Partial news stirs up fears, uncertainty

Some days ago I was retaught a lesson that I learned long ago. My concern is that our media will never learn it. An announcement of two soldiers killed in Afghanistan, both from Illinois, was made. It was accompanied by the statement that no names would be given until relatives were notified. Thoughtful? Wrong.

Our nephew from Peotone is fighting in Afghanistan. Our family stood silent as we heard the announcement. It was several days before we knew that my husband's brother's child was safe.

Why was that news before the families were informed? Did it stop the war? Did it calm the fears of those with relatives fighting elsewhere, or those from Indiana or Florida or any other state? Why did we get no news in the guise of news? It was a cruel statement made to sell airtime, newspapers, Internet space, and served no good.

The lesson I relearned was to think before you speak.

Mary E. Nelson

Palatine