Amidst Questions About Detainee Abuse Photos, Gibbs Assails the British Press
EmailLast week, the White House was asked about a report in the British press that Army Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret.), the lead investigator into the abuse at Abu Ghraib, said he'd seen the detainee abuse photographs that President Obama is fighting to keep from being released. Thursday's Daily Telegraph reported that Taguba said that the "pictures show torture, abuse, rape and every indecency."
Taguba told Salon's Mark Benjamin that the newspaper applied his quote to the wrong photographs. The ones he'd seen showing abuse and rape were not the same ones in the ACLU lawsuit that President Obama is fighting to keep from being released. He had been referring to other ones he'd seen.
"The photographs in that lawsuit, I have not seen," Taguba said.
But before Taguba clarified why there was confusion, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs took the opportunity to go after the entire British press.
Saying the Telegraph story wasn't true, Gibbs said he "will speak generally about some reports I've witnessed over the past few years in the British media, and in some ways I'm surprised it filtered down. Let's just say if I wanted to look up — if I wanted to read a write-up today of how Manchester United fared last night in the Champion's League Cup, I might open up a British newspaper. If I was looking for something that bordered on truthful news, I'm not entirely sure it would be the first stack of clips I picked up."
He added that "none of the photographs in question depict the images described in the article. Again, I think if you do an even moderate Google search, you're not going to find many of these newspapers and truth within, say, 25 words of each other."
Gasps from across the pond.
"I cannot recall an instance like this where the president's official spokesman has blasted the press of a key ally — in this case America's closest friend, Great Britain," wrote the Telegraph's Nile Gardiner. "This kind of attack would normally be made against the likes of the North Korean or Iranian state media, but in the current climate of 'engagement' with America's enemies the White House is far more likely to attack its own allies."
Gardiner writes that "Robert Gibbs' completely unwarranted rant against the British press is an absolute disgrace, and the president should disown his views. An unreserved apology by Gibbs is also in order. … Congratulations Gibbs — you've just made an enemy out of the entire British media, quite an achievement for the man in charge of selling the president's message."
The Telegraph's James Delingpole also took issue, congratulating Gibbs on the Obama White House's ability "to secure the most supine, slobbering, spineless, unquestioning media coverage since Enver Hoxha's Albania."
As for going after the British media, Delingpole wrote, "We know we're not angels. We know we can go over the top sometimes. But unfortunately that's a much bigger problem for you than it is for us. You see, while a lot of your mainstream media will hold fire on stories which they think may reflect poorly on your wondrous Obamamessiah — what his half-brother has been up to, say — we have fewer qualms about telling it like it is. So far, you've had a pretty easy ride. The Obama Kool Aid has proved almost as popular beverage in Britain as it is in the US. But just you wait till we start showing our teeth."
Mr. Gardiner said the British press, particularly the Telegraph were "singled out because they frequently publish articles critical of the Obama administration and are not afraid to take on the status quo in Washington. Increasingly, millions of Americans are turning to online UK news websites for cutting edge reports on American politics and U.S. foreign policy that the mainstream media refuses to cover in the States, especially if it is unflattering to the Obama White House."
– jpt
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At least the British press still has some backbone, is not lost in brainless, unadulterated, hero-worship, is not into shameless butt-kissing & dumbed-down articles consisting of spin & omissions. The American mainstream media has become an unofficial propaganda organ like the old-time Pravda, a prime reason so many are in financial difficulty. I mean, really, who would believe a journalist? Who really trusts the accounts we read & see in the mainstream media?
The function of journalists is to criticise, to raise issues, to reveal information that politicians prefer remain unsaid. This is part of how democracy works, checks & balances, to keep our politicians accountable & honest. Instead, we have an agenda-driven media with a definite left-wing bias willing to bury unpleasant realities.
Posted by: Terry | June 1, 2009, 8:36 am 8:36 am
It should be obvious that the only reason the Obama administration does not want the photos released is that it would spoil his appeasement apology speech in Cairo. If anyone wants to read a funny satirical parody of the Obama speech in Cairo, check out the Sultan Knish website.
On second thought, it’s not funny, it’s sad.
