Ok Meredith, I voted for The Deadly Blast, mostly because it drives home the damage these sorts of thing do to Human Beings when they go off. I think in this case a picture is worth much more than words.

That said, I think The Flood Victim waiting for food might have been good in TWIP, because it sums up the apparant lack of concern the rest of the world seems to have for these Human Beings who are simply trying to survive a Natural Disaster.

I loved The Bail Out Bear, must be getting to be Fall in Montana.

I voted for the wailing kid because the shot has his whole family in disbelief about what is happening and you can almost feel his pain.

I really think the crowded bus line should've made it for a few reasons,

It's tense, lots of people trying to get somewhere and the blank look in the young womens face just says "I've been here too long.." she's close to the bus door but doesn't seem to care anymore.

The way it's composed with a slight slant adds to the uneasyness.

I guess the only thing wrong with the image is that it was taken at a very high ISO causing a lot of image noise.

Subway strike captures so much human frustration, I like the "image noise" adds to the edgy quality. That said, the overall quality of the pics this week seem to speak to all levels of frustration, fear, and no recourse...death. Compassion for us all.....as we are able to rescue the bear, may we be able to rescue the homeless and hungry. The loss of the generational home...moving....it could be anyone. It could be me.

The woman beggar in Pakistan waiting for a handout - May God Bless them financially, physically, spiritually and most of all mentally.

It's tough to pick a winner, because of no categories.  Difficult to choose between cute kids, beautiful scenery, and human tragedy

The flower pickers and sunflower should have made the list. Your leading picture and these two are your only true photography pictures this week. Weakest list ever in the ones you picked.

Need new photo editors. Pictures are getting suckier, more repetetive and less about quality photography every week. People getting blown up, military funerals and starvation may be more important stories than people walking through flowers, but who wants to look at it on Friday lunch for entertainment? Have editors not noticed that death and devastation pictures are never the most popular? The winners are usually cute animals are kids - because we can all use a break. I've usually read dozens of death, destruction and slimy politics articles before opening the photo of the week page and I'm looking for relief. Interesting photography for artistic merit only, not for crappy, salacious photos of human suffering.

What a strange comment. I often evaluate the photos using several loose criteria: 1) difficulty in capturing that exact shot, and 2) emotional impact of the image.

The sunflower picture would be very easy to take, so I agree that it should not be included on the list. The flood victims waiting in line, on the other hand, is a striking image. The complementary colors of her garb are incredible, why is she the only person in the center?

The votes for the images today (so far) are confusing. I typically do not end up voting for the picture that is the #1 position, but I was so surprised to see the #1 choice. I honestly find the "Collateral Damage" picture boring, and find "Shoulders to Cry On" (#11) absolutely impressive!

I have to say that the waiting for food in Pakistan should have been in. The more you look the more you see that tells you about the culture. Apparently two lines, for men and women, based on different clothing. All the men (and boys) have shoes, only about half the women. The old woman alone in the middle, the indescribable look on her face that speaks of anguish and weakness and resignation all at once. The nearly faceless nature of the problem. One of the best disaster pictures I have seen in a long time.

I selected the children celebrating the fall of the autumn leaves because it reminds me of my grandchildren who love to sing while jumping in my leaf piles! I do understand why you selected the Mother-and-Son reunion, which speaks volumes about the human condition today. Thanks for giving us the chance to comment!

The flood victim photo is a true classic in time.The photo takes in so much suffering.People waiting for food!Holding pots and pans.Who with any sense of caring for others could not feel the pain in the photo.Everyone eats and we all use pots and pans.And to have the women in the middle.It could be any one!!That makes the photo great.And then to be their to capture that photo!That makes it a great photo.I look at a photo and see the story it tells me.I think that's why the Smithsonian took my photo.The girl lighting the candle for the 9-11 exhibition.The photo tells you a story.That anyone can see and feel!

Why the Queen @ the cola factory? Who gives a @!$%# ? Nonsense, next to flood victims,bus strike womans tired expression,even the bee is was more interesting!The same old tired coffins draped w/ American flags.C'mon this was a poor choice on your behalves.

I think I would have included the flood victim shot and the bee on the flower just for composition and color. I voted for the Mexican funeral scene because it really takes you into the grief. It was hard to choose, though. Some were obviously much harder to get like the one someone must have shot lying down to get the person's face so close to the ground. The scenic ones were beautiful, but not necessarily news.