This week President Obama announced his opposition to releasing new photos documenting CIA abuse of Iraqi and Afghan prisoners before 2004. In the face of two lower courts demanding the release of the photos, the White House argues that the release of the photos poses too grave a threat to national security. This is a reversal of his previous agreement to release the photos. The American Civil Liberties Union brought the lawsuit that seeks publication of the photos. An ACLU attorney said, "The decision to not release the photographs makes a mockery of President Obama's promise of transparency and accountability." The case may have to go to the Supreme Court to be decided. Quotes "The publication of these photos would not add any additional benefit to our understanding of what was carried out in the past by a small number of individuals." U.S. President Barack Obama "We're told that [the pictures] are pretty sensational. And I'm guessing that that's probably true or they wouldn't be so worried about releasing them." Jeff Zeleny, New York Times Warm Up Questions 1. What happened when photos of prisoner abuse at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison were discovered in 2006? 2. When is the government allowed to keep secrets? Discussion Questions 1. Do you think Obama is right that releasing images could put current U.S. troops in danger? Is that a good enough reason to not release the images? 2. What would you do if you were the president? Would you release the photos? Why or why not? 3. Do you want to see the photos? Why or why not? 4. Lawmakers are arguing over the effectiveness of torture, what do you think? 5. If the tactics in the picture are deemed to be torture, how should the U.S. government deal with the CIA members in the pictures? 6. If the pictures are released, do you think that the media should distribute them? Why or why not? Additional Resources Read this trasncript Report Outlines Approval of Harsh Military Interrogation Methods President Orders Guantanamo Prison Closed