Time To Reverse 'Dover' Policy

Christina Bellantoni, writing in the Washington Times today, details President Obama's first experiences writing letters of condolence to families of the fallen. According to the story, the president is taking the time to write each letter himself, signing it simply "Barack." As the president writes these letters, and feels the weight of Americans dying in war under his administration, he should also consider how the human cost of war has partially been hidden from the public, and reverse that policy.

Indeed, the Washington Post reports at the same time today, that Secretary Gates is reviewing the ban on any coverage of war dead coming home at Dover Air Force Base, and the incredible respect shown to the flag draped coffins. Presumably, when that review is done, it will be presented to the president, so he can make a decision.

As the Post notes, 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. And, as noted in the story, 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).

Of course, this isn't a cut and dry decision, nor should the ban be lifted without any kind of restrictions.

Concerns over privacy are legitimate, and the survivors of our fallen service members should be respected. For instance, if newspapers are allowed to print pictures of returning caskets, it's not proper to identify who is in each of them, without the consent of the families. They should be given time to grieve in their own way, and in their own time. However, showing unidentified flag-draped coffins coming into Dover (or any other ports of entry) is not an invasion of privacy, but is an unfortunate part of war that the public has a right to see.

Some in Congress have been working on this issue for a while. Congressman Walter Jones, a Republican who VoteVets.org has supported, has legislation that would reverse the policy, while keeping concerns about privacy in mind. With 'bi-partisanship' all the buzz in DC, you couldn't find someone who is more of a true conservative than Walter Jones. President Obama should work with the Congressman on his legislation, so that any reversal of the ban could be bipartisan and move through Congress, instead of by executive decision.

In the end, 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.

The return of our war dead certainly falls into that category. The policy should be changed.

Crossposted at VetVoice.com

Comments

[Blueboy1938]

So long as the individual service members are not identified, I believe that showing the immensely respectful manner in which the casualties are treated can only serve to reinforce that this nation honors its combat dead no matter what the attitude toward the conflict in which they were engaged.

[sisterofanarmysoldier]

I am for this as long as our soldiers are not treated in a disrespectful manner. At the same time I also think that we are all well aware of what is going on with this war (maybe we dont know or see everything) but we know and see enough that why is it need to show these types of things? This war happend for a reason, as a nation we should all see that and stand together, yes people loose their lifes in war and it is SAD very SAD my brother will be leaving to go on his 2nd tour in 1 month, and Im sure that my family is along side me when I say....we would like to be upon the first to see him arrive may that ever be the case, it is something we think about every day. And yes at the same time, if names are not named and faces are not shown who knows one from the other right?
Part of the constitution is freedom of the press to give as much information as possible to the public, then why is it that Obama is going to get rid of that right for so many American people? He is going to take my right away to watch people on the Fox News channel? This is an outrage to me, just because Obama doesnt like their views he is going to take them off the air?

[discussant]

"Friends Committee for National Legislation or FCNL's Afghanistan Peace Campaign is up and running, and we need your help. We've written to President Obama - "Don't let Afghanistan become your Vietnam”- and we're putting the finishing touches on an initial statement that will go to every member of Congress. Right now, we don't have the money to print all the flyers we need to make sure Congress gets the message.

We also need to keep our efforts going on Capitol Hill. They already have face-to-face meetings scheduled with congressional staff members to talk about what the United States should be doing differently in Afghanistan.

Your opinion would help our effort to spread the message: "War Is Not the Answer. Peace is possible through peaceful means. Even in Afghanistan."

Thank you, "War is not the answer-- yes we can belive it." "

[spartanmom]

It will take a lot of development.

We can all start now.

http://www.beyondthe11th.org/

https://www.ikat.org/

http://www.womenforwomen.org/global-initiatives-helping-women/help-women-afghanistan.php

Posting here is not enough
Be change

[CAPTAINSKIPPY]

Failing to publicly acknowledge those making the highest sacrifice on their final return home - a form of privatizing the suffering and cost of the war?

[AgnesBankhead]

A recent Huffpost entitled "A Different Kind of Homecoming" offers a glowing recommendation for a new HBO film entitled "Taking Chance".

The film tells the true story of USMC Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl's experiences while volunteering to escort the body of 19-year-old Lance Corporal Chance Phelps, a marine killed in action in Iraq, from Dover Air Force Base to his family in Dubois, Wyoming.

' It's a powerful story that leaves you feeling not hopeless, but extraordinarily proud of the exceptional care and genuine outpouring of gratitude displayed along the way by Americans throughout this solemn homecoming.'

==========================

With all respect to Strobl, the slain soldier (Chance) and his family, i have a hard time wrapping my brain around a film about how "compassionate", "genuine" and "caring" Americans are when they are actually confronted with the reality of a flag draped coffin. Many of them are, no doubt, the same people who blindly supported the President and the phony "war" that got this soldier needlessly killed in the first place.

This is right up there with millions of "patriotic" Americans slapping yellow ribbon magnets and bumper stickers all over the backs of their gas-guzzling SUVs so they can feel good about "supporting the troops".

