Cenk: Obama Makes Terrible Decision - Will Not Release Torture Pics

[Hissyspit]

Run time: 07:30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRa231abvaU   Posted on YouTube: May 14, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: May 14, 2009 By DU Member: Hissyspit Views on DU: 855

 
Cenk believes Cheney has been making the talk show rounds NOW because he didn't want "the REAL damaging information" to come out.

Cenk: "It's not words, it's not memos, it's PICTURES. you see, they were going to release, at the end of this month, the detainee abuse pictures, what some called 'Abu Ghraib 2,' those sets of pictures that people in charge have already seen and say are despicable, are horrific. And Cheney knew, that if you release those pictures, well, then they've lost the debate. Because then it makes it harder for real people to go out there and be like 'Yeah, of course!! ... You should stick things in people's orifices. I saw the picture. It rocked!'"

Cenk: "Barack Obama crumbled... Instead the message we're going to send is 'Nah, we're gonna cover it up."
"I know there are some people who, when Obama does something, they will find any way to defend it... There is no secret genius behind this. It was assinine..."
"So why did he do it? Cause he listened to his generals. Now you might think, 'Hey, that sounds good, right? Listening to his generals. That's what a Commander-In-Chief should do. Except the generals he's listening to are all compromised..."

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[masuki bance]

1. Isn't this the same guy who claimed that the Patriot Act was responsible

for locking up that 16 year old kid making prank phone calls?

[ihavenobias]

2. Actually, he's the guy who wrote the top rated diary at DailyKos today.

Which is also featured here at DU, because *some* people have good taste.

;)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5648686

[slay]

9. I read that - Cenk is right on

As usual - and I am shocked at the shear number of DUers who are willing to just bury their heads in the sand or even worse say "I don't think he should release them either." EXCUSE ME? WHAT THE FUCK?!?! Did I wake up on planet stupid idiots today? (probably) There was TORTURE - there is EVIDENCE - and we just want to ignore it? IS THAT WHAT THE FUCK I'M HEARING DU???!!! This is bullshit - I'm calling COVER-UP on this one big time! I really thought DU would not buy this kind of shit from Obama. I guess the D in front of his name has brainwashed more than I thought possible here. I'm sure I'll end up more sad and disappointed than pissed before it's all over, but right now, I'M PISSED! Obama LIED to us, he's covering for TORTURE, and we seem to be ok with it. If that is the case - we are WAY worse off than even I thought I'm afraid.

[Photovoltaic]

4. It wasn't his claim

There was an official news report that made the assertion. He simply relayed the claim before it was realized that the news report was incorrect

[JDPriestly]

6. I think Cenk has figured this one out correctly.

And I would hypothesize beyond what he says here.

My first question when I heard that Obama had decided not to release the pictures was, "Who got to him?" My second was, "What do they have on him?"

And Cenk answers those questions. The generals got to him. The military threw a tantrum. "Let us have our way with the prisoners or we won't obey you," they told him. The generals basically mutinied. In so doing, in defending their torture, in objecting to the release of the evidence on the extent of the torture, those generals showed their lack of integrity, their lack of judgment. Of course, they will fail in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Unfortunately, they will take Obama and the whole nation with them.

So many Americans have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan (to say nothing of the innocent Iraqis and Afghan citizens). And, our national treasure is gone -- wasted on those wars -- wasted on this military that is so incompetent -- wasted on the generals who are so corrupt, so controlled by the weapons manufacturers and a few very wealthy individuals.

What a sad ending for the great experiment that was America. The dreams of Adams and Jefferson and Madison and George Washington crushed by these mutinous generals. Of course, we should have known this was coming when Congress sanctioned Move-On.org, a voice of the people, merely because it criticized General Petraeus. We now have government by the military, for the military.

Remember, this is just my theory, my opinion about what is going on. It is primarily based on two bits of information that I heard today, one or the other or both of which may be simply rumor -- that Obama broke his promise to release these photos under pressure from the generals subordinate to Petraeus. and that Obama had a conversation with a couple of senators, one of whom was Lieberman before breaking the promise to release the photos.

President Obama, shame on you. You had a chance to heal America, to help us regain the moral high ground. You will not get another one. I seriously doubt that you will be re-elected. You have shown cowardice in the face of your own generals.

The generals are now in charge. Obama has acquiesced his power to them. Obama's poll numbers may still suggest that he is popular. But if he cannot confront the generals over these crimes of torture, if he does not have the courage to choose justice and the rule of law over the demands of the military, he is a mere figurehead, just like Bush before him.

The American people's love and respect for Obama, their hope will turn to distrust and hatred. Mark my words. This will happen.

I began to have serious doubts about Obama's courage when he unwisely surrounded himself with Wall Street pawns and with true believers in the Chicago school of economics. His flip-flop on releasing the torture pictures is just the last straw.

This is not a matter of Obama's being middle-of-the road or centrist. Torture is not a policy matter. It is a legal and then a moral matter. The release of the pictures and/or proceeding with prosecutions are moral and legal imperatives.

Poor Obama. He just doesn't have what it takes. This is a very sad day. As for you Obama lovers. Remember, love is blind. Take off your rose-colored glasses.

I hate to be so harsh, so pessimistic. I worked to get Obama elected. But, there will be no recovery from this mistake unless Attorney General Holder begins prosecutions of those who authorized the torture very, very soon. That's the only way that Obama can regain control of his administration and the country. Oh, I am just beside myself with disappointment.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

10. As Cenk said in the clip

"I know there are some people who, when Obama does something, they will find any way to defend it... There is no secret genius behind this. It was assinine..." Thanks for confirming his statement.

[Seldona]

3. Some of the pictures are already out in Australia.

There was a post by GoCubsGo with a link to an Australian news story on DU about it today. I don't get this decision at all.

Still, the court case goes on, hopefully. Support the ACLU. They are the ones fighting the initial court battle.

Link to the thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3874919&mesg_id=3874919

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

[SKKY]

5. I'm so completely torn on this issue...

One one hand, I say let them all out, get out the truth, and let those responsible be held accountable. But on the other, I just think it's a phyrric victory. I just can't see what good can come from opening this wound once again.

[Sky Masterson]

7. I am glad he didn't release them.

All America needs is more imagery out there to fuel recruitment and reinforce the hatred of America.
Yes the generals are compromised but I don't see any good coming from the release.

[OhioChick]

8. K&R

:kick:

[stlsaxman]

11. Aw c'mon, Cenk- Obama KNOWS the pictures will come out anyways.

He is simply not sanctioning their release. Personally- i'm torn. But there must be a better reason than just Obama "folding under pressure".

:shrug:

[20score]

12. K&R. The release of the photos will do more good by mobilizing people to bring about justice to the

Bush/Cheney cabal. The twenty one percenters still think what was done wasn't torture. Well, the pictures will put that to rest and turn public opinion toward accountability.