Janis Karpinski: Let's get out the truth about detainee photos

[IndianaGreen]

Commentary: Let's get out the truth about detainee photos

By Janis Karpinski
Special to CNN

CNN) -- About-face! President Obama's reversal of his administration's decision to release more photographs of prisoner abuse is disappointing and infuriating.

It is sad and tragic. The reversal will absolutely stir up more controversy than release of the photographs, causing an outpouring of rampant speculation -- What is the government hiding? Who are the people in the photographs? How awful can these new photos be? And worse.

The president is going to Egypt, and discussions surrounding the photographs are inevitable. He is far better off armed with the ability to have open discussions on all topics instead of apologizing for holding back information. Withholding evidence is counterproductive and does not sound like "truth," and it surely does not sound like "change."

The truth is always helpful. If we put all the photographs on the table, clearing the air, then, and only then, we can get on with the discussion of how to make sure this never happens again. The truth will set us free -- free to find the roots of the problem, allowing us to do what we did best -- making the world a better place to live.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/14/karpinski.photos/index.html

[DURHAM D]

1. Good on Karpinski.

To me she is still a General.

Obama needs to give her back her rank.

[Booster]

2. Absolutely. She's earned it and she sure has guts.