The self-appointed leader of the lowly opposition, a person whose greatest single summer feat was to walk away from the job the people of Alaska elected her to do, a twitchy woman who challenged President Obama to an arm wrestling match earlier year, has now gathered her credentials to speak on the moral complexities of war, media, responsibility, and family grief.
Sarah Palin called the Associated Press's decision to release a battlefield photo of a dying Marine over the family's objection "an evil thing to do." Lacking a podium, a network, or a job, she again relied on her Facebook page to make this sermonic declaration. Palin, who widely distributed photographs of herself hunched above a bloody moose she had just slaughtered during her 2008 vice-presidential campaign, called the photograph “a sacred image.” (The only implied comparison here has to do with the ex-gov's under-enlightened photographic sensitivity).
Lance Corporal Joshua Bernard died in Afghanistan (a war that former governor Palin endorses). In fairness, she was not the only person who had concerns with the image transmitted of the young man’s dying moments. However, very few individuals chose such words and syntax and were so blatantly opportunistic (that is, wanted to act like presidential material, no matter how disingenuous or at whose expense) that it came out so hollow and didn’t even maintain a consistent grammatical person:
The release of the photo was "a despicable and heartless act by the AP," said Palin. "The family said they didn't want the photo published. AP, you did it anyway, and you know it was an evil thing to do.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bernard family.” That’s funny. Wonder how many Facebook friends clicked the thumbs-up, “I like this!”
Here’s what's not funny: The American media, like the American people, and the United States military, are flawed. But all three have historically changed the world for the better. The media (including 69 journalists and photographers who were killed in World War II) finally broke the public’s nascent awareness of the reality and horrors of the war by finally releasing the painful photos of dead GIs, from the Pacific to Normandy and back. We were shocked, and galvanized, and worked harder to save democracy.
There are no words sufficient to offer the family of Corporal Bernard. But the American public needs data, even on this sweet and languid Labor Day: The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are the killing fields of young men and women, and for what?
My Examiner colleague, Laura Harrison McBride, posted some comments on the CNN web site which aptly summarize this dreadful American dilemma:
Graphic photos of Vietnam, the useless war of the previous generation, went a long way toward galvanizing public sentiment against that war. It is painful to think there are those who have no understanding that today's Middle East wars are so very like Vietnam, with young men and women slaughtered on the whim of madmen. I would prefer to think of the photo of that young man in his death throes as the portrait of a hero, not because I believe our wars in the Middle East are right, but because he was willing to give his life for what he thought was right. I grieve for him, something I couldn't have done without that photo. And it makes me grieve even more profoundly for all those whose ultimate sacrifice I did not see.
As for the too-often-reviled media, I prefer to think of AP's actions as a single act of courage in American journalism after a long, long drought. AP was doing, at last, what the news media in a war zone are morally tasked with doing.
God rest the souls of our young people being killed in Afghanistan. Wake up, America.
Photo: Getty Images
Comments
Amen.
Thank you for speaking out against a foolish war.
Publishing that photograph may encourage people to speak out ... enough with war !!!
"Palin, who widely distributed photographs of herself hunched above a bloody moose she had just slaughtered during her 2008 vice-presidential campaign, called the photograph [of the dying Marine] 'a sacred image.'”
What an evil thing to do: equate a dying Marine to a dead moose. Shame on you, Rabbi!
of 303 million americans less than 5% have even served. look up the republican and democrat senators who have not served. Palin is a basket case and her son had to join the military for damaging school buses in wasila as a juvenile. he like bristol left wasilla high she stayed at home with strep throat?? he went back east to a high school under the veil of playing hockey, end of year he came home graduated joing the national guard and off he went
You are an idiot, and you underestimate your enemy - Palin - at your own peril. 2012 will be here soon, moron! You are evil-- How much porno do yuou watch, dude? How much drugs do you injest. You hate good for the sake of good. You should be the dying one... You have no idea wjat sacrifice is!
