U.S. military to release prisoner photos

Posted: Thursday, April 23, 2009 11:56 PM by Daily Nightly Editor

by Jim Miklaszewski, NBC News Chief Pentagon Correspondent

U.S. officials tell NBC News the Pentagon and military are preparing to release as many as 2,000 photos from more than 400 separate cases involving alleged prisoner abuse at U.S. military prisons in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for the first time may include prisoner abuse photos from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The photos are being released in response to a federal lawsuit filed by the ACLU.

One U.S. official said the photos are "not as bad as those from Abu Ghraib," the prison where U.S. military guards stripped prisoners naked and threatened them with guard dogs, but "they're not good."

Descriptions of some of the prisoner abuse photos include:

* A prisoner shoved up against a wall as military guards or interrogators appear to threaten to sexually assault him with a broomstick.

* Female soldiers posing with hooded, shackled prisoners who were stripped naked.

* Hooded prisoners on transport planes with Playboy magazines opened to pictures of nude women on their laps.

Most of the 2,000 photos are those that were confiscated in more than 400 military investigations into prisoner abuse between 2001 and 2005.

The military at first was prepared to limit their response and release only 21 photos sought by the ACLU in a federal lawsuit, but Centcom Commander David Petraeus ordered that all 2,000 photos be released at once to keep from "dragging this issue out forever."

As of now the photos are expected to be released May 28.

Critics are already claiming the still unreleased photos will provide proof that prisoner abuse was not the result of "a few bad apples" but was widesrpead and sanctioned by top Bush administration officials.

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Comments

The Aclu is simply horrible. I guess all that money they get from Soros to do his work on destroying our nation is put to good use. Next they will be filing law suits on behalf of the Terrorists and our tax dollars can go to pay them for killing innocent people.

dburger (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 12:46 AM)

Roger Baldwin was a co-founder of the ACLU in 1920. Here is one of his famous quotes: "I am for Socialism, disarmament and ultimately, for the abolishing of the State itself ... I seek the social ownership of property, the abolition of the propertied class and sole control of those who produce wealth. Communism is the goal." This is lock, stock and barrel with the Obama administration, so it's no surprise that these kooks are getting off the anti-Christian bandwagon and turning their attention on something else that they think will destroy America. The Geneva Convention specifically restricts showing photos of prisoners of war... but who cares about the Geneva Convention unless it's furthering the left's agenda. The sad thing is that our tax dollars are paying for this socialist organization. It's funny that the stigma of Abu Ghraib is still a high focus of the media, but Americans getting their heads chopped off in videotapes is not. I'd much rather be waterboarded than have my head chopped off. Maybe libs feel differently. I'd gladly subject myself to waterboarding if the angry left would subject themselves to decapitation.

dburger (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 12:58 AM)

How people get beheaded and pictures sent to their families. US threatens to sexually assualt someone with a broomstick...Obama allowing the prosecution of our military for this is treason.

Concerned Citizen (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 1:05 AM)

Leave it to the f'ing ACLU to try and place our troops in harms way...What a waste of jizz organization!!!!!

Jeff, Hill AFB, UT (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 1:29 AM)

You know, after 9/11 None of you biased jerkoffs were scrutinizing anyone for doing their job, but today now you want to release our secrets, our photos, our intelligence to the public so that everyone can know our secrets. You are ruining America.

John Doe (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 1:37 AM)

WHO CARES???

Stinman (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 1:53 AM)

uh-oh, spaghetti-O...hahaha! Intense interrogation -- OK, torture -- NOT OK. US does not want to be the big pink hypocritical-fascist-regime elephant in the corner.

Duya Likame, Silicon Valley, CA (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 2:15 AM)

Great move. The benign and the horrible, they all need to be released. Even if a few will tarnish our reputation, hiding them all makes it even worse.

One step closer to having a semblance of transparancy in our government.

Michael Wildt (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 2:16 AM)

I guess the most of us, while publically taking the "moral high ground" in condemning torture, would have become seriously personally involved perpetrators in winding-up the rack, or tightening up the thumb-screws on these guys had e.g. one of our loved ones been a 9/11 victim, or, say, had we been related or family to Daniel Pearl (R.I.P.). The shock however comes from the realisation that, like us, the USA has a "primitive", "covert" and "sinister" side behind the "land of the free", "motherhood & mom's apple pie" image and it makes us uncomfortable to see it exposed. However, on your subject, I would imagine that many of these torture sessions were video- and/or voice-recorded in the best CSI tradition - if so, then this public release of evidence should not be confined to just photographs but should include "all" such documentation. If nothing else, it might make us pause to take stock and re-evaluate. Just by the way, I lived in Tehran (Shah era) and found a generosity of spirit, behaviour and compassion among Muslim Shiite friends and colleagues so far removed from the horrors inflicted by todays' Bin Laden crusaders that I sincerely hope will someday be seen as the real face of Islam rather than the image of same that fills us with such disgust and revulsion each time we switch on the news or listen to a conversion about the latest atrocities.

