• WEB POLL

Military coffins: Do you believe the media should be allowed to take pictures of the coffins of fallen American soldiers?

37.83% Yes
62.16% No

Comment: I believe the public should see what our tax money has done. from Milton by Clara

Comment: We should have the upmost respect for our fallen soliers. We should not exploit it. from Cantonment Fl by Tamara

Comment: Absolutely not. Be clear, it is not a right of all Americans to pay their respects to a fallen hero. As a military member, I would not want my coffin displayed to the media to be used to make a political statement, or as a media circus event which it would turn out to be. Since when does the press portray the military in a respectful manner? The press has no right to be present. At a minimum, permission should be given by the family. by Col

Comment: I dont think it is right 2 take pictures of these coffins of the men & women who has fought & lost there lives for us it is disgrading to them & just plan wrong.They should be left to rest & peace. from summerdale,al by stephania

Comment: NO. from Milton, FL by Al

Comment: As long as it is done respectfully,abiding with the privacy concerns of the family of the fallen solder. It would allow all Americans to pay their last respects to these honored men and women. from Pace, Fl by Ronny

Comment: I don't believe the media knows how to be properly respectful of the families. I think the families should make the decision. from Miramar Beach, FL by Judith

Comment: MEDIA IS TOO INTRUSIVE from Gulf Breeze, FL by Gordon

Comment: Newspapers, magazines, tv and radio all must make a profit to exist. That means they compete with each other for audience. This causes them to use hyperbole to create more interest. Their selfish interest is not served by simply reporting the news (primarily at the regional/national level). Exploiting the death of a service member for the purpose of selling more media product is sad. Let the family have some degree of decorum at this time. from Pensacola, FL by Steve

Comment: It was a strictly political move in the first place. The public was to be shielded from from a too graphic reminder of the real price paid for political blumders and stupid policies. from Gulf Breeze, FL by Lee

Comment: NO! Too many of the media have an agenda in that they want to drag the pictures in front of the US to foster their anti-war view, and decrease the will of the people to continue the fight. Let us be. from Gulf Breeze, FL by Don

Comment: I can think of only two reasons not to honor the ultimate sacrifice. One for national security or two they are ashamed from Pensacola Fl by Neal

Comment: YES, these men and women should be Honored in every way posible. They have given all when others give none. God bless them all from Fort Walton Beach, Fl by Mark

Comment: No, I don't think it's right. You people already do too much invasion of privacy--under the privlege of 1st Amendment protection. from Mary Esther, Fl. by Tom

Comment: You shouldn't be allowed to photograph any coffin. It is rude, disrespectful, and in the end serves no purpose. We all know what a coffin looks like. from Pensacola by Ryan

Comment: yes! yes! yes! if these hawks cannot bear to see actual peoples dying for their cause and policies while their family members are safe and sound at home or tuck away in college somewhere (just like rush, courtier, all of the bush appointees and cabinet members, local representatives, etc...) then they should rethink their own thoughts...i sure bet they would not be itching to go to war if their sons and daughters put their lives on the line... from p'cola fl by h

Comment: If you have any kind of common sense you already feel remorse for our fallen solders. We don't need pictures. This is an invasion of the family's privacy and they are already hurting enough without having to deal with the media as well. from Pensacola by Carolyn

Comment: No I do not believe the media should be allowed to take pictures of the flag draped coffins without the expressed premission of the family and they pass security screenings if the burial is to take place on a military, or restricted area. I not only believe the families should have their privacy for one of the most tragic happenings in their lives I also do not want the press to be interviewing those friends and family members for heart wretching stories to up their ratings. The press will not be able to resist taking pictures of the grieving families and friends and asking for comments. Is the press also planning to attend every funeral NOOO! They only want to attend furneals of people who would possibly give them a boost to their ratings, and television, radio station or newspaper who thinks this is a good idea are a bunch of gouls. from Niceville by Regenia

Comment: I do believe that the media should be allowed to take pictures of service member funerals, if it is ok with the family. Being a military spouse I think it is important to let the family members have the ultimate say, but we do not need to have a ban stopping the media altogether. from Pensacola, FL by Modina

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