Ranting on a soap box

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/press-photo-lance-cpl-joshua-bernard-stirs-controversy/story?id=8494094

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32693503/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia/

Sorry, gotta vent. This news story got me going for a couple of reasons. Two points, one for releasing the photos, one against the media:

I think it is good for the people to know how much the 1% of those who serve in the Military are sacrificing for the other 99%. When you see the young 20-something kid wearing a uniform in the airport, tell them thank you. He or she will tell you it's no big deal, and they will blow it off, but it means more than you will ever know. It would be a better world if we stopped gushing over the Hollywood media attention mongrels and focused our efforts on real heroes. The world would be a better place if all of the high and mighty celebrities clammering for the spotlight (the Gosselins, the Kardashians, Paris Hilton, etc.) would all use some of their power and influence we give to them for good as opposed to wasting it on themselves. You can do something to show you care-- Donate to the USO and the Disabled American Veterans.

Our priorities are wrong. "DJ AM" died. I learned from the news he was a 'famous DJ' who was connected to a lot of celebrities. He lived through a plane crash, but then couldn't cope with life. Poor him, and so what? He died because he was addicted to drugs. What did he do to better his country or the world? He manipulated noise so people could have fun. Corporal Bernard and others like him died fighting the people who crashed planes into buildings in New York City, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA. (Note: If you have not yet visited all three of these places yet, you need to do so.) I'm sorry Michael Jackson died. He had some talents, but I don't believe the media should have paid all the attention to his family. During the time span between his death and his burial (25 June - 3 September), American families lost 120 sons, husbands, and brothers (and one woman/mother/daughter/sister) to combat in Iraq and Afghanistan (no women during this particular time span). The US Battalion I am attached to lost four on June 29th. But you didn't hear much about them.

I am not upset the pictures were taken. I am not upset at the photographer-- She was doing her job. I feel for the Bernard family; it should have been their choice to release the pictures, and the media should have honored the family's wishes. At least they waited until after he was buried. The real thing that gets me about this story is how the media makes themselves a part of the story. Somewhere along the way, the focus of this story went from CPL Bernard to the "anguish" the AP editors went through in deciding whether or not to publish the photo. Since when did the media covering a story become more important than the story?? (This is directed at the Anderson Coopers, Geraldo Riveras, and wold Blitzers of the media world.)

I better stop now. Rest in peace, CPL Bernard, and thank you for your service.