Photos Tomorrow -DUer Project WWW.ENDTHEABUSES.ORG. We Can Use YOUR Help!

[DistressedAmerican]

With the handover date for 144 more abuse photos and several new videos from Abu Ghraib scheduled for tomorrow, I wanted to give you all an update on a grassroots organization that grew out of DU interactions. At this point a group of us have been hard at work preparing for this release.

We will not let the corporate media bury these images!

We will be spreading the images in a variety of ways. In addition, we are assembling a whole set of press releases and briefs for our locan and national media outlets. We have already been a presence at demonstrations around the country and will be working in future to organize anti-torture rallies. Please consider pitching in on this effort!
=====================================================================

NO MORE EXCUSES! END THE ABUSES!

www.endtheabuses.org

It is the goal of this organization to effectively highlight and end DETAINEE ABUSE while, attempting to neutralize the Republican spin machine's excuses and justifications for these officially sanctioned Bush administration actions. The ongoing detention of an unknown number of uncharged foreign nationals and American citizens without access to legal representation, without in many cases access to outside aid organizations is as fundamentally an un-American practice are those of us working on the issue can think of.

When that un-American incarceration without due process is exacerbated by reports of abuse, backed up with irrefutable photographic and video evidence, it makes all Americans less safe. It endangers average American citizens at home and abroad by inciting anti-American hatred and driving many into the arms of the very global Jihadists that Bush's administration is tasked with protecting us from. The rejection of the decades old Geneva Conventions place our service men and women in harms way. It erodes the very international agreements that our nation signed onto in large part to protect our troops serving overseas.

We MUST act now to end this flagrantly un-American practice and begin to undo some of the damage that the Bush administration's handling of "The War On Terror" has already wrought on our international reputation and to the very basis of international law that keeps our troops safe!

In comng days and weeks we will post a series of action items, media contact goals and informational material to be distributed around your home communities.

DU has demonstrated its collective rejection of these illegal and immoral practices. It shows that you STILL stand for traditional American values of peace, and justice. Please consider joining our push!

The Ground Is About To Shake For The War Hawks! Be Ready!

[DistressedAmerican]

1. I Simply Cannot Believe That This Post Dropped Right To Page 3!

I know you people are concerned about this issue. Please do not ignore this. It is going to be a major blow to this administration.

If we do not prepare now, we will be playing catch-up and trying to debunk the lies after they are out. Please help us beat them to the punch on this story.

You can bet they are ready to fught!

[unhappycamper]

2. This is another shitstorm in the season of shitstorms.

As an American, I never thought we would make torture a national policy. So much for moral leadership.

:kick:ed and nominated.

[katinmn]

3. I'm there! Thanks, DA!

Kicked and nominated

:yourock:

[DistressedAmerican]

4. All Of You Help Has Been Invaluable! Thank You SO MUCH kat and camper!

You guys are great!

[kliljedahl]

5. On to the Greatest page

Keith’s Barbeque Central

[QuettaKid]

6. KICK !!! nt.

:kick:

[Dragonfli]

7. I have your back!

I expect them to get nasty (nastier?)
Make sure you are prepared.

Torture is Not An American Value!!!!

[kliljedahl]

33. Love the GIF with the fist, is it yours?

May I add it to my sig line?


Keith’s Barbeque Central

[Dragonfli]

44. Why yes, I made It, thanks

I will make one with your Name on it if you like!
(I have done this for two others)
Just PM me to let me know. It would only take me 5 mins. from edit to upload.


:toast:

[annabanana]

8. several delays of the photo release..

has made everyone (else - never YOU DA) "stand down" until we have the materials to work with.

Everyone has their trigger-finger pretty much at the ready..

[DistressedAmerican]

9. I Understand The Issue On That. There Has Really Only Been One

real delay. There was an extension granted by the judge until the 22nd. Supposedly the photos were ready by the original date but, they requested the delay so that the videos and photos would be released at the same time.