Posted by: Terry | June 1, 2009, 8:41 am 8:41 am
The Telegraph just picked up a new subscriber. For Robert Gibbs to accuse foreign press of dishonesty is to live in a glass house and throw stones. I think Obama has been very disrespectful to our long time ally, from sending the Bust of Churchill back and the tacky gifts to the Queen to this now. Hey Obama, instead of apologizing to the rest of the world, why don’t you say something nice to our long term ally across the pond? BTW, I have not seen this story on any major TV news outlet here in the states, which I think says it all.
Posted by: Freedom_is_Good | June 1, 2009, 8:50 am 8:50 am
The British press is having a tea party.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | June 1, 2009, 9:05 am 9:05 am
Gibbs should have the Brit’s that the POTUS is only doing what Sir Winston would do .. he was against torture, also.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | June 1, 2009, 9:12 am 9:12 am
Gibbs is making a pre-emptive strike against the UK press. They report about Obama and his administration what the US media won’t.
Posted by: marylou | June 1, 2009, 9:22 am 9:22 am
I maintain that something is wrong with Gibbs.. he’s really creepy.. even by D.C. standards… creepier than he has to be…
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | June 1, 2009, 9:34 am 9:34 am
“…Increasingly, millions of Americans are turning to online UK news websites for cutting edge reports on American politics and U.S. foreign policy that the mainstream media refuses to cover in the States, especially if it is unflattering to the Obama White House.”
How sad. Is anyone in the press, besides Jake, paying attention?
As for the UK press, you wanted Obama to be president as much as the US press did. That he doesn’t reciprocate your feelings should come as no surprise. You sound more like a jilted lover than a press corps.
Posted by: Axey | June 1, 2009, 9:37 am 9:37 am
Sad, the view is clearer from across an ocean and through fog.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | June 1, 2009, 9:42 am 9:42 am
Since the U.S. government wants to interfere in all of the world’s business and political activities.. it opens itself up to world press’ criticism. Hegemony has a downside.
I was surprised when U.K. peeps would use the word ‘colonies’ – we not only usurped them, but effectively wrecked what was left of their crumbling post-war empire…
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | June 1, 2009, 9:53 am 9:53 am
Is anybody else inside Beltway reporting on this kind of story? Anybody else challenging “Robert Gibbs” during WH press briefings? Thanks, Jake
Posted by: ksd | June 1, 2009, 10:08 am 10:08 am
With respect, I think this blog is a fine example of how many in the US media are either missing or setting aside the main story (the content and context of the 2000 photographs and videotapes of detainee abuse) in favour of a sideshow (the White House trashing of the Daily Telegraph’s interview with General Taguba).
Hopefully, the next blog entry will get to the heart of the matter — the White House is blocking legal process and spinning desperately to keep the 44 photos in the ACLU lawsuit under wraps.
For if those photos come out, then there is no political or legal basis to stop the publication of the much more graphic full set of images. As Taguba said last week, ““The mere description of these pictures is horrendous enough, take my word for it.”
Posted by: Scott Lucas | June 1, 2009, 10:28 am 10:28 am
I think denying the photos release was the right decision. It would have undermined Obama’s new Afghanistan strategy, and possibly even doomed it to failure.
Posted by: jordan | June 1, 2009, 10:49 am 10:49 am
Yeah, the Obama people believe a scorched earth policy is better than a simple “we disagree and we believe that reporting is incorrect.”
Of course we knew this was coming, right? We should have. Bill Clinton went from being the beloved successful former Democratic President to a reviled, semi-racist figure who oversaw a failed economy…all due to the Obama campaign.
It really is not ok to disagree with Obama.
Posted by: MayBee | June 1, 2009, 11:00 am 11:00 am
The British press has been tabloidistic for years. They have manipulated stories for sensationalism and sales for even more years. Most papers in the UK are very similiar as the Enquirer here in the states. Mr. Gibbs was absolutely right. The UK press will say and print anything for that all selling headline. It has been this way forever. They even drive their own citizens to the brink of destruction for the mere access of a story.
Posted by: chuck | June 1, 2009, 11:26 am 11:26 am
This is what happens when you open up this bag of worms. This administration put themselves in an awkward postion by their handling of this issue.
Gibbs is a weekly laugh-fest all by himself. His kiss & tell book should be quite a read!
