Little PhotoShop of Horrors

So, apparently General Richard B. Myers, among others in the Pentagon and the Bush Administration, believes that the release of additional photos depicting the attrocities at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq will invite the wrath of Muslim extemists. As if their current wrath is not wrath enough.

I find it interesting that Myers believes the photos will flame the extremists' (nee terrorists') propaganda machine. But is it really propaganda if it's true? Perhaps. But, quite honestly, we as Americans need to come completely clean on this issue if we hope to retain any shred of credibility in the world. Out of one side of our collective mouth we espouse the long-held tenets of freedom and democracy. Then, as we've seen through the Abu Ghraib prism, we seem to act in a way that defiles the very notion of freedom and human rights, not to mention human decency. It appears that humane treatment of others is our mantra only when it serves our purposes. That, my friends, is called hypocrisy. And don't think for a minute that the rest of the world doesn't view this hypocrisy with absolute scorn. As well they should.

Is it the right thing to do to release the most graphicly horrific of the Abu Ghraib photos? Will it serve to increase the danger level for U.S. forces in Iraq? Or, will it shed new light on the origin of the orders to carry out such brutality? Perhaps the answer to all of these questions is YES. The aftermath may be ugly, but if we as a nation believe that the photos depict the proper way to treat others in this world, then perhaps we have it coming.

Certainly, I think I can speak for most Americans by saying that the acts depicted in the photos - which I, of course, have not seen - are vile and intolerable. No human being should be treated in such a manner...ever. I also don't believe for a second that the actions were merely those of misguided, lower level soldiers who were improperly trained. Sooner or later, it must be apparent that these actions were encouraged by senior level military intelligence officers and Pentagon officials. They are the ones who must be held accountable. And they must be held accountable by every proud American who KNOWS that people should not be treated like that. A government that condones or encourages such actions shames all of us. That's not America. At least, that's not my America.