Some Photo's Do Lie

1. Adams said that photographs lie; they are only "half-truths". Adam reminds his audience that "what the photograph didn't say was, 'What would you do if you were the general at that time and place on that hot day, and you caught the so-called bad guy after he blew away one, two or three American people?'"
The photograph shamed the General, and Adams felt guilty for taking a simple picture that caused irrepairable damage to General Loan's honor and reputation.

2.
Protestors of the Vietnam war: I think protestors would want the photograph published because it seems to intensify the horrors of war - the harsh realities of war. Perhaps, if more people at home saw gruesomely raw photos like this one, they would realize that war is not the answer because it truly is the most voilent thing in the world, and begin to protest the war.

The US Gov't in support of the Vietnam War: I think they would not have this photo published because it would raise so much controversy and cause so many people to take the photo for what it is: a seemingly 'innocent' man being murdered, and start to protest the war. Even though the man being shot is not innocent, just looking at the photo without knowing any background information, no one would even think twice, "Oh, maybe the man being shot deserves it."

Eddie Adams in 1969: Adams, I'm sure, was indifferent to whether or not the photo was published. He took hundreds of photos of the Vietnam war, and when he sees something that would make a good picture, he snaps a shot and doesn't think twice about it. He felt bad after the photo was published, because it gave Loan a bad reputation, but before Adams knew anyone in the photo ona personal level, it was simply that: just a photograph.

General Loan: I don't think Loan would have had the photo published - if he had any control over the situation. Loan was a beloved hero in Vietnam. He was supported immensely by his people and soldiers. The Vietcong had apparently attacked on a peaceful holiday that was supposed to be a time of truce. The Vietcong had gunned down several of Loan's men moments before this misleading picture was taken. The photo makes Loan look bad, especially because you cannot see his face in the picture, you cannot see whether or not he holds remorse in his eyes. You can, however, see the Vietcong prisoner's face, and he looks absolutely terrified. You almost feel his pain - you feel bad for him, like you would tap Loan on the shoulder and say, "C'mon, man, don't do it," if you could.

Van Lam's Widow: perhaps she doesn't want the photo published because it is unbearable for her to look at, and if it were publishes, she would see it everywhere: books, newspapers, magazines. I know that if I were in her position, I would not want to see a picture of my husband moments before his death with so much indescribable fear in his eyes. On the other hand, perhaps she did want it published so the Vietcong would have just as much hate for General Loan and his men as she did.

Publisher of 5th Grade Text Book: If I were the publisher, I would not put such a gruesome picture in any book designed for 5th graders - maybe I would put it in an 8th grader's book - but definitely not a 5th grader's. I don't think eleven-year-olds are mature enough to understand the photo and its controversies and fallacies. Wait until they're a little older.