CBS showing pictures of dead Marines

[Van Helsing]

Four US occupation soldiers have been killed in Iraq in a continuing upsurge in violence ahead of the 30 June transfer of authority to an appointed interim government.

Their bloodied bodies were found sprawled on the ground at a building site in the town of Ramadi - a focus for resistance - on Monday.

Residents said the Americans were killed in an ambush with Iraqi resistance fighters.

"A US patrol and insurgents traded fire in al-Malab neighbourhood in central Ramadi, leaving four soldiers killed," witness Mustafa Hamid told AFP by phone.

They were not wearing the helmets or body armour routinely worn by occupation troops on alert.

The US military has no immediate comment on the deaths,
which bring to 619 the number of US soldiers killed in action
since Washington launched its war on Iraq last year.


So sad my thoughts are with their famlies

 

[Pin Wizard]

How horrible! Prayers for their families. Right now, I'm very glad I don't have TV!

 

[palmtreegirl]

Wow I think it is disgusting that they are showing still frames from the video tape of the attack, utterly disgusting. I don't care if you can't see their faces, it's incredibly disrespectful and turns my stomach.

Those poor boys.....

 

[4cruisin]

Our local ABC station showed video of the Marines this morning. I was really disgusted over their lack of respect to the families.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by 4cruisin
Our local ABC station showed video of the Marines this morning. I was really disgusted over their lack of respect to the families.

I hope the families were at least notified so they would know this was going to be shown.

 

[inaminute]

I hope the families were at least notified so they would know this was going to be shown.

My thoughts, exactly.

Shame on CBS (and ABC).

My thoughts and prayers are always with our military and their families.

 

[mommytotwo]

I was watching our news last night when they showed a picture of one soilder that was killed recently during his hostage period.
If I was his family and had seen that, it would have killed me to see what he had gone through.

 

[two4ruff]

Responsible journalism....please.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I wonder what the point is in showing the bodies - besides shock value.

So sad... my thoughts are with those families.

 

[Keli]

I wonder why the media would do this? I don't see the benefit but I do see how it would be almost unbearably painful for family members to watch. I hope they were given warning at least.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

My viewpoint may make you angry but please understand that's not my intention.

The showing of photographs of those dead young Marines and soldiers are important because their deaths are one of our country's true costs of this war. I am so very sorry for their families and hope that their pain isn't made worse by the images but it's my deeply held belief that we must be constantly reminded of the reality of what's happening in Iraq in order to be truly informed. It was true in Vietnam and its true now. We have to know the price before we can determine if we're willing to pay it. Those photos are proof of the price that is being paid. It's easier not to know or not to look but the cost is still real.

 

[Viking]

Those pics were on the PrimeTimeNews over here as well They didn't show any faces so the anonimity of the GIs was taken care of. But I think it is necessary to show those pictures, to show that there are still people dying. It's a bloody war after all, isn't it?
Let's hope that the situation gets better next week after the transfer of control - Although I heavily doubt it

 

[momof2inPA]

Originally posted by crazyforgoofy
My viewpoint may make you angry but please understand that's not my intention.

The showing of photographs of those dead young Marines and soldiers are important because their deaths are one of our country's true costs of this war. I am so very sorry for their families and hope that their pain isn't made worse by the images but it's my deeply held belief that we must be constantly reminded of the reality of what's happening in Iraq in order to be truly informed. It was true in Vietnam and its true now. We have to know the price before we can determine if we're willing to pay it. Those photos are proof of the price that is being paid. It's easier not to know or not to look but the cost is still real.

I agree.

 

[pokiemomo181]

We don't need pictures of the dead to know they are dying over there. Its war and we already know some are dying. The only reason they are showing them is for shock value, and that uncalled for. If you don't know that 619 have died you must have your head in the sand. You don't have to show their bodies as proof. I think it is degrading to those that have died to show their bodies. I grew up with the vietnam war pictures on tv, and it didn't make the ones who died any more dead by showing them, just gave them a little less respect for what had happened to them.