Rabbi, It disturbs me that a Rabbi would be so insulting in an article that would have been just as effective without the bashing part of it. It seems to discredit the rest of your article and reduces the effectiveness of presenting any facts when it appears to be more about Palin's few words than the actual facts of who is dying and/or why in war. So, in that respect, I question whether you really care about the war or if you are just looking for something to wrap around Palin's neck. And in this case, you used the death of a GI to bash Palin. I doubt the deceased GI would think that was cool....to be used to bash.
Good for you,Rabbi Ben. That women doesn't know enough about anything in history or even current affairs to open her mouth.
The war is weird, Palin is weird, the article is necessarily weird because it's about war, and Palin. But comment-leaver, Jerry, you are probably the weirdest. Of course, it's hard to tell since it appears you have no idea how to write even incoherent ramblings. Get a dictionary, dude.
As a Blue Star mom with her eldest son serving in a Stryker Brigade in Iraq, Sarah Palin has every right to speak out on the AP photo. And as a trained journalist, she is familiar with the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics.
A major subsection of the Code is to 'Minimize Harm':
Journalists are bound to: 'Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage,' '[b]e sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief..."
As far as opportunism goes, anti-war leftists are hypocritical to condemn former Gov. Palin for being opportunistic on the issue while they support the AP for publishing the photo because it believe it furthers their political agenda.
But then, hypocrisy is a prerequisite for leftism.
- JP
I had a conversation with a young man today who recently arrived from Afghanistan and is a graduate student at the Joan Kroc Peace Center. In a nutshell, he said that it is a waste of time for our troops to be in Afghanistan.
What a TWIT! Comparing a dying human to a dead animal is just plain stupid. I think most people are repulsed by the AP for running such an insensitive picture.
Another sufferer of Palin Derangement Syndrome speaks up, wow, what else is new? AP ran the picture against the wishes of the DoD, and the family. They did it to make money, plain and simple. As a father of a son who was recently stationed in Iraq, and a son in law who was in Afghanistan, I support Palin in her condemnation of their coldbloodiedly publishing the picture.
Dear Rabbi Ben, As a an admirer of your column for a very long time, you are a much better American and better commentator for sure than Mrs. Palin. It's because you think and know history so well. That is why I think you might have made your point here about war photography and the effect on public awareness without stooping to her level. Keep on writing about real American heroes like Dr. King, Robert Kennedy, and Rosa Parks that you do with that great passion. You are too good to be distracted by the likes of this one.
What is with this site?
I keep reading articles here that turn up in my Google News searches. What I always find is: (a) an intelligent article by an articulate commentator, followed by (b) a barrage of insulting, illiterate comments from right-wing wackaloons (the drivel from "Jerry" in this thread is typical of these).
So what *is* this site? A left-wing site that wingnuts read so they can trash the columns? A right-wing site featuring intelligent, liberal columnists?
It makes no sense to me, but I enjoy the columns, and I get my morning belly laughs from the idiotic comments, so don't stop!
as a veteran, I know you are hired by the military to ultimately kill and or be killed. It is just that simple, kill and or be killed. When you are called up all you can do is hope it is for the right cause. Palin and the rest of her nazi group have not served and their children if they do serve are in the reserves and or national guard. the marines are the smallest of the military, they go about their mission, bury their dead, and go on the next mission. you never hear the drama the reserves and national guard have
"But the American public needs data...", says the media who has refused to investigate or report anything on our beloved President. Give me a break. Every day, the MSM puts another nail in its 'unbiased objectivity', and ultimately, a nail in its own coffin. Good riddance. We don't need what you've become.
The only thing better than the picture of Joshua Bernard would be Track Palin with his guts spilled out on the ground. Would serve her right for sending her kid off to war for her personal political gain.
Very well said! Thanks, Rabbi.
That was an excellent article, Rabbi!
If only people on the right (jerry) would open their eyes and hearts to reality.
