You may have heard, even followed, the controversial front-page publishing of the photo of dying Marine Lance Corporal Johsua Bernard by the AP. Much has been written about this situation. SECDEF Gates as well as leaders of many veterans' groups have condemned the decision to publish this photo.

The AP defends the decision to publish this photo, against the wishes of the family, as their 'journalistic duty' to cover the news and 'reality of war'.

What is interesting to me is that I have never seen front page photos of a dying victim of gang violence. I do not recall photos of the mangled bodies of victims of drunk drivers above the fold. I have no memory of photos of the ravaged bodies of victims of spouse/child abuse ever publised in the newspaper. Those photos would quickly (and rightfully) be decried as inappropriate and insensitive. But when it comes to photos of our brave service members - well, that is a "journalistic duty."

BULL!

This family asked for the photo not to be published. Would this request be ignored if Cpl Bernard was a victim of one of the recent train wrecks?

I lack the words to express my anger, disdain and utter indignance at not only the publishing of this photo but the justification, the excuses, offered by editors as to why this was 'responsible' journalism.

We all know war is ugly. Hollywood has documented, personified and glamorized the violence associated with war and conflict. Video games emulate the violence. Quite frankly, the supposed claim that they were trying to do a 'service' to the military by showing the true cost of war falls on deaf ears.

I don't need to see the crime scene photos of Columbine to know that it was horrific. It would add nothing to my understanding of that tragedy. Likewise this photo offered nothing save inflict greater pain on the family and fellow marines who lost a son, a brother.

Shame on the AP. Shame on the papers that published that photo.