Gates may lift ban on photographs of caskets returning to U.S.

The Bush administration's ban on photography of flag-draped coffins worked pretty well to keep the public less aware of Iraq war fatalities. SecDef Gates is looking at a change, according to this article. It's a bit too late.

On a related note, in case you missed the story of Marine 2nd Lt James Cathey returning home, it, and the accompanying photos, are worth checking out. Rumsfeld said that photographs of caskets at Dover Airbase would dishonor the troops and their families. Just the opposite, sir.

I remember when Todd Heisler's photo (above) of Cathey was first published, and readers' comments were incredible. Some people claimed to have been on the plane, or have been in a similar situation, and the whole plane just went quiet. Everyone was overwhelmed; some moved to tears.

(Note: the above photo is at the Reno airport, not at Dover.)