OPINION

Salon.com Offers Abu Ghraib Photos In Exchange for Their Soul

Written by Bird of Paradise
Published March 09, 2006

Captain Ed reports that Salon.com is trying to entice paid subscribers with a solicitation letter that reveals they are "planning to release hundreds more photos taken inside Abu Ghraib."

Editor Joan Walsh then goes on to write, "I'm contacting you and other former Salon Premium members to make sure these photos reach a large audience. Your expired Premium membership supported our ongoing mission to speak truth to power, but we need your help again now."

Gee, I wonder why they may have let their subscriptions lapse . . . could it be because they had grown tired of all the Abu Ghraib hype that the media used for self-promotion and anti-Bush/anti-war propaganda two years ago? What makes Salon think that even more photos will lure them back? The Bible declares that a "dog returns to its vomit." Perhaps that is what Salon.com has in mind.

In a remarkable demonstration of chutzpah, the letter's final paragraph begins, "We'll do our job with integrity and diligence."

Sure.

In any case, I have written Salon.com the following letter letting them know my thoughts on the matter:

I understand that you are attempting to woo subscribers by planning to publish more photographs of the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse. Why would anyone want to rehash a news story that is over two years old and with all the players either convicted or charged with military crimes?

These photos are not newsworthy. They will in no way shed any more light on the misadventure nor will they inject any new information into the story than we already have.

It appears to me that your proposed project serves no other purpose than to effect emotion . . . all of it negative and pointless . . . except to effectively defame, tar, and feather all American troops now serving in Iraq, none of whom had anything to do with the photographs or the incident they represent.

On the other hand, the new images will be well received by the Islamic terrorists who will, without any doubt whatsoever, use them to stir up even more anger and hatred against the United States, encourage more volunteer recruits as suicide bombers, successfully prolong the conflict in Iraq, and contribute to the death of many more American servicemen and women.

Jesus once asked, "What does it profit someone if they gain the world but lose their soul?"

Please do not "sell your soul" for a few subscriptions. Personally, I would be ashamed to have readers who would be enticed by what you are offering them.

Keep reading for information and comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own!
Salon.com Offers Abu Ghraib Photos In Exchange for Their Soul
Published: March 09, 2006
Type: Opinion
Section: Culture
Filed Under: Culture: History, Culture: Media
Writer: Bird of Paradise
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Comments

#1 — March 9, 2006 @ 07:46AM — Elsa [URL]

Ugh. Not something you want to read this early in the morning. This is abhorrent.

#2 — March 9, 2006 @ 08:01AM — JP [URL]

I agree that this should NOT be used as a way to pump "premium subscribers" for more money. Salon often publishes interesting and well-written work, and should market itself based upon its track record and its merits, not by teasing the audience about photos it may soon release.

However, I disagree that the only benefit in publishing these photos would be to "stir up even more anger." This reminds me of Sean Hannity's response to everything, which is "you're undermining the troops." I vehemently disagree with this type of reasoning, which is often used simply to squash dissent.

As a further point of disagreement, I do not think that for most people, the primary object of negative feelings is even the troops. I think the entire scandal says much more about our military LEADERSHIP than it does about the troops themselves, who are often simply following orders and following guidance they receive about what types of treatment are permissible. Personally, I don't think it even says that military leadership "told" the troops to take such measures, I think it's more that the leaders FAILED to tell them NOT to.

And finally, given the Bush administration's use of the "signing statement" to undermine the McCain anti-torture bill last fall, I believe this is both current and relevant, so it should not be suppressed. I think it should be published without being hidden behind a subscriber wall, because it's clear the public isn't upset ENOUGH about what's going on to ensure that Bush Inc. follows the law.

#3 — March 9, 2006 @ 12:25PM — Professor Pan [URL]

I'm with JP. I think it's a poor choice on Salon's part to use the photos to capture lapsed subscribers.

But until illegal, secret gulags and policies allowing torture are eliminated, the Abu Ghraib photos are testimony to what is wrong with the current leadership in the Pentagon and the White House. Until apologists for torture are replaced, the photos help us understand why the Bush administration are losing the "war on terror."

Ignoring abuse won't make it go away.

Does that mean I'm bashing Bush? If so, good. It's important to bash amoral cronies when they're running my country off a cliff.

#4 — March 14, 2006 @ 10:06AM — Jason Small

I'm so tired of people misusing Jesus' words like this. It just betrays a fundamental misunderstanding to attempt to quote him in a case like this. Sigh.

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