In past wars, this photograph by Tami Silicio that ran in the Seattle Times would be just one in a series. Previous administrations had to contend with the reality that such pictures would be published. Inevitably, the public would stop thinking about dead soldiers as statistics in some remote video game, and wake up to the fact that the soldiers were, in fact, real people who died following orders based on decisions made by our leaders. If the cause was deemed just, the public accepted the human and economic toll. If it wasn't, there would be hell to pay.via [ 1115.org ] by way of [ Romenesko ]
Since the 1991 Gulf War, the Department of Defense (populated by many of the same decision-makers as the current regime) implemented guidelines that prohibit photographers from shooting flag-draped coffins. I have yet to hear a reasonable explanation for this rule as there are no identifying markings that would invade the privacy of a fallen soldier. It's just a way to wage war on the cheap. No flag-draped coffins equals less public outrage.
Take a good hard look at the image. Shouldn't we, as a free society, have access to what is happening in our name?
UPDATE:
Woman loses her job over coffins photo.
via [ Random Abstract ]