"Now, let me also say a few words about an issue that I know you asked Robert Gibbs about quite a bit today, and that's my decision to argue against the release of additional detainee photos. Understand, these photos are associated with closed investigations of the alleged abuse of detainees in our ongoing war effort.
And I want to emphasize that these photos that were requested in this case are not particularly sensational, especially when compared to the painful images that we remember from Abu Ghraib, but they do represent conduct that did not conform with the Army Manual.
That's precisely why they were investigated -- and, I might add, investigated long before I took office -- and, where appropriate, sanctions have been applied.
In other words, this is not a situation in which the Pentagon has concealed or sought to justify inappropriate action. Rather, it has gone through the appropriate and regular processes. And the individuals who were involved have been identified, and appropriate actions have been taken.
It's therefore my belief that the publication of these photos would not add any additional benefit to our understanding of what was carried out in the past by a small number of individuals. In fact, the most direct consequence of releasing them, I believe, would be to further inflame anti-American opinion and to put our troops in greater danger.
Moreover, I fear the publication of these photos may only have a chilling effect on future investigations of detainee abuse. And obviously the thing that is most important in my mind is making sure that we are abiding by the Army Manual and that we are swiftly investigating any instances in which individuals have not acted appropriately, and that they are appropriately sanctioned. That's my aim and I do not believe that the release of these photos at this time would further that goal.
Now, let me be clear: I am concerned about how the release of these photos would be -- would impact on the safety of our troops.
I have made it very clear to all who are within the chain of command, however, of the United States Armed Forces that the abuse of detainees in our custody is prohibited and will not be tolerated. I have repeated that since I've been in office, Secretary Gates understands that, Adm. Mullen understands that, and that has been communicated across the chain of command.
Any abuse of detainees is unacceptable. It is against our values. It endangers our security. It will not be tolerated. All right. Thank you very much, everybody.
"In his own words: What Obama said about detainee abuse photos.
1: would require investigations
2. Obama being blackmailed by the CIA, or pressurized by Democrats?
3. or the photos include what Sy Hersh said 2 years ago: kids being tortured and raped. John Yoo.
[Doug Cassel]: "If the President deems that he’s got to torture somebody, including by crushing the testicles of the person’s child, there is no law that can stop him?"
[John Yoo]: "No treaty."
[Doug Cassel]: "Also no law by Congress. That is what you wrote in the August 2002 memo."
[John Yoo]: "I think it depends on why the President thinks he needs to do that".
December 1, 2005 debate in Chicago.
Discipline in combat is essential. Disobedience to the law of war dishonors the Nation, the Marine Corps, and the individual Marine, and far from weakening the enemy's will to fight, it strengthens it. The following principles require the Marine's adherence in the accomplishment of any mission. Violations have an adverse impact on public opinion both national and international and have on occasion served to prolong conflict by inciting an opponent to continue resistance and in most cases constitute violations of the UCMJ. Violations of these principles prejudice the good order and discipline essential to success in combat.
1. Marines fight only enemy combatants.
2. Marines do not harm enemies who surrender. They must disarm them and turn them over to their superior.
3. Marines do not kill or torture prisoners.
4. Marines collect and care for the wounded, whether friend or foe.
5. Marines do not attack medical personnel, facilities, or equipment.
6. Marines destroy no more than the mission requires.
7. Marines treat all civilians humanely.
8. Marines do not steal. Marines respect private property and possessions.
9. Marines should do their best to prevent violations of the law of war. They must report all violations of the law of war to their superior.
[Doug Cassel]: "If the President deems that he’s got to torture somebody, including by crushing the testicles of the person’s child, there is no law that can stop him?"
[John Yoo]: "No treaty."
[Doug Cassel]: "Also no law by Congress. That is what you wrote in the August 2002 memo."
[John Yoo]: "I think it depends on why the President thinks he needs to do that".
December 1, 2005 debate in Chicago.
"Let’s say this slowly: the Bush administration wanted to use 9/11 as a pretext to invade Iraq, even though Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. So it tortured people to make them confess to the nonexistent link.
There’s a word for this: it’s evil.
""The "smoking gun" of the Iraq-Torture Scandal will be proof that the CIA took Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi away from the FBI in February 2002 and sent him to Egypt for one specific reason: to use torture to extract a false confession of Iraq-Al Qaeda ties."
"The CIA briefed me only once on some enhanced interrogation techniques in September 2002 in my capacity as Ranking Member of the Intelligence Committee. I was informed then that the Department of Justice's opinions had concluded that the use of enhanced interrogation techniques were legal. The only mention of waterboarding at that briefing was that it was not being employed. Those conducting the briefing promised to inform the appropriate Members of Congress if that technique were to be used in the future."
"Bruce Fein is a columnist for The Washington Times, an attorney, and a political critic. He was part of the American Bar Association's Task Force on Presidential Signing Statements and appears regularly on CNN, NPR, and the BBC." His book, "Constitutional Peril: The Life and Death Struggle for Our Constitution and Democracy". “Torture…prosecute or pardon?” He was an associate deputy attorney general under Reagan. They have talked before about the impeachment of Bush, that is now off the table. Is Obama perpetuating the coverup? Continuation of Bush/Cheney mentality, national security paramount. Two courts have said the photos must be released, national security not enough. 1984. What ought to happen, courts should insist, only the Supreme Court is left. We know they mean something, emotional element. There are lots of photos on the web that terrorists are using to recruit, without them needing these too. Obama has claimed broader powers for state secrets than Bush. Enemy combatants name change. Fein was calling for the impeachment of bush, what now? This was torture, they are boasting, have confessed, there is no exception in law. Pardon them or investigate and prosecute, no other option. Setting a precedent that lies around as a smoking gun for any future president. At least Ford pardoned and took the heat. Under the rug is political cowardice.
