Abu Gharaib and the public outcry

[Anonymous]

What photo from Kids if it existed would create the same outcry we're hearing about Abu Ghraib?

[Anonymous]

The worst of the damage was not the physical "photo shots" of what happenned to many of us there - the worst cannot be photographed.
It was the relentless mental torment, the beating and killing of our self esteem, our minds.  It was the violence inflicted apon our spirits and our youth that comprised the most horrific of scenes - and the only place you could record it would be in our memories, not on film.

[Anonymous]

I agree, as I'm sure that the worst damage suffered by these Iraqis is also to their psyche and to their spirit.

However, I think it would be easy to list things that if we had photos would scream abuse to the world as well.

Group Strip Searches

Restraints of bloodied and banged up new comers with 8 people sitting on their body, smiling.

A nice close up of L**nne covering someone's mouth while they are being restrained and holding their nostrils shut at the same time. (I think they call that suffocation)

Untreated medical problems

Videos showing someone being restrained for not sitting up straight.

People getting beaten up in intake rooms...

I think for some reason it would make the psychological scars harder to ignore as they have been ignored for decades now.

[Anonymous]

I was also thinking of sleeping in bare rooms on bare floors with someone in front of the door (with an alarm on it) and the windows locked.  

Oh yeah, I forgot, having to sleep naked or with just underwear on.

Or how about having to ask to pop a pimple and having to say why you deserve to do it.  Or worse, asking for more than two squares of toilet paper to wipe your butt.

Having to "own Up" to your mother and father every BJ you gave or every thing you stuck in various places.

Having to plug your ears and hum while a car with loud music goes by.

Having to dress like a complete geek at the school you just left and tell everyone "I can't talk to you, I am straight and happy now".

Having to be held by the belt loop in front of people in the street.

[plmtrilvr]

yeah, i hear u guys.
i remember not being able to go to the bathroom during "clinical raps"...{for those of us who had a medical problem}.
or having to motivate to ask for stuff at the host home, cos' u were "lazy" that day in group. making u eat that horrible food, on ur first few weeks, when u couldn't keep up with anyone. and they basically, made u shove it down ur throat.....there are so many little things that i can think about that might not mean alot to people....but, they do to me. the worst thing for me was...when they didn't let me go to my father's funeral, after he was shot and killed. i found out a week later....i will never forget that... ever.

[Anonymous]

I you used the term "I can't talk to you anymore."  You would be in big trouble, you were to say "I don't want to talk to you anymore."

Who was the fucking genious that took pictures?

[Anonymous]

I heard that it was part of the blackmail, part of the incentive to talk or to become an informer. The violations to the bodies of these men are particularly shameful in Arabic culture, actually Muslim especially, and there was talk that the photos were used as a threat . They allegedly told these men that they would circulate them publicly or show them to family and friends. Not 100% sure but I have heard for instance that if a woman is raped the family or community will kill her so in essence any rape committed against women who are being held is in reality a death sentence. There are reports of this happening to the wives and those affiliated with former Baath Party members.