Did The L.A. Times Publish The "Atrocity Photos" To Sell Newspapers?

A soldier from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division with a dead insurgent's hand on his shoulder. It's one of 18 photos given to The Times of troops posing with corpses. L.A. Times

Los Angeles Times’ Atrocity Photos: Truth Teller, or Newspaper Seller? -- Darlene M Iskra, Time

I just read about another reprehensible incident that has come to light after two years. Photos of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne, based at Fort Bragg, N.C., posing with body parts of dead suicide bombers in Afghanistan, were recently published by the Los Angeles Times. The troops were stationed in Afghanistan in 2010.

Americans have always cherished their war dead, and treated the remains with ultimate respect. This was epitomized by the 2009 HBO movie, Taking Chance, starring Kevin Bacon. Everywhere the remains landed, people held their hands over their hearts, saluted, or stood at attention. It was a very moving story. And I think for the most part very true.

In contrast, some soldiers have defiled the war dead of our enemy with apparent aplomb.

Read more ....

My Comment: I have been running this blog (and others) for almost 5 years, and I can assure you that I have come across photos and videos that would make the L.A. Times photos pale and insignificant in comparison. I have chosen (with one exception) of not publishing them, and I do so (and continue to do so) for the simple reason that it would not accomplish anything or .... diverge away from the point that I am making.

The L.A. Times published their photos to drive ratings and garner some publicity for themselves. But like all things in a 24/7 universe .... the attention is fleeting .... and not surprising .... they now find themselves where they were before the publicity and the hype.