Warning-- Soapbox---
For those of you who don't know-- the A.P. (associated press) released a graphic (mild in my opinion) of a young solider who was wounded last month. The young man later died on the operating table. There has been so much dram over the publication of these pictures http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2009/09/04/death-of-a-marine-in-afghanistan/ found on the Denver Post website.
Why???
Are we trying to shield ourselves from the reality of war? Wasn't the movie "Saving Private Ryan" more graphic? In my opinion they need to be printed. I would much rather have a conversation with my sons about the nature of war, how grateful we are for those serving and how this can be the consequence--than explain why a seminary teacher is having sex with one of his students-- a current headline.
More than most, I understand the juggling act the media has when it comes to censoring the news. I was the lucky producer who sat in the feed room on September 11 and shielded your eyes from the worst of the attacks. I saw the people jumping, I saw the people landing on the cement, I saw the wounded, I heard their cries-- it was raw tape and it was history in the making.
But this picture? Really? (I would love your opinion--moms and fellow journalists)
Second issue-- There has been really TOOOOO much talk in Utah about NOT showing the presidents speech on Tuesday. Too many parents are opting out to have their children watch the speech calling it "propaganda". Who cares??? It is the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES-- what about respecting the office? So what if there is some propaganda that your child happens to catch? Oh, no-- you as a parent would have to have an actual conversation with your child about politics around the dinner table? Oh the horror!!!
Growing up I was required to talk politics and current events around the table. I learned to listen and argue my point. To this day my siblings and I don't agree on political issues-- and guess what? None of us have exploded, refused to be in the same room or even thrown food at each other. Thank you mom and dad for teaching us to listen then make our own judgements. You bet I am going to let my kids listen-- I'll be watching, too-- and kudos to the teachers who are willing to discuss what is being said as part of their curriculum.
Okay, I am done.
5 comments:
Journalism: There is a fine line between telling the story in an honest way and a sensational one. If this had been my son, I would honestly have mixed emotions about the pictures being shown. On one hand, it is the pure, honest face of war that most of America seems to have forgotten is still going on. We need to remember the daily struggle of those men and women fighting for us. On the other hand, it could be used as propaganda for one side or the other in this debate. Knowing all of that, I DON'T think that this was done in any negative way whatsoever. It told the story. I liked the way it was done. I take no issue.
Obama Speech: I will be watching this speech to see what is said. I will also be requiring that my children watch the speech. I'm not a fan of our current president but he is the president!! If I disagree with anything that is said, my kids and I will have an interesting discussion that night. I'm actually offended that there are parents who are opting out. Protect kids from the president?? I don't get it. Teach your children to hear all sides of a debate and teach them to think for themselves, is what I say. Back off my own soapbox now!
I was thinking about that exact same thing on my way to work the other morning.
As for our family, our children will be watching it, with notebooks in hand.
They will be taking notes, and then we will have a Family Home Evening/Family Council afterwards to discuss what they learned.
So Thank You Mr. President for helping my family to gather and talk.
I thought the story about the sodier was done very respectfully and with tact. Most of the pictures show the emotion of the soldiers as they morn and pay tribute to one of their own. That part was a beautiful and heartbreaking thing to see. I think too many of us take for granted the sacrafice our soldiers make. We don't think about what it's like "over there." We don't think about what their families go through while they wait. We don't think about what the peoples lives are like in Iraq or Pakistan or what the military is trying to do. There is no simple answer to war. I think it's a very good thing for us "civilians" to be reminded, or to see for the first time one of the realities of war. I think it's the media's job to covering all things with tact, honesty and respect. I think this story did just that. (I can't imagine, Nichole, what it was like for you to sit in that feed room on Sept 11th... I cry just thinking about how horrifying it must have been. It was horrifying enough to see what did make it through the editing process... so I thank the media for sharing that particular story with tact, honesty and respect.)
Next subject: I agree with the others here. Isn't it a good thing to teach our children to respect the President? Isn't it a good thing to teach our children to work hard and get educated and contribute to society in a positive way? Less than 10% of prison inmates can recite a nursery rhyme! So how can any speach encouraging education be bad? I'm not a big fan of our President, but that doesn't mean that he's not trying to do good things. What kind of a message would I give my kids (especially the one who knows he's the President) if I refuse to let her watch, just because I don't always agree with him? Like the others, we will watch and then talk about what was said. Being educated means learning how to listen and think and reason and decide... not being able to recite some theory of someone else. Having an open dialog with my children, about all things, is a major goal in my life as a parent and this speech is just one small oportunity for that to happen.
Were I an editor, I honestly don't know whether I would publish the graphic shot. Personally I was just as moved by the soldier pausing before the boots and helmet of his fallen comrade.
I think the tragic outcome, in large part, fueled negative public reaction to the picture. Think about it -- if that young soldier had survived, the photo would be an amazing tribute to those who helped save him, a warm fuzzy on the page. Instead it's a shocking reminder of war at its worst.
Many people further decry the newspaper's decision, based on reports the parents did not wish their son's picture to be published. As a mother this makes me sad, for I can only imagine the rawness of their grief. But would I want the world to know how and why my son died? I think so. Maybe, I don't know. Also, and I may be callous to say so, journalism would stop in its tracks if it were all about honoring people's wishes. There was a story here, a very, very sad one, but it got told.
Now about Obama's speech: I think it is absolutely cowardly of school districts to send opt-out letters to parents. What has our country come to that we're afraid of mixing the president and the classroom? Especially when his aim is to promote education?! Sheesh!
You mentioned Sept. 11. Wow, your perspective and job then must have been so hard. Jeff pointed out something very interesting to me today: On that awful Sept. 11 Pres. Bush was hard at work, which that morning included visiting and speaking at . . . are you ready for it? A school.
I think it would be a sad day when we have a president who doesn't see the importance of student connections. I'm angered at all the hubbub now.
I think my own problem with the soldier story is that the family didn't want it shown.
As for the president's speech, I don't really care if my kids were to watch it. I haven't been watching the news lately, so I didn't know there was a fuss. I don't remember ever watching a president speak to me in school. I do remember watching the OJ trial :)
I did ask my oldest if he watched President Obama speak in school today and he said no. I was going to watch it at home but forgot that when they say noon, that means 10:00 for us. I waited until noon and it wasn't on :p I'm going to blame the newborn and no sleep on that one.
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