[CitizensTruth] "Behind the Logic of Censoring the Photos..."

[Jay Becker]

Join World Can't Wait & 8th Day Center for Justice at 6 pm on Thursday, May 28, to protest Karl Rove's appearance at the Chicago Theater ( 175 N. State St., Chicago) that evening. "Torture is a War Crime! Prosecute!"
Jay

http://www.revcom.us/a/165/torture_logic-en.html

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.”

      
      
Send us your comments.



    Stop thinking like an American, 
Start thinking about humanity!



      
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