Obama and the photos

So Obama will block the release of a set of photos from Abu Ghraib. These are reportedly hundreds of photos showing graphic abuse of prisoners by US soldiers. The Pentagon had previously said it would release the pictures, but apparently some top brass weighed in with concerns, and Obama says nyet.

What might those photos show? Sy Hersh has been talking about this for some time. If he's right, or halfway right, these photos would shock the world.

And, if Hersh is right or halfway right, their release really could make things awfully difficult on US soldiers around the world. I mean, these photos might be really shocking.

I don't know what's the right thing to do here. Yes, I'm prepared for many of you to attack my moral cowardice, as you did during the torture posts from a couple weeks back. But imagine you're the president of the United States and you're responsible for the safety of soldiers in wars you didn't even start, and imagine that the release of these photos could so enrage people that it would dramatically endanger those soldiers. And remember: the people, or at least some people, who committed and oversaw these atrocities have already been convicted of crimes and/or punished in the military context.

As with two weeks ago, genuine attempts to grapple with this conundrum will be particularly appreciated. I guess I'm just glad I'm not the president. And I'm glad you're not either!