Why the torture photos should be released.

[Are_grits_groceries]

The torture photos should be released because the citizens of the USA have to see what was done in their names. It is too easy to write off the damage done when only words are used. People tend to skate past statements. It is much harder to skate past a horrific picture.

There will be many who will object that such graphic pictures should not be released. In fact, I believe General Eisenhower set a precedent that should be followed.

"April 12, 1945 - Generals George Patton, Omar Bradley,and Dwight Eisenhower arrived in Ohrdruf. They saw more than 3,200 naked, emaciated bodies that had been flung into shallow graves. Eisenhower insisted on seeing the entire camp: a shed piled to the ceiling with bodies, various torture devices, and a butcher's block used for smashing gold fillings from the mouths of the dead. Patton became physically ill behind the barracks. Eisenhower felt that it was necessary for his troops to see for themselves, and the world to know about the conditions at Ohrdruf. The day ended with news that Roosevelt had died. Many American soldiers did not know what they were fighting for. Eisenhower realized that it was imperative for the soldiers to at least understand what they were fighting against. He wanted the world to know of the conditions at Ohrdruf. His message to Washington read: "We are constantly finding German camps in which they have placed political prisoners where unspeakable conditions exist. From my own personal observation, I can state unequivocally that all written statements up to now do not paint the full horrors."

http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/WW2Timeline/camps.html

In the case of the photos, the nation must see what was wrought. Unless they know the full horror of what was done, there will be denial, and it will be minimized. The people of this country have to face what fear did to us. It caused us to abandon all attempts to hold the government accountable. People believed all they were told. Hopefully, this will create a healthy dose of skepticism.

[Klukie]

1. a picture says a thousand words.....

I couldn't agree more with your op. Thanks.

[madokie]

2. I want to see this go to the greatest page

The torture will do bushco in. them ole boys and girl are going to have a rough and tough future

[Mist]

3. Yes, the photos should be released. All should be aware of the sordidness of Bushco. nt

[annabanana]

4. We cannot correct anything until we can admit it.

This is a necessary first step to our National healing.

[Are_grits_groceries]

5. I have a cousin who

helped liberate one of the camps. He never gave any details. All he would say was that they had to be ordered to stand down so that they wouldn't shoot every German they saw. It upset them that much.

[Mari333]

6. fascinating. his stories must be incredible

I think I read that a few american GIs DID shoot some of the german soldiers, they were so angry..who can say what you would do if you came upon that..
I agree the pictures should be released..and I also wish all the pics of the harm we have done in Iraq would come out...people have their heads in the sand.

[kentuck]

7. The pendulum is swinging...

from dark secrecy to transparency.

[Mnemosyne]

8. Activists could copy and spread far and wide. Cover everything. n/t

[dalaigh lllama]

9. I am in 100% agreement with you on this

Americans cannot afford to bury their heads in the sand on this or we can never hold our heads up on the world stage again.

[eleny]

10. Otherwise, the right wing talkers will work hard to minimize what actually happened

They're already doing it by phrases such as "pouring some water on them". Heidi Harris laughed as she pushed that on Ed Schultz's tv program yesterday.

If the pictures aren't shown, the right wing will define everything.

[Warren Stupidity]

11. The CIA has already destroyed the worst evidence. nt.

[Are_grits_groceries]

12. That may be true.

However, I bet what's left isn't pretty.

[readmoreoften]

13. And whatever we see, we must agree that it is reasonable to assume other evidence has been destroyed

Whatever we see, we are only catching a glimpse.

[barbtries]

14. that's exactly right

much as i dread seeing them, i will make myself. just as i read the red cross report and the memos (well some of the memos; does anyone have a link that doesn't stall out?). and i will probably cry and may even have nightmares, but we as a nation need to confront this horror. prosecute, return the rule of law to our country. this cannot be ignored.