Why won't Bush allow the newspapers to take pictures of the flag-draped coffins returning from Iraq?

Answer 1

Because the Iraq war is a secret war and it was the showing of the coffins coming home that drove the people into demanding the politicians end the war.

I remember those days and I vividly remember flying back 200 or 300 of them in a KC-135 packed to the rafters with dead soldiers on every trip back to the U.S.

I'm just waiting for the scream when the Draft is brought back in 2008... I think that will be only just... and it's got to happen because once the troops are home there will be a mass exodus from the military.

The problem is, most of the people who read about Iraq on Yahoo Answers don't have a CLUE about what war is like... all they can do is play some stupid video game where, once everyone is dead and dismembered.. they can hit "reset" and start all over again... it's not like they can SMELL the rotting flesh and the blood and the stale body fluids...

Answer 2

for an identical reason that Clinton did not enable newspaper photographers to take photos of the flag-draped coffins getting back from Somalia, and that NO U.S. President has ever allowed it. And it won't be allowed, despite celebration is in capacity, and no count how a lot the conservatives or the liberals could hate the guy at present serving as President.

Answer 3

Good lord, some of the Above Moonbats really are barking arent they?

I think the more you research you'll find that Few Wars have shown the Coffins coming home, it is a sign of Respect for the Fallens Families. The Public has been spoiled by images such as the Challenger Astronauts, and Other high profile deaths.

FDR didnt allow it

Truman didnt

LBJ didnt officially either

Answer 4

Why do you need to see it them? Would you like to see the mangled, destroyed bodies, too? How about the grieving family? That would really get you turned on, eh?
I salute him for that decision!
Why don't you go to a military funeral and TRY to take a picture of the flag draped coffin RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE FAMILY. I DARE YOU! Put your money where your mouth is. Oh, you're too afraid to TRY? Figures.
(USN, retired/in-country Viet Nam vet)

Answer 5

Because the media will use it for some editorializing. And it won't be the first time. Back in 1970 the CBS Evening News showed dated newsreel footage of a young man getting killed in combat in Vietnam. Of course, part of the TV audience for that "news" broadcast was the mother of the young man. She had just returned from burying him in Southern New Jersey. I was on staff at the Naval Hospital in Philadelphia. We received an urgent call from the casualty calls officer who had been with the family since first notifying them of the death. We sent an ambulance to pick her up and admit her for treatment of her mental trauma as a civilian emergency. My feelings of any respect for Walter Cronkite took a big hit that day.
I spent most of the next twelve years dealing with the Navy Decedent Affairs Program. Each time I had to inspect a set of mortal remains I never forgot that the body lying in the coffin was my shipmate or my brother in arms. But, to the media it would have just been another news item. To the protestors of this or any other war it would just be some twisted, pre-orgasmic moment of delight in attempting to validate their position. I applaud any military or civilian leader who wants to keep the vultures, human or avian, away from our honored dead.

Answer 6

We don't dwell on our losses, we march forward toward victories.

Those images don't "help" anyone. In fact they can hurt our cause, our people, the families and those still serving.

In the wrong hands they become propaganda for our enemy. Look at the images of 9/11 in the hands of terrorists on the front pages of their newspapers. I am reminded of their smiling faces pointing out the death and destruction they caused as they were in merriment.

I think the President is right not to publish the photos you mention. They would serve no good purpose.



g-day!

Answer 7

umm, how about because it's an intensely personal matter, and it's disrespectful to the families who have lost their loved one? I can assure that i will NOT be giving permission for any damn reporter to be in my face taking pictures on the worst day of my life, should I ever lose my husband in war. Do we allow pictures to be taken of the coffin when the old guy down the street dies? what about your sainted grandmother?

leave the families to their grieving in peace.

Answer 8

Most importantly, to respect the families of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation, so that the family's first sight of a loved one's coffin won't be underneath an article blasting his courage, the President, or this war.

Second reason, just to deny the democrat's little robots the pleasure, since they won't publish any pictures or stories of the good that our soldiers do over there.

Answer 9

This is a tasteless question. If I die in Iaq, I don't want my coffin displayed as some political tool all overr the news. This would also scar anyone who loves me further by seeing me all over the television. Do we get any respect?

Answer 10

It has been traditional in this country not to show the coffins of returning American service members. It has nothing to do with President Bush and everything to do with good manners and respect, both of which are alien to liberals.

Edit for Middleclassandnotquiet:

During Vietnam, Panama, Desert Storm and Kosovo, we did not allow media footage of the coffins of returning soldiers. Why are liberals so insistent on seeing the coffins of dead soldiers? Are you guys really that sick and demented?

Answer 11

Out of respect for the fallen soldiers' families.

BTW, how absolutely PATHETIC that some YA'ers are so political that they would make even this a political matter. Grow up and get lives, people.