Iraq Progress Measured in AP Photos

It's been a while since I checked in with a search of the AP photo wire desk and a report of what it reveals when you look for news of how U.S. military men and women are doing in Iraq. Since a big election just came off with a minimum of violence, you might expect something from the AP photographer pool to reflect the role of our people in uniform in bringing that about.

As usual, you'd be wrong. A search of the AP photo desk going back through Saturday, Oct. 15, the day of the election, for the keyword "Iraq" brings up exactly 3 pictures that show U.S. troops in Iraq doing anything at all.

On the other hand, it turns up 10 pictures of anti-war protests and activities in the United States during that period, including full photo essays of "Eyes Wide Open" and similar crosses-on-the-lawn events. And there are 17 pictures of military funerals, flag-draped coffins, faces of soldiers who were killed on duty in Iraq, and grieving relatives.

So, the AP's current war score, measured by photos:

• Tragic loss of life: 17
  
  
• Domestic anti-war protest: 10
  
  
• Acknowledging the actual existence of living U.S. troops doing something -- possibly successfully -- other than providing useful symbols for anti-war protest and corpses for funerals: 3
  

Thanks, AP! Even if a newspaper editor wants to tell the story of American troops and all they've accomplished, you make it impossible to convey.

Oh, there are 11 "Peace Mom" Cindy Sheehan pictures currently on the AP photo desk.