Blog #6

I wanted to write this blog reacting to an article I came across today on the home page of AOL titled "Slain Soldier's Parents Sue T-Shirt Maker."

The just of this article is that the parents of Tennessee soldier Brandon Read, who was killed in Iraq, are suing a t-shirt maker for 10$million dollars for using their sons name on the back of a anti war t-shirt. The reasoning behind this is because they claim his name was used with the intent to make a profit.

The t-shirt, according to the article reads "Bush lied" on the front and "they died" on the back and then lists the names of fallen soldiers.

The reason I was interested in this article is because I have a cousin who was recently shipped to Iraq to start a 9 month tour there. I know personally if something like this happened to him I would be disgusted by it as well.

I think its irresponsible for the t-shirt maker to be using these names without the consent of the families of these victims of war. I understand and agree that everyone should be entitled to free speech but in this case it goes beyond that. Not only does this re-inflict emotional pain to the families of these victims it also speaks for these fallen soldiers.

What I mean by this is that for all we know the soldiers names on the back of those shirts were proud to serve and die for their country and were for the war in Iraq. Associating their names in Anti war shirts or protests to me is giving the disctinction that those particular soldiers were against it and were not proud to serve their country.

I again am curious to hear opinions on this topic.

Personally I hope more people join in this law suit against this t-shirt maker.