Run time: 02:57 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n6tOMb4toE   Posted on YouTube: May 13, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: May 13, 2009 By DU Member: jefferson_dem Views on DU: 1916

 
President Obama’s Remarks on Detainee Photos

(excerpted from a statement by President Obama on the situation in Sri Lanka)

<*> OBAMA: Now, let me also say a few words about an issue that I know you asked Robert Gibbs about quite a bit today, and that’s my decision to argue against the release of additional detainee photos.

Understand these photos are associated with closed investigations of the alleged abuse of detainees in our ongoing war effort. And I want to emphasize that these photos that were requested in this case are not particularly sensational, especially when compared to the painful images that we remember from Abu Ghraib. But they do represent conduct that did not conform with the Army Manual; that’s precisely why they were investigated and, I might add, investigated long before I took office. And, where appropriate, sanctions have been applied.

In other words, this is not a situation in which the Pentagon has concealed or sought to justify inappropriate action. Rather, it has gone through the appropriate and regular processes. And the individuals who were involved have been identified, and appropriate actions have been taken.

It’s therefore my belief that the publication of these 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, 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.

Moreover, I fear the publication of these photos may only have a chilling effect on future investigations of detainee abuse.

And, obviously, the thing that is most important in my mind is making sure that we are abiding by the Army Manual and that we are swiftly investigating any -- any instances in which individuals have not acted appropriately and that they are appropriately sanctioned. That’s my aim, and I do not believe that the release of these photos at this time would further that goal.

Now, let me be clear: I am concerned about how the release of these photos would be -- would impact on the safety of our troops. I have made it very clear to all who are within the chain of command, however, of the United States Armed Forces that the abuse of detainees in our custody is prohibited and will not be tolerated.

I have repeated that since I’ve been in office. Secretary Gates understands that. Admiral Mullen understands that. And that has been communicated across the chain of command.

Any abuse of detainees is unacceptable. It is against our values. It endangers our security. It will not be tolerated.

All right? Thank you very much, everybody.

END

Sorry to dissagree but I do.

#1 Ranked Diary @ DailyKos Today:

prosecute the Bush Adminstration. Once the world sees that we are going after those criminals any anti-American sentiment will vanish. Hiding and covering up the crimes of the Bush Adminstration will only cause more harm to America in the long run.

His comments closely mirror the language in the letter they sent him earlier this week. If he thinks giving in on this will get their support on some other issue he is only fooling himself.

"It’s therefore my belief that the publication of these photos would not add any additional benefit to our understanding of what was carried out in the past by a small number of individuals."

Thanks for transcript in addition to the video.

God, I can't believe he said that.

Not pretty.

I think we'll all see the photos eventually. (though I don't think I need to)

He's using the specific nature of the case to argue the photos are not enlightening and in the long run may do more harm NOW than good. This looks like a delaying tactic, not a feudal proclamation. He sounds like he's seeking a compromise, not dictating a cover up.

It looks like governing. I know, it's been so long it's hard to recognize. Everyone's so quick to jump of the "he's like the rest of them" wagon. Everything is a conspiracy and every statement must be read between the lines. Just like the Repugs want us to. Hypersensitive and hypercritical. (See now I'll be accused of licking Obama's nuts or something :eyes:)

There just doesn't seem to be as much of a scandal here as everyone would like. Just like the Pelosi's-in-on-it fright fest.

But, on edit, let me add, I could be wrong and I do appreciate diligence. We'll see what happens.

Is hiding photos open government?

that he doesn't realize the image-improving value of our publicly investigating and righting our mistakes/wrongs.

P.S. Get the hell out of Afghanistan and Iraq!

he'll probably make sure the arguments are weak, the judge will verify the photos are not a government secret nor show top secret materials and they will end up being released anyway.

it's good strategy for battles with the GOP - undermine the 'Obama wants to hurt America' argument while still getting the photos into the public domain. if the judge suddenly turns tail and changes his position, I'd be really surprised on that. my guess is the photos are going to be released regardless

it's a smart move for obama.

And DU had shown plenty of those too.

I will take the President at face value. For every reason he has stated.

Sorry to disagree with the masses.

:eyes:

who is running this fucking place?

"This would have a chilling effect on future investigations", right after he states that it was the fault of a "Few Individuals" that have already been investigated, sanctioned and or disciplined.

My God, he has turned into Bush in less than 4 months.

Bye Bye Obama, it was nice to see you succeed as the first African America president, but it was a disappointment that you are no different than any number of DLC or Republican corporatist Fascists.

Please close the door on your way out of the White House in 3 years.

It makes total sense to me now. The Government has given the Corporations so much power, they can Poison Americans with cigarrettes, spray dioxin laced Agent Orange on our Vietname Vets and then ignore them till half of the afflicted individuals are dead. Give Corporations immunity from prosecution in Criminal courts, and form a Regulatory court that is all for show.

