BlackFive

UPDATED UPDATED: THIS IS BREAKING:

The Pentagon is expected to allow some media coverage of returning war dead with approval from their families, the Associated Press reported Thursday.

AS SOON AS WE CAN GET DETAILS, WE WILL DO SO.

HELL HATH FROZE OVER, AND THE INMATES NOW RUN THE ASYLUM.

The update is:

Shortly after Obama took office, Democratic Sens. John Kerry of Massachusetts and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey also asked the White House to roll back the 1991 ban.

Over the years, some exceptions to the policy were made, allowing the media to photograph coffins in some cases, until the administration of President George W. Bush and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A leading military families group has said that the policy, enforced without exception during George W. Bush's presidency, should be changed so that survivors of the dead can decide whether photographers can record their return.

Now I want to know what military family group requested THIS?  NO group that I am aware of, nor associated with, would do such a thing.  IAVA?  IVAW?  I'd like to see the name of the 'military families group' that would dare put families thru such turmoil. 

Is there a way for a soldier to sign a disclaimer/denial slip before they deploy, preventing any family from over-ruling them?  Seems that would be fair.

I've asked for details from Pentagon sources on this.  No replies, as of yet.

UPDATE @1300: I FREAKIN' KNEW IT!!  WAS THERE ANY DOUBT CODE PINK OR SOME SUCH WASN'T BEHIND THIS?

The good folks over at ThisAintHell have found this:

One of the family members who favors lifting the ban is Karen Meredith of San Francisco, California, who wrote Obama urging him to order the change.

She’s become friendly with advocacy groups like the Gold Star Families for Peace, Military Families Speak Out and Code Pink. She was asked recently to appear at a counter-military recruitment event, but begged off because it took place on Mother’s Day (although she is quick to note that Mother’s Day started as an antiwar holiday).

ANYone who doubted that this WAS NOT, NEVER HAS BEEN, AND NEVER WILL BE a 'caring' effort on behalf of soldiers is full of SH*T. 

We called BS, we GOT BS...

Dammit, Jim, this don't look good.

Mr Wolf

Now for MY opinion:  Just as I suspected, the absolute worst groups imaginable have persevered to get this opened.  Now, in some fashion, pics are going to come in from Dover on this.  I hate to say it, its ugly to do so, but dammit, it's going to happen- pictures are going to go up on disgusting, infuriating, inflammatory sites that are going to totally disgrace a grieving family.

When that happens, I want a million copies to mail to SecDef Gates's office. And every elected official in Washington.  Saying 'this is YOUR fault you have disgraced a soldier today.'  And repeat it every time it happens.  EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.

Every elected official- Dem or Rep- will answer to this.  And more, I'm afraid.