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ZOT! Pentagon Blocks Release of Abu Ghraib Images: Here's Why
Editor & Publisher ^ | July 23, 2005 | Greg Mitchell

Posted on 07/23/2005 6:59:19 PM PDT by greatglory

NEW YORK So what is shown on the 87 photographs and four videos from Abu Ghraib prison that the Pentagon, in an eleventh hour move, blocked from release this weekend? One clue: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told Congress last year, after viewing a large cache of unreleased images: "I mean, I looked at them last night, and they're hard to believe.” They show acts "that can only be described as blatantly sadistic, cruel and inhumane," he added.

A Republican Senator suggested the same day they contained scenes of “rape and murder.” No wonder Rumsfeld commented then, "If these are released to the public, obviously it's going to make matters worse."

Yesterday, news emerged that lawyers for the Pentagon had refused to cooperate with a federal judge's order to release dozens of unseen photographs and videos from Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq by Saturday. The photos were among thousands turned over by the key “whistleblower” in the scandal, Specialist Joseph M. Darby. Just a few that were released to the press sparked the Abu Ghraib abuse scandal last year, and the video images are said to be even more shocking.

The Pentagon lawyers said in a letter sent to the federal court in Manhattan that they would file a sealed brief explaining their reasons for not turning over the material. They had been ordered to do so by a federal judge in response to a FOIA lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU accused the government Friday of putting another legal roadblock in the way of its bid to allow the public to see the images of the prisoner abuse scandal.

One Pentagon lawyer has argued that they should not be released because they would only add to the humiliation of the prisoners. But the ACLU has said the faces of the victims can easily be "redacted."

To get a sense of what may be shown in these images, one has to go back to press reports from when the Abu Ghraib abuse scandal was still front page news.

This is how CNN reported it on May 8, 2004, in a typical account that day:

“U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld revealed Friday that videos and ‘a lot more pictures’ exist of the abuse of Iraqis held at Abu Ghraib prison.

"’If these are released to the public, obviously it's going to make matters worse,’ Rumsfeld told the Senate Armed Services Committee. ‘I mean, I looked at them last night, and they're hard to believe.’

“The embattled defense secretary fielded sharp and skeptical questions from lawmakers as he testified about the growing prisoner abuse scandal. A military report about that abuse describes detainees being threatened, sodomized with a chemical light and forced into sexually humiliating poses.

“Charges have been brought against seven service members, and investigations into events at the prison continue.

“Military investigators have looked into -- or are continuing to investigate -- 35 cases of alleged abuse or deaths of prisoners in detention facilities in the Central Command theater, according to Army Secretary Les Brownlee. Two of those cases were deemed homicides, he said.

"’The American public needs to understand we're talking about rape and murder here. We're not just talking about giving people a humiliating experience,’ Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina told reporters after Rumsfeld testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee. ’We're talking about rape and murder -- and some very serious charges.’

“A report by Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba on the abuse at the prison outside Baghdad says videotapes and photographs show naked detainees, and that groups of men were forced to masturbate while being photographed and videotaped. Taguba also found evidence of a ‘male MP guard having sex with a female detainee.’

“Rumsfeld told Congress the unrevealed photos and videos contain acts 'that can only be described as blatantly sadistic, cruel and inhuman.’”

The military later screened some of the images for lawmakers, who said they showed, among other things, attack dogs snarling at cowed prisoners, Iraqi women forced to expose their breasts, and naked prisoners forced to have sex with each other.

In the same period, reporter Seymour Hersh, who helped uncover the scandal, said in a speech before an ACLU convention: “Some of the worse that happened that you don't know about, ok? Videos, there are women there. Some of you may have read they were passing letters, communications out to their men….The women were passing messages saying ‘Please come and kill me, because of what's happened.’

“Basically what happened is that those women who were arrested with young boys/children in cases that have been recorded. The boys were sodomized with the cameras rolling. The worst about all of them is the soundtrack of the boys shrieking that your government has. They are in total terror it's going to come out.”


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: abughraib; abuse; dod; iraq; zawt
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To: Jim Robinson; greatglory; Neets; Darksheare; scott0347; timpad; Conspiracy Guy; NYC GOP Chick; ...
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121 posted on 07/24/2005 6:23:53 PM PDT by Delta 21 (Its only funny till someone gets hurt, Then its HILARIOUS.)
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To: greatglory

"Why should I be booted regardless.."

Umm.. because you're a TROLL?


122 posted on 07/24/2005 6:26:11 PM PDT by Darksheare (Hey troll, Sith happens.)
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To: Delta 21

Dang...too late again...:o[


123 posted on 07/24/2005 6:27:59 PM PDT by Monkey Face (Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.)
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To: Darksheare

Er..am I? Too late, I mean?


