Gentlefolk,

Lakritze and I share few philosophical positions, yet I find myself in agreement with him that we must become and remain informed. Democracy, wherever it is practiced, is practiced best when people know what they are talking (and hopefully voting) about.

As to why the photographer was fired; she was fired because she violated the terms of her employment.

One can argue, as some have, that the no photograph rule is designed to cover up the human cost of war. Others can argue plausibly that the policy it is in the interests of bereaved families. They are, after all, already in mourning over the loss of their family member.

Perhaps the policy could be revised to permit those who want their dead publicized the opportunity to authorize it. That way, the privacy of those who prefer to mourn privately could be respected, and those who wish to make their aguish public could also be accommodated.

Still, whichever way this policy plays out against the Freedom of Information Act (the controlling law in this instance), an adult discussion of the pros and cons of it, and any revisions to it, would best be carried out without rancor.

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Eudaimonia