Pokie

 

[mamajoan]

We go on with our daily lives.. we chat on the dis, we wax our floors, we pick up after our children, we call our parents, we worry about school.. and we may be aware that 619 US troops have died while on duty in Iraq.... but somehow it hits us square in our face to be shown pictures of brutally murdered American men and women far from home.....It may serve as a reminder when we get bogged down with our daily routine. This is not to say that many people are acutely aware of what is happening overseas as it touches their lives every minute of every day.

I pray that the families were alerted to the fact that these photos were to be aired. But if these photos are able to move any one who makes political decisions for our country, if it makes any of these political movers and shakers begin to realize that the US better get the hec out of Iraq... SOON.... then I understand the motivation of CBS and ABC and other networks....

However.. I will agree it is probably for ratings and shock value.. sad...

Prayers for all those with families involved in service for our country.

 

[HollyJoy]

Oh how sad! We're trying not to turn on the t.v. during the day, so I'm out of the loop with the news... tragic.

 

[Viking]

Originally posted by mamajoan
We go on with our daily lives.. we chat on the dis, we wax our floors, we pick up after our children, we call our parents, we worry about school.. and we may be aware that 619 US troops have died while on duty in Iraq.... but somehow it hits us square in our face to be shown pictures of brutally murdered American men and women far from home.....It may serve as a reminder when we get bogged down with our daily routine. This is not to say that many people are acutely aware of what is happening overseas as it touches their lives every minute of every day.

I pray that the families were alerted to the fact that these photos were to be aired. But if these photos are able to move any one who makes political decisions for our country, if it makes any of these political movers and shakers begin to realize that the US better get the hec out of Iraq... SOON.... then I understand the motivation of CBS and ABC and other networks....

However.. I will agree it is probably for ratings and shock value.. sad...

Prayers for all those with families involved in service for our country.

Absolutely correct: Numbers are so easy to digest - But seeing real people wounded or dead makes you think twice.
But your troops getting out of Iraq soon?

 

[pokiemomo181]

My sons are in the military, one was over there during the fighting. If something had happened to him, and they had shown his body, I would have been very angry at the disrespect of it all. No, we don't need to see the bodies of the dead to bring it home. They bring the caskets home for that. Let these soldiers and their families have a little peace in knowing they aren't broadcasting the pictures of them to bring it home. I hope we know what happens in war, but if there are some who don't why show them at the soldier, and their families expense. They have all been through enough already.


Pokie

 

[inaminute]

Those who need photos of dead soldiers/marines to remind them that our sons and daughters are paying the ultimate price must not know anyone over there. I can assure you that those who have loved ones and/or friends involved in the fighting have no need of this crass kind of reminder.

I know what it's like to have a child putting his life on the line. My son spent the first nine months of the war in Iraq. I never worried about him as much as I did during those nine months! I certainly don't need the reminder that my son could die. Neither does anyone who knows him.

He couldn't tell me exactly where he was, but we had a good idea. Every news report was torture. I'm ashamed to admit to a feeling of relief every time we heard that he was not in the area of the most recent deaths.

I can only speak for myself and my son and can honestly state that I would be devastated were it my child's body that CBS showed. My son is a soldier. He deserves to be treated with dignity and respect--even in death. And, especially if he dies fighting for his country. He certainly doesn't deserve to be paraded in front of the nation as proof that young men and women are dying in the war.

We thank God every day that he came home safely, this time. I hope I never have to deal with what the families of those marines have to deal with. To have your child die in war and then have their bodies paraded on the news for the entire country to view is horrifying to me.

Even if the bodies are "anonymous" it's still an awful sight for the families of the 691 who have died to see. My heart breaks for those families. But it swells with pride and gratefulness for those who volunteered for these jobs and were willing to fight when their country asked them.

A little respect for them isn't a lot to ask.

 

[Van Helsing]

Absolutely correct: Numbers are so easy to digest - But seeing real people wounded or dead makes you think twice.

I agree 100%