(Navy Sec)Official Downplays Navy SEAL Photographs

[maddezmom]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Navy Secretary Gordon R. England urged Americans to avoid forming conclusions about recently published photographs of Navy special forces capturing detainees in Iraq (news - web sites).




The photos, which have drawn a strong reaction in Arab media, appear to show Navy SEALs sitting or lying on top of hooded and handcuffed detainees in the back of a pickup truck.


"Until I know there's been wrongdoing, my assumption is that we're doing things right until proven otherwise," England said Monday during a visit to Albuquerque for the dedication of a new submarine.


England, in his first public comments since an Associated Press reporter found the photos on a commercial photo-sharing Web site, said the context of the photos is unknown.

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=542&ncid=693&e=6&u=/ap/20041207/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/seals_prisoner_photos

[merwin]

1. Sure, these photos were just staged.

The iraqi's WANTED to be hooded and handcuffed, etc, etc.

[Ian David]

2. They could have used their safeword at any time

[maddezmom]

3. guess England and Jacoby need to get the story straight before commenting

~snip~

According to the memo from the Defense Intelligence chief, Vice Admiral Lowell E. Jacoby, a special forces task force in Iraq threatened defense personnel who complained about abuses. Some had their car keys confiscated and were ordered not to leave the base "even to get a haircut."

Balice refused to describe the task force, which could include Army Rangers, Delta Force, Navy SEALs and other Special Forces' soldiers working with CIA operatives.

~snip~
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/07/politics/07cnd-abus.html?hp&ex=1102482000&en=423be6557d198090&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[VegasWolf]

4. "Until I get caught, i will continue to say absurd things .. " n/t

[Must_B_Free]

5. England? AGAIN?

Must run in the family...

[daleo]

10. I wondered about that too

Is he related to "the perky princess"?

[NYC Liberal]

6. But would he say the same if it was AMERICANS

in the photos, in place of the Iraqis?

I don't think so, either.

[truth2power]

7. This is beyond absurd!!

What about that picture of the Iraqi with the American soldier's boot on his throat?? Oh, never mind....it's just a bunch of "the guys" clowning around, eh, Mr. Sec'y???

England should just STFU! :mad:

[Karenina]

8. Don't believe your lying eyes!

[purduejake]

9. Osama loves us!

Just more recruiting material.