(no subject)

[capnzebbie]

I wish the news shows would stop displaying those pictures of the torture victims. It's a terrible thing to have happened and it needs to remain in the public consciousness, but I believe that every time those pictures are shown those poor men are re-victimized. Public sexual humiliation was an important part of the torture. Isn't that what the news shows are doing over and over again?

Comments

[dominik.livejournal.com]

You certainly got that right. But they're not white, so they don't matter /end sarcasm (You're talking about Abu Ghraib, right?)

[shattered.livejournal.com]

Exactly! That's what really irritates me. In theory, I can understand the concept behind airing disturbing footage -- to incite anger in the viewer/disgust/etc. in the viewer and spur him or her to action. But I hate the obvious double standard when it comes to who can and who cannot be shown suffering/victimized.

[capnzebbie.livejournal.com]

The first person I ever saw this sort of thing happen to was actually a white guy. I was very young--it was probably in the late 60s--and this US guy had been tortured in Cuba. I don't know what sort of torture; he was bruised and stuff. Then he was paraded down the street in his underclothes.

I still remember how upsetting it was to see that on tv. It was the first time I'd ever seen anything like it, or even been exposed to idea that torture happened in real life.

It will never be something I want to see pictures of.

[capnzebbie.livejournal.com]

Yes, Abu Ghraib. It just upsets me every time I see it. I don't want to see it. I don't want to have those images in my head. It's bad enough knowing that one human being did that (and does that still--you know it's happening somewhere right now) to another human being without having to see it over and over again.

[shattered.livejournal.com]

I'd definitely recommend writing in to the stations that have been airing the disturbing footage. I think public opinion is taken into greater consideration than it might seem. *Hug*

[capnzebbie.livejournal.com]

This is a good idea. I hope a lot of people are ready for this to stop and will write to the news stations.

[shattered.livejournal.com]

Best of luck, and let us know if you hear back.:-)

[capnzebbie.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I will! Did you see in the news that the one guy was sentenced to ten years? I'm glad there's starting to be some accountability with this, but I don't doubt for a moment that he was "just following orders." The people giving the orders will probably never be held accountable.

[shattered.livejournal.com]

I saw him waddling in cuffs. Then the screen pulled back and he was shown with cuffs on his ankles as well. Even the newscaster got in a line of snark.

Unfortunately, you're probably right though.