posted on Sep, 5 2009 @ 02:30 AM
I have a friend in the military who is just returning from Afghanistan. He even told me outright that everything we see and hear about the war over
there is watered down and sanitized. He said that we never hear what really happens over there, except in a few rare occasions. The United States
government should have any say in what we can and can't see - that's censorship.
However, I strongly object to the AP publishing these pictures. The family of the deceased clearly expressed that they wished for the photos not to be
made public and distributed. The wishes of the Marine's parents should be taken in consideration before anything else the matter IMO. Not only are
the parents devastated about losing their son, but now the young man's last moments of life - while disfigured and wounded - are being spread around
for all to see.
I understand that they want to document the war in all of its reality, but respect to the parents of soldier should come before reporting a story. It
also seems to me that the AP is looking to make some money of these images, which truly disgusts me. A human being just lost his life... This is a
tragedy - not a paparazzi-frenzied celebrity scandal. Courtesy, respect, integrity, honor, and professionalism should be shown here...
Out of respect for this deceased American, and his parents, I have not viewed the picture; I do not plan on it either.