Eamonn Giblin, Dublin, Ireland (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 3:58 AM)

This can't be good for anyone.

Tim O, Kaneohe, Hawaii (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 4:16 AM)

I did NOT vote for Obama, BUT I understand what is now going on in his administration. Cheney has been all over TV saying how great these "enhanced terrogation techniques" are, Obama has seen these photos and he knows we tortured, not just high value detainees, but all of them.
I will say this, having our own soldiers have consensual sex is a lot different than raping them. That's what the TV would have you believe about these "techniques" is that "Well our soldiers willingly did this during training" NO THEY DIDN'T, it's the difference btwn sex and rape one's consensual and one isn't.

dawn, nashville, TN (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 4:39 AM)

When will our military learn? Take no prisoners. Kill em, kill em all. Go Roman, or better yet Green Glass the joint. The Libs. would complain but isn't that their purpose in life?

mitch AllAmerica, U.S.A. (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 4:40 AM)

Let's make sure we also post photos of the bodies from 9/11. Although those wouldn't be as horrifying to liberals, it would be an interesting comparison.

Eric Chamberlain (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 4:42 AM)

Oh well so much for hearts and minds

EVonZip-Virginia (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 5:01 AM)

i don't believe they should be release

kathy bunn,tallassee,ala. (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 5:37 AM)

when they release these photos make sure that you also show the beheadings and abuse of Americans and allies. Also show the destruction they did on 9-11

C. Dennick-Toms River, NJ (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 5:47 AM)

Please remember 9-11-2001. Those people had no regard for innocent children or women or men for that matter. If one inth of information was gained and it saved the life of one American Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Coast Guardsman. Than every thing that was done was worth doing in my book. Every one needs to look in the mirror and ask themselves if one of their loved ones was captured and about to have their head cut off, would they want the kind of information that would save that persons life. WAKE UP AMERICA if we get our heads stuck in the sand again we are a doomed country. A USMC VET

Phil Petro (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 5:59 AM)

I'm sure of course that once said photos are released we'll hear more whining still from the enemy combatant appeasers on the left. Yes I said "enemy combatant" and yes I'm currently in the Army. While my Commander-in-Chief may fail to grasp the reality that his current "overseas contingency operation" is still a shooting affair, I at least understand this still. This planned photo release will do nothing but further stir up anti-American sentiment that all of us in the U.S. military try to counteract on a daily basis. No problem though as I have no choice but to accept it as this is all part of the "change" that President Obama's supporters had "hoped" for last year, right?

Chris Poepl, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 6:49 AM)

I think this is not wise to do it. As these can cause damage to the entire US Citizens living world wide and US image in general. The case shall be taken individually.

Naim, Prishtina, Kosova (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 6:51 AM)

Will we be publishing photos of World Trade Center victims alongside the phots of these poor "abused" prisoners ?

SalemCat (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 6:51 AM)

And, Dick Cheney and maybe even Condi Rice and others believe this treatment was justified and gathered valuable information? Torture is never justified since it is despicably inhuman and without any moral justification. To the Bush Administration, morality was fleeting and only used when convenient. Those who supported their causes where conventional morality was ignored should now be searching for their own forgiveness. The DOJ should pursue those who were involved in giving the orders to torture. It is necessary to pursue justice without malice or revenge. The rule of law needs to prevail to (hopefully) curb these acts from occurring in the future. The Bush Administration misused its responsibility and twisted the trust which was given to them from being elected into office. The US has been shamed by their acts of lawlessness. The rule of law needs to prevail.

Nick, Ohio (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 6:54 AM)

PLEASE RELEASE ALL OF ANY PRISONER OF WAR TORTURE PHOTOS---WE MUSH FINALLY KNOW ALL OF EVERY COUNTRY OF EVERY WAR FROM THE BEGINNING OF ALL DOCUMENTATION ---THEN WE CAN OBJECTIVELY DECIDE JUST WHO WE ALL REALLY ARE ---ADVANCED CIVILIZATION OR NOT BY WHOM AND WHERE AND WHEN AND THE REASONS ! HUMAN LIFE IS A SAD DISGRACE TO DATE !

