Feingold Rebukes Obama For Detainee Photo Reversal

[babylonsister]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/13/feingold-whacks-obama-for_n_203158.html

Sam Stein

Feingold Rebukes Obama For Detainee Photo Reversal

First Posted: 05-13-09 04:40 PM | Updated: 05-13-09 04:57 PM



Senator Russ Feingold became one of the first elected officials to criticize Barack Obama for his reversal on releasing of detainee abuse in a statement Wednesday afternoon. Saying he saw no "compelling reason" to object to the release of the images, the Wisconsin Democrat said:

"I am generally opposed to keeping the American people in the dark for no other reason than to shield misconduct, avoid embarrassment or other reasons not pertaining to national security. From what I've heard so far, I'm not convinced there is a compelling reason these photos shouldn't be released."

The remarks come just hours after the White House explained that it would be exploring an additional legal avenue to delay or potentially block the release of the detainee photos. Spokesman Robert Gibbs explained, during Wednesday's briefing, that the administration had not sufficiently explored the extent to which the publishing of these images could do damage "to our troops and our national security."

"That is the case that the legal team will now make," he added. "The Department of Justice will now seek to look for different avenues and, as I said earlier, will likely seek a stay."

Advocates for the release of the photos scoffed at the argument, noting that the administration had agreed to their release as recently as late April.

"We are extremely disappointed," said the ACLU's Alexander Abdo. "Understandably we believe this change in position is inconsistent with the promise made by Obama at the end of April. It is also inconsistent with his promises of transparency."

[Phx_Dem]

1. Any time you get schooled by Diane Feinstein, it means

you're doing something right!

[QC]

4. Feingold, not Feinstein.

They are two different people.

[Phx_Dem]

18. Oops,nevermind. But I stand by my overall point about DiFi.

;)

[asphalt.jungle]

6. wrong Fein *eom

[AndyA]

2. Shape up, Barack. Keep pulling stunts like this and you'll find much of your support

has slipped away.

People voted for you because you promised change and transparency. Where's the change and transparency in this case?

[Purveyor]

5. Will be interesting to see the polling numbers in a week or so... eom

[Hippo_Tron]

19. I'm betting they will be about the same as now

[scrappydo]

23. Same here...,

What is going on behind the scenes we can only guess. I do not presume to be as intelligent as President Obama nor are any of us privy to the information he has.There are many scenarios we can put forward, but the only important one is President Obama's game plan. People here are often too quick to jump on an individual action whether than waiting to see how this whole torture debate plays out. Patience is a great virtue; unfortunately, not a virtue many people have - especially on a blog where people supposedly support our President.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

8. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT BUSH AND CHENEY JAILED

[karynnj]

13. This has not, to my knowledge been polled -

I seriously doubt the majority of American people want Bush or Cheney jailed - accepting that they committed crimes - as part of their job - means accepting that these crimes were done in our name.

[LakeSamish706]

3. I agree with Senator Feingold... It looks like the Government is trying to protect...

the previous Administration by not releasing the photo's.

[karynnj]

17. If Obama sets up a real truth commission

to get the facts on what was done and who was involved - pursued away from politics - in a serious, somber hearing AND did not release the pictures, I would be happy. It would get out the truth, without giving iconic images for our enemies to use against us. Pictures are better for propaganda than words - and frankly, do you really need photos given the horrific descriptions and the fact that some prisoners died? Would you need pictures, if in a domestic case someone was brutally murdered? Now, the jury will be given photos - but do you think the entire community needs them?

The fact is that every person - left or right - that I have heard on TV with any military experience has said that the pictures will increase the threat to the military beyond the descriptions. It might be that they can agree to release the photos - for history - in 25 years or so, when they are less likely to have a consequence.

[Seldona]

25. I agree with Sen. Feingold.

Pictures may be better than words for propaganda, but they are also a better way for that slice of uninformed electorate that support the use of torture to understand. I doubt many, if any, here need to see them to understand. But some of these knuckle-dragging torture supporters could use a good look at what they are actually supporting.

Hell, there are some seriously horrific images out there of the 'war on terror' already. Just Google 'Iraq War Pictures' if you want to see the real effects the war has had on the general population. Shit only soldiers or some journalists would see here in the US, unless one is looking for it.

Not so elsewhere. Some of these pictures have been published in Australia already anyway.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/photos-us-doesnt-want-seen/2006/02/14/1139890737099.html

What is the point in banning them DOMESTICALLY? The threat against our occupying armies exists already anyway. Think the enemy can't get them in Australia instead, or that they don't know what has happened?

Nothing but purging ourselves of this entire grisly matter will redeem our collective soul, or redeem us in the eyes if the world, in my opinion. I think the latter is being seriously jeopardized by our leadership's seeming unwillingness to initiate such a purge.

Never in my life did I believe we would be having a frank and open discussion about the use of TORTURE here in the US that didn't involve the word 'prosecution.' That's not directed at you personally, just an observation of where our society has gone in the last 10 years or so. At least part of it.

