Photos of Saddam in underwear prompt US military investigation

yahoo.com ^ | unknown

[beyond the sea]

LONDON (AFP) - A newspaper ran intimate photographs of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in US military custody, including one of him half-naked, prompting an investigation into possible human rights abuses.

Under the headline "Tyrant's in his pants," The Sun ran a front-page photo of a bare-chested Saddam standing in white underwear and holding an item of clothing as he appeared to be getting dressed, with an unpainted wooden door behind him.

In the accompanying article along with other intimate photographs of him, the newspaper quotes US military sources as saying they handed over the photos in the hope of dealing a body blow to the resistance in Iraq.

"Saddam is not superman or God, he is now just an ageing and humble old man. It's important that the people of Iraq see him like that to destroy the myth," the source was quoted as saying.

"Maybe that will kill a bit of the passion in the fanatics who still follow him," the source said. "It's over, guys. The evil days of Saddam's Baath Party are never coming back - and here's the proof."

[beyond the sea]

At least they weren't on his head.

[Socratic]

Why is his hair not grey? Is the military allowing him to dye his hair at the same time it wants to show him as an old, decrepit figure?

[Syberyenta]

This strikes me as childish, and the 'reason' from an 'un-named source' is just silly.

[Fresh Wind]

Photoshop?

[BillyCrockett]

But, but... won't that hurt his feelings? Isn't that torture? Oh my. I must call my Democratic senators and let them know how outraged I am. Oh my. ;)

[beyond the sea]

"There is an investigation," US Staff Sergeant Don Dees told AFP. "A policy prohibits us from exploitation of detainees and that policy is in place to preserve their dignity."

There could be more trouble here with world opinion. The timing of this is suspect, imo.

[beyond the sea]

I don't think so. Saddam is hangin' low.

[beyond the sea]

I must call my Democratic senators and let them know how outraged I am. Oh my.

Don't bother calling your Dem. representatives............ I hear this picture of Saddam on the 'Star' was taken right before his conjugal visit with Barney Frank.

;-)

[beyond the sea]

I hear this picture of Saddam in the 'Star' ----

Oops, ..... The 'Sun'.

[tkathy]

OMG, this will cause the entire world of Islam to riot and kill.

[Calpernia]

[Beth528]

The Sun is a British paper just like the American supermarket papers.You know like I had a 500 lb baby boy with a Alain..That kind of rag.

[cripplecreek]

You shouldn't make me post this stuff before coffee.

[beyond the sea]

"It's important that the people of Iraq see him like that to destroy the myth. Maybe that will kill a bit of the passion in the fanatics who still follow him.

"It's over, guys. The evil days of Saddam's Baath Party are never coming back - and here's the proof," the source said.

I really don't know if this is good thinking.

[Sabatier]

I seem to remember reading a story about Saddam putting a little girl into a woodchipper while her father was forced to watch. If this is true it means Saddam is not human, therefore he has no human rights.

[beyond the sea]

The SUN publishing this picture right after the NewsWeak deal is strange to me. This cannot be good.

[chainsaw]

Photohop - exactly what I thought too.

[beyond the sea]

I seem to remember reading a story about Saddam putting a little girl into a woodchipper while her father was forced to watch. If this is true it means Saddam is not human, therefore he has no human rights.

Good point....... but you know so many of the crazies over there are not going to see it that way. This was very unnecessary, imo.

[lillybet]

I think its quit clever, its not a good image of power etc., and who will want to look at it for long, and who will want to be reminded, Physiologically its an image of weakness..

[cripplecreek]

It's on the front page of the NY post as well.