In the April 12 issue, we published a photograph of the bodies of two Americans who had been murdered in the Iraqi city of Fallujah. The photograph showed the charred bodies hanging from the iron girders of a bridge over the Euphrates River. The image was raw, jarring, and, to many of you, offensive. I could recount at great length the debates that we had about running this photograph. But in the end I decided that because this was such an important moment, it was important to display the image accurately. Many of you, emphatically, disagreed. "Sensationalist journalism," Janet Au Hall wrote from Chino Hills, Calif. John R. Smith, a marine who served at Iwo Jima, called the use of the photograph "blatant sensationalism" and requested an apology. On reflection, I believe an apology is in order. Our intention was not to offend but to present a faithful record of a transformative moment. In so doing, however, we did offend, and for that I apologize. We erred.
Others of you wrote about a series of photographs we ran recently ["Return of the Fallen," April 5]. Peter J. Riga, who served as a chaplain in the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam, said he wept at the images of mothers and fathers burying their children who died serving in Iraq. "Thank you," he wrote, "for bringing this sorrow and price of freedom to the many Americans whose sons will never be in danger of loss through shot and shell." As always, we welcome your thoughts, suggestions, and criticisms. Please let us know what you're thinking. Thanks.
The Impact Of Images
I am a 16-year-old high school student. A peer of mine also wrote a letter regarding the images of the corpses of the burned and mutilated Americans pictured in "Hell's Fury" [April 12]. His purpose was to tell you how appalled he was about the images, but I would like to thank you for running them. It is easy to forget what's happening on the other side of the world. We need to see pictures to realize how real the war in Iraq and other conflicts are. American lives are being lost every day, and the image of the two corpses hanging there affected me a lot more than just hearing that two people were killed ever would have.
JOSEPH EKDAHL
Stamford, Texas
Regarding "Hell's Fury": As a military wife with two small children and whose husband is currently serving in Iraq, I was appalled and disgusted by photos of the horrendous act. You may feel inclined to report these happenings, but the photos were not necessary.
CAROLINE ERVASTI
Camp Lejeune, N.C.
"Images That Disconcert" raises the question whether showing these pictures was going too far or not. Well, you went too far. I ripped out the pages and returned them to you. Please consider carefully how much gore and carnage your readers need to see to get the full scope of war and human suffering.
SUSAN S. KOCHANEK
Westfield, Mass.
Though you published an explanation about the photos, no words can justify their use. Respect for the victims and their families should override "news" content. Some newspapers and TV news programs chose not to show the photos. We applaud them for not following the crowd.
RICHARD AND JERRY MAYE MUELLER
East Wenatchee, Wash.
Was it not enough that we were subjected to the horrific images for hours after this barbaric act? Where are the images and stories of the positive things we have done in Iraq and the brave soldiers who have lost limbs or suffered injuries?
JUNE CANDERS-CLOUTIER
Feeding Hills, Mass.
Following The Fallen
As a serving army officer, I was especially touched by your photographic tribute to our fallen servicemen and women in "Return of the Fallen" [April 5]. Our citizens need to know that these young people willingly put themselves in harm's way for a greater purpose. They are selfless heroes defending liberty and the ideals for a better world. This knowledge will not dull the grief or pain for many, but let us hope that it will cause us to reflect in gratitude that such men and women can still be found in this country. I also applaud Fouad Ajami's cogent and rational editorial "A Legacy of Pain and Poison."
MAJ. BRYAN GIBBY
Professor of Military History
United States Military Academy
West Point, N.Y.
Thank you for the outstanding pictorial essay of the final journey home for America's fallen war heroes. No one knows the price of freedom better than the families of the veterans of war. Force should be used only as a final option.
JOHN WANGSGAARD
Logan, Utah
Battle Fatigue
"Paying The Price" [APRIL 19] AND your photo of a wounded marine comforted by his comrades is truly a picture worth a thousand words. White hands clasping black hands in meaningful gestures of support and empathy is a compelling testimony to the nature of the brotherhood of man.
PHILIP BENHAM
Hollidaysburg, Pa.
I can't help but marvel at the Iraqis. Their countrymen are blowing up electrical and oil facilities, attacking supply lines, and murdering coalition forces and Iraqi civilians. The coalition forces have freed them from a murderous tyrant and are doing everything they can to quell violence, restore their infrastructure, and rebuild their country so that someday they can enjoy a free and prosperous nation. Yet Iraqis hold the coalition responsible for all of Iraq's problems. Is there something wrong with this picture?
ROBERT F. PETRIE
Clinton, N.Y.
Why do you assume that the war and pacification of this violent and fractionalized former dictatorship should be smooth and trouble free? Had the present crop of journalists reported during World War II, they would have scared us into surrendering to the Germans and Japanese several times as the course of the war went for and against us before we finally won.
TOM COLTON
Arlington, Wash.
This story appears in the May 3, 2004 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.