Re: release of additional photos from Abu Ghraib et al

[dalaigh lllama]

I'm wondering what folks are thinking about the ramifications of this. My understanding is that this was actually ordered done by the courts back in the W admin, but they ignored it. Obama, following the rule of law, is releasing them. I may be mistaken, but I haven't heard any "pundints" mention this.

My husband, ex-Republican Obama voter, is concerned about the fallout on our troops and thinks Obama should not release the photos. My point of view is that the entire world, especially the Muslim world, is already aware of what we've done in those places, and that Americans will be the only ones who are surprised and hopefully appalled and ashamed.

Any of you wiser DUers have some thoughts you could share on this?

[jefferson_dem]

1. White House to announce that Obama is seeking to delay release of 'torture photos'

HuffingtonPost now reporting...

[high density]

2. NBC News says he's going to "block" them

Whatever that means.

[dalaigh lllama]

3. It seems to me Americans need to get up to speed on what we've done

without inflaming the Muslim world at the same time. It's a real dilemma, I think.

[Uzybone]

4. I'm 50-50 on it

Americans already know what we have done and many are not alarmed (i.e the conservatives), releasing new pictures will not alarm them further. But I think they should be released because sunlight is better than darkness. I know it may add jeopardy to our troops, but any blame for that falls on Bush and his admin.

[dalaigh lllama]

6. I don't know that Americans really DO know what we've done

If all they watch is news light, they are thinking "we only waterboarded 3 guys and we saved 1000's of American lives."

And as they say, a picture is worth 1000 words. Quite the dilemma for Obama.

[Born_A_Truman]

5. That's exactly Obama's fear

That it will cause a huge backlash (worse than it is now) against our troops.

I don't pretend to know the answer here. I think Obama's concern is for the troops. I believe that. It's a dilemma I wouldn't want, but he is the CIC and has to make these decisions.

MSNBC.com's breaking news headline says "Obama to block" however the actual story says "Obama wants to delay".

I'll ask my husband when he gets home what he feels. He's also ex-military and ex-GOP.

[renate]

7. knowing is different from seeing pictures

I don't think President Obama is doing this to sweep anything under the rug--we already know that unspeakably terrible, hideous, depraved things happened. But releasing those photos, which would affect people so much more viscerally than just hearing the facts, could cause troops to get shot or provoke a terrorist attack. I can see why he's doing this. On the one hand, releasing the pictures is the right thing to do, but on the other, there's the very real risk to people's lives.

It's easy for me to sit on my butt, essentially out of any danger, and say that the truth should be revealed; but if I had a kid in Iraq, or even if I lived in New York or DC, I would be very relieved by this news.

[islandgirl808]

8. not exactly an easy decision that's for sure

lots of gray matter that needs to be filtered.

it's a shame that many americans (myself included) were/are blind to what happened. i honestly don't know if i would want those pics available right now...

[Robb]

9. I think it's a moot point

I mean, in this day and age (wow, that made me sound old) there's no way they won't get out. Just none.

So there must be political currency to be gained by objecting to their release. :shrug: