The Fallen
In World War II America didn't shy away from mourning the soldiers who fell in battle. We understood that in a war people die. Photos of fields of crosses told the story of those who stormed Normandy. In windows families displayed stars. One for every family member in the war; those alive and those who had come home in flag draped coffins. With every dead soldier returned the families redoubled their effort to support the troops; the brave men and women who were defending their country.
Evidently the Bush administration believes that pictures of Iraqi war dead is bad public relations. They've kept a clamp on such photos. A woman who allowed one such picture to be published was fired from her job. A man had to sue under the Freedom of Information Act to see a pitiful few. The photos are not graphic; they show the great respect the military shows for their fallen.
Why is the present administration afraid of coffin photos? This is not World War II - a war well understood. This administration understands that publishing photos of these coffins would not lead to redoubled efforts. I can't begin to tell you what George W. Bush sees in these photos.
I know I see futures lost. I see the men and women who could have contributed to making their communities stronger, safer, peaceful and happy. I see the children who will grow older without the love and guidance of their mother or father.
I see a war that should end now.
