Rolling Stone Cover Forces Look at 'Uncomfortable' Issues, Says One Patch Reader; ‘Re-Traumatizes Victims,’ Says Another

You aren't likely to find a controversial Rolling Stone magazine that features Boston Bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in the shelves of West Des Moines Hy-Vee stores and other retailers.

The Rolling Stone cover that sparked a controversy about whether the magazine was glorifying Boston Bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev by featuring him on the cover, is causing ripples in West Des Moines - whether you like it or not.

Several retailers including West Des Moines-based Hy-Vee and Walgreens have decided to pull the magazine from their shelves.

Rolling Stone is standing by its decision to run the cover.

Here's a message Hy-Vee posted on its Facebook page:

To our customers:

Hy-Vee has received many questions and complaints from customers regarding the current issue of Rolling Stone magazine, which features a cover photo of the Boston Marathon bombing suspect. In general, the decision whether or not to carry a particular publication rests with each individual store; however, in response to feedback from our customers, we have asked all our stores to refrain from displaying or selling the issue of Rolling Stone in question.

The decision sparked feedback - lot's of it - for the regional grocery chain. The reaction was mixed, and the post has more than 4,500 'Likes', 600 shares and 650 comments.

So we asked West Des Moines Patch’s Facebook friends what they thought. Here’s some of the discussion:

Barb Miller: While I don't like this photo being used on the cover, I totally disagree with the decision by retail outlets to censor what we have access to. We are losing our freedoms one by one. And that is how we allow Tsarnaev and his ilk to win their end game.

Claire Celsi: It's simple. If you don't want to buy it, don't. Also, I think a lot of people don't realize that the Rolling Stone does very serious investigative reports.

Creativeday Concepts: Big mistake by the magazine and I respect and agree with Hy-Vee's decision!

Samantha Watson: I don't think it is appropriate for retailers to remove it. Freedom of speech. It is a story about a monster.. Seriously his picture has been everywhere already, why is this an issue? It is saying he is a good guy, so what is the problem.

Leah Trost: Freedom of speech! If people don't want to buy don't. A little disappointed with Hy-Vee.

Gayle Murray: Yes you can choose not to buy it, however victims and family members can't choose not to "see it" when they go buy groceries and are immediately re-traumatized when they unexpectedly see his face looking at them.

Bob Barnes: Freedom of Speech! If Hy-Vee doesn't want to sell it; they have that right!!

West Des Moines Patch: What do you think about Rolling Stone's decision to use the photo on the cover, usually reserved for rock stars?

Bob Barnes: Should've stuck with a rock star – although not always any less controversial!

Leah Trost: I don't agree with their choice of picture but they are free to do so.

Nick Śmielak: I think its in poor taste and a blatant but very successful attempt at getting people to talk about Rolling Stone. With all of that said, Rolling Stone can do whatever it wants, if people are outraged they can vote with their money by simply not buying it, like what Hy-Vee is doing. It was a good article, by the way.

West Des Moines Patch: I heard some commentators saying this morning by choosing its cover photo, Rolling Stone wanted to send a message that a terrorist could be any kid in America, busting that myth that terrorists are easily identifiable because "they all wear turbans," as Osama bin Laden did. Did the strategy work?

Claire Celsi: I think it worked and I think the story -as uncomfortable as it is to confront - is an important one to tell.

Nick Śmielak: Terrorists of this nature are easily identifiable by religious zeal. Especially if that zeal is in conjunction with being a follower of the Muslim faith. I don't think anyone capable of logical thought would suspect a person wearing a turban in the United States to be a terrorist. Any serious terrorist is obviously going to be aware of the suspicion that would garner. So unless Rolling Stone is pandering to paranoid morons and racists, I don't think they succeeded in doing anything productive besides releasing an interesting article.

John Wiggin: Not like Rolling Stone to assume guilt.

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