Thursday, May 14, 2009

Torture Photos Threaten National Security?

Hello Readers! There are many things that concern me right now, especially health care reform, the escalating situation in Pakistan, and the way my favorite president just announced that he would ignore a court order to release torture photos.

I don't wish to be negative, but when you think about all that's happening the challenges seem almost overwhelming.

Regarding the president, I'm extremely nervous about what's happening. My new favorite president is beginning to look a little like our past - and my least favorite - president. Why would he ignore a court order to release photos of torture when everybody knows we've already done it? I don't get it! Don't the terrorists already have plenty of recruitment tools? I just can't see how national security is threatened. He seems a little Bush-like in this situation, and that terrifies me.

Btw, I do care about the troops and their safety, but I don't buy the argument the photos will make their situation any more dangerous. The troops are already at extreme risk from the policies of the last eight years. Plenty of torture photos are already out there. I think that's some kind of excuse. Respecting our legal system is important too. That's something our troops are fighting and dying for.

If not photos, then how about torture drawings, like the one seen here? Are those banned too Mr. President? Let's be honest, nobody wants those torture photos released, but it's important to respect the legal system. If civil libertarians successfully sued to disclose our sins so that we are forced to learn and heal, then I think the President should respect that decision. It's also important for the military to learn from its mistakes. The generals should not have that kind of power over our system. "National security" as a power should not be abused.

The information is already out there. No matter what you say, we need to respect our legal system. Nobody is above the law.

Thursday's Political Rant #2 - Michael

24 comments:

Infidel753 said...

Keeping the photos secret could even increase the damage to the country's reputation and the danger to our troops. People will be bound to think that we must have something to hide, meaning that the photos show things worse than what's already known. I doubt this is true, but speculation tends to run riot whenever evidence is concealed.

Michael Boh said...

I agree Infidel. It makes sense the mystery or "conspiracy" of what we may have done probably has more impact than just admitting what we did - and get it over with for good. The terrorists may even out-do the truth, creating gruesome propaganda about what we probably did to them. Our mystery may become their martyr. Now our torture debate may linger and become even more infamous, at least until the government simply tells the truth. Very good point!

ghostrider6265 said...

Very simple boh as to why Obammy will not release them, he is smarter than you and two fucking morons and that is why he is the Pres and you are writing this stupid fucking blog.

Isn't it fun watching Nancy pelosi's lips move while trying to protect her lying ass, it is fucking hilarious.

Michael Boh said...

As usual GR, you have a way with words. I do like it better when you at least try to think before you type - or at least not drink too much.

Infidel753 said...

Actually, he has a way with just one word -- notice he used it three times in a rather short comment. Yawn.

ghostrider6265 said...

Did you two twits catch the Botox oozing out of Pelosi's face while telling the biggest lie of her life.

Sue said...

Nancy Pelosi hasn't had botox, thats ridiculous! Hi Michael! :-)

jonguttman said...

Michael....I going to lump the release of these photos into the same category as do we prosecute high government officials, of the previous administration, for criminal behavior?

And I've waffled on this for the past few months. Now I've come down on the side of "we are a nation of laws" and as much as the patriot in me doesn't want to see a former VP or even President for that matter stand on trial, what will prevent some future administration from egregious behavior if we don't hold people accountable for their actions.

To say what purpose would releasing the pictures serve is the same argument. And, besides, if the pictures are digital, they will eventually get out.

So why not have the government release them and look like a nation that practices what it preaches.

ghostrider6265 said...

jonguttman what do you mean prosecute? Obama and his henchmen will not do it because they know what goes around comes around, at least give Obammy some credit as not being a total moron like yourself.


Sue Pelosi face is so full of botox she is to the point where she can hardly close her eyes.

Michael Boh said...

It's good to "see" you Jon and Sue - it has been a while. Anyway, watch yourselves, for Our Rants & Raves is now plagued by a hot-headed-ghost-riding-Cheney/Bush-fanatic who may wound you with curse words and stupidity. Infidel (my fellow superhero), JR and I fight the good fight against his attempts to be relevant. It's mind-blowingly easy, but fun practice for the simple debates of life. :) Try to avoid his annoying barbs though, for he can be very rude. :)

ghostrider6265 said...

No where did I ever say I was a fan of Bush/Cheney.

I got my eyes on Nancy watching her every time she gets in front of the camera, as far a the torture goes, hey they can put bamboo shoots under their toe nails if that's what it takes, or hook up a hand cranked generator to their nut sack.

Sue said...