DO NOT EXPECT ANOTHER DELAY. I am pretty damn sure that they will be handed over to the ACLU tomorrow. I would expect a short delay on their releasing them. Although that is pure speculation on my part. Just thinking they may want to wait until Monday.

We have kept working throughout in order to be really ready to fight. We have established a small web network to publicize the material and we are assembling an arsenal of material ready to launch.

Didn't want to be reactive this time. We have had plenty of lead time (and so have they).

The American public is not expecting these materials. Few know of their scheduled release. I think in the long run that is good as it will be more of a shock when they hit the press.

I know we will all be on this like crazy as soon as they surface. Just trying to let folks know what to expect and where to find additional info and efforts.

I know I may be a bit obsessive on this. But, I honestly never though I'd be in a position to have to oppose US government torture. What has happened to this country still makes my head spin!

[annabanana]

10. Are they actually going to release the videos? or

"stills" from the videos...(I've heard both versions)

[DistressedAmerican]

11. It should be the actual videos with sound. That was the orginal FOIA

request.

Sy Hirsh says (paraphrasing) that the sound of a young boy being sodomized in front of his mother is among the most disturbing content. This will be really disturbing stuff. Much of it will never be shown on the corporate media sources.

That is where we come in. I'll be posting as much of the material right to our site. I have plenty of server space for the videos. I just hope I can get my hands on all of the material.

On Edit: Let me make it clear that have no personal pleasure in seeing these materials. Based on Hirsh's descriptions, I fully expect to be sickened by them. But, they are a glimpse of the truth of this war and as such have to be available.

[IndyOp]

14. Distressed - Be sure to post a complete description

of the content of each video on your site with explicit warnings about the nature of violence depicted.

It is very, very important that people know what happened. Many people will be moved to take action to stop the abuses without viewing everything that will be released. People with a history of child sexual abuse will re-experience their own abuse if they see this video. It is, therefore, important that people know the content of the photos and videos before viewing them.

I, for one, will not view the video of the 15-year-old boy being sodomized. I almost wish that the ACLU would not release it to protect the boy from prying eyes of millions who will watch. And, if viewing the video slaps many thousands of people awake from this nightmare, it should be shown. I pray for the souls of the pedophiles who will be turned on by viewing it.

The people responsible for the brutality should definitely see the videos - over and over again.

Peace.

[DistressedAmerican]

16. Excellent Suggestion. I Will Be SURE To Do That!

Those of working the project will do everything we can to make sure that these materilas are handeled in a repsectful manner and as per your suggestion, I will make it clear what the content of the images and videos are before the links to them. I had not considered that as yet. But, I will most definitely take your advice.

Thanks!

[annabanana]

19. Thank you.. just as I chose not to personally witness the

beheadings, I feel no need to watch torture. But for those who doubt it happened, nothing else will suffice.

[DoYouEverWonder]

34. Everyone needs to see these videos

Everyone should be forced to see what the Bush Government does to other human beings.

Screw warnings. Everyone knows what on these tapes. Its time for people to open there eyes and look at what the corrupt ones do in the name of christ. Don't turn away, don't change the channel. Look. Look and see what torture and brutality looks like. You will never be the same again.

[DistressedAmerican]

13. To Follow Up On Your Question...

Here is what the ACLU had to say: http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=18393&c=206


Federal Court Orders Government to Turn Over Videos and Photos Showing Detainee Abuse

June 2, 2005



-SNIP-
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [e-mail]

NEW YORK -- A federal judge has ordered the Defense Department to turn over dozens of photographs and four movies depicting detainee abuse at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq as part of an ongoing lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union.

"These images may be ugly and shocking, but they depict how the torture was more than the actions of a few rogue soldiers," said Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the ACLU. "The American public deserves to know what is being done in our name. Perhaps after these and other photos are forced into the light of day, the government will at long last appoint an outside special counsel to investigate the torture and abuse of detainees."

The court order came in response to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by the ACLU, the New York Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Constitutional Rights to obtain documents and materials pertaining to the treatment of detainees held by American forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantánamo Bay.

