Soldier’s dying picture had no place in paper

As a retired Army Chief Warrant Officer, I agree and support Defense Secretary Robert Gates' criticism of The Associated Press for what he called an “appalling” lack of compassion for distributing a photograph of a mortally wounded marine in Afghanistan over the objections of the marine's father.

The Gazette ran the article on Page 1A Friday and the photograph on 7A, where the article continued from the front.

On Saturday, Gazette Print Editor Lyle Muller stated that on Friday he had received one call and two e-mails from readers complaining about publication of the photograph.

If that is the case, I am not only disappointed with the editor's comment that the photo belonged with the report because of its news value but also The Gazette readers.

If the photograph's news value is so important to the report, then why did they run the photograph smaller? Why not make it larger? If The Gazette editors were really aware of the sensitivity of the image, they would not have printed it.

Michael C. Smith

Cedar Rapids