JOANNE ALLEN , LOS OSOS, CA. (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 6:55 AM)

Hi... How could our military have come to this state of affairs... how many times in my Navy career was I instructed and instructing on the Uniform code of military justice and the Geneva Convention... clearly what we did is out-side of our laws... how are we to every re-gain our previous position of "Holding the Moral High-Ground"...

Richard B. Smith, Hessel MIchigan (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 6:56 AM)

I could care less if they tortured these prisoners if it gained information that saved American lives, but why would anyone photograph it?!? They must have known that the photos would eventually fall into the hands of those "America is always the bad guy" people who live right here in our own country.

Anthony (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 6:59 AM)

for me people are talking they can have different opinion but, we can not play with some who does not like us some one who took our plane blew up our building and kill innocent citizen american if it was me i would do more than the military did, i would kill all of them they dont deserve to be treated well

cajoux fequiere (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 7:06 AM)

cajoux fequiere malden mass 02148 (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 7:07 AM)

It seems that we Americans have become so apathetic, dumb or both that we're just sitting back and watching the death of this once great country of ours.

Kathy, Elburn, Il. (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 7:17 AM)

All this liberal crap is getting out of control. Who honestly cares? When another terrorist kill another thousand people we will see how the opinion changes again.

Anthony (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 7:33 AM)

Here's a release of photos that the US news media apparently forgot about: http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101020909/index.html

Joe Mac, Cincinnati, OH (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 7:38 AM)

These people have and will attack and kill us again. The sympathy for those that intentionally kill women, children and elderly without care is unbelievable. The US targets military and hopes not to kill civilians. These people target civilians.

Steve D, Vidalia, GA (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 7:43 AM)

How far will this administration go to destroy the true American symbolism? I am having a hard time to understand their motivation. Are they looking to improve the ooportunities of the American people, or is this an attempt to implement a socialist/communist system at any cost.

Who are they serving really? I would love to know the "unread" truth.

Paulo Lima, Farmingville, New York (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 7:49 AM)

We are not in a campaign mode or are we? Let's get on with getting this administration's act together. Let's see how Pres. Obama can smooth talk the world into instant peace and solve the economic mess about which his people seem confused.

M. Schmidt (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 7:53 AM)

The truth has always been there. It is just surfacing. Torture was approved & carried out by the Bush/Cheney reign and now they have to account for it. They participated in torture in the most cowardly way. America has imprisoned and executed others for thr exact same thing. Why are these people above our laws?

Carol Empie, Lowville, NY (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:19 AM)

Why U.S. officials, the Pentagon and military would release these photo's is beyond me. It must be under force of the Obama camp, by way of the ACLU, a group that has become so low, and unrespected in this country. I hear, or read this garbage almost every day now, and it makes me sick, and very afraid as to what is going on in my country. These people our are enemy. They kill, and torture our people, and have no value of human life, or the rule of war. Why aren't there photo's of the abuse they submit their prisoners to being published. I have seen the video of them cutting the throat of a soldier, and sawing through his neck until they cut his head off while he groans, and kicks until the dead was done. Lets publish that, Ok. They are animals, and deserve no respect, or rights, and the ACLU should be ashamed to lead the public into thinking any different, and the Government, and Obama should be ashamed for letting this happen. I am an American, and proud of it. I, unlike what Mrs. Obama said, have alway's been proud of my country up until this election.

Indianapolis (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:23 AM)

My question about the prisoners who were supposed to have been "abused" is, Are they alive now?, Are they maimed now? Are they permanently disabled now? Did they walk away from this so called torture intact? If they did, and I think they did means they were scared into confessing and nothing more!! Those who had their heads cut off were not as luckly as to be just scared! Get Real About what is torture and what is smart interrogation!

Arlene Szynaka (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:26 AM)

hang them all....they spit on the USA...it is time we nuked them all....like the crusades....do you support the USA? give them 5 seconds to answer yes...any hesitation is a lie or not a sign of reflexive loyalty and cut their heads off like they did to Daniel Perle and others!!! Bastards!!!! This is world war III --- nations against Islam Terrorists!!
As far as that punk pirate....lock him up....let them rape his young tight butt...keep his damn family out of the USA for the trial.

Muggs Spongedice, Hawthorne, CA (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:27 AM)

Here we go again, a bunch of self important jerks to put it nicely (ACLU) who have nothing to do but drag down America one stick at a time on every issue they can find. God forbid they might defend something really important. How about defending issues like our rights like to be able to pray to our own god, or defend our home and famly from the criminals. Our military dose not need jerks like this trying to bring them down. Especially from known terrorists who were captured on the field of battle taking action against our troops.

