Obama: Torture photos "are not particularly sensational" compared to images from Abu Ghraib

[bigtree]

Now I really don't understand the decision to withhold them. We survived the release of the Abu Ghraib images, we should be able to weather the release of photos which "are not particularly sensational."


President Obama remarks on detainee photographs today:

Now, let me also say a few words about an issue that I know you asked Robert Gibbs about quite a bit today, and that's my decision to argue against the release of additional detainee photos. Understand, these photos are associated with closed investigations of the alleged abuse of detainees in our ongoing war effort.

And I want to emphasize that these photos that were requested in this case are not particularly sensational, especially when compared to the painful images that we remember from Abu Ghraib, but they do represent conduct that did not conform with the Army Manual.

That's precisely why they were investigated -- and, I might add, investigated long before I took office -- and, where appropriate, sanctions have been applied.

In other words, this is not a situation in which the Pentagon has concealed or sought to justify inappropriate action. Rather, it has gone through the appropriate and regular processes. And the individuals who were involved have been identified, and appropriate actions have been taken.

It's therefore my belief that the publication of these photos would not add any additional benefit to our understanding of what was carried out in the past by a small number of individuals. In fact, the most direct consequence of releasing them, I believe, would be to further inflame anti-American opinion and to put our troops in greater danger.

Moreover, I fear the publication of these photos may only have a chilling effect on future investigations of detainee abuse. And obviously the thing that is most important in my mind is making sure that we are abiding by the Army Manual and that we are swiftly investigating any instances in which individuals have not acted appropriately, and that they are appropriately sanctioned. That's my aim and I do not believe that the release of these photos at this time would further that goal.

Now, let me be clear: I am concerned about how the release of these photos would be -- would impact on the safety of our troops.

I have made it very clear to all who are within the chain of command, however, of the United States Armed Forces that the abuse of detainees in our custody is prohibited and will not be tolerated. I have repeated that since I've been in office, Secretary Gates understands that, Admiral Mullen understands that, and that has been communicated across the chain of command.

Any abuse of detainees is unacceptable. It is against our values. It endangers our security. It will not be tolerated. All right. Thank you very much, everybody.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Statement-by-the-President-on-the-Situation-in-Sri-Lanka-and-Detainee-Photographs/

[Robbien]

1. If they are not sensational then why are you hiding them?

Protecting torturers is against our values and laws, but you have no plans on prosecuting the criminals and are hiding the evidence that the torture existed.

Pretty words don't make up for the fact that torturers are roaming around free and going on Larry King to spit in the face of the American public.

Investigated my ass.

[DJ13]

2. That argument only undermines his decision not to release them

[bigtree]

10. I agree, several of his points

. . . so clumsily wrong on his reasoning that there will be a flurry of rebuttals.

[leftstreet]

3. I wonder what he means by this:

"Moreover, I fear the publication of these photos may only have a chilling effect on future investigations of detainee abuse."

Chilling how?

:shrug:

[MADem]

13. The people who were abused may be unwilling to testify if they have to

relive the experience all over again, in their own countries, and see images of themselves used as illustrations for a news story, or for agitprop purposes.

Culturally, the release now, many years after the fact, is not likely to go over well. These people--the victims in all this-- have taken their cash settlements and moved on. Many of them haven't even told their families the full details of what happened to them, and they have no intention of doing so if they can help it.

They likely do not want to relive the incidents, and they don't want to see their naked bodies splashed across posters and websites for puposes ranging from lurid amusement to prosecuting political points.

Most of the people in these pictures aren't dead. There are a few autopsy photos but the bulk of the pictures are very much like the ones at Abu Ghraib, per the Pentagon spokesman.

[Rex]

4. They must be horrible beyond comprehension.

nt

[ecstatic]

6. In other words, Obama is a lying liar?

:shrug: :eyes:

[Rex]

8. Possibly, he doesn't want to fuel the fire with the Evil Doers.

So it must be bad.

[madfloridian]

5. Here's the Abu Ghraib photos from Salon.

http://www.salon.com/news/abu_ghraib/2006/03/14/chapter_10/index.html

Also videos from Charles Graner.

[TacticalPeek]

7. Whack.

1984 we hardly knew ye.

[magellan]

9. So...Obama doesn't think torture was systemic or came from the top

The "few bad apples" have been dealt with, move along, nothing to see here.

I thought we voted for change?

[Rex]

11. Naw he knows by now that it all came from the top.

The question is how to proceed. Do you try the former president over a war you are still kneedeep in?

[magellan]

12. Sounds to me like he's decided how to proceed

Though to be fair, he didn't sound any different before he was elected. He just sounds more certain now.

[Fumesucker]

14. It's not what is being done in the pictures so much..

As it is who is doing it.

And who they are doing it to.

That is my suspicion, anyway.

[bigtree]

15. the president says the perps have already been dealt with

I do have a suspicion he thinks the pics will force him to support prosecutions or look like he's obstructing. I agree that there's something in the photos that he doesn't want the American people to see, whether it's the extent of the torture program or the severity or consequences to specific individuals, as you said.

[lumberjack_jeff]

16. Cover up. Unacceptable.

Twisted logic like this indicates only one thing. Bullshit.

Based on this one statement, I've changed my mind. Suppressing the photos is unacceptable. People need to see it, a country in which half of the people think torture is okay needs a catharsis.