We can debate whether releasing the new abuse/torture photos would be a good thing or a bad thing. Personally I believe they SHOULD be released. But I can (sorta) understand the argument that releasing them at this time wouldn't accomplish much beyond making much of the world even more angry at us. Again, I don't agree with that point of view, but it's not totally outrageous.
On the other hand, there was something said today that I think IS outrageous...
Actually, there were two separate statements. One was from press secretary Robert Gibbs:
The photos would not enhance understanding of the prior investigations of detainee abuse and represented "a sensationalistic portion of that investigation," Gibbs said.
"These are all investigations that were undertaken by the Pentagon and have been concluded,' he said.
The other was from an as-yet unnamed "administration official":
The move did not mean Obama condoned the abuse of detainees during the previous administration, officials said.
Obama "would be the last to excuse the actions depicted in these photos. That is why the Department of Defense investigated these cases, and why individuals have been punished through prison sentences, discharges, and a range of other punitive measures," a senior administration official said earlier.
http://www.google.com/...
So, Robert, the pics are just "sensationalistic", and besides, the investigations "have been concluded". Right? And Mr/Ms Senior Administration Official, the individuals responsible for all this "have been punished". Huh?
Well, I know it's not considered politically correct to make this comparision, but in this case I think it's justified:
You, Robert Gibbs, and you, Mr/Ms Senior Administration Official sound exactly like George W. Bush and Dick Cheney! "This was just a few bad apples." And if you, President Obama, agree with the statements of Gibbs and the "Official", then yes YOU sound exactly like George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.
And if Obama really believes this -- that these pics only demonstrate the crimes of people who've "already been punished" -- then, by definition, it virtually guarantees that he does NOT want to see anyone else punished. The higher-ups in the intel agencies that told Lindy England, Charles Graner, and the other idiots to do what they did? Nope. The ones who wrote the memos justifying these and other atrocities? Nope. The ones who actually ORDERED torture to be used? Nope.
Let's just move on.
I'm still trying VERY hard to give Barack Obama the benefit of the doubt. I'm willing to listen when he says releasing the photos will do more harm than good. But these statements re. people already being punished for what is shown in the pics are just sickening. Or, maybe I should do as Rachel sometimes does... I'll ask for someone to "talk me down". Maybe I'm just missing something here. Maybe Barack is playing some more of his 3D Chess.
But if not, this is a VERY bad sign for anyone who wants to see justice done. I'm still not 100% sure where Obama is headed with all this, but I'll say one more thing:
Mr. President, when it comes to investigations into Bush/Cheney for torture and their other crimes, you're either with US or you're with the war criminals.