Lieberman, Graham Fight To Ban Release Of Abuse Photos

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Congress

(AP)

Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) held a press conference today forcefully pressing for passage of the Detainee Photographic Records Protection Act, which would prohibit the release of photographs depicting abuse of detainees by U.S. troops.

"To release the photos is, to me, sheer voyeurism," Lieberman said. "It's a disclosure without a purpose, and it's disclosure that brings great risk."

Lieberman said President Obama "did the right thing" in opposing the release of such photos last month. He said doing so would "lead to people entering the war against the United States."

"In our opinion, the release of these photos -- for no purpose at all, no good purpose -- will lead to the death of Americans, including, particularly, those brave Americans who serve us in the military," said Lieberman.

Graham suggested that the two senators would effectively shut down the Senate via filibuster if Congress does not pass the legislation. "We're not going to do any more business in the Senate," he said. "Nothing's going forward until we get this right."

It's far from certain that the Act – which was attached as an amendment to the congressional war supplemental spending bill – will be passed. House Democrats have signaled opposition to the legislation, and there are reports that the amendment has been removed by House legislators amid pressure from liberal groups.

(It is not entirely clear where things now stand; Politico reports that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been working on a deal to kill the legislation if a judge blocks the American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit seeking the pictures.)

Graham said today that if the House removes the amendment in conference, "it will be one of the most outrageous and irresponsible acts in the history of the Congress." The reason, he said, is that House members would be dismissing "advice from commanders in the field at a time of war."

"What is driving them?" asked Graham of House Democrats who oppose the legislation. "Who is running the House? Is the ACLU now in charge of the House of Representatives?"

In a statement yesterday, the two senators said they would attach the bill, which gives the Defense secretary the power to suppress interrogation photos for three year periods, to every bill that comes before the Senate until it passes.

"Let it clearly be understood that without this legislation the photos in question are likely to be released," they said. "Such a release would be tantamount to a death sentence to some who are serving our nation in the most dangerous and difficult spots like Iraq and Afghanistan."

The war supplemental bill has also been imperiled by Republican opposition to the inclusion of a $108 billion line of credit for the International Monetary Fund (at a cost of $5 million). Members of the House and Senate are now trying to work out a compromise on the already-delayed bill, which deals with funding for fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as other issues.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by cmidaw June 13, 2009 9:30 PM EDT: This case has been judicated. The release of the photos would serve no purpose except to put our troops in more danger.
Remember Ron Perlman. I have forgotten what was the outcome in the trial of the SOB that decapitated him by hacking at his neck with a combat knife. Oh that"s right his country never took him to trial.; Reply to this comment


by mrspurdue June 11, 2009 9:47 PM EDT: SHAME ON YOU NANCY PELOSI for wanting to release those "torture" photo's. YOU are a TRAITOR to our military by putting their lives in HORRIFIC and MORTAL DANGER once these are release. Do you have a famly member SERIVING OUR COUNTRY AND IN HARMS WAY? I DO, MY SON AND several COUSINS!!! If these photo's are release and soldiers are lost due to your hideous decision I consider YOU, and others like you "MURDERS". You ALL need to be tried in court by your piers and hung!

Mrs. Purdue
Proud Mother Of American Soldier
Anchorage, Alaska; Reply to this comment


by bondobuster June 10, 2009 10:54 PM EDT: briannorwood : As soon as California and Arizona get rid of the low life Jackasses called Pelosi and Reed!!!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 June 10, 2009 10:50 AM EDT: The GOP desires that all evidence of their (sick and perverted) actions taken while undertaking their perpetual war on terror would be eliminated.

George Orwell depicted these sorts of actions in his novel 1984 as the "Ministry of Truth" which in double think/double speak really meant an altered version of reality and the creation and/or destruction of all supporting evidence of fact.; Reply to this comment


by bobnjersey June 10, 2009 9:58 AM EDT: [What the hell is wrong with you lefties? Do you root for the terrorists in this ongoing war? Do you want them to have more recruitment material? Do you want American service members and the their families to become targets? What the hell is wrong with you people? ]
[Posted by endurorob at 4:55 AM : Jun 10, 2009 ]

the problem isn't the lefties. it's you ... and those who think like you do. the ridiculous black/white world view ... you're either fighting for good ... or you're evil.

in your endless quest to claim the scepter of good ... you yourselves have become the evil you so widely claim to stand against.

it's this mentality ... that anything is justified in the fight for good against evil that has allowed these policies to be considered, implemented, and now continually defended.

the recruitment material is coming from your world view ... you're claim that whatever you do is ok because it's in the name of good.

what's wrong with you?

i know exactly what the condition that motivates this world view ... do you?; Reply to this comment


by briannorwood June 10, 2009 9:36 AM EDT: Joe Leiberman is at it again. When are the people of Connecticut going to throw this jackass out?; Reply to this comment


by boatdocster June 10, 2009 8:34 AM EDT: "What is driving them?" asked Graham of House Democrats who oppose the legislation. "Who is running the House? Is the ACLU now in charge of the House of Representatives?"

Senator Graham - just to refresh your memory, the Congress serves at the will of the people, as representative for the people. Congress in itself does not run things - the people do, and Congress is the tool to do so.

I would agree that most Americans are woefully lack in their duties in this arena.

However, if the Executive Branch broke the law under the Constitution, Congress must address that under the same Constitution. Trying to make breaking the law immune from disclosure is Unamerican.

As a former vet I do worry about what might happen by releasing the photos but the People want to know what happened.

The ultimate reality and sad irony - if Congress had done their job in the first place and not given Bush-Cheney a rubber to break the law, none of this would have happened or been an issue.; Reply to this comment


by afmcalax June 10, 2009 8:25 AM EDT: Why does Congress and Big Business continue to make up these great sounding, self-righteous names like "Detainee Photographic Records Protection Act" when there should be truth in advertising and it should be called "Detainee Photographic Tourture and Abuse Coverup Act." Then at least people will really know what they are voting for.; Reply to this comment


by quapawsix June 10, 2009 8:16 AM EDT: What the hell is wrong with you lefties? Do you root for the terrorists in this ongoing war? Do you want them to have more recruitment material? Do you want American service members and the their families to become targets? What the hell is wrong with you people?
*********************************************************************
Which terrorist? The Political leader are terrorists as well open you eyes and look at all the things they spend our taxes on because people fear this and they fear that and you are being spoon fed this by the media. Nothing more than political terrorism. I served in the military and it's real easy to stand up and say, "those brave Americans who serve us in the military" cause their sorry behinds are in Washington where they are safe. I'd like to see some of them get in the trenches with the troops on the front line.; Reply to this comment


by didserve June 10, 2009 8:08 AM EDT: Two Bush Boys on the Hot Seat!

Send Lieberman back to his other country!

Drum Graham out of office!

The people of their home states cant be this stupid as to reelect these traitors!; Reply to this comment