 AM PST by Texas_shutterbug
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To: lakeprincess

for media purposes... what is the purpose of seeing more flag draped coffins? once you have a few shots, isn’t that enough? of course it is. they are anonymous when draped, but have a bigger effect if you can parade them passed the American public picture after picture

this is all an effort to slam republicans, war, and the US


12 posted on 02/27/2009 9:24:33 AM PST by sten
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To: lakeprincess
Hmmmmm...may I propose a form of a 'fairness' doctrine?

For each second a flag draped coffin is shown..a corresponding allotted time would set forth:

... Iraqi citizens showering American troops with affection
...smiling Afghans populace with American troops
...grateful middle east electorate showing their purple stained finger (received at the free/safe voting office
...American troops cuddling, playing with Middle- Eastern children with their parents looking on approvingly
...show the destruction, desolation caused by the terrorists against their own people
...show the initial rocket launches, the initial breaks in a negotiated cease fire by the responsible terrorists groups
NO????

I thought so!!!

13 posted on 02/27/2009 9:35:21 AM PST by Stand Watch Listen
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To: lakeprincess

In the era of fake but true, they can already do this. Why would they need the real thing?


14 posted on 02/27/2009 9:37:38 AM PST by depressed in 06 (I'm becoming nostalgic for the incompetence of Carter.)
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To: lakeprincess

A lot of noise over nothing. The media has no interest in embarrassing Obama with photos of coffins.

The only interest they had in coffins was to embarrass Bush.


15 posted on 02/27/2009 10:04:07 AM PST by telebob
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