White House photo sparks protest (interview, Afghanistan, soldiers, regime)
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WASHINGTON (AP) — A White House photographer was allowed to take and widely distribute a photo from the ceremony Tuesday for the return of the remains of 30 American troops killed in a weekend helicopter crash in Afghanistan despite the Pentagon's claim that any public depiction of the scene would violate the wishes of bereaved families.
News media coverage of the ceremony had been banned by the Pentagon over the objections of several news organizations.
Pentagon officials had said that because 19 of 30 of the American families of the dead had objected to media coverage of the remains coming off a plane at Dover Air Force Base, no images could be taken. In addition, the Pentagon rejected media requests to take photos that showed officials at the ceremony but did not depict caskets.
What do you think? Is the president honoring fallen soldiers, or using their sacrifice for his own political advantage? My first reaction was the later, given that the white house widely distributed the photo in question. I'm honestly torn, and may just be overly sensitive about such actions. If this photo shows up as a campaign aid, there will be no question. Given his colaboration on a Hollywood movie about the incident to be released shortly before election time, the motivation is suspect.
He IS the leader of the military and he DID show his respect. The photo was taken in such a way to respect the privacy of the families. Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. I give up.
He IS the leader of the military and he DID show his respect. The photo was taken in such a way to respect the privacy of the families. Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. I give up.
Hogfrigginwash.
The Pentagon has a RULE - if the families of the fallen object to photos of their dead, it is EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN to take photos...except for the classless obama, who just had to make it all about him, just had to get his photo op. Just because the caskets weren't shown doesn't mean obama didn't USE the occasion for a photo op.
To obama apologists - READ THIS.
Quote:
A White House photographer was allowed to take and widely distribute a photo from the ceremony Tuesday for the return of the remains of 30 American troops killed in a weekend helicopter crash in Afghanistan despite the Pentagon's claim that any public depiction of the scene would violate the wishes of bereaved families.
Pentagon officials had said that because 19 of 30 of the American families of the dead had objected to media coverage of the remains coming off a plane at Dover Air Force Base, no images could be taken. In addition, the Pentagon rejected media requests to take photos that showed officials at the ceremony but did not depict caskets.
The rules and common decency don't apply to the POgarbage in the WH.
He just told the families of the dead soldiers to go screw themselves.
When it comes to honoring our heroes, I'd like to be able to give any President, Obama included, the benefit of the doubt that they care more about doing the right thing by the fallen and their families (even if I might disagree with their choices). Obama's decision to allow this solemn and private moment to become a political spectacle shows he simply is doesn't deserve that consideration.
What do you think? Is the president honoring fallen soldiers, or using their sacrifice for his own political advantage? My first reaction was the later, given that the white house widely distributed the photo in question. I'm honestly torn, and may just be overly sensitive about such actions. If this photo shows up as a campaign aid, there will be no question. Given his colaboration on a Hollywood movie about the incident to be released shortly before election time, the motivation is suspect.
Has this regime EVER done anything that wasn't self-serving?
Notice that the photo that was permitted to be taken as an exception didn't show any flag-draped caskets. A photo like that could be used against Obama in an upcoming campaign. How many photos of flag draped caskets were on magazine covers when Bush was in office? Did the rules change?
Doug Wilson, head of public affairs at the Pentagon, said the department did not know the White House photographer was present and had no idea a photo of the event was being released until it became public. He said the photographers who routinely travel with the defense secretary and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were not allowed to go to the event, and no official Pentagon photos were taken or released.
I find it interesting that the pentagon respects the families wishes and doesn't have a photographer there. Yet the president not only does, but releases it for distribution.
Mr. Obama's predecessor, President George W. Bush, visited the families of hundreds of fallen soldiers but did not attend any military funerals or go to Dover to receive the coffins. In a 2006 interview with the military newspaper "Stars and Stripes," Bush said he felt the appropriate way to show his respect was to meet with family members in private.
Notice that the photo that was permitted to be taken as an exception didn't show any flag-draped caskets. A photo like that could be used against Obama in an upcoming campaign. How many photos of flag draped caskets were on magazine covers when Bush was in office? Did the rules change?
In the past, the families were asked if the media were to be allowed to take and publish pictures at Dover. And their wishes were respected. Some did allow them, resulting in the pictures you mention.
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