Contractor fired for Iraq coffins photo

[rawstory]

Found from Raw Story, http://www.rawstory.com

Woman loses her job over coffins photo

By Hal Bernton
Seattle Times staff reporter



A military contractor has fired Tami Silicio, a Kuwait-based cargo worker whose photograph of flag-draped coffins of fallen U.S. soldiers was published in Sunday's edition of The Seattle Times.

Silicio was let go yesterday for violating U.S. government and company regulations, said William Silva, president of Maytag Aircraft, the contractor that employed Silicio at Kuwait International Airport.

"I feel like I was hit in the chest with a steel bar and got my wind knocked out. I have to admit I liked my job, and I liked what I did," Silicio said.

Her photograph, taken earlier this month, shows more than 20 flag-draped coffins in a cargo plane about to depart from Kuwait. Since 1991, the Pentagon has banned the media from taking pictures of caskets being returned to the United States.

That policy has been a lightning rod for debate, and Silicio's photograph was quickly posted on numerous Internet sites and became the subject of many Web conversations. Times Executive Editor Michael R. Fancher yesterday appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America" news show with U.S. Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del., who supported the Pentagon policy prohibiting such pictures.

As a result of the broader coverage, The Times received numerous e-mail and phone calls from across the country — most of which supported the newspaper's decision.

Pentagon officials yesterday said the government's policy defers to the sensitivities of bereaved families. "We've made sure that all of the installations who are involved with the transfer of remains were aware that we do not allow any media coverage of any of the stops until (the casket) reaches its final destination," said Cynthia Colin, a Pentagon spokeswoman.

Full story at: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2001909527_coffin22m.html

[Scairp]

1. Sorry but

There's already a thread about this.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x502783

[DenverDem]

6. So? This is deserving of several threads.

That one has already been relegated to several pages back since it started in the deep night.

[54anickel]

2. Perhaps we should join in the chorus -

As a result of the broader coverage, The Times received numerous e-mail and phone calls from across the country — most of which supported the newspaper's decision.

[DenverDem]

3. "the policy defers to the sensitivities of bereaved families." BULLSHIT

The concealment of the true human cost of this war is meant ONLY to prevent the humanity and compassion of the population from rising up to STOP THIS CRIMINAL WAR.

If the reality of the brutal impact of collateral damage and depleted uranium contamination on Iraqi civillians and the bloody maiming and killing of American soldiers was shown to the public, THE WAR WOULD END IN HOURS, and the traitorous prevaricators that led us there would be marched across the white house lawn in chains to their deserved capital punishment.

[tabasco]

4. Thank you, Silicio.

From an Army vet. Thanks for helping to inform the American people. You also helped to expose the rotten and secretive nature of the government and their hired hands. I am living in 1984.

[demdave]

5. Dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x502783

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[soleft]

8. Duplicate, please discuss here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=502783