Blair apalled at pictures of apparent mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners

[JoFerret]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1538&e=12&u=/afp/iraq_us_jail_abuse

LONDON (AFP) - Britain, the United States' closest ally in Iraq reacted with horror to photographs seemingly showing US soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners, with Prime Minister Tony Blair Blair, in common with US military commanders, was appalled at the images, some of which depicted US troops alongside naked Iraqi prisoners in a variety of demeaning, sexual poses, the premier's official spokesman told reporters.

....

The Daily Mail splashed across its entire front page a picture of a hooded Iraq prisoner with wires attached to his hands forced to stand on a box.


"We are losing their hearts and minds," was the unequivocal headline of the paper's main editorial comment.

Earlier Friday, Blair's human rights envoy to Iraq pronounced herself "shocked" at the pictures.

....
London-based human rights group Amnesty International said it was shocked at the pictures "but, sadly, not surprised".

"Amnesty International has taken numerous testimonies from Iraqis who allege torture at Abu Gharib and other prisons, where they are held incommunicado and without charge," said Kate Allen, British director for Amnesty.

[htuttle]

1. Don't you like seeing your big signature at the bottom of them, Tony?

What -- isn't this what you meant when you wanted to invade a sovereign nation? Don't tell us you didn't realize this is what happens! Too late for that -- these photos bear the names of all the 'leaders' who mislead the US and UK into war.

[Kukesa]

2. He ought to be.

So are all of us at DU.

But you don't really think Shrub's lap dog is going to do anything about it, do you?

The word in the headline, "mistreatment," should have read "torture."

Kukesa

[BayCityProgressive]

3. Blair is such a pathetic suck up

and He is the new Vice President of the Socialist International! There is also a group called the Social Democrats USA that are nothing more than a bunch of neocons, involved with the group now.

[Bonhomme Richard]

4. Just Gotta "Stay The Course". n/t

[Benhurst]

5. At least Tony doesn't have to worry about electrodes

being attached to his goolies-- he doesn't have any.

[maddezmom]

6. But, will bush* go on the record

doubt it

[Wright Patman]

8. It's prolly worse

than that.

* is prolly deriving sexual gratification from viewing the images. He has a long history dating back to childhood as a torturer.

[Just Me]

7. This heartless administration and those heartless MPs,...

,...have ruined what little reputation the US had left as a civil and progressive country.

:argh:

[Nihil]

9. Blair commented ...

... that he thought that sort of thing was "special" and reserved for
"close friends" who visited Crawford, not just any old civilian that
happened to wander too close to the spider's web.

Mr.Blair was also reported to be "comforted" by confirmation that the
girl in the pictures was not Cherie (this time).

[Capt_Nemo]

10. Blair apalled at the evidence contained in his war crimes indictement

F*** him!

[truthspeaker]

11. what the fuck did you think you were signing onto, Tony?

You should have known what kind of madman Bush is and what kind of bloodthirsty idiots work for him. Do you think Mussolini was appalled at Nazi atrocities? Would that have excused him for enabling them?

[Loonman]

12. Tiny Tony

What do you think was going on?

Daisy planting?

[Tripmann]

13. Blair apalled at pictures of apparent mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners

Actions speak louder than words Mr Blair, pull your troops out or resign, instead of collaborating with these atrocities.

[librechik]

14. there was a similiar incident that involved British soldiers

last year. Tony's just hoping no one will bring that up.

[David__77]

15. "Apparent?!"

Every US news story has "alleged" and "apparent." It seems abundantly clear that it is torture that is portrayed in the photos. They can say the pictures are "unverified," but it's clear what they show.

[Nihil]

16. Same way as how they can't say "retreat" either

Everything is a "pullout" or "re-organisation" not a "retreat" or
a "defeat by the Iraqi resistance".

There are no "innocent civilians being maimed", just "bystanders" or
the ever-present "collateral damage".

There are no "misses", just "multiple attempts at the target".

There are no "conspiracies", just "coincidences".