-MORE AT LINK-

[DistressedAmerican]

12. Kick For Conscience!

[I Have A Dream]

15. Kicked & nominated.

:kick: for this very important post.

[DistressedAmerican]

17. Kick!

[Helga Scow Stern]

18. Nominated and kicked! n/t

[oxbow]

20. I'm uncertain about the timing of these releases

I'm behind this effort 100%, but I do worry about releasing these a day after new explosions in London. No doubt both sides (fundie christians and muslims) are pretty incensed right now. Perhaps they should wait a few days and let emotions calm down a little before relasing these, as from all acounts they are VERY disturbing in and of themselves. What do you guys think?

I just don't want anymore people killed over these. The whole reason we are supporting this effort is to end people's inhumanity to each other, not give it more fuel.

[DistressedAmerican]

22. In My Opinion, They Should Have ALL Come Out At The Beginning

This new release and those that WILL follow (there are more than 1,000 photos and some videos still being litigated) is a result of the military cover-up. The Pentagon should have been honest and released everything to avoid this kind of drip, drip, drip. It will be even more damaging to them now.

I understand what you are saying about the release stirring up anti-American hatred. But, the simple fact of the matter it that the torture itself is the problem. Not the documentation thereof.

As to the exact timing, that's the way the ball bounces. There will always be a reason not to release them. When is a really good time? I do not really see one.

IMO, these pics and vids will further erode support for this illegal war ending it more rapidly and therefore save MANY lives in the long run.

Just my thoughts...

[oxbow]

25. I agree with you, but am still uneasy

any violence that results is their fault for torturing people, not the ACLU's for bringing it to light.

However, with the shock of these attacks getting people on edge, they could also look at the torture as less horrible in light of the terrorists attacks. I think we should give people a couple of days for these jitters to wear off. Two wrongs don't make a right, but people are less likely to think critically about it like that when they are emotional.

In the end, it's not my decision to make though. As I said, I will stand with you and everyone else working on this when the time comes. I just think it's helpful to play devil's advocate when it comes to things like this.

[DistressedAmerican]

26. Greatly Appreciated. Never Doubted It. Perfectly Reasonable

concerns on your part. Stay Tuned!

[kliljedahl]

29. But the Iraquis & other Arabs already know what has happened

Bushco will try to spin any violence afterward to their publication, they've done it before. The publication of these will not cause more violence, the use of torture is what causes anger and resentment. It will (hopefully) be a wakeup call to the American people just how evil and corrupt this regime is.


Keith’s Barbeque Central

[redacted]

21. Nominated! We're with you on this, DA!

Leaving work early Friday afternoon to pitch in on this effort.

BTW, UK Channel 4 just posted video about--get this--the first three of their soldiers who will be tried for WAR CRIMES under international law. I'll try to post this tonight (PT) in GD. Meanwhile, the video is available now at:

http://www.channel4.com/news/special-reports/broadband_video.html

[DistressedAmerican]

23. Great Link. Thanks! I Love Channel 4. They Actually Seem To Tell The

truth, a rarity in this country. I have seen several great clips from the channel of late.

I hope we see many more of these war crimes prosecutions. Not too likely in the states. We support our soldiers evern the sick and twisted murderers (who are in the minority, I hope).

We will not sign onto the world court because our citizens may be tried there. That should tell you everything you need to know about that. Accountability for everyone else is the Bushco motto!

As to taking time off work, I always endorse that especially if the time is used in constructive pursuits! Good for you!

[Swamp Rat]

24. kick and recommended!

[me b zola]

27. recomended and kicked. n/t

[DistressedAmerican]

28. Kicker!

[Warren DeMontague]

30. Hypothetically, If tomorrow comes and goes with still no word from ANYONE

including the ACLU, am I right to assume that we should start asking serious questions as to what the fuck is actually going on with all this?

[brettdale]

31. kick

kick

[alarcojon]

32. Thanks for keeping us up to date on this

I will be checking your site tomorrow, for sure, and doing my part to get the word out.

