Obama's Reversal to Block Prisoner Abuse Pictures May Have Repercussions

President Obama recently (Wed, May 13th, 2009) made a reversal in stance on the release of US soldiers torturing captured prisoners of war. Obama has stated that he will try and stop the release of photographs taken of US soldiers torturing prisoners. The release of these photographs were ordered to be displayed by the courts earlier in the year. Obama's explanation for his change in stance is due to his concerns that the pictures may fuel additional anti-American setiment.

This reversal of position puts President Obama in a difficult position. Obama originally supporting the release of photographs was praised by many who feel it is important for the United States to be more open and admit to their mistakes. Several free speech advocacy groups such as the ACLU also praised Obama and the courts for the actions on the matter.

The reversal of this position is praised by some, including several US commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan, but has created even more of a descending uproar from those who previously supported Obama before, including the same advocacy groups such as the ACLU. The ACLU, who hold the position that the photographs will bring attention and action to prevent further actions to prevent the destruction of human rights are outraged.

Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the ACLU made the following statement:

"The Obama administration's adoption of the stonewalling tactics and opaque policies of the Bush administration flies in the face of the president's stated desire to restore the rule of law, to revive our moral standing in the world and to lead a transparent government. This decision is particularly disturbing given the Justice Department's failure to initiate a criminal investigation of torture crimes under the Bush administration.

It is true that these photos would be disturbing; the day we are no longer disturbed by such repugnant acts would be a sad one. In America, every fact and document gets known - whether now or years from now. And when these photos do see the light of day, the outrage will focus not only on the commission of torture by the Bush administration but on the Obama administration's complicity in covering them up.

Any outrage related to these photos should be due not to their release but to the very crimes depicted in them. Only by looking squarely in the mirror, acknowledging the crimes of the past and achieving accountability can we move forward and ensure that these atrocities are not repeated.

If the Obama administration continues down this path, it will betray not only its promises to the American people, but its commitment to this nation's most fundamental principles. President Obama has said we should turn the page, but we cannot do that until we fully learn how this nation veered down the path of criminality and immorality, who allowed that to happen and whose lives were mutilated as a result. Releasing these photos - as painful as it might be - is a critical step toward that accounting. The American people deserve no less."

While opinions on the matter have existed beforehand, this incident has resurfaced many of the controversies of openness for social change versus ethics. Perhaps what is most disappointing about this situation is that despite Obama's claim to be more transparent and move on from the past, he is doing the opposite. While Obama's intentions may be in the right place if he feels that these photographs could be detrimental to America's image, he should consider how the world would react to what seems another attempt of the US government to hide and cover its tracks.

While the photographs may be disturbing, they are a part of the United State's past and help continue to improve policies. Although there may be some risk in anti-American sentiment with the release of torture photographs, it is very possible that this gesture of openness and moving on from "old ways" would help improve America's image more than hurt it.

Sources and Further Reading:
MSNBC
USNEWS