[OHdem10]

7. Pres. Obama got this one correct and showed courage in doing it.

He has gone around the world trying to mend fences and improve
our image in the world. Putting out these old photos( Incidents
have been investigated and people punished)will only roil up Muslims
around the world. We do not need Muslims in the streets of Middle East,
and elsewhere screaming down with America.

We do not need a backlash in Iraq and Afganistan because the Muslims
become all roiled up over old photos. They could turn on our troops.
Let us just try to get finished up there and get out.

We know and the world knows bad things happened at Abui Graib. Constantly
stirring the pot changes nothing.

The President wisely played Solomon.

Do not be so hard on him for this.

Now, do not ask me about HealthCare. wink wink.

[jsamuel]

9. but would releasing the photos show them we really mean we are trying

while not releasing them show that we aren't being up front with them?

[vaberella]

12. I thought voting for O and him winning presidency showed we are trying.

He went as so far as to publicly say that this is abhorrent, goes against our traditions, and will not be tolerated. He released the papers about the torture tactics and plans on releasing more. So that was not enough to state we were or are trying...the pictures are the sole way of showing we are trying?! I find the suggestion ludicrous.

[jsamuel]

15. So, his election win in itself is supposed to show them we are trying?

Even when he won't release them? Remember, Bush also stated that "we do not torture" and that the stuff happening at Abu Ghraib was abhorrent and goes against our traditions. I think they would be more impressed by action than words, as are most people. Now, I am not arguing that Obama has done nothing or that I do not believe him, but from the perspective of those outside the country, they might be more apprehensive to trusting him than we are. Really, I am just being contrary to make sure this was thought through. I am skeptical of most decisions.

[vaberella]

21. I don't get your statement.

I listed action after action O has said and done in regards to this damn issue. Yet, all of them are irrelevant in the face of this situation. O is following his words when it comes to the not torture thing, he said that any prosecution or call for an independent prosecutor is in the hands of AG Holder. Yet, this thing on pictures is all that was needed. The redacted papers that have come out and will come out mean nothing in the long run. The Abu Ghraib pictures are out there, that's one set. I'm not saying it's enough but it's a great deal.

You may say you're not arguing he's done nothing. But your depending our "trying" on those pictures alone; basically stating that nothing else matters but those pictures. If you take a step and look. The pictures would just be a cherry on top of a well done cake that is enough to lead to prosecutions and more. I don't see how us withholding the pictures makes us untrustworthy. That's bullshit and a weak argument. At this point you want to be skeptical because you want to and/or you want to jump on the band wagon of the group of people screaming "O is a liar."

[jsamuel]

30. Not at all.

You don't need to group me with stereotypes. Each issue is their own. I am not going to give him a pass on one issue simply because he did the right thing on another. I am skeptical because I believe it is my responsibility as an American citizen to hold those in power accountable, as best I can. Not because I want to label him a liar. My point was never that he HAD to release the pictures. My point was that it actually might improve relations with others if we release them in an appropriate manner.

[scrappydo]

24. Some people get their jollies from pictures of torture...

Like what we have already seen is not enough.

[vaberella]

26. That's what crossed my mind. I don't mind them being released...

but I wouldn't be one of the people looking at them, so it doesn't hurt me either way. I couldn't even hold my stomach when I was forced to see the pics for Abu Ghraib in class.

[Luminous Animal]

20. Oh those crazy irrational Muslims.

There already is a backlash in Afghanistan & Pakistan with protests against the U.S. for the massacre of 140 citizens (93 of them children) in Afghanistan. Our troops cannot be in any more danger than they are in already. They are fighting in a war for fuck's sake.

As for those who've been punished? Hahahahaha!!! Yes, let's imprison the little guys and let the architects go scot free.

[slipslidingaway]

10. Thanks Senator Feingold ! n/t

[bvar22]

11. Feingold gets it right......again.

K&R for Truth & Transparency.

:patriot:

[Cha]

14. I'm sure President Obama is taking

a lot of heat for his decision right now.

And, I can see why he's made it.

Hepburn (1000+ posts) Wed May-13-09 06:48 PM
Original message
Iraq general swayed Obama on detainee photos

Gen. Ray Odierno, along with other top defense officials, argued that releasing the images of alleged detainee abuse would endanger US troops abroad.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8405557

[seaglass]

16. Go Russ. Why oh why didn't you realize YOU were the one to set

this country straight. :-(

[jeanpalmer]

29. Yes, why?

He's a man of conviction, with great judgment. He's the only national politician I would trust to get things right. He's just sharp, head and shoulders above everyone else.

[Old Hank]

22. Feingold wants a pony

Spare us the poutrage, Senator.

[leftofthedial]

27. good thing he didn't do that on DU.

his thread would have been locked.

Feingold is obviously a damned freeper who wanted McCain to win.

[QC]

28. Feingold is an enemy of the people. n/t