Thanks, Bill. There have been an awful lot of reporters and photographers killed in action in the last few years. Some of them almost seem like adreno-junkies for going back and back. Sadly, they seem to be suffering many of the same maladies the returning soldiers exhibit and have a very hard time fitting back into the society they left.
I understand the logic of reporting, especially with images, just how horrible war and death are. The problem is that the people who really need to see this do not. Under the Bush administration, photos that showed any of the horror were banned. But who was going to really look at them anyhow. The politicians who send the troops to war didn't serve...and most don't even have children who might go in harms way. So why bother? I don't know. It's important to report, that's for sure - how else can the politico's be kept somewhat honest.
I've been thinking lately about how much the USA could have accomplished in the last 15 years if all the money spent on war was instead spent on relieving suffering, making peace, making friends with needy countries - people who need us - and generally spending money and expecting some positive result in the end. It's sad to see how this country has squandered the leadership role for good.
This isn't just a Republican party problem, it's a USA problem. After 9-11, USA had the eyes of the world on us and the support of every country and person on the planet. I just can't help thinking how we might better have marshaled that support toward better results.
Maybe there is some way to muster the grit of the war photogs (or copy their style and dedication) to go out and bring positive change in a meaningful and peaceful way.
Tom
