Wednesday, April 05, 2006

"THE LIFELINE" - Prepare 'Graphic Photo's'

A three-part Los Angeles Times series following the lives of soldiers wounded in Iraq

The stories focus on the medical treatment the wounded are receiving, both in the field and elsewhere. The photos are graphic and in color. This three-part series called "The Lifeline" began Sunday and is available on the LAT website:

'THE LIFELINE'


The website also contains other special features, including audio slide shows, graphics, and a remarkable message board. Many people have posted responses to the series already. These are worth reading.

Here are a few examples of the comments that have been posted:

"my sincerest thanks to all of you for reporting, photographing, editing and publishing this powerful and non-partisan piece of journalism. it's encouraging that the los angeles times has rallied its strength to finally publish more of the truth, no matter how horrific or painful. the world needs to know that not all Americans glorify war. most of us want it to end. thank you once again."

"Thank you so very much for your insightful reporting and amazing photography. As the mother of a talented almost 17-year-old who wants nothing more than to join the Marines immediately after high school graduation and go to Iraq as an infantryman -- for the guts and the glory -- I am devastated that he has no comprehension of the toll war takes. He believes he will go to war, kill the enemy and come home to enjoy the rest of his life and bask in the freedom of America. I can only hope that the reality you have depicted will enable him to make an informed decision about his future. Thank you."

"Congratulations for bringing home the horror of what this administration has created for almost 18,000 service men and women in this horrible episode in our history, not to mention almost 2,500 dead. Please continue to keep these hard to see visuals in our presence daily. As difficult and heartbreaking as this subject is, we need to show the public what the Bush Administration wants to keep behind closed doors."

"Thank you LA TImes for investing in this story that so needed to be told. I deplore the war but salute these young men and women for their bravery.
The photos, while graphic and bloody, put readers on the hotseat: this is war, this is the damage, this is the cost. The photography was also beautiful without being exploitive or distorted. Next, LA Times, can you send a reporting/photog team back to Iraq to cover the Iraqis in the same indepth fashion? That story also needs to be told. Thanks again."

"As the public affairs director for the 2.4 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., I want to extend my sincere thanks for an outstanding three-part series. You did great honor to the service, sacrifice and commitment of our military and their families."

"Thank you for writing this story, As the mom of one of the men pictured I get so tired of hearing people talk about how "they volunteered to go, they get what they deserve or they are killing innocent Iraqi's" If it wasn't for my son & other great americans like him you would not have the freedom to say these things. He volunteered to fight for his country, to do what his governemnt asks of him. My son is doing his job, he doesn't like seeing his fellow americans injured or dead but we taught our son commitment & honor. He will not leave it for someone else, he did not join to get a free education or cheaper mortgage rate, yes he knew there were risks but he did not quit because it got tough. He was there for 2 years & when his fellow soldier needed his help he & others like him risked their lives to help.He will carry the horrifying images in his head but he will not quit. I don't know what that country was like before the Americans came, who does, maybe they couldn't fight back or maybe they wouldn't. They have the chance now but they too have the risk, it's their country if they don't take those risk it may get worse, if they do it may get better it's for the Iraqi people to decide now. I thank my son & all the other soldiers I see every chance I get. I am grateful to you Dominic & all the soldiers of the 54th Med Co. You made it so many parents could have the opportunity to see their kids back & alive. Unfortunately too many had to bury their kids & my heart goes out to them. Wether we believe in this war or not I know our soldiers are doing their job with honor. Thank you, Dominics mom"

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