Let's see coffins, says Clark

New York Daily News ^ | 11/24/03 | JAMES GORDON MEEK

[kattracks]

WASHINGTON - Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark accused President Bush yesterday of trying to "dishonor" Americans killed in Iraq by barring pictures of their coffins arriving home in the U.S. Clark, who is vying for the Democratic presidential nomination, called it a "blatantly political move" for the Bush administration to impose restrictions on news coverage of soldiers' remains arriving at the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware and burials at Arlington National Cemetery.

"It's trying to dishonor the very Americans who are over there serving and fighting and dying ... by not letting us welcome the remains back home," Clark told CBS' "Face the Nation." "I think it's wrong."

The no-picture policy is a misguided attempt to ensure public resolve stays with the Iraq war effort, he said.

Clark's criticism follows similar complaints by Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) during an Oct. 29 speech, in which she faulted the White House for sparing Americans "the sight of caskets coming home" from Iraq.

"We should be willing to admit the price that is being paid by these brave young men and women to pursue this policy," Clinton said then.

Clark, who commanded U.S. forces in Bosnia, said he escorted soldiers to Dover when they died in operations there.

"We honored them when they came through Dover. That's something the American people expect," he said.

Meanwhile, other Democrats joined Clark in taking aim at a TV ad for Bush airing in Iowa, which tells voters that "some are now attacking the President for attacking the terrorists."

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) said the Republican National Committee should "pull the ad" for questioning the patriotism of Iraq critics.

"It's really a repulsive and outrageous attack," Daschle told NBC's "Meet the Press."

"To chastise and to question the patriotism of those who are in opposition to some of the President's plans, I think, is wrong."

But Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said it's "legitimate" for Bush to "run for reelection to a large degree on his record of trying to secure America from the threat of terrorism."

Originally published on November 24, 2003

[kattracks]

Odd, I don't remember any coverage at all, photos or otherwise, when, Clark "escorted soldiers to Dover when they died in operations there", or when our fallen troops were brought back from Somalia.

Why didn't hillary! and her stooge feel those troops deserved to be "honored" in this way?

[Sacajaweau]

These people are sick. I can't think of any other way of looking at what they're saying.

[peteram]

This guy is a whacko. A morbid whacko.

[risk]

Clark may regret saying this if he is elected.

[I still care]

From what I understand it has been a policy for over 10 years not to show the coffins arriving. Funny, never noticed this was a problem during Bosnia or Somalia.

Does anyone remember seeing all the coffins from the Kane bombing in October just before Bush took office? I don't remember that. Just a question.

[onyx]

Weasley Clark becomes more disgusting with every utterance.

Like Clinton(s) he is shameless.

Where's Weasley in the democrat polling now, at 4 percent? And to think, only a month ago, he was the media's annointed darling. Ha!

[mylife]

isnt Wussly one of the miserable dems that claims GW is politicising the war?

what a hypocrite

[velund]

Clark wants a public display of caskets to "honor" those who served. Hillary wants a display of dead bodies to show the price we pay. What would Jane Fonda say? "Let's see body bags"?

[Semper Vigilantis]

Clark has completed his assimilation to the dark side. He is a true red democrat.

[verity]

The SOB does not have a clue!

[OldFriend]

Clark is truly insane.

[expatguy]

"...The no-picture policy is a misguided attempt to ensure public resolve stays with the Iraq war effort, he said..."[sic]

And the pictures of the WTC victims?

If that was the case (an attempt to manipulate public opinion), as Clark says then why did we not make public the pictures from 9/11?

[noexcuses]

Shame on him for using the caskets of our fallen heros for political ploy.

[Robe]

Well , I think we now know why he was fired from his NATO job due to "lack of integrity"

[shamusotoole]

If only his calls had been returned by Karl Rove, he would be saying this as a Republican candidate.

[Gritty]

Why stop short by only showing flag drapped coffins coming off airplanes?

If the Democrats want pictures so they can take political advantage of the deaths, why not show photos of the soldiers on the enbalming tables at the Processing Center before they are put into the coffins?

Surely that will further their ends much quicker - which is to get endlessly disturbing TV footage to turn Americans against the war!

[LiteKeeper]

THAT SETTLES IT! - Playing politics with our fallen heroes is over the line.

[spectre]

And if they showed the "coffins", it wouldn't be good enough. Clark would want them open..

He is a disgrace to the uniform he wore.

sw

[xzins]

LK, Clark has become a nutcase.

We both know that he NEVER would have approved of this for one of his own men when he was active.

He is a blatant opportunist.

[r9etb]

I'm sure we all remember Clinton's "Fake Tears" episode at Dover a few years back. I don't recall where the soldiers died -- Khobar Towers, maybe? -- but he put on quite a show for the grieving families.