Sarah Palin: AP Use of Soldier's Photo Evil

Following are two salient paragraphs of Sarah Palin's statement on Facebook regarding AP's publication of Lance Corporal Joshua 'Bernie' Bernard's photo against his grieving family's wishes. Lance Corporal Bernard was killed in combat. The complete transcript is on Governor Palin's Facebook page and can be accessed by clicking the link in the reference list or if on the main Accomplishments blog, clicking the FeedBurner feed.

Shame on the AP for purposely adding to the grieving family's pain. Ignoring the family's wishes by publishing a sacred image of their loved one proved a despicable and heartless act by the AP. The family said they didn't want the photo published. AP, you did it anyway, and you know it was an evil thing to do (Palin, 2009, ¶3).

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bernard family. Words can not adequately express our sorrow and appreciation for your sacrifice. We will never forget your Marine or his fallen comrades (Palin, 2009, ¶4).

Governor Palin has a journalism degree and prior to her political career was a sportscaster. Having been part of the media herself, Governor Palin is familiar with the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics.

A major subsection of the Code is to "Minimize Harm." Journalists are bound to: "Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage," "[b]e sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief," (emphasis added) and "[r]ecognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance." (SPJ, 2009, p. 1).

The Associated Press in publishing this photo displayed wanton and reckless disregard for the principle of minimizing harm. Governor Palin's assessment of their behavior is correct. We note that the Associated Press has on numerous occasions published misleading and false information pertaining to Sarah Palin both in her prior role as Governor, and in her current role as a private citizen who happens to be a public figure.

References

Code of Ethics. (2009). Society of Professional Journalists. Retrieved September 7, 2009 from: http://www.spj.org/pdf/ethicscode.pdf

Palin, S.L.H. (2009, September 6). "Shame on the Associated Press for Ignoring the Wishes of a Grieving Family" Facebook, Sarah Palin. Retrieved September 7, 2009 from: http://www.facebook.com/sarahpalin?v=app_2347471856&viewas=1574531555

Palin Takes AP to Task

From Shane Vander Hart, Caffeinated Thoughts

From her Facebook page:

Many of us join Secretary Gates in condemning the Associated Press for its heartless and selfish decision to turn its back on the wishes of a grieving family in order to exploit the tragic death of a true American hero.

Lance Corporal Joshua 'Bernie' Bernard was a selfless young American who sacrificed everything for our freedom.
Shame on the AP for purposely adding to the grieving family's pain. Ignoring the family's wishes by publishing a sacred image of their loved one proved a despicable and heartless act by the AP. The family said they didn't want the photo published. AP, you did it anyway, and you know it was an evil thing to do.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bernard family. Words can not adequately express our sorrow and appreciation for your sacrifice. We will never forget your Marine or his fallen comrades.
May God bless the Bernard family.

-Sarah Palin

Once In A Lifetime Dinner With Sarah Palin Leads All-Star Charity Auction For Wounded Warriors

A true once in a lifetime event, the winner of this celebrity auction will spend a memorable evening having dinner with former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and her husband Todd. Sarah has graciously donated her time to help raise money for the Wounded Warriors Ride 2 Recovery program

Sarah whose son, Track, enlisted in the Army on September 11, 2007, is serving in Iraq. Sarah herself recently returned from a trip to Kosovo visiting her Alaska National Guard troops and Germany visiting wounded warriors.

Ride 2 Recovery is a program that helps wounded troops rehabilitate their injuries and rebuild their athletic ability. From their mission statement:

To improve the health and wellness of wounded warriors by providing a life changing experience that can impact their lives forever.

R2R supports Spinning® Recovery Labs and outdoor cycling programs at Military and VA locations around the U.S. to help injured veterans overcome obstacles they face. Cycling is an important part of the recovery and rehabilitation program for two reasons:

1. Cycling is an activity that almost all patients with mental and physical disabilities can participate.

2. Participation in the Ride 2 Recovery Program helps speed up the recovery and rehabilitation process.

The winner of the charity auction will be able to bring 4 friends along for what will be an incredible evening with the Palins. The winning bidder will be responsible for their airfare to Alaska and lodging. The bidding will open at $25,000.

The auction, which runs from September 8-18, will also feature other great experiences up for bid.

Former White House adviser Karl Rove, the "Architect", as he is known, is offering, for the winning bidder and 2 friends, lunch at the famous 4-star restaurant, Bobby Van’s Steakhouse in Washington, D.C.

Rove, a Fox News contributor, and weekly op-ed columnist for The Wall Street Journal and Newsweek, will most certainly offer up an interesting and thoughtful lunch. The opening bid for lunch with "Bush’s Brain" is $7,500

Award winning conservative actor Gary Sinise, star of the CBS television series CSI: New York is offering up a set experience and wrap party to a lucky fan. Sinise is a well known supporter of the troops, giving generous amounts of his time to help. He also can be heard doing the voice overs for Army recruiting advertising. .

Gary also has a band, The Lt. Dan Band, named for his unforgettable character from the movie Forrest Gump. Sinese uses the band as a way to raise money for the troops, and also to entertain the troops on his many visits to see them in the field. You can learn more about his band here.

Other items up for auction include:

* Behind the Ropes at a PGA event with David Ferehty

* Lunch at the Capitol with Frank Luntz

* Meet and Greet at the Sean Hannity Show with Sean Hannity and Frank Luntz

* Meet, Greet and Dinner with Bret Baier of Fox Special Report and Steve Hayes

* Play'N'Stay at the World Golf Resort

* Phil Jackson Autographed Basketball

* Rob Lowe Autographed Hollywood Stars Dodger Jersey

To learn more about the Ride 2 Recovery program go here.

To learn more about the once of a lifetime all-star auction go here.

Even if you are unable to bid on these great events, please check out the Ride 2 Recovery website and make a donation on the behalf of a wounded warrior.