Pentagon to Review Photo Ban (Boston Globe)

[VolcanoJen]

Didn't take long for them to cave...

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/04/24/pentagon_to_review_photo_ban/

Excerpt:

WASHINGTON -- With unauthorized pictures of flag-draped coffins fueling an emotional political debate, Pentagon officials have agreed to review the policy barring photography when soldiers' remains are returned home, and the White House yesterday did not rule out the possibility that the ban will be revised.

"The policy is being reviewed to see if it needs to be more specific," said Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer Cassidy, an Air Force spokeswoman yesterday.

<snip>

That is essentially the president's position, White House spokesman Trent Duffy said yesterday. "The president has seen the photos, and his reaction is what he said at the news conference last week, which is that it's a reminder of the sacrifice that our men and women are providing in Iraq and around the world to protect Americans and to deliver freedom for others," Duffy said. "And it's a testament to their service. And it's a stark reminder of why we must win."

[Judi Lynn]

1. That clears things up!

"FOIA is the law of the land," John Molino, deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and family programs, told reporters late Thursday. "If for some reason we find that the policy is inconsistent with the FOIA, we'll look at whether or not the policy needs to be changed."
(snip)

"Quite frankly, we don't want the remains of our service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice to be the subject of any kind of attention that is unwarranted or undignified," Molino said.
(snip)

If there's one thing the _Bush administration doesn't like, it's invasion and disrespect of Americans' privacy.