124 posted on 07/24/2005 6:28:42 PM PDT by Monkey Face (Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.)
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To: greatglory

LOL....abu ghraib is childs play compared to what we should be doing to these POS'


125 posted on 07/24/2005 6:29:43 PM PDT by Stellar Dendrite (islamofascism, like socialism must be eradicated from the face of this earth)
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To: greatglory
Every single troll is an ENEMY OF THE REPUBLIC!


126 posted on 07/24/2005 6:31:44 PM PDT by Paul_Denton (Get the U.N. out of the U.S. and U.S. out of the U.N.!)
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To: Monkey Face

I was late to this myself.
*sigh*
This one was massively lame.


127 posted on 07/24/2005 6:34:56 PM PDT by Darksheare (Hey troll, Sith happens.)
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To: Delta 21
That picture rocks.
128 posted on 07/24/2005 6:38:42 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (Warning: May bite)
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To: Delta 21

Correctly stuned beebers are hugh and series!!


129 posted on 07/24/2005 7:02:05 PM PDT by international american (Tagline now flameproof....purchased from "Conspiracy Guy Custom Taglines"LLC)
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To: Darksheare

I.Q. moron= 75

I.Q. here=66


130 posted on 07/24/2005 7:03:07 PM PDT by international american (Tagline now flameproof....purchased from "Conspiracy Guy Custom Taglines"LLC)
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To: international american

I think the troll was even lower than that..


131 posted on 07/24/2005 7:09:54 PM PDT by Darksheare (Hey troll, Sith happens.)
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To: Smartaleck

Smartaleck...


132 posted on 07/25/2005 9:31:06 AM PDT by Syncro
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To: TNdandelion
If they have video footage of our soldiers committing (or setting up) child rape...I'm gonna be one pissed off American.

I would advocate hanging in such a case.

133 posted on 07/25/2005 2:51:46 PM PDT by wingnutx (Seabees Can Do!)
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To: saquin
#3. Senator Graham's comments about "rape and murder" were made BEFORE he saw the photos and videos with the rest of Congress.

Thanks. I did not know that. I'd only heard moonbats bring this up at all, and it had really been bothering me.

134 posted on 07/25/2005 3:01:54 PM PDT by wingnutx (Seabees Can Do!)
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To: greatglory
Buh-bye, troll.


135 posted on 07/25/2005 3:15:55 PM PDT by reagan_fanatic ("We must be tolerant and understanding of those trying to blow us to pieces" - Ted Kennedy & Co.)
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To: greatglory

The ACLU should be shut down using RICO statutes.


136 posted on 07/25/2005 3:18:18 PM PDT by Cultural Jihad
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Comment #137 Removed by Moderator

To: Cultural Jihad

Couldn't agree more...


138 posted on 08/01/2005 3:10:43 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (US socialist liberalism would be dead without the help of politicians who claim to be conservative.)
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To: patriciamary

> This is ridiculous.I could care less what they do to the enemy.What ever is needed to get the information out of these animals <

Even sodomizing children (if the reports are true)?

However, I agree that none of this should see the light of day.


139 posted on 08/01/2005 3:17:54 AM PDT by jaime1959
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To: mleeci
I find this really interesting that you are going to use the word indiscriminately and then try to justify the rape of children.

Ahem, where did I justify the raping of children.  What I did was call the democrats and ACLU on what they are, fools.

Terrorists drive cars into crowds and blow them up.  That kills children.  That is worse than raping a child.  And yes, it is indescriminant in that innocents are targeted by choice.  It is a random act.

Regardless of who is trying to press the issue it needs to be looked into.

Do you think it won't be looked into.  Who said that it wouldn't be looked into?  What I said was that the democrats and the ACLU are fine ones to talk about human rights.

Niether sad a damned word about the raping, slaughtering and torturing of the Iraqi populace by Saddam Hussein.  Now all of a sudden they feel the need to check into abuses over there.  What a bunch of idiots.  If you wish to join them, as if you aren't one of them already, go ahead.


I have decided after reading some of the garb that I have read on this site that I'm going to register as a democrat. I would much rather be despised than to be disillusioned and self absorbed to the point that I'm willing to say that raping children is okay!

Well, if you agree with the democrats you should register as one.  I've got no problem with that.  I would like to think you're smarter than that, but hey, it's your call.

140 posted on 08/01/2005 3:21:25 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (US socialist liberalism would be dead without the help of politicians who claim to be conservative.)
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