Although it looks more like a greasy pole from where I stand.
Obama's decision not to release the torture pictures has, I'm sorry to say, not really surprised me. It's the logical continuation of the earlier announcement to "look forward", not back (i.e. let's all just move on and not talk about those skeletons in the closet) and the potentially disastrous decision to appoint Stanley McChrystal as commander to Afghanistan. Not even six months into the new future, into Hope, and we're turning back to where we came from on the torture issue.
Yes, there are arguments to be made in favor of the decision. Some say it's going to ignite more Anti-American sentiments, that it casts a bad light on the troops. There is even the rather funny argument that abolishing torture would draw more recruits to Al-Quaida, since they will not have to expect any worse repercussions than a cushy cell.
I find all these argument ludicrous. The photos won't ignite Anti-American sentiments, it's the act of torture that does. The bad light that is cast on the troops is not the fault of those who are pointing fingers, it's the fault of those who committed those crimes. It's like you have this perverse uncle who constantly molests children and you just won't say anything because after all, he's family. All the while he goes around distroying the lifes of young women and men. Just squeezing your eyes shut won't help anybody.
I'm sure I don't want to see the photos. I don't really understand why we must see them as they are likely to depict cruel and sadistic practices that I'd rather not want to know about. I'd rather not have nightmares. If they were to be published, I would not look at them. But they are evidence - and since when is evidence harmful for the prosecution?
I see this decision as another step into the wrong direction, right down that slippery slope. More excuses, more exceptions. I've said before that the prohibition and prosection of torture has to be absolute. There cannot be any excuse. Not only has torture proven to be ineffective - the whole debate whether or not torture has saved American (!) lifes is already acknowledging torture as an instrument. There should be no debate about this issue. There should be a nationwide outcry against torture, and it's long overdue.
The fact that there isn't a public outrage is very chilling.
It's time to sign up for the ACLU. Yes, I mean you. And you. Do it now, it the least you can do.
Obama started slipping early than this. He's continued the warrantless wiretapping and telecom amnesty policies of Shrubbish as well. He did that almost immediately.
It didn't bode well. This is just a continuation.
Now let's start talking about climate change too. *sighs*
Posted by: Will Baird | May 14, 2009 at 04:52 PM