Obama slaps the left in the face (detainee photo release)

[USFREEDOM911]

SHUT UP! You should really try engaging your fried remnants of a brain before opening your mouth. The photos in question are nothing more then additions to what have ALREADY been made public. They would serve NO other purpose other than to inflame. Obama gets that, but stupid jaw flapping idiots just can't seem to connect the obvious dots.

By their reasoning, we should show pictures of the victim(s) and the results of rape; because the outrage over such behavior, would result in it never happening.

[Panda Hugger]

So, Obama has proven that he is an ally of the forces of evil against the march of good. Hopefully we defeat him in the primary next time and put a real American who loves freedom in the presidency, then ban the fringe hate group known as the "Republican party", and execute the forces of evil.

[Taichiliberal]

Not good, not good. If you campaign on full disclosure, you damn sure better live up to it...otherwise it will cost you and your constituency in coming elections.

More to come, I'm sure.

[Canceled2]

By their reasoning, we should show pictures of the victim(s) and the results of rape; because the outrage over such behavior, would result in it never happening.

Obama was all for releasing the photos when he could have another drag out Cheney/Bush moment to get the eyes off his failing economic recovery catastrophy. I am glad the Pentagon managed to provide him with a reality check of the disregard for human life he was playing with.

Obama is SUCH a political animal and so NOT presidential material!

[Cancel5]

Not everyone has been prosecuted, my dear, Rummy is still running around free is he?

What is being hid, where did this order originate, who are the higher ups in the government that haven't been prosecuted. Most we let a foreign nation kidnap our officials, as Israel did the Nazi criminals in order to get them tried in a court of law?

[Cancel5]

Well, I think he screwed up on this one.

If Cheney isn't ashamed of our torture methods and the Obama administration is going to leave the option on the table, and if you want it as an option for the President in the future, then we need to get educated on these methods. We need to see what the government is doing in our names. All of it.

If the USA can not face up to her sins and the courts say the pictures must be released, well, here we go again, ignoring the law. Why have laws of this nature if they can just be ignored? Is the President higher than the rule of law? I don't think so.

I agree with apple, torture must go away. The USA must face up to the rest of the world for what we have done. We need to go to the source of the torture order and those persons need to be prosecuted, maybe this would calm the Muslim world, to see some real justice administered and not just the lowly peons who carried out the orders.
This matter has not been settled.

I do not want soldiers to die, but they are dying for a lie anyway right now. The whole war was based on lies...the conservatives were not worried about soldiers dying then, why are they so concerned now?

[Cancel5]

Another reason to be sure.

[SR_]

Well, I think he screwed up on this one.

If Cheney isn't ashamed of our torture methods and the Obama administration is going to leave the option on the table, and if you want it as an option for the President in the future, then we need to get educated on these methods. We need to see what the government is doing in our names. All of it.

what do these photos have to do with cheney?

If the USA can not face up to her sins and the courts say the pictures must be released, well, here we go again, ignoring the law. Why have laws of this nature if they can just be ignored? Is the President higher than the rule of law? I don't think so.

What makes you think we cant face up to our sins? No one is ignoring the law the administration is following legal protocol to try and stop the release. He isnt "dictating" presidential fiat here, he's directed his legal staff to take the necessary steps to legally fight the release. Seriously froggie, do you not ever attempt to learn any facts before you reply to posts?

The United States previously owned up to the Abu Grahib scandal several years ago. Investigations were made. People were prosecuted. Policy's were changed. Its like you forget that this entire issue has been addressed and these photos are from THAT era, not last week. All of these photos are years old.

I agree with apple, torture must go away. The USA must face up to the rest of the world for what we have done. We need to go to the source of the torture order and those persons need to be prosecuted, maybe this would calm the Muslim world, to see some real justice administered and not just the lowly peons who carried out the orders.
This matter has not been settled.

This isnt about torture orders. This is about detainee abuse, we're not talking about captured al queda leaders, we're talking about petty insurgents held in Iraq or captured insurgents from Afghanistan being photographed nude, or made to lay on each other, this is Abu Grahib type stuff, not from professional interrogators but junior enlisted military guards. And over 400 people have been prosecuted. Investigations occurred, and senior commanders were disciplined. This matter has been or is being settled as we speak. Why do you act like nothing has been done? That the last time these photos were released that no action was taken?

I do not want soldiers to die, but they are dying for a lie anyway right now. The whole war was based on lies...the conservatives were not worried about soldiers dying then, why are they so concerned now?

This is contradictory. Youre saying that conservatives dont care about soldiers dying, but you specifically say that you really dont care if MORE die because theyre dying anyway? How can you logically write something so illogical in nature and in meaning? Why would you support an action like releasing these photos that will have no effect but to ignite a calming fire, and put US Military personnel at more risk? You would think that you would desire calm and progress so that we can LEAVE these nations?

SR

[blackascoal]

While I am not arguing for them to be held back... In the interest of logical debate: The same argument could be made in the other direction. If the world "already knows" then nothing can be gained through their release other than emotive response to graphic depictions that were otherwise only known mentally.

The appearence of honest contrition and remorse for these barbaric actions is to be gained.

The appearance of consistency in Obama's approach is to be gained.

The trust of a world we are increasingly dependant on is to be gained.

The evidence that these barbaric actions were not the result of a "few bad apples" is to be gained.

