Obama reviewing media ban on covering troop deaths

[sabra]

Source: AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The US government is reviewing its ban on media coverage of the flag-draped coffins of fallen soldiers returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, President Barack Obama said Monday.

Signaling doubts over the controversial policy put in place by the administration of his predecessor George W. Bush, Obama told his first press conference the issue was being reexamined.

"We are in the process of reviewing those policies in conversations with the Department of Defense," he told journalists in the East Room of the White House.

...

Obama said a final decision on the policy had not yet been taken.

"I don't want to give you an answer now before I have evaluated that review and understand all of the implications involved," he said.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gidRqFjqKeDkPQ56hql-Jo04UC8g

[DavidDvorkin]

1. What's to review?

End it.

I want Obama to eliminate every ruling made by Bush. That should be the default position. That would be a very big step toward getting us back to the time before the evil cabal took control.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. He probably wants to talk with veterans and widow(er) groups first.

You know, to make sure they don't mind it.

[DavidDvorkin]

3. Okay, that's a good point.

[4lbs]

4. If anyone has the ability to, watch the upcoming HBO movie "Taking Chance".

It's very closely based a true story about a US Marine going to Iraq to retrieve the body of a fallen Marine soldier from his hometown and the entire process of bringing him back for the funeral.

It stars Kevin Bacon. I believe one of the MSNBC talk shows had an interview yesterday with the actor and the real Marine whose life it is based upon.

After watching it, imagine that story having been replayed for real almost 5000 times during Dubya's reign.

[Titonwan]

5. You KNOW why that was banned, don't cha?

The very same reason we don't have a DRAFT. The public would have rose up and smashed Junior's and Cheney's wars with the wrath of a medieval god. Cheney remembers well (as he should, being a damned FIVE TIME draft dodger) what the mood was back when Viet Nam was when we saw the body bags and everyone's son (that couldn't afford NOT to go) went off without choice to the jungles. I was one of those stupid enough to volunteer for THAT war on a lie. LET the body's be seen! I DARE YOU! WATCH THE OUTRAGE OF A NEW GENERATION TEAR DOWN THE WAR MACHINE. I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU TO.

[lonestarnot]

10. Right on!

:patriot:

[thereismore]

6. Just end it. This is a lie. nt

[Peace_Sells]

7. Lift the Ban.

[defendandprotect]

8. Let the public see the bodies, see the blood, see the injuries . . .

see the waste of war -- !!! And the horror of Republicanism!!!

[ConcernedCanuk]

9. Media ban on those supposedly dying for their country? - gimme a break . .

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If the USA started publicly admitting to the loss of life in these wars,

maybe some of these wars will end?

and that's not a bad thing IMO