No. Not offended. If the diaper were made out of the flag, then that would be offensive, but not cradling so tastefully, no.
The simple fact that hundreds of people took offense is noteworthy though. The veteran who took the photo seemed most shocked and hurt that her fellow veterans took offense. I do not feel qualified to enter that debate as a civilian, but I wish for veterans --civilians alike-- to support each other's expressions, out of respect for the veterans' service, especially in celebration of new life and a beautiful image of what a veteran family will have sacrificed and why it matters most to this particular mother and veteran--the future inheritors of this country.
Americans often say that people are fighting for "freedom", but who does that freedom affect most if not those who will inherit it?
If there were no children born to inherit those freedoms, then the sacrifices made are only for those currently alive, and not the future of the country. I wish for our culture to stop focusing on who is currently in the debate and who has power or freedom.
For this reason, I love this photo because, for me, it represents the beauty and dedication in caring about our country's future people and, for some, that extends to freedom for more people around the world, promoting democracy, at best.
When I was eleven, I was taken, against my will, out of this country for my parents to pursue their dreams--they had already taken so much from me and given me PTSD in recompense.
Taking me out of my country was like the last straw, and on the 4th of July our first summer abroad, I shed tears during the flag salute and anthem at the US Embassy and felt, for the first time, a profound, personal patriotism as a father and mother land.