You are absolutely right about Palin. She does not care about the Bernard Family. She used this terrible tragedy to further her own self. She only cares about pandering to her base because she is actually stupid enough to think she has a shot at the Oval Office.
The citizens of this Country and the World need to see a little bit of the real horrors of war. I remember during the VietNam war, we saw it every night on the evening news. And that is exactly what helped to end the war. People need to see these things weather they like it or not. Bush, having blocked out any of wars realities, has made people oblivious to war. The Bernard Family did us a service to have the picture printed.(Contrary to some people, I read a quote from the Father allowing the picture to be printed). Commenter's like jerry have probably never served, nor will their children.
Dear Rabbi, thank you very much for writing this! Please do not stop calling Palin out on her hypocritical and opportunistic comments. It was an opportunity for her to slam the media yet at the same time take media attention away from our President who is trying to accomplish serious things this coming week. I find this womans comments often deplorable and disrespectful. Dig a bit into her sordid background and you'll see that she is the last person who should be questioning the morals of anyone! We need more voices like yours! Thank you
Josh, Palin is NOT a trained journalist! That is hysterical! Because she got BA degree from Idaho state 20 years ago after attending 7 colleges? I agree she has the right to speak out but she chastizes and rips people apart while taking the moral highground! This isn't about left vs right, this is about right vs wrong! Every chance she gets Palin misuses her position for her own gain! Her supporters are blind to how morally bankrupt Palin is. As an Alaskan who used to support her, I can tell you she deserted this state and left a mess! Conservatives here do not respect her. She has done some evil things herself and people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones!
The difference between palin's picture and this one is that the moose was a moose and the man was a man. God placed man above animal; they are here on this earth for us, for our well being. She did not slaughter it if she actually used it later. This image of a dying soldier was evil. I can see how this photo may encourage people to speak out and say ‘enough is enough’, but what has to be understood is that sometimes war is the only people will listen to. When you enlist you are supposed to fully know the risks that you may have to take. Fighting for your country can take your very life. This soldier did not die in vein he died for you. If that’s not humbling I do not know what is. Object, if you wish, but AP exploited a dying man and despite a grieving family’s wish! AP I hope you realize that a lawsuit could be filed! War is only evil and wrong when you forget what it is you are fighting for. I send my deepest sympathies, may he rest in peace.
Thank you Rabbi for calling out this delusional, self-centered woman. Palin thinks all she has to do is spout nonsense on her Facebook page and that makes her a respected leader. It is very sad indeed that her followers are so taken in by this woman who cares nothing about anything at all but money and power.
thank you for speaking out...we need more of the religious community to bring light to the crazy ways of snailin palin...
PLEASE i URGE THE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY TO SPEAK OUT AS THESE CRAZIES CALL THEMSELVES "CHRISITIANS"
You hit the Moose on the Nose, Rabbi!
Excellent article. If only the MSM would listen to rational folks like you instead of touting the hollow high-school antics of a loser wanna-be beauty queen and quitter!
She still wants to play in the Big League Politics, but since she is unemployed and lives off her grifting she did during her brief stint as so-called governor, she proves how inconsequential she actually is.
A 45 year old who has had Botox injections already, in order to keeo her 'hot' looks for her white senior citizen supporters.
Brilliant article! Thank you, Rabbi.
Thanks.
When the pictures start being shown, the push to end the war will get larger.
God bless all those who have died and let us work towards a day soon that we will not show anymore pictures of death.
I'm glad you also pointed out the hypocrisy of Sarah Palin.
It's pretty clear a few Palin supporters feel some lives are more valuable than others, with all the derisive talk about the picture of the bloody moose picture Palin used to bolster her credentials as a cold-blooded killer...er, a strong woman.