"Taking Chance" is a powerful story, but one that left ME feeling extraordinarily outraged and shamed at yet another propagandist Hollywood attempt to paper over the reality of more than 4000 flag draped coffins with clueless, "feelgood" hypocrisy masquerading as patriotism.

[jacqmac]

It was the sight of the coffins and the body bags being airlifted out of the field in Vietnam and landing at Dover that actually helped the PUBLIC to become actively involved in finding out the answers as to WHY we were in Vietnam in the first place. That led to the most massive public demonstrations against the war and ultimately, although Henry Kissinger wants to take all the credit, brought the US to the bargaining table to END THAT STUPID WAR!
There weren't supposed to be very many casualties in THIS war, remember? We were supposed to 'shock and awe (and win)' within a few months. Of course, we didn't have ANY type of plan for the END of the war--but that didn't make any difference. We were supposed to WIN! And we didn't win diddly SQUAT! Change the policy. Bring the Troops home NOW---ALIVE!!

[darthmaul]

There was a discussion on NPR talk of the nation about this issue. Surprising to me almost to a person all the soldiers and families of soldiers who had been killed believed the policy should be changed. The phrase they kept saying was that "It's important for America to know the cost of war."

[foxfan]

How ignorant are we if we don't know the cost of war without a picture?

[pjburke]

a perfect demonstration

[mick7191]

Because it is something that needs to be reinforced. This policy sanitizes war, just as bomb cameras make it look like a video game. Changing the policy would give the politicians pause before thrusting the country into another unnecessary war. I actually find the policy a violation of the First Amendment concerning the press.

[spartanmom]

It is not ignorance. It is willful blindness.

I for one would never never want to see the images. I know what it is like to have your heart stop when an unknown car pulls into the driveway.

Unfortunately most of the country has no clue what the families of soldiers go through every day.

[lightindarkness]

First , I would like to say that I have a son who has served two tours in Iraq and has just left the Marine
Corp . He served an extended time so he could lead his squad of first timers for their tour of duty.
I did not what my son to join the Marine Corp but he said that he felt called to serve our country in this
way. Many of those in the armed services feel a calling to do so. Now with that said, let me make it clear
that those who have died in war should never be used on either side for political reasons. It is not the
right thing to do. We should respect and honor both the fallen and their families. The fact is the numbers
of those killed in service to their country is seen daily in the news media. Many times the media gives
information of their personal lives. So, showing flag draped caskets arriving at Dover should never
be made into a media event.

[Dynamohum]

Respectfully disagree. I think the powerful message conveyed by showing flag draped coffins and reporting on them is a REMINDER to us all not to forget the sacrifices made and not to take the decision to go to war lightly either.

[foxfan]

Just a side thought. There were many who thought showing the towers falling as a reminder of the struggle we face and the reason we fight, was too unsettling for people. I am still undecided. I don't mind being reminded, but I admit there is a pain to watching it and there probably always will be.

Having said that, do we run a risk of upsetting people despite the innocent effort to remind them of the sacrifices of our young men and women? Even worse. Do we run the risk of one day having photos of the coffins have no affect at all because we have sen them too often? I hope not.

[spartanmom]

I'm afraid I Have to disagree as well.
Not wanting to play dueling Bona fides, I'll just say I am a military mom too. My son spent a lot of time crawling around the mountains of Afghanistan with just his three team mates. Very forward combat positions. Outside the wire all the time.

NOT showing them was the political decision. Bush 1 made it and no one thought about it again until Bush 2 started his wars.

I think the Repatriation Ceremonies should be open to the media, perhaps on a pool basis with appropriate safeguards for the privacy of the families.

When my son was over there it was hell but one of the worst parts was that I was so alone in my fear. No one had a clue what it was like to spend your day waiting for two soldiers to show up at your door. Everyone was out shopping. What were they giving to "save the world from" terror.

I want those caskets shown and I want every American to feel the loss of those families and the fear of the mothers who go to bed at night thankful that they haven't yet been told their child is dead but knowing that each day is another chance to have your heart broken

[brenner21]

What do these two wars have in common? That unconstitutional ban.

Shortly after the "surge" was declared a success, despite the fact that total troop strength had not yet begun to rise, TV & radio news and most wire/paper services drastically cut war coverage. Bob Woodward pointed to a systematic campaign of assassinations, death-squad style, of insurgency leaders as the real cause of the dip in violence. And then, within weeks of one another, all major news outlets curtailed their war coverage, polls reflected a large drop in Americans' concern about the wars, such that it fell from even the top issues they expressed concern about. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and the rest of the Dems vying for the nomination were paradoxically helped by this: and GOP attempts to keep the focus on the Big Lie that is the "War on Terror" failed. In September, the economic back of the United States was broken, sealing McCain's fate.

Jesus said "You shall know them by their fruit." The demise of America as the world's beacon of hope was snuffed out along with its credibility, economy, and most tragically, the one & only thing that Bush and all elected representatives swear to protect, the Constitution. President Obama has announced that we will begin a systematic troop build-up in Afghanistan of all places, which history (very _recent_ history in the case of the former Soviet Union) has been the final act before the demise of many great world powers.