If Pelosi is guilty, so be it. We Dems feel the torture was illegal, unethical, and damaged our standing in the world. Prosecute away, no matter who is guilty. It shouldn't be about which party is the MOST guilty, and did MORE lying and cover-ups. Bring out those photos, get it all out, the whole world knows what we did, lets clean up our act and our reputation! I trust Obama, he has a plan, he is far from stupid.

ghostrider6265 said...

Sue the majority of the country could give a shit less as to what the feeling of you so called whack jobs are, I should have said Progressives.

Pelosi is a prime example of what a bunch of lying douche bags the Progressives are.

Like I said before hook up a hand cranked generator to their nuts and turn it a few times I bet that would make them squeal like the pigs they are.

ghostrider6265 said...

Not to change the subject Sue if and when Obammy gets in his health care plan you will be lining up down at your local motor vehicle department to see a Doctor.

Michael Boh said...

Great point of view Sue! I think everybody who broke the law - NO MATTER WHO OR WHAT PARTY - should be investigated and punished.

GR, the majority of Americans are agreeing with our postions these days - you know, the progressive you hate so much. Your perception of having a majority is not only dated, it's demented! I think you need to catch-up with the polls and the news loser!

Sue said...

damn Michael, gr was mean wasn't he!! I thought my point of view was quite agreeable too, Thanks!! I have health ins. I doubt I or anyone else will be standing at the DMV, just you being dilussional again GR!

Buffalo said...

As you said, there are plenty of torture photos out there. What useful purpose does it serve to publish even more? I see it appealing only to prurient interests.

Infidel753 said...

Buffalo -- see first comment. Keeping photos secret would fuel dangerous speculation that they are worse than they (probably) really are. Releasing them would signal a change of direction from the previous administration, a willingness to come clean about the truth.

ghostrider6265 said...

Infidel753 you and Boh probably have never served in the military and probably have never served your country in any capacity other than to criticize it.

The two of you jumped on this band wagon because you think it is the politically correct thing to do, my guess is the two of you could give a rip if it put our military personnel in harms way.


My guess is the majority of the American people probably give a rip as to what happens to the terrorist.

Michael Boh said...

Wow, Infidel, GR knows us so well. I guess we're just a Republican cliche - politically-correct-french-fry-cheese-eating-flag-lapel-pin-ignoring-draft-dodging-America-hating-tax-evading-hippies.

Wow GR, do you ever listen to yourself, or read what you wrote? Are you a complete joke dude? Do you ever get tired of using your discredited, broken GOP cliches on progressives. You need to at least try to seem smarter while blogging, or it's too much like shooting fish in a barrel.

Btw, GR, just to educate you a little, it's your party that sent America's honorable military men and women into an unncessary war. It's your party that lies to and abuses the military. It's your part that dishonored them by using private contractors to commit war crimes. It's your party that embarrasses America.

The MAJORITY OF AMERICANS don't listen to those discredited cliches anymore. We all now know the truth about the GOP. You guys are the unpatriotic, unAmerican, dishonorable party. I think it's time you figured that out.

Sue said...

go Michael, GO MICHAEL... I'm doin a little dance for ya! LOL!

ghostrider6265 said...

Let me educate you a little bit it was your party who sent young men into war under lies that got 58,000+ killed, does LBJ ring a bell to your feeble little one track mind? That is 56.000+ more killed under your leadership than the Republicans.

The fact is, you little dip-shit, the majority of Americans could give a shit less if the terrorist were tortured it is just small minded cock suckers like yourself that think they have something to say when in-fact they have nothing to say.

Michael Boh said...

"You little dip-shit, the majority of Americans could give a shit less if the terrorist were tortured it is just small minded cock suckers like yourself that think they have something to say when in-fact they have nothing to say."

Bloggers, I think GR just summed up the problem with the Republican position in a complicated world. Disprespect and intolerance to/about people he doesn't try to read about/or learn to understand. I think his quote sums it up. Unlike the Bush years, it's clear we have to listen to people who know what they're talking about.

jonguttman said...

Gee Michael you get to be a "cocksucker", I only get to be a "moron".

And what does ghosterider6265 get to be...well I won't go down that path, though my first gut instinct was to was to get personal and respond in kind.

Obviously he's just a digital bully without any intellectual capacity to make cogent arguments to support his positions. (and yes there are valid arguments to be made)

The last time I was bullied I responded by kicking the "shit" out of my attacker, but now I'm older and wiser.

Have a great rest of the weekend.

Jon