What about that dead bear's skin draped over the sofa in her office the past 2-1/2 years? What earthly use was the death of that bear, other than to pump up her father's trophy list? (he's admitted that's the reason he hunts, not for subsistence/food)
And Palin supporters...here's a hint...no one listens to you when you call them insulting names. Your opinions are dismissed by the rest of us faster than those of your ignorant publicity-hound idol.
With all due respect, Rabbi, you are complaining about someone's opinion stated on Facebook. Is that against the law now? Voicing your opinion?
P.S. Here's a personal message to Sarah Palin AND to all her supporters and followers:
Regardless of the poorly conceived rants and diatribes appearing recently on your Facebook page (because most media outlets won't have anything to do with you finally?), the latest issue of VANITY FAIR magazine is now on newstands EVERYWHERE.
Levi's story of your lies and deceptions the past couple of years will be read -- and believed -- because he's a teenager whom you used, abused, cast aside, insulted and job-blacklisted, and he lost everything thanks to your machinations.
Eat your heart out, Rabbi. Palin is taking her shots now. The irony of it is, she supports Israel more than you do. You're geting the barracuda rib shot and it don't feel good do it, bo, bo.
Bravo Rabbi. I really enjoy Sara Palin's antics myself -- until I realize there are those that take her seriously. Scary.
Palin is crazy.. I know, I had to work with her... She'll use others at the drop of a hat and if she doesn't get the attention she craves, she'll find someone or something else to use.
That poor family who lost a loved one. Same on AP. TOTALLY.
But Palin commenting on such only cheapens the topic. She can't keep her mouth shut and most up here now run aways, if she is associated...
I very much agree with her. Your article is completely unfair. You are looking at this in the complete wrong way. We should not be attacking Sarah we should be attacking whoever released the photos. Disappointed....but then again I shouldn't be because this site prints these types of articles.
P.S. Here's a personal message to Sarah Palin AND to all her supporters and followers:
Regardless of the poorly conceived rants and diatribes appearing recently on your Facebook page (because most media outlets won't have anything to do with you finally?), the latest issue of VANITY FAIR magazine is now on newstands EVERYWHERE.
Levi's story of your lies and deceptions the past couple of years will be read -- and believed -- because he's a teenager whom you used, abused, cast aside, insulted and job-blacklisted, and he lost everything thanks to your machinations.
steve at high ridge says: "Eat your heart out, Rabbi. Palin is taking her shots now."
Yeah, a rabid pitbull probably bit her.
Chris BurkMenn says: "...We should not be attacking Sarah we should be attacking whoever released the photos."
That's the way of today's neocon right wing faction of the Republican Party. Attack anything that moves, or speaks up for the majority.
Sarah Palin has perfected the phrase "kill the messenger", but doggone it, the messengers keep hoping their obsequious overtures -- giving her more attention than she deserves -- will have a positive effect on her.
I think your analysis is well done. It is just a photo and there is no reason not to publish it except to conceal the fact that is war is grim. That young men and women sacrifice their lives for their country, but should it be for little or nothing?
A photo has the power to allow the viewer to put themselves in that place. Almost anyone will be moved. And I think that is why Secretary Gates is complaining; I'm guessing he wants to have only positive images so it looks like we are not stuck in a quagmire. We are. I think a majority of Americans do not understand why we are in Afghanistan. Let them fix their own problems. I don't think we are doing them any favors by being there and it is apparent they hate and despise us, and probably with good reason. (Try to give away Bibles in Afghanistan and see what happens to you. Does Afghanistan allow anyone who wishes to be Jewish or Christian? No.)
I would suggest getting out of Afghanistan. What the point of staying there? It's nowhere
Pay close attention Rabbi. You are committing heresy. Heresy of the highest order. I do not pretend to know your faith, as well as you do. I do know that many of your fellow Jews in Israel would not take kindly to your politics. Please sit down with Ahmadinajad. I'm sure your welcome at his table. Ask him to supply you with some pictures of dead Jewish soldiers. I'm sure he would be more than happy to oblige. I'm sure you would like to post them. You sir are repugnant. Keep supporting our anti Israel President, and see what that gets you.
