Devils advocate on not release of torture photos, and rebuttals.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

A: There is nothing new in the photos.

B: Then there is no reason to be concerned in releasing them.

A: Like when Abu Ghraib photos were released and Nick Berg was beheaded in response, the photos will put U.S. forces in jeopardy.

B: The troops are fighting for our freedom, including freedom of information.

A: I don't want to look at the photos. They're sick.

B: So is censorship. Don't want to look at them? Then you don't have to.

A: The photos would be humiliating to the victims in the photos, like many crime scene photos, videos, and audio tapes that not released to the public.

B: ?

A: If photos are released, and troops are killed, Republicans get much political capital, getting a foothold for next election cycle, obtaining opportunity to regain power and allow further torturing.

B: The political capital gained from the torture photos release would be greater than any lost.

C: But then releasing the photos would be politically motivated.

D: Ah, but then it would also be politically motivated when you attacked Bush over not releasing the photos.

E: True to a certain extent, but Bush was complicit in war crimes, he had a conflict of interest in not releasing the photos. Obama has stopped torture, he has no conflict of interest in not releasing the photos, he has no shady motivation for not releasing the photos, in fact, Obama spends political capital in not releasing the photos.

Solution to the situation: Publically oppose release of photos, allow courts to rule in favor of release on grounds of FOIA. Photos get released, republicans have no leg to stand on.

[JuniperLea]

1. That's how I see it...

Obama played this situation like a virtuoso.

;)

I will never, ever, play chess with the man. I'm sure he kicks ass.

[soothsayer]

2. we'll see. if he succeeds in blocking them, then he's playing US like a virtuoso

[emulatorloo]

3. I was thinking along the same lines. n/t

[Javaman]

4. If that's how it turns out, wonderful.

but I have my doubts.