A sad irony of free press

This morning I woke to a “breaking news” announcement that the L.A. Times would be releasing disturbing photos of American troops with dismembered suicide bombers. My thoughts immediately turned to one of my best friends, a doctor that has just been deployed for his third tour of duty where he is operating out of a Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan near the Pakistan border.

Each time one of these stories “makes news,” the attacks on our American troops by the Taliban increases as revenge for the disturbing acts.

We live in a great country. We have grown accustomed to free speech and the free press. I find it disturbing that the very people who are protecting these “free” rights are put in harm’s way by the “free press.” Regardless of a person’s position on whether our troops should be defending us in Afghanistan or on the home front, how can any news outlet conduct themselves in a manner that puts those very protectors of free speech in increased danger?

The release of a news release to only build the excitement for the release of the photos indicates no regard for our troops, some of which may die as a result of the L.A. Times’ actions.

Perhaps the Times can write a news release that “Freedom is NOT Free! Sleep well L.A. Times editors. I know many of our troops protecting your “free speech” and “free press” will not.

Bill Butrym

Libertyville