Where are the pictures of the millions of Cambodians and Vietnamese who were killed by the communists after we left Vietnam. They would still be alive today, if we did what was morally correct and met our commitments to SEATO.
That poor Marine was entitled to privacy during his last moments of life. The picture was used to exploit something that this rabid antiwar activist hates. This Marine died because of the idiotic RULES OF ENGAGEMENT that endanger the lives of our kids who are committed to protecting us.
You antiwar protesters should be proud of the millions of people who died as a DIRECT result of your IGNORANCE and SELF INDULGENCE. A Pox on all of you. Some gave all, other gave nothing - and nothing is what you deserve Rabi.
Disgusting comments by a so-called man of G-d.
You should be ashamed.
Hey "rabbi," The only friends Israel has left in this world are the American right and righteous Christians. You may not care, as so many American Jews no longer do, but the question lingers-- "bad boy, bad boy, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?"
As always, "Whatcha gonna do" is you're going to rely on the charity and the good faith of the Christian West, but while you were off playing with yourself, most of them have given up on being Christian-- and have given up on you.
Gonna rely on Obama? Say your prayers, Oh Israel, for trusting the One who intends to kill you.
The likes of you give Jews a real bad name when you can least afford one.
"The self-appointed leader of the lowly opposition..."
The lowly opposition in this case Rabbi was the Marine's father who asked the AP not to use the photo of his son.
One of the self-appointed leaders of those who get their jollies looking at dying soldiers and marines is you, the holy man who refers to his political opponents as "the lowly opposition".
The Army I served in Rabbi is always looking for a few good Chaplains. Unfortunately that rules you out, not that you ever considered it of course.
It is so clear from some of the comments here that Sarah Palin continues to bring the WORST out of some so-called believers. So shameful, this name-calling and even Jewish bashing coming from people who think they represent Christians. All you can do is shake your head and pray.
You might want to pray a bit for the Rabbi who refers to his politcal opponents as lowly and who compares a photo of a moose to a photo of a dying marine.
And then you can pray for this fellow travlere of yours who is as disgusting a character as I've come across on the internet:
Tim says:
The only thing better than the picture of Joshua Bernard would be Track Palin with his guts spilled out on the ground. Would serve her right for sending her kid off to war for her personal political gain.
September 8, 9:38 AM
Rabbi Ben Kamin,
You sir are sick. There is something wrong inside you, that apparently tells you any means is justified by what you consider a righteous end.
The sycophantic comments of others here who (like you) support utilizing the image of a young American man's death to defeat the very thing he fought for - is wickedness incarnate. It's basically a post-mortem RAPE of the young mans soul, that you are enthusiastically supporting. Whats more, it's a RAPE of the soul performed in full view, and against the strenuous objections of the young mans family.
What you are supporting and advocating here is moral indefensible. The ends do NOT justify your means sir... and I suspect one day you'll be called to account for your actions.
May god have mercy on your soul, and those whom you pander too.
And then you can pray for this fellow travlere of yours who is as disgusting a character as I've come across on the internet:
Tim says:
The only thing better than the picture of Joshua Bernard would be Track Palin with his guts spilled out on the ground. Would serve her right for sending her kid off to war for her personal political gain.
September 8, 9:38 AM
Actually - it's not about YOU, how YOU feel, or how the media can intellectualise it's cruelty. It's about a family's wishes being respected. I am appalled at the shameful attempts by some writers to try and justify ignoring the feelings of a grieving family. I lost a child suddenly, and I am afraid the only ignorance being shown here is yours, Rabbi Ben Kamin.
And then you can pray for this fellow travlere of yours who is as disgusting a character as I've come across on the internet:
Tim says:
The only thing better than the picture of Joshua Bernard would be Track Palin with his guts spilled out on the ground. Would serve her right for sending her kid off to war for her personal political gain.
September 8, 9:38 AM
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