Steve Potter, Lowell, NC (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:27 AM)

So, now it begins!
nbc and the dems are determined to eventually get Bush and have started their campaign to do so. Does not matter how much these photos are going to demean the U.S. in the eyes of the world but the anti-bush crowd will place them right up there with the muslims (oh, and right. . . .we can't call them terrorist anymore according to Hillary) as they sawed off the head of an american citizen with a hacksaw. Get even time for the Clinton impeach
cment has started. Next we will have to consider payment to the families of these murderes at Gitmo.

bob johnson (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:32 AM)

I thought we were supposed to be looking ahead to all the "new change" according to our wonderful new leader. Obama needs to get his head out of his butt and focus on his administration, not what the last administration did to keep our country free from attacks since 2001. This country will be nothing by the time he is done in office.

Wendy H (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:34 AM)

The Obama administration is doing this now to keep the focus off of all the wrong that he is doing in office --- ruining our country, and making the US a country of socialism.

Wendy H (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:36 AM)

This coming from Americans. No wonder the rest of the world hates us. Our Govetnment is a bunch of hipocrites!!! Shame on us. We are supposed to be better than that. Thank you Mr George Bush for the OUTSTANDING (ha) ob you did for this country.

Rick Webb, Westminster, MD (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:37 AM)

I dont agree with what they have done. But we should treat them as per the law od there country. there infidel to us. put them out for public stoning and pull out the dull nife and de head them like they have done unto others

leo , Hialeah Florida (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:39 AM)

Why are officials of the United States directing so much concern towards the treatment of suspected terrorists? The American people have heard very little in regards to what has happened to the American citizens kept in captivity and tortured by terrorists or other countries for that matter. Why should we concern ourselves with other countries feelings and show very low regard for our own feelings?
Be-heading? Bamboo shoots? ect...
All's fair in love and war... Where did this come from? Does it not mean anything now?

Russell Wagner, Wiggins, Mississippi (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:42 AM)

Hi,
I think it is best not to publish the photos. It will anger many and could result in retaliations.
Let the bygones be bygones ...

Toronto, ON (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:42 AM)

When you post these photos please post them side by side with photos from 9-11. Of course you won't do this but instead will babble on about how we are morally superior and this will bring our enemies around to our way of thinking. By doing so you equate shoving a prisoner against a wall with US citizens jumping to the death. If That's your version of superior you can have it.

jruss, nashville, tn (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:42 AM)

This would all be funny ,if it weren't true.Does most of America and ESPECIALY the ACLU forget that these people attaked us?Thats this countries problem,we worry about the poor misunderstood perpetraitor of crimes and NEVER about the victims.It's a good thing the modern media and the aclu weren't around vin 1941 or we'd all be speaking german as our primary language , eating sushi,and remembering the emporers birthday.Get a grip people,THESE PEOPLE ATTACKED US FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scott Wilbanks (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:43 AM)

The photos "are not as bad as those from Abu Ghraib...
but they are not good." Well, if the photos were good, John McCain would have been president today!
The mankind has never known any photos of human torture that "looked good," except in the sadistic patriotism of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Hayden.
And they will just add fuel to the motto: "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel."

In CNN Poll on January 19, 2009, 68% of Americans said that George Bush's tenure "was a failure", and that he leaving was "a good riddance." But he left a dirty legacy of sadistic behavior behind that hangs like a sign of brutish behavior in the back of the U.S. We need a "good riddance" from that legacy too. And the release of those upcoming torture photos would probably help to start the "catharsis" process.

We must also slow down our propaganda of relegating our foes as outcasts (Iran), and the foes of our allies (Hamas, Taliban, etc.) as terrorists, at a time that our crimes of torture, and Israel's war crimes in Gaza have made the headlines around the world. We are not the builders of democracy around the world, as we pretend to be, but an arrogant hegemonic power out of touch with the world - as Obama
found out during his recent trip to Europe, and during the OAS Conference in the Caribbean. He was pelted in both conferences about the inconsiderate and arrogant U.S. policies! Nikos Retsos, retired professor

Nikos Retsos (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:46 AM)

The ACLU protects child molesters, rapist, murderers, and terrorists while doing things that will undoubtedly cause harm to America and American troops. They are a Godless group that should rot in hell from the highest position to the lowest mail clerk. How many children have they killed by arguing to allow child killers more rights, no mandatory minimums, and supporting their cause. Now they act to harm our troops and protect terrorist scumbags.

Scott Gerard (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:47 AM)

Let's show beheadings, destroyed buildings, and people burning to death so we can compare the views with each other.

George (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:47 AM)

Why just to give our military an even worse name. Those judging the military, are to afraid to join or have drug issues, felones and rapist.

Veronica (Sent Friday, April 24, 2009 8:52 AM)

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