Torn over torture photos

Re “Release the torture photos,” editorial, May 14

The Times admits that the release of the torture photos could lead to new outbursts of violence. It is generally agreed that releasing the photos would put our military -- and therefore American lives -- at risk. So you consider publishing some photos more important than even one American life? Tell that to the families that could lose a loved one over this.

No one is trying to cover up atrocities here; these photos relate to actions that have already been investigated. Shame on you for putting your vulgar curiosity over American lives.

Laura Stout

Manhattan Beach

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After all the rhetoric about how torture helps our security, it finally comes out that the Bush torture policies were so harmful, we must cover up what we did. Why didn’t all those who planned and participated in torture think about the negative consequences in the first place?

And now we are told that it is politically expedient not only to forgive those who were involved but also to further conceal what happened.

If abandoning legal and moral principles in favor of political expediency is what got us into this mess, we certainly don’t want to use the same dishonorable strategy to get us out.

Roger Johnson

San Clemente

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Obama’s promise of having a more open administration is not an absolute mandate, as there are cases in which public exposition of wrongdoings will serve no practical purpose. Timing is important, and this is not the time to expose the horrible pains inflicted by our soldiers on some detainees.

If people’s imaginations make torture seem even worse than what it actually is, I’d say that’s a good thing.

Let’s keep those frozen images in the archives of American shame, but let’s make sure that we don’t add more material to that repository.

B. Graciano-Buchman

Beverly Hills

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Morality, campaign promises and transparency you brush aside. Your best argument for releasing the pictures appears to be, “Shouldn’t the administration at least get credit for making them public?” Yes, we should investigate and prosecute, but in a reasonable and responsible manner that does not put our brave troops in further peril -- and certainly not for PR credit.

Andy Chawke

Sherman Oaks