Disgust at prison abuses grows
1,000 new photos of Iraqis shock and anger lawmakers
"It's like looking at one of the rings of hell, and it's a ring of hell of our own creation," said Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., shortly after viewing several hundred of the pictures in a secure Senate room. "And when you see these accumulated photos of violence and brutality and perversity and depravity, you want to turn around in revulsion."
The latest revelations came as Congress continued to debate the Bush administration's actions in Iraq, as fighting erupted in Najaf and Karbala between U.S. forces and those supporting a rebel cleric and as more information emerged on Nicholas Berg, who was beheaded by captors who said they were retaliating for the prison abuses.
Sen. John Warner, R-Va., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which is leading the congressional inquiry into the scandal, said he believed the government should wait to release the photos until military trials of those accused are completed.
"You've got the potential inflammatory problem that you might put our troops more in danger. I don't know that the government can take that responsibility to do that," said Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, who called the photos he saw "absolutely disgusting."
But others, including Republican Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, said they thought releasing the pictures would be best in the long run.
Two more U.S. soldiers will face trials in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal for abuses ranging from punching and kicking detainees to ordering them to engage in sex acts, according to documents released Wednesday. Seven soldiers have been charged, with one court-martial set for May 19. Numerous investigations are under way, and officials have said at least two or three others are likely to be charged.
More than 1,000 images were brought by the Pentagon for lawmakers to view Wednesday. Several of those who saw them said there appeared to be hundreds of duplicates as they were displayed by military personnel on a screen.
Durbin said there were also many horrific images but no information about when or where they took place and who was involved.
"Many of them, you couldn't figure it out," he said. "One showed a victim of a gunshot wound with half of his head blown off, with all the blood and gore around it, and no identification as to who he was or where it took place ... Many others, you couldn't tell where they took place. The military officials there couldn't explain it. They didn't know."
Comments
- Medvedev warns U.S. 12:53 p.m.
- Cast reflects on Hogwarts childhood 12:32 p.m.
- U.S. 'gesture' could win release? 12:32 p.m.
- Carrey to be a grandfather 12:26 p.m.
- UFC's milestone event 12:23 p.m.
- Sentencing for con man moved 12:19 p.m.
- New lobbyist reports due Friday 12:08 p.m.
- LDS seminary principal arrested 11:49 a.m.
- Power.com sues Facebook 11:40 a.m.
- Stocks falter 11:39 a.m.
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- Okur signs two-year extension
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Mall owner seeks to retain zoning
- Jazz rally for OT win at Orlando
- Letters: Palin mistreated
140 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
140 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
135 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
125 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
80 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
72 - Letters: Single-payer system best
70
By now you've probably read about the investigation that showed just how...
The recent Poly camp in Bountiful opened the eyes of recruiters to at...
Let's all hold off on the condemnation, ok? No conviction yet. My...
I was about 3 years old, sitting in the living room watching a black and...
Yes finally talk about getting a big athletic F/C on the Jazz!! Something the...
To say that the Book of Mormon is the great converter may have been true in...
EVERYONE DUCK, here comes another feeding frenzy of ........ OH OH, another...
There is no reason that Chaffetz should leave his religion at the door. We...
My biggest problem is that I, as a reasonably intelligent observer, am able...
he is HORRIBLE ON DEFENSE. HE IS CAPABLE OF BETTER AS 2 AND 3 YEARS AGO,...
The only victims here I see are his wife and kids.
BECAUSE? GOP Steel told them to at the moment. OH OH, another...


You can be the first to comment on this story.