[anarchy1999]

35. DA, You've done such an amazing job. We're very proud to be a part of

this community and for your contributions to it.

You are a treasure.

[I Have A Dream]

37. I'll second that. n/t

[TexasLady]

36. kick and letting you know

that I am one hundred and ninety percent behind you. So is my entire immediate family...and to hell with the ones on the outskirts of the family who still think Bush and company hung the moon.

Anyone who looks at old war movies, knows that if a character in the movie was guilty of things like these, the 'good guys' always hung em out to dry, shamed and kicked them out dishonorably..whoever they were.

Accountability is what I want.

Many thanks to you for your hard work.

[ConfuZed]

38. kick

[ConfuZed]

40. *smack* *smack* *smack*

:kick:

[ConfuZed]

48. Wheres the photos and videos?

:kick:

[DistressedAmerican]

50. Release Blocked. See Post 49.

[DistressedAmerican]

39. Evening Kicker!

[Tuesday_Morning]

41. Ready to help! n/t

[kohodog]

42. Bush to Veto spending bill if torture is limited or investigated.

Check this out if you haven't seen it.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050721/pl_nm/arms_congress_dc

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Thursday threatened to veto a massive Senate bill for $442 billion in next year's defense programs if it moves to regulate the Pentagon's treatment of detainees or sets up a commission to investigate operations at Guantanamo Bay prison and elsewhere.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Bush administration, under fire for the indefinite detention of enemy combatants at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and questions over whether its policies led to horrendous abuses at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, put lawmakers on notice it did not want them legislating on the matter.

snip

South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham (news, bio, voting record), who was working on legislation defining the legal status of enemy combatants being held in Guantanamo, also said he would offer an amendment.

snip

Democrats on Thursday said they would push an amendment to establish an independent national commission to investigate policies that led to abuses of prisoners at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo and elsewhere.



Basically Bush will veto the bill if torture is investigated or limited. That should be impeachable IMHO. Maybe the pictures will force reconsideration, but I wonder if they will actually be released.

[DistressedAmerican]

43. I HAdn't Seen That! Thanks. I'll Follow Up.

Have no fear, they will be relaesed just like the over 350,000 governemtn docs on abuse that the ACLU has aquired through similar legal actions.

[Richard Steele]

47. I'd LOVE it if he was stupid enough to VETO that bill...

THAT would be a really bad move!

[Dragonfli]

45. Kick - NT

[snot]

46. Related news: tonite, BBC rptd 52 Gitmo detainees on hunger strike

protesting the fact that they've been detained for 3 years without trial and regarding the conditions there. See http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1643480&mesg_id=1643480

[DistressedAmerican]

49. MORE EXCUSES!!!

http://www.ccr-ny.org/v2/reports/report.asp?ObjID=imOUU2rj8m&Content=608


Bush Administration Files 11th Hour Papers Blocking the Release of Darby CD Photos and Video Of Abu Ghraib Torture


Synopsis
On July 22, the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) denounced the latest efforts of the Bush Administration to block the release of the Darby photos and videos depicting torture at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison facility. On June 2, 2004, CCR, along with the ACLU, Physicians for Human Rights, Veterans for Common Sense, and Veterans for Peace filed papers with the U.S. District Court, charging the Department of Defense and other government agencies with illegally withholding records concerning the abuse of detainees in American military custody. Since then, the organizations have been repeatedly rebuffed in their efforts to investigate what happened at the prison.


In June, the government requested and received an extension from the judge stating that they needed time in order to redact the faces of the men, women and children believed to be shown in the photographs and videos. They were given until today to produce the images, but at the eleventh hour filed a motion to oppose the release of the photos and videos, based on an entirely new argument: they are now requesting a 7(F) exemption from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act to withhold law enforcement-related information in order to protect the physical safety of individuals. Today’s move is the latest in a series of attempts by the government to keep the images from being made public and to cover up the torture of detainees in U.S. custody around the world.

-More At Link-

Still Waiting On Response From The ACLU...