Obama does 180 on "torture" photos

redrumloa

redrumloa

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... hotos.html

Just weeks after announcing he would make the images public, administration officials said the president had told his legal advisers that releasing the photos would endanger troops.

The change of heart is thought to have come after senior military officials gave warning the release could cause a backlash against troops.

Mr Obama now wants the issue to go back to court, although federal appeals judges have already ruled the photos should be released.
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This might actually be the right move, but much of the left (and abroad) will take it as a spit in the face.
 
It is the right decision if you intend to protect the powers that run the country and leave them in place. It is categorically the wrong thing to do for freedom and democracy where leaders should be lawful and accountable.

Obama needs to start fires in every corner of the crooked state and flush out the hidden rulers in a panic. Sure, it may get him killed, and that's probably on his mind, but if it's not done then the ghouls will rule from the shadows forever.

The excuse about endangering the troops is weak. What endangers the troops is sending them into other peoples' countries.
 
I think Obama made a mistake here. He'll be attacked for being a flip-flopper for one. As for placing troops in increased risk by releasing the photos, that may be true, but only in the very short term. In the long term he might buy some street cred and help turn the tide against the Islamists. Shouldn't be looking for quick fixes here.
 
FluffyMcDeath said:
Obama needs to start fires in every corner of the crooked state and flush out the hidden rulers in a panic. Sure, it may get him killed, and that's probably on his mind, but if it's not done then the ghouls will rule from the shadows forever.
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You never know, it could be a moot point - it's really up to the courts and they're likely to order their release regardless of what Obama wants - and Obama may know this. In otherwords, if the photos are released and troops get killed Obama can deflect criticism by saying that he opposed their release all along. Could be just some political maneuvering. At least, that's what I'm hoping for. :)
 
maybe he hoping most of the troops will have left by the time the pictures are out, diminishing any negative effect against military personal

maybe
 
Glaucus said:
You never know, it could be a moot point - it's really up to the courts and they're likely to order their release regardless of what Obama wants - and Obama may know this.
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That may be the way he plays it. I still can't get a handle on him, but he does seem to be a slippery character - he is definitely good at getting what he wants and getting his opponents to dig holes for themselves.

But if the photos were released AND legal proceedings started immediately against the old ruling junta then the soldiers would likely gain legitimacy as the American leadership commanding them would gain legitimacy.

However, there are plenty of vested interests still left with their hands on levers (legislative, media, financial, military, intelligence) so more subtlety may be required.
 
However, there are plenty of vested interests still left with their hands on levers (legislative, media, financial, military, intelligence) so more subtlety may be required.
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it seems Obama is way more subtle than people like cheney can possibly EVER understand.
 
FluffyMcDeath said:
cecilia said:
it seems Obama is way more subtle than people like cheney can possibly EVER understand.
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He may even be too subtle to get anything done. It remains to be seen.
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he seems to be getting lots of nice things done so far

I'm still hopeful
 
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