[blackascoal]

That's retarded, that's like say just because a fire is already lit, it's fine to throw gasoline on it.

Torturing people is retarded .. as is anyone who would support such foolish action.

[christiefan915]

Well, I think he screwed up on this one.

If Cheney isn't ashamed of our torture methods and the Obama administration is going to leave the option on the table, and if you want it as an option for the President in the future, then we need to get educated on these methods. We need to see what the government is doing in our names. All of it.

If the USA can not face up to her sins and the courts say the pictures must be released, well, here we go again, ignoring the law. Why have laws of this nature if they can just be ignored? Is the President higher than the rule of law? I don't think so.

I agree with apple, torture must go away. The USA must face up to the rest of the world for what we have done. We need to go to the source of the torture order and those persons need to be prosecuted, maybe this would calm the Muslim world, to see some real justice administered and not just the lowly peons who carried out the orders.
This matter has not been settled.

I do not want soldiers to die, but they are dying for a lie anyway right now. The whole war was based on lies...the conservatives were not worried about soldiers dying then, why are they so concerned now?

Excellent response, froggie. I disagree with Obama on this, also.

The whole torture business is like a boil that needs to be lanced. Leaking out a little bit of the poison here and there isn't going to cure the infection, it'll prolong it. Obama has to get straight with the American people while at the same time condemning the actions in the strongest possible terms, to show the Muslim world that what happened at Abu Ghraib is never going to be practiced or tolerated again. Obama's been working hard to restore our reputation around the world and I credit him for it. This isn't the time to fall back on specious arguments because he's having second thoughts.

[DamnYankee]

Torturing people is retarded .. as is anyone who would support such foolish action.

Calling enhanced interrogation torture is retarded. Publishing our techniques to the world is retarded. Outing guys that developed these techniques is retarded.

[blackascoal]

Calling enhanced interrogation torture is retarded. Publishing our techniques to the world is retarded. Outing guys that developed these techniques is retarded.

Your argument is so ridiculously ignorant it doesn't require comment beyond calling it ridiculously ignorant.

Feel free to wallow in the torture ain't torture argument all you choose.

[DamnYankee]

Your argument is so ridiculously ignorant it doesn't require comment beyond calling it ridiculously ignorant.

Feel free to wallow in the torture ain't torture argument all you choose.

My argument is the same as yours, that something that you don't agree with is retarded. Mine just happens to be correct.

[christiefan915]

what do these photos have to do with cheney?

What makes you think we cant face up to our sins? No one is ignoring the law the administration is following legal protocol to try and stop the release. He isnt "dictating" presidential fiat here, he's directed his legal staff to take the necessary steps to legally fight the release. Seriously froggie, do you not ever attempt to learn any facts before you reply to posts?

The United States previously owned up to the Abu Grahib scandal several years ago. Investigations were made. People were prosecuted. Policy's were changed. Its like you forget that this entire issue has been addressed and these photos are from THAT era, not last week. All of these photos are years old.

This isnt about torture orders. This is about detainee abuse, we're not talking about captured al queda leaders, we're talking about petty insurgents held in Iraq or captured insurgents from Afghanistan being photographed nude, or made to lay on each other, this is Abu Grahib type stuff, not from professional interrogators but junior enlisted military guards.

And over 400 people have been prosecuted. Investigations occurred, and senior commanders were disciplined. This matter has been or is being settled as we speak. Why do you act like nothing has been done? That the last time these photos were released that no action was taken?

This is contradictory. Youre saying that conservatives dont care about soldiers dying, but you specifically say that you really dont care if MORE die because theyre dying anyway? How can you logically write something so illogical in nature and in meaning? Why would you support an action like releasing these photos that will have no effect but to ignite a calming fire, and put US Military personnel at more risk? You would think that you would desire calm and progress so that we can LEAVE these nations?

SR

1. For one thing, cheney doesn't think that what happened at AG is torture and he's been making his opinion known all over the media.

2. The law was ignored by the previous administration. What happened at AG wasn't due to a handful of rogue GI's, it was policy approved at the highest level. These people are still enjoying their freedom while the Obama administration is left with trying to mop up the mess they left behind. Personally, I don't think Obama's legal arguments against releasing the photos hold much water but time will tell.

3. The US previously owned up to the AG scandal because the original photos were leaked, an investigative report was published and we had no choice. bush's WH didn't release the photos and then condemn the actions; it was public outcry that made that administration come clean.

4. Nude photos, snarling dogs, pretend electrocution isn't fraternity hazing. There was real physical and psychological torture occurring. Men were killed at AG. There were no trials or opportunity for defense. We've seen the "thumbs-up" pictures of a grinning charlie graner and lynndie england with the bodies. It was ugly then, it's ugly now and everything needs to be brought into the open and condemned by the Obama administration in the strongest possible terms.

5. Americans need to be reminded that these kinds of actions cannot be done in our name. Most of those investigated and prosecuted over AG got off with a slap on the wrist. How do you think that went over in the Muslim world? Obama needs to make public as much as possible, and repeat forcefully that the rough cowboy justice of bush's administration will never be tolerated again.

6. Nobody can say for sure if more soldiers will die. That's supposition. It's not about simply releasing the photos, it's about the Obama's administration taking a step back from previous practices, condemning the actions and reassuring both Americans and the Muslim world that a travestylike this will never happen again.