Gates Blocks Detainee Abuse Photos

Secretary of Defense Says Their Release Could Put Americans in Danger

(AP)  Defense Secretary Robert Gates has blocked the public release of any more pictures of foreign detainees abused by their U.S. captors, saying their release would endanger American soldiers.

The Obama administration filed a brief with the Supreme Court late Friday saying that Gates has invoked new powers blocking the release of the photos.

The American Civil Liberties Union had sued for the release of 21 color photographs showing prisoners in Afghanistan and Iraq being abused by Americans. Federal courts had rejected the government's arguments to block their release, so Congress gave Gates new powers to keep them private under a law signed by President Barack Obama last month.

Gates' order specifically cites the 21 pictures sought by the ACLU, plus 23 additional ones cited in a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit. However, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the order covers all photographs from investigations related to the treatment of individuals captured or detained in military operations outside the United States between Sept. 11, 2001 and Jan. 22, 2009.

Gates' new powers were included in a budget bill for the Homeland Security Department.

"Public disclosure of these photographs would endanger citizens of the United States, members of the United States armed forces, or employees of the United States government deployed outside the United States," Gates said in his order blocking release of the photos.

The release of photos showing prisoners being abused by U.S. soldiers at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq sparked international outrage.

Jameel Jaffer, director of the ACLU National Security Project, said the group will continue to fight for the release of the photographs, arguing that Gates' order was overly broad.

"We think the photos are an important part of the historical record. They are critical to the ongoing national conversation about accountability for torture," Jaffer said. "It sets a bad precedent for the government to be suppressing information that relates to government misconduct."

Obama initially indicated he would not fight the release of the photographs, but he reversed course in May. The president said he was persuaded that disclosure could further incite violence in Afghanistan and Iraq and endanger U.S. troops there.

The photographs at issue were taken by service members in Iraq and Afghanistan and were part of criminal investigations of alleged abuse. Some pictures show "soldiers pointing pistols or rifles at the heads of hooded and handcuffed detainees," Solicitor General Elena Kagan said in an appeal to the high court.

In one, "a soldier holds a broom as if 'sticking its end into the rectum of a restrained detainee,"' Kagan said, quoting from an investigation report prepared by the Pentagon. Two investigations led to criminal charges and convictions, she said.

[Tu_eres]

veteran71
The fact that you lack an education and/or intelligence is apparent. You posted several assumptions, which is fine, but you have yet to answer the question. If your initial post is your idea of an intelligent argument, you have a long way to go sparky. Keep selling those cookies, it will be your little contribution to enriching the lives of your fellow Americans.

[retm-w]

Gates is just one of the Bush/Cheney good old boy's network. And Obama wasn't to bright keeping him.

[retm-w]

Gates just one of the Bush/Cheney good old boy network. Obama wasn't to smart keeping him.

[Tu_eres]

What purpose would be served by releasing the photos? So people like you can say, "I told you so?" Get off the liberal bandwagon and attempt to form an original thought. Veteran 71 huh? Girl Scouts don't count, tough guy! I bet you were tops in cookie sales.

[veteran71]

by Tu_eres November 15, 2009 12:49 PM EST

What purpose would be served by releasing the photos? So people like you can say, "I told you so?" Get off the liberal bandwagon and attempt to form an original thought. Veteran 71 huh? Girl Scouts don't count, tough guy! I bet you were tops in cookie sales.
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Translation:*
"I possess neither the education or intelligence required to offer any valid reasons for my mindless support of a system that actually despises and works tirelessly against my very existence, so I'll just do what I always do when confronted with intelligent arguments: Resort to repeating stuff I've heard on Faux Nooz"......"those guys are really smart, even though I have no idea what they're talkin' about"....

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(This translation from Dullard to English brought to you free of charge by the Wingnut Droolers Can Learn Commission. Donations are always appreciated but never required)

[50BMS13]

In a civil trial the photo's wil have to be released. They will be subpoenaed. In a military trial the military makes the rules. Not so in Civil law. This is a fascade by the liberals to appear that they want to keep torture stuff private while knowing that now it is civil, it will all come out.

[veteran71]

Authoritarian Corporate Elites are in complete control of every aspect of government, SCOTUS, and the military. That's how they can completely shut down a U.S. City like Pittsburg for a meeting, using the military in violation of the Constitution and Rule of Law.
They break out the latest weaponry and use it on the citizenry without the slightest protest in the MSM.
We're already living in a Police State.
The Patriot Act supercedes all U.S. and International Laws and Treaties.
Good luck in court trying to overturn their authority.

[veteran71]

Gates Blocks Detainee Abuse Photos
Secretary of Defense Says Their Release Could Put Americans in Danger

Yea, Americans.....like Darth and Shrub, Rummy and Wolfy, Kindasleezy and Gonzo......they'd be in danger of being held accountable for their numerous and heinous War Crimes and Mass Murders.....