Judge Orders Release of Abu Ghraib Photos

[flyingtiger1013]

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0905/264427.html

NEW YORK (AP) - Pictures of detainee abuse at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison must be released despite government claims that they could damage America's image, a judge ruled Thursday.U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein ordered the release of certain pictures, saying terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan have proven they "do not need pretexts for their barbarism."

The American Civil Liberties Union sought the release of 87 photographs and four videotapes as part of an October 2003 lawsuit demanding information on the treatment of detainees in U.S. custody and the transfer of prisoners to countries known to use torture. The ACLU contends that prisoner abuse is systemic.

"Our nation does not surrender to blackmail, and fear of blackmail is not a legally sufficient argument to prevent us from performing a statutory command," the judge wrote in his 50-page decision. "Indeed, the freedoms that we champion are as important to our success in Iraq and Afghanistan as the guns and missiles with which our troops are armed."

[chomerics]

As much as I hate to see them, this is a good thing. You need to have a transparent government, and we do not right now. Hopefully this will start to fix some of the problems STILL going on right now.

As for the "bad publicity" aspect, and how this will hurt the war, well there is a simple solution. Don't do it, and you don't have to worry about the reprucussions.

[Ignatius J.]

Image? Now the government wants to talk about image? That's too funny.

[stevenaa]

"As for the "bad publicity" aspect, and how this will hurt the war, well there is a simple solution. Don't do it, and you don't have to worry about the reprucussions."

Right. So, now that it's done, let's abandon all common sense. No one questions the disgusting nature of the images. Why is it important that anyone see them. The only people to profit are the liberals for the propaganda value. Unfortunately, they are so blinded by their push to reclaim power, they don't even care if the pictures incite violence that results in the death of more American Soldiers. You people disgust me.

[RabidFan]

The old "its over and done with and we can't do anything about it now" defense....where were you when Clinton was being impeached??

[DarkLadyRaven]

As much as I hate to see them, this is a good thing. You need to have a transparent government, and we do not right now. Hopefully this will start to fix some of the problems STILL going on right now.

As for the "bad publicity" aspect, and how this will hurt the war, well there is a simple solution. Don't do it, and you don't have to worry about the reprucussions.

Im with your Chrom- as a tax paying citizen I feel I have the right to see what they are doing with my money. Not only the good but the bad- those digital cameras and the soliders pay where not free IMO

[Predicto]

Right. So, now that it's done, let's abandon all common sense. No one questions the disgusting nature of the images. Why is it important that anyone see them. The only people to profit are the liberals for the propaganda value. Unfortunately, they are so blinded by their push to reclaim power, they don't even care if the pictures incite violence that results in the death of more American Soldiers. You people disgust me.

And you disgust us. Nya nya nya.

[jamiroguy1]

i'm curious to see them.

[Joe Sick]

Sunshine is the best antiseptic

People who are against these being released were the ones that supported torture in the first place. You get to see the fruits of your labor!

[flyingtiger1013]

I don't know why the "victims" were in prison in the first place, but if they got caught planting IED's then I have no problem with "torturing" them.

[Predicto]

I don't why the "victims" were in prison in the first place, but if they got caught planting IED's then I have no problem with "torturing" them.

We don't have to tell you who they are. We don't have to tell you why they were put there. We don't have to show you what we did to them. We are the Government and we are at War.

Why do you hate freedom?

[Destino]

For the people by the people. No where did the founding fathers say "the people only have a right to see what the government decides is ok"....the chinese however completely agree with that idea.

This is AMERICA the government serves the people here doesn't it?