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The news factor to this is showing the impact this war is having on the children of Iraq. This kind of thing is happening whether we run the photo or not.

With the perspective of being an Iraqi Freedom veteran, I've seen the impact this war has had on the Iraqi children first hand.

Within my first week there, we nearly opened fire on a child who pointed a pistol at our convoy. Turns out the pistol ended up being a toy, but that instance and this picture serve as window into a world not often seen by most people outside of Iraq.

Disturbing? Yes.

Immoral to run? Not at all, it's a thought provoking photo - things rarely ever change until a spotlight is placed on the problem.

For instance:

http://www.digitaljournalist.org/issue0309/lm12.html

OK, a reader comments: "Where are your ethics???? Where are your morals????''

Let me tell you what I saw yesterday afternoon in the newsroom: Rob Brown, our director of photography and a father of two, walked around the newsroom asking all of us what we thought about the photo.

I admit. The first time I saw it I wretched. As a father of two, I saw that small boy being my child, my kid. Well, that all prompted a conversation among a handful of us of what we thought and whether we should run this. It was thought-provoking, all centering on what readers need, what readers want, and our fundamental responsibilities as journalists.

After 10 minutes or so, Rob said, "Well, I know I've got to take this one up the flag pole.''

So, this wasn't taken lightly. We didn't do that with this photo. And I don't think we've ever done that, as far as I know.

Would I run it? After wretching and putting aside my emotions, I agree with Ryan. Still, it was tough. Man, it's hard to look at.

But I have to ask -- is there anything easy to look at when it comes to war?

Yes, by all means let's not run a photo that might possibly show an unseemly side to war. Why upset readers with the truth? We have an administration that is bending over backwards to put a positive spin to this war. Why not just play along?

But I have to ask -- is there anything easy to look at when it comes to war?*jeri rowe

Of course, you can look at another couple of beheading of Iraqi children from last night to really get the feel of American Global Corporate rule at work in War.

Yes, by all means let's not run a photo that might possibly show an unseemly side to war. Why upset readers with the truth? We have an administration that is bending over backwards to put a positive spin to this war. Why not just play along?*Robert Bell

One can assume that the photo is directed at the last remaining 28% of the Bush and Cheney warmongering Orwellian supportors. Nothing like compassionate republician conservatism at work!

Slightly off the main issue I know, but something about the photo isn't right. (I think I can speak with authority as a press photographer myself for more than six years).
Far be it from me to question the integrity of The Associated Press, but this picture just looks too staged to me. The child on the left is obviously aware he is being photographed, so how much of what we are seeing is real? And does the fact the children are aware of the photographer make any difference? I'm not suggesting for one moment that something like this didn't happen, but how much is an act for the camera?

It's a staged photo, used for political purposes by someone who wants to make a point.
I've seen kids all over the world, in war zones and out, play with toy guns. We do it here in our country where our kids mimic "Cops" or the latest action movie.
No big deal, except it's bogus.

I've seen kids all over the world, in war zones and out, play with toy guns.* Jaycee

Really? Please explain how kids in third world counties are able to purchase toy guns when their families are staving to death? Has Target and Wal-Mart move into those areas along with the Massive Toy's & Us Stores?

There were several photos from this scene, including one where the boy with the guns to his head was being carried away as if he was being abducted at gunpoint. The other photos looked entirely candid, but you're right, Andrew, this photo is not one where the subjects are oblivious to the photographer's presence. The series of pictures looked to me like a situation the photographer came across, which then became influenced by him because he began to photograph the boys playing war games; the boys started hamming it up when they realized they were having their picture made.

I did not think the photo was staged by the photographer to get a political point across. I think the picture does make a statement, though, about the desensitization to violence that must be happening to the children of Iraq.

If my dad had ever seen me laughing and holding a gun to another kid's head, I'd have been in serious need of some desensitizing.

Rob - I don't think there was anything politcal about this picture either, I just feel that the image is false. Yes - the photographer probably did come across kids playing with guns, but as soon as the kids were aware of his camera then the situation changed. The picture would be more real had it been shot on a long lens so the kids were not aware of his presense, but I doubt it would have been as strong.
We all know kids that start 'acting' for the camera and I don't think this is any different. Perhaps it portrays something that was happening, but I doubt is was happening exactly in the way the photographer as shown us in this image.

It matters little if we think this picture is a set-up shot, or not. I saw the original video, this wasn’t the only pictures that I saw. I am not interested in where they got the guns either, although I read a story about a merchant in the market place that said 95% of his sales were toy guns to children. The bigger, the better. The fact remains that these children are seriously affected by the death and destruction that is their everyday life. They see dead, tortured bodies on their streets everyday, sometimes it is their own family members…who knows?, maybe tomorrow it will be them. The one’s who live to grow up, will be heartless products of war. They will never know peace, not in this lifetime. GOD Help Us.