Iraq games, again

This remind you of anything?

The U.S. agency leading Hurricane Katrina rescue efforts said Tuesday that it does not want the news media to photograph the dead as they are recovered.

From experience, I know that the difference between someone feeling bad about something and actually getting involved often depends on the strength of media (small m) that informs about that thing. I personally feel that while the written word has an immense capacity to convey and build deep understanding, it isn't good for the sort of visceral response that gets people immediately involved in something. For that, nothing beats visual media.

Without photos, perhaps the administration will save itself some embarrassment, but it will also lessen the general resolve of our nation to do something in response to the horror of the Katrina aftermath. We cannot afford for that to happen.