[Peace-discuss] lifting the ban on press photos of caskets returning home from war

[Karen Medina]

Hi Peace Discuss,

There is a letter campaign to lift the ban on press photos of caskets
returning from war.
http://ga3.org/campaign/dover

Thought you all might be interested in discussing this issue. There is
more information below.

-karen medina
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Subject: Send a letter to Secretary of Defense Gates - lift the Dover ban

We're hearing that the Pentagon is close to making a recommendation to
the President on whether to lift the ban on photos of caskets of our
returning war dead at Dover Air Force Base and other ports of entry.
There is very good reason for the Pentagon to lift the ban, and we
want to ensure that they do.

CLICK HERE TO SEND A LETTER TO THE PENTAGON, URGING THEM TO LIFT THE DOVER BAN
http://ga3.org/campaign/dover


The ban is not something that's been around forever. In fact, it's a
pretty recent policy, instituted for purely political reasons, with
waivers given, also for purely political reasons. The ban was
instituted just before the first Gulf War, by the first President
Bush, worried that images of the dead coming home could affect support
for the war, just as they had during Vietnam. But, George W. Bush
allowed images of a victim of the Pentagon 9/11 attacks to be shown,
to stir up anger (as if we needed any more reason).

More importantly, those of us who served swore to uphold the
Constitution of the United States. Part of that Constitution is
freedom of the press, to promote the ability of the public to have as
much information as possible -- even when that information is not
comfortable for those decision-makers in power.

And finally, this is about being able to honor the fallen.  The return
ceremony is incredibly respectful, and deeply honorable.  We should be
allowing all Americans to share in honoring the fallen, not hiding it.

CLICK HERE TO URGE THE PENTAGON TO CHANGE THE DOVER BAN
http://ga3.org/campaign/dover

Lifting the ban must be done in a way that respects the privacy of the
families of those who lost their lives.  But, that can be done while
not hiding the images of the human cost of war from the American
people.

It’s far past time to lift the ban.  Please click above, and help us
make it happen.

Sincerely,
Jon Soltz
Iraq War Veteran