Rand: you have it exactly.
The two original images are mundane. In the manipulated one the soldier's hand is (metaphorically) putting down the now juxtaposed (cowering?) pleading Iraqi prisoner. The composite, enhanced by the crop, tells a very different story
Disagree - in the original second (right-hand) image, the soldier is pointing his rifle directly at the man and child in the middle ground, in a nonchalantly threatening manner. In the final (which, otherwise, is a great image) he is restraining them with his hand in an active and protective manner and is flanked on the right by smiling or attentive faces. The gun is moving away. A very different atmosphere and one that suggests an political agenda designed to suit or subtly manipulate the audience. This is far beyond cropping as an unethical procedure. Of course, neither the real nor the created image may accurately represent the reality but it certainly is unacceptable as anything but a work of art.
Oh - and as to the knee-jerk reflex jingoism. Risible and unfortunate. Makes me glad I'm neither North American nor European. Stop it or you'll go blind. Not everyone is grateful for US or European 'assistance,' now are they?
AndrewF