[Yermammy]

Rebug insects try to twist this into our disrespecting the dead, but then they can twist why drinking water and breathing air is socialist, Merikan hatin' librul propaganda. They're full of it. What's new. The reason the Viet Nam debacle didn't go longer than it did was the people finally got outraged at the sight of the fallen and we were not given a good reason for the destruction of lives half way around the world. (Sound familiar?) As any psy-ops trainer would tell you, for "good mental health", you disconnect the killing from the reality. The coffins are the reality. We're the killers. Each and every one of us. So, if you think military adventurism is great and good, then you should very well accept and embrace the death that ensues. Face the facts and quit pretending. It's war and you should be reminded.

[wrabbitt]

No one who wants to change the policy wants to "honor" our returning dead! they are just trying to get good stories for their news service, I do not want the sorrow to be taken into the public, sorrow is not for selling papers or writing books,its bad enough that the last administration got us into this mess, but, maybe we would be better served if "W" had to be there as our dead heroes land.

[Yermammy]

You're so right. Sorry, my bad. Yes, let's hide that very real fact that American G.I.'s are getting ripped to shreds by small arms fire and blown to bits by IED's and we don't want to remind good Citizen that a war is actually happening and not just an occasional news brief on the wire. Who needs to see the people are in fact giving their lives; for a War prosecuted on ginned up Intel reports and outright lies? I'll go you one better there, super patriotic citizen, let's reinstall the draft so EVERY able patriot can go and revel in this glorious war making! Not just the poor and minorities, but rich kids and super patriotic folks, such as yourself! Put your money where your mouth is! I ENLISTED in '66 during a terrible war that rich kids like Cheney were too busy getting deferred from, five times in fact. But, you're right. We should hide the facts of life :)

[wrabbitt]

My war was in 69! its not death we need to hide its governmental mistakes we need to see

[TheAnti-Bush]

Respectfully disagree with your comment with the exception of the very last part: Bush SHOULD have been there to see every last flag-draped coffin arrive.....Cheney, too.

[spartanmom]

Excuse me but i spent fifteen months waiting to be told that my turn at Dover had come.

I strongly support lifting the ban and politics has nothing to do with it. My face is already tear streaked from my post up thread so I am not going to elaborate here.

Just need to tell you that you are wrong. Military Moms all over this country want you all to understand what you are doing

[dessertsfirst]

The policy definitely needs to be changed. The American people need the opportunity to honor our fallen warriors, who along w/ their families offered the ultimate sacrifice for our country. And GWB needs a public reminder for the whole world to see the horrific consequences of his purposefully starting a war on false pretenses. The Bush/Cheney administration needs to be soooo held accountable.

[KUVVY]

Not only do we have a right to see the flag draped coffins we have an obligation to look When a Country is at war it needs to see it every day and in every way the results of war,never for one second should our thoughts be allowed to ignore what is happening. Our Politicians should line up to observe every coffin that comes home and know the name of the deceased.

[spartanmom]

I'm trying to work my way through these

http://www.nytimes.com/ref/us/20061228_3000FACES_TAB1.html

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/08/07/us/20080806_AFGHAN_CASUALTIES.html

Anyone care to join me?

[KUVVY]

so sad,and to think that this will probably pass without any one being held accountable,thanks for the links. This saddens my heart.

[sugarpops]

Whenever I see a ban on the disemination of unpleasant topics by any government I wonder what they are covering up. Full disclosure of all the nasty secrets that are kept from the sight and scrutiny of the citizens of the USA is not only our right but our responsibility. The citizens of this great nation are responsible for monitoring and taking action if their elected representatives engage in actions which are not in the best interest of their consituents and the nation. The men and women who are elected take an oath of office to serve the best interests of the electorate as their representative, not to look out for special interest groups, their own best interest, or their biases. They are the servants of the people, but like any good boss the people must closely monitor, praise when appropriate, correct when errors are made and remove the individual if they fail to perform as instructed and/or to fulfill the obligations, duties and responsibilities the job demands.

[gdogs]

Mr Soltz,

Thank you for taking the time to write this, and for serving this great nation. I appreciate hearing the words from soldiers on this issue, as they are the only ones that matter. It isn't a right of the press or of Americans in general to see caskets returning home. Therefore I could care less how the press or Americans in general feel about it. Soldiers however have a much bigger stake in how their remains are handled and care for. Seems like it would make much more sense for the military to have an internal vote (yes the logistics are probably daunting), and then however the men and women of the armed services decide to handle it, should be how it is handled. Why don't we take politics completely out of the equation, and let the soldiers serving and dying for our country have the final say.

[noneIn2008]

Not the image Obama wants in the press as he sends more troops to Afghanistan and then asks for troops for Darfur. The President will keep this ban to hide. Good election rhetoric is very different than actual actions in the office.

[Old time Dem]

These soldiers died for our country/they should not be hidden away as if their deaths never happened. Press image be damned.

[Dynamohum]

I think Obama will prove you wrong.