Why do we want to see more pictures?

[napi21]

I'm writing yet another letter to the editor of our local paper here in Ga. (So far, they've published every one I've sent.)

There have been a lot of letters published, complaining about the nedia releasing the abuse pictures, and that they are just hurting GWB. Well, I disagree with that as a reason, so I'm going to respond.

I'm looking for reasons "all people" look at things like car accidents, suicide jumpers, etc., and I've come up with about 7 different things most of the public claims to hate, but can't stay away from or keep their eyes off of.

Can you help? I'd like to list about a dozen or so to prove my point, and then close with the line..."the media released the abuse pictures because we want to see them. Do you?"

Do you have any ideas I can put in this letter?

[Eric J in MN]

1. There aren't enough people demanding change, yet.

If more photos are released, the public may demand a structural change for more oversight to prevent this type of thing from happening, again.

If more photos are released, the public may demand that more than 7 MPs are punished.

If more photos aren't released, 7 MPs will be punished but the higher-ranking people responsible won't be and the mistreatment of prisoners will continue.

[Tosca]

2. Tittilation

People look at those pictures for the small thrill they provide. Granted the pictures should be made public for political reasons, but Americans will never tire of the voyeurism of it all.

"you're dead (or suffering) and I'm alive!"

[seabeyond]

3. as son as repugs thought they had contained the pictures from media

they had a media blitz saying these pictures not so bad, and compared to what saddam did nothing. just frat boy stuff. didnt we all experience it in the locker room.

they did not own what had happened.

so a universal thing happened, they didnt accept the gift of pictures not coming out, in fact created an atmosphere where more had to be sent out to say, this is not frat boy behavior and how you are creating it is wrong, demying what happened and what these human experienced.

tell me the difference between the berg beheading and they being people of barbarianism, and beating a man to death for hours upon hours and then thumbs upping it. i am thinking our experience was more torturest and barbaric

repugs should have owned it and the story would have ended. they should have taken it seriously instead of trying to hide it and lie about it again

[shraby]

4. We need to see them to

drive the message home that these were horrific and unacceptable acts committed against human beings, much in the same way we needed to see the pictures of the concentration camps of WWII. These were not techniques to "soften" up prisoners, many of whom were totally innocent of anything except being in the wrong place at the wrong time and got caught up and placed in the prison.

There is a lot of difference between the words "soften up" and what actually transpired and pictures tell us what the differences are. God only knows what went on during the actual interrogations if the actions portrayed in the pictures were "softening up" for the interrogation to follow. We also need to see the interrogation pictures if any are available which I seriously doubt there are, as they would probably be particularly damning.

[ibegurpard]

5. We need to see MORE pictures until everyone who isn't brain dead

comes to understand that we will NEVER be able to legitimately lay claim to the ideal of bringing freedom and democracy to an oppressed people when our "liberators" are treating people this way. The actions of the individuals who committed these atrocities right on up to highest levels of authority that turned a blind eye or actively condoned them have made us LESS secure than we have ever been.

[Tosca]

6. Freedom and democracy

/comes to understand that we will NEVER be able to legitimately lay
/claim to the ideal of bringing freedom and democracy to an oppressed
/ people when our "liberators" are treating people this way.

We carry such a heavy burden, eh?

[riverwalker]

7. This is where we decide who we are

as a nation. Right here, right now, the line is drawn. If we allow this to slide we will forever lose whatever credibility and respect we had left in the world. We need to be aware, and unfortunately, without pictures, many will not be aware. We are, sadly, no longer a literary culture, everything is visual. Some can read report after report of torture and brutality, but it is not real until there is a photo.

[Tosca]

8. And how many Americans will remember these pix in November

I'd rather this story broke in October, but I guess you can't control the timing of a scandal. Too bad.