Revolution #165, May 24, 2009
Behind the Logic of Censoring the Photos…
In justifying his decision to block the release of the 2000 plus photos of U.S. torture…
Obama says that releasing the 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, we will learn plenty of new things, including that these policies of torture happened at many more places beyond Abu Ghraib and Guantánamo, and that the ways in which prisoners were treated were even worse than have been admitted. We will all get a better sense of how systemic this was, the role it played, and the damage to people that it caused. Note that Human Rights First has documented at least 98 deaths of prisoners in U.S. custody, many of them labeled as homicides by army medical examiners; some of this may be further documented in these photos.
Obama says that “[T]he individuals who were involved have been identified and appropriate actions have been taken.”
Really? Literally thousands tortured. Following instructions that came from the White House. And there is only one of these torturers serving time. “Appropriate actions?” Only if by “appropriate” what is meant is appropriate to cover up and provide a stamp of approval for what went on.
Obama says “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.”
Gee, well maybe they should have thought of that before they did it! Or maybe the logic should be fully followed, and the government should not allow anyone to publish photos or even news accounts of “incidents” like last week’s massacre of over 100 Afghani civilians by American bombers (initially denied by the U.S. but then exposed by those pesky photos). After all, that stirs up hatred. And let’s not allow pictures of Israeli troops burning children in Gaza with U.S.-supplied white phosphorus bombs (used in a way illegal under the Geneva Conventions). After all, that might rile people up too. In fact, let’s not allow any news at all—because it seems that everything America does is likely to stir up hatred.
Or maybe, Americans should just stop acting like and protecting criminals. Of course, criminals very rarely stop unless their crimes are exposed and resisted. And after all, this is the “responsibility” president, right? If a young Black man on the streets of an inner city, who has never had an opportunity to get a decent education, a job, or any kind of a life is driven to a life of crime, than according to Obama, he has to take responsibility for his actions. But on the other hand, we are told that when it comes to those who ordered horrendous and grotesque war crimes and their willing flunkies, it’s time for “reflection” and “not retribution.”
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