Flash news on internet today are pirate copies of new photographs, showing Americans torturing Iraqi civilians in Iraqi jails. The rumor is that President Obama officially stopped  free circulation of these photographs

The scenes are so disgusting and inhuman that I could not bring myself to forward them to this group.

I am sad.

So am I....and I can´t imagine why anyone, other than those who would have to see such disgusting things for legal matters, would want such images seared into their brains.

It has only been in the last few years the meaning of psychopath has become more clear.  Fortunately, most humans have some degree of compassion.....and shame.

This too will go unnoticed.

Nope. it won´t. But tell me, what can I (or any other private person, especially not living in the States) do other than condemn it or sign a petition towards the local embassy (which I did)?

By not being one of US or THEM.

By trying to see matters through others´ eyes too. 

This doesn´t apply to you only, it is true for all of us.

You know in the near past, some folks liked some others here just because they felt they were in the same camp. Maybe, it went unnoticed but I tried to stay away from any of these camps both criticizing and praising either side.  

Many contributors here see the world as black and white. Unfortunately, there are also many Turkish contributors doing that. They are doing this because they have not had much chance to get exposed to other visions (due to medieval sanction on the freedom of travelling in Europe and US.)  I know this will change in time.

 You´re referring to the funny ´gangs´? Come on, those were jokes. Where is your sense of humour?

I think it goes without saying that tortures are hideous and should not take place in ANY part of the world. I can´t see how a country resorting to torture (US in this case) can call itself righteous. Tortures are never justified or morally acceptable.

As for the gang/club/camp part, I wonder why some people find it hard to understand that some other people have sense of humour and are not afraid to show it. Besides, even within the so-called camp members not always agreed with each other and had open debates here as well.

Not only is torture hideous, it is not effective in getting true actionable information.  Under torture, victims will say anything to make it stop.  It´s a totaly inefficient and counter productive method.  I can´t see any positive rational for it´s use.   It´s sadistic gratification.

It is shocking seeing how easily people can be led to commit such acts.  In this I´m referring to the Stanford Prison Experiment.

Torturers exist because they feel their actions have aproval of their surperiors and the larger society.  It seems that only by very loudly and clearly proclaiming it is NOT acceptable, it will stop.

"Officers´ messages

In light of this point it is interesting to ask what messages were being provided by fellow and, more critically, senior officers in the units where torture took place? Did those who didn´t approve fail to speak out for fear of being seen as weak or disloyal? Did senior officers who knew what was going on turn a blind eye or else simply file away reports of misbehaviour? "

One important part of that process is the dehumanization of the torture victim....and that takes place through making fun, belittling, attributing false attributes and objectifying others with little regard for the feelings of the victim.

We all have to be vigilent of our conduct.