So Obama is all about changing the laws that makes the choice of media of a fallen soldiers death away from the families this death affects the most.He thinks that their deaths deserve a full coverage event even if the families of these people don’t feel the same. Shouldn’t these families have the right to privacy at a time of such great loss?
It’s no secret that I am not a fan of Obama but this has nothing to do with that. This is about the rights of the families! If my son, husband, or father (and now a days daughter, wife, or mother) died fighting for our country I would not want the media all over me and my family.
It’s no secret that I am not a fan of Obama but this has nothing to do with that. This is about the rights of the families! If my son, husband, or father (and now a days daughter, wife, or mother) died fighting for our country I would not want the media all over me and my family.Do I think that the fallen soldier deserves the attention that he died fighting for us? Yes! But do the camera’s really need to be rolling while they carry the coffin out for the first time as the wife and her children say their first goodbyes?
I would love to know your opinion on this!
Though I voted for him, he’s done a few things that I haven’t liked…this is one of them…of course it should be up to the families.
I mean, it’s terrible and sad but it helps for people to really be able to see and understand the impact on this country (coming from an army wife here)
I’m wondering if the reason isn’t because the deaths have been so invisible that those of us who don’t have a family member or friend fighting don’t understand the seriousness of this war. By making the casualties more visible in the media, maybe the general public will come closer to understanding the true gravity of our actions? And maybe we’ll have more respect for the soldiers who are already there…
I think it should be up to the families without a doubt. It was those who joined and lost their lives for our countries, that CHOSE to join… Their families should be able to choose how they leave. Not Obama.
NOT a fan either, however, I saw an interview with an Military Spokesperson who said Obama changed the law and took away the right for the government to choose (a moritoriam NOT to show) and gave it to the families to choose. He said…(and please realize this is what I heard, doesn’t mean it’s true) that it is up to the families now to decide whether or not there will be media coverage. This was something the families did not have the right to choose before.
try this link:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090226/pl_afp/usmilitaryobamairaqafghanistanmedia_20090226223008
it’s an article that explains it.
I’m with you – I am definitely NOT an Obama fan…not one bit.
I just keep reminding myself that God is in ultimate control and He has a plan – a perfect plan.
We just returned form Washington DC and we visited Arlington Cemetery. I was struck by the reality of these public graves….so much hoopla….but at the same time, it was a way to honor them. I definitely agree that families should have the right to choose! My grandfather fought in WWII and he had the bugler play and the soldiers drape the flag…all with family and friends in attendance. That is how it should be….just family and friends!!!
I think that the lifting of the ban is more about honoring our soldier’s service than making a media storm about it. While the nation’s suppport of the war has waned over the years, most of the people that I know support the actual soldiers. I think that lifting the ban and letting the family choose is the right way to go about honoring our fallen AND their families. I also have to strongly agree with the above comments that it paints a sobering realization as to the actual cost of war. Great question – thanks.
You said in your post:
“He thinks that their deaths deserve a full coverage event even if the families of these people don’t feel the same. Shouldn’t these families have the right to privacy at a time of such great loss?”
but
“He (Gates) left it up to the families to decide whether to allow media to film or photograph the coffins of their dead soldiers at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, Gates said at a news conference.”
It is being left up to the families discretion.