Where We Stand: BP Oil Spill

(WTNH) - Some of the most alarming pictures coming from the Gulf have focused on the effects the oil slick is having on wildlife. The scenes are hard to look at -- oil-covered birds, struggling to swim through oil-filled water. But some have suggested that News 8 shouldn't be showing these animals because it's just too disturbing.

A viewer from East Hampton said, "Why, why, why do you keep showing us the birds that are floundering around and dying from this horrible (oil) spill. It is heartbreaking to see. If you are going to cover this event, stop showing the suffering animals."

It is not the first time that we've been taken to task over showing video in our newscasts that makes someone uncomfortable-but in the case of the devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico here is our answer: We understand that the pictures can be heartbreaking. But there is nothing about this situation that should be ignored or left on the editing room floor.

Want to know who wants to see even less of this video? Those responsible for the problem in the first place.

As the saying goes, please don't shoot the messenger. Those of us who work to bring you the news everyday know that all too often the stories we report on are ones that many folks would just as soon not hear about.

We're sorry if the news sometimes upsets you. But maybe, just maybe, if a few more people got upset by those things that make the headlines and demanded some changes we wouldn't have to report on so many stories that are heartbreaking to see.

For News 8, I'm Kirk Varner and that's where we stand.