This time, not releasing the photos is not about covering up.

[TheWraith]

It used to be, because the American public seeing the photos decreased support for the war. But in this case, it has nothing to do with us. It's about not wanting to reignite the anti-American violence in Iraq at a time when we're trying to withdraw without casualties.

Watch for the Obama administration to try and tie things up until next summer, then suddenly drop their objections once the main combat forces are out.

[Turbineguy]

1. Maybe Hollywood

lobbied to prevent the photos from being released. When it comes to gratuitous violence they don't need the competition.

[KittyWampus]

4. Funny, usually DU'ers pound home the point that movies, tv & video games are FICTION

and thus irrelevant to anything in real life.

[fasttense]

2. Obama is just covering for Cheney and our American Oligarchy.

If Americans are now all comfy with torture then why aren't these imaginary reignite anti-American? I mean we Americans know that our military tortured prisoners, don't you think the Iraqis know? Why would the pictures be any harder on them then the marks and scars?

[seabeyond]

3. no. hiding a reality that we already know is a reality is not the right move

for any reason.

those photos are needed to show as a whole we validated torture. with the word waterboarding alone too many in this nation says it is not torture. with just the handful of pictures are people invoilved they say it is the few bad apples and it is not. it was orders sent down. it has to be addressed as part of u.s. history and have ownership for it. just like all the other dishonest and criminal behavior with bushco. if not, it validates the behavior and sets precedent for behavior. it has to be addressed.

even when there are repercussions for our bad behaviors

[KittyWampus]

6. Please, those photos are needed by you to shove America's face in it. That's the real objective.

[seabeyond]

7. please, bullshit. we are a nation and a people that no longer take responsiblity

for our actions, we dont own our behavior, we dont suffer the repercussions and it is damaging as a whole, not that i think you will think outside of the box with your snarky one liner

[KittyWampus]

11. and somehow showing the photographs= taking responsibility? That's absurd.

The main group who needs to be held accountable and take responsibility is Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld etc.

And my comment wasn't snark.

It's a direct observation on the motivation behind the fuss to release photos of torture that happened under Bush/Cheney.

[seabeyond]

16. your direct observation is wrong. people dont see it, people dont believe it

have you been a part of all this the last 8 yrs and the denial and refusal to admit any kind of truth that goes against ones belief.

yes

those photos are need for us as a nation

in order for the "main" group to take responsibility will be a demand from the people

[atreides1]

5. Riiiight

Would that be the main combat forces that the current command in theater will re designate as support forces?

Not releasing the photos is just as bad, considering that they probably show people who were held at Abu Ghraib prison who survived the torture and abuse, and have been waiting years for the proof that they need to seek redress against their torturers!

Besides, the American people need a dose of reality to show that those in uniform are not always the heroes that they are made out to be. We Americans like to point the finger at the other guy, but for some reason refuse to accept the fact that we put people in uniform who are just as evil as those that we fight against.

[Junkdrawer]

8. Releasing the pictures will turn the background noise demand for torture prosecutions...

into a deafening din.

As Obama does NOT want to prosecute torturers, he does not want the pictures released.

It's that simple.

[whatchamacallit]

20. Spot on. n/t

[Hepburn]

23. +1...n/t

[placton]

9. sigh

I get so tired of posters "imagining" Obama's "really good reasons" for breaking promise after promise.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mmonk]

10. Deliberately blocking all attempts at truth and justice in court

is not about cover up? Put down the kool aid.

[Bluerthanblue]

... dupe.....n/t

[Bluerthanblue]

13. well, you aren't going to get much support with this

but I'm glad to rec. your OP and thank you for speaking out against the mass of righteous indignation.

:hi:

I agree with you, and share your expectations.

[Oregone]

14. Support the Troops!! Its about National Security!!

So was warrant-less wiretapping and other patriot act shit, and two wars, and all sorts of egregious abuse

National Security is such a cool excuse!

I mean, seriously...if this debacle happened under Bush's last month, DU would be ramped to full speed with anger and outrage.

[Luminous Animal]

15. Troops will still be in Afghanistan.

Your argument is baseless.

[Matariki]

17. OR - we could do the responsible thing and PROSECUTE those who broke international law

That's always an option. One that would HELP our standing in Iraq and abroad.

[jeff30997]

21. I totally agree.

:thumbsup:

[Matariki]

27. See, my fellow citizens? The Canadians agree!

[madokie]

18. I have to agree with you

Presonally I don't want to see them as I've seen way too much violence and war for me to last a life time, so I don't want to and won't see them. We know what went on, we know enough to start investigations that would lead to court for many of the perpertrators and perticepants and once in court my bet is there will be many convictions. That to me is where I will focus my efforts not on showing the world the pictures none of us need to see except the judge and jurors... If I was in uniform right now i would be pissed at anyone who wanted to show them knowing full well that it would be putting a big assed target on my back if I was captured alive. So, no, I don't want to see the pictures, ever. sorry

[jeff30997]

19. The Iraqi peoples already hated the U.S and all...

the others who invaded their country when they realized that it was better under Saddam.And seriously

would you love a foreign army occupying the U.S ? These pictures will not increase their hatred.Getting

the criminals who turned Iraq into hell behind bars would certainly decrease that tension.

[whatchamacallit]

24. I know, it's not like we haven't already given them ample reason to hate us for a thousand years.

:shrug:

[Orsino]

22. That's the excuse, all right.

When the release of the photos conflicts with keeping the troops at war, we naturally decide...not to release the photos.

Because keeping the troops at war is of paramount importance, and does so much to improve the world's opinion of us. It's cheap, too.

[lumberjack_jeff]

25. Barack loves me, this I know! For The DU tells me so!

Sing along, everyone!

Blind faith is fun!

[Love Bug]

26. I'd rather the photos be used as evidence in criminal prosecutions