The same people that have grown accustomed to the free reign of Corporate freedom are now embedded into public office, and are mistakenly assuming that if Corporations have that much power to do what they want, the Government must have the same or greater power. The trouble is that Government is bound by that little document called the Constitution, which is really quite clear on what Government can and cannot do to it's Citizenry. The current state of today's Government clearly forgets that they are bound by the Constitution, and when they do finally realize it, hire teams of Lawyers to further obfuscate the true meaning of the Constitution until people finally give up trying to decipher the twisted and perveted interpretations given by the Corporate pirates.

They are doing it, they are continuing to do it, and they won't stop until we force them to.

I'm sure the ex corporate men now in the administration are shocked to find that they have more regulation as civil servants than the Corporation they came from in the Private sector.

:nuke:

world against us. So instead of prosecuting the criminals to cleanse the sole of this country and its people, we'll just do what the Bush criminals did and hide the truth and lie through our teeth about it. Yeah that will work. Change that is unbelievably crooked and naive.

I never heard anyone got sanctioned. Isn't torture a crime an those who are guilty go to prison?

And maybe showing the REALITY of what was done in our names would shut the rightwingnut "it's just frathouse pranks" bullshit down for good.

and there are very damning photos and film of little kids being brutally rapped in front of their mothers! Dont tell us lies Obama. This is just more Neocon crap...this is just another cover-up!

because I actually wanted REAL CHANGE.

Like I said in an earlier post, he's my president.:patriot:

in memory and that his administration was morphing into the Bush administration. Yikes.

And now the question I have been asking myself - WWHHD - What Would Hillary Have Done?

And all those other PR damaging photographs should never have seen the light of day either:

Wounded Knee December 29, 1890:





Vietnam June 8, 1972:





March 16, 1968 My Lai,Vietnam:





After August 6 1945 :









Iraq,pick a date:




Those pictures are a disgrace! Hide them ASAP!

Our troops are vulnerable overseas. The terrorists don't need anymore motivation to attack them. We are aware of the crimes that the Bush administration committed. There is enough evidence to prosecute them. What good would come out of releasing more inflammatory pictures? Tough shit for all of you complaining about Obama's choice.

So, if this country were invaded and we citizens and militia fought back against an aggressor army, we'd be "terrorists," right? But when our troops invade countries under false pretenses, they aren't purveyors of terror regardless of how many "collaterals" they kill?

I'm not saying there aren't real terrorists and that they don't kill some of our troops or kill civilians. That's not what I mean. But lets be clear what we're talking about here. Who are the "terrorists," really? How many civilian men women and children have we killed "accidentally" in Aafghanistan and Iraq, allegedly to rid the world of "terrorism"? We don't even know! You don't grasp the moral hypocrisy? You don't know that the reason our military is there blowing people up and installing governments favorable to our corporate interests is for control of hydrocarbon resources and pipe-line routs? You don't know that these wars were on the NEOCON drawing board long before 9/11 ever happened -- that they hadn't wished for a "New Pearl Harbor"? What?

Personally, I don't buy Obama's statement as truth. To be clear, I don't really care whether he is in favor of these particular images being released or not. I really don't care. Plenty of images have been made public via the internet already to fully enrage the entire muslim world. So I don't buy that excuse. Now, as a political tactic, I think the position he's taking makes some sense -- but lets not keep spreading this "war on terror" meme. That isn't what this war is about and it never was what this war is about. That's just one more BUSH LIE that everyone bought and the Democrats and Obama are suck with. Strategically, that is, from the point of view of ending terrorism, does the Bush doctrine of unilateral unprovoked attack make SENSE to you? Jebitz; We could BUY all the terrorists on the planet off MUCH cheeper -- but that wouldn't make Haliburton or Unical any money now would it? That wouldn't finance the military industrial complex and the "rebuilding" of "America's defenses" -- extending our military hegemony on a global scale.

This whole situation is a NEOCON cluster frak this country fell for after 9/11 and torture is just the tip of the iceberg.

edit syntax

. . .the real meat and potatoes issues. . .he won't show torture evidence and include single-payer discussion. . .

and President Obama some how WON'T decide with the majority of the voters.
These will be the decisions that end his good will from the people.

Heck, he's already lost mine. . .he's owned by. . .take your pick. . .

my guess it's the health lobbyists who bankrolled his mercurial rise in politics. . .

and the torture hesitation is all about protecting his family and himself from death threats by CIA/FBI/Bush cabal.

That's it, plain and simple.

We the people lost AGAIN.

H E A R T B R E A K I N G . . .

:hurts: :cry: :hurts: :cry: :hurts:

veto power over whether we follow our laws? If they are not "particularly sensational" then go ahead and show them.

Could it be because they actually depict atrocities?

I'm concerned that the American people are going to grow tired of this continuous diet of Shit Sandwiches, which are nothing more than re-warmed leftovers from the last Chef.

Sooner or later, Obama is going to have to come up with a new main ingrediant.

Sunshine is the best political disinfectant. Our enemies cannot
be more inflamed than they already are. Yes, I'm a loyal Democrat.
But more important, I'm a loyal American. Release the photos, investigate
the abuses. Let the truth come out. And if that truth brings down some
Democrats, so be it. Potential war crimes know no political ideology.