My thought is that this is exactly about the media "putting things in perspective."
Why is this such a large story? Why are some of the major news anchors going into such depth on it? Why has Kerry now come in on it?
Previously the democrats in our polarized society had bought into the argument that you needed to support the troops, even if you opposed the war for partisan purposes. The dem's understood that the people of this country were behind the troops and that in thier search for a political issue, they dare not do anything that disparages the troops.
OK, now the Dem's have a partisan issue that allows them to villify the military (or at least parts of it) and attack the actions of the President.
Want to guess why the "main stream media" is playing this so big? Could it have to do with the media's hope to empower a faultering Democratic Party?
In war, there will always be bad things that happen. It is what the media focuses on and the politicians focus on that shapes public opinion. There is a culture war being fought as to who will control this country and some feel that any means justify the end. This story isn't about Iraq, it is about trying to capture votes in November. (/sarcasm)
OK, I've gotten my rant off my chest. Thank you.