Posted by: Mike_C | June 1, 2009, 11:31 am 11:31 am
The conservatives on this blog are most unfair. In their typical un-American fashion they will do anything to pull down their own president and defend a sensationalistic,anti-American British press. Why are the Brits above reproach but Obama is wrong in the eyes of these so-called U.S. citizens who have already trashed the world economy during their reign of terror during the last eight years and now show no shame in trying to trash their own president? Whose side is the GOP on? Certainly this political party has done great damage to our country in their feeding of the Wall Street pirates and stomping on the average American citizen. Republicans ought to go join the British America-haters. I would ask Britain to accept these people into your country. You hated them when they supported GW Bush, but now that they support your hatred for the U.S. why don’t you let them come live there? We would love to uncouple the right wing from our country and get it out of here. It is nothing but destructive.
Posted by: JL | June 1, 2009, 11:46 am 11:46 am
JL- I support Obama on his (second) decision about the photos. I just see no reason for his spokesman to so harshly criticize the British press when they have a disagreement with them. It is beneath the office of the most powerful man in the world.
Posted by: MayBee | June 1, 2009, 11:56 am 11:56 am
Auh…JL The gift that just keeps giving to the opposing political sides….LOL
Posted by: Parallax View | June 1, 2009, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm
I see this differently. The President is going against the far left wing of his party and a law suit wanting the release of these photos after listening and taking the advice of Commanders in the field. The British press is often the back door for our press.
Our torture is the #1 recruiting tool for foreign fighters entering Iraq and al Qaeda. The haphazard comments by the British Press could potentially put our men and women in uniform in danger.
A “journalist” can’t state this “Taguba said that the “pictures show torture, abuse, rape and every indecency.” and then say oops – I meant something else. We’re not reporting on Britian’s Got Talent.
I am against torture and it should not have happened in the first place, but what happened in the previous administration is a bell that can not be unrung. I see Gibbs protecting our soldiers while giving the British press a needed warning shot across their bow.
Posted by: Ranger | June 1, 2009, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm
Classic political bait-and-switch. To avoid talking about the torture photos and Obama’s controversial stand to not release them, Gibbs executed a classical maneuver, changing the subject rather then attempting to defend his boss’s decision. To Gibbs, and others in this administration, it doesn’t matter who gets thrown under the bus as long as attention is deflected away from Obama’s decision.
Posted by: someone new | June 1, 2009, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm
The relationship between the British press and the British state is not the same as the relationship between the US press and the US government.
Posted by: MarkLeavenworth | June 1, 2009, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm
Someone is going to have to explain the rules of posting around here. Why are posts removed that are not in the least objectionable? And the post I was responding to, which calls conservatives un-American and wishes for us to be removed from the country, is left up.
Posted by: Axey | June 1, 2009, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
“We should have. Bill Clinton went from being the beloved successful former Democratic President to a reviled, semi-racist figure who oversaw a failed economy…all due to the Obama campaign.”
You’re exaggerating. Bill Clinton deserves credit for all the great things he did, but the Obama campaign didn’t have to try very hard to remind fellow Democrats of his weaknesses. Getting caught with his knickers down in the Oval Office was a disaster for the Democratic Party fair or not. It can be argued that we got saddled with Bush because of it and that made many Democrats bitter.
Posted by: Skip | June 1, 2009, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
===Bill Clinton deserves credit for all the great things he did, but the Obama campaign didn’t have to try very hard to remind fellow Democrats of his weaknesses.===
And that included racism?
Posted by: Axey | June 1, 2009, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm
“And that included racism?”
I know you like to maintain pertinacious rigor but Clinton made some comments that got him drawn into that debate. You walk into that minefield you might get blown up. Do you think Sotomayor is a racist for example? I think the exaggeration is in saying that any of these arguments from one of the most hotly contested primary races in history actually stuck and that because of the Obama campaign Bill Clinton is reviled now.
Posted by: Skip | June 1, 2009, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm
“I see this differently. The President is going against the far left wing of his party and a law suit wanting the release of these photos after listening and taking the advice of Commanders in the field. The British press is often the back door for our press.”
—————————————
This is the correct position because it will save American and other lives. The commanders in the field have told Obama there were upticks in the violence.
It also shows despite all the rhetoric that a President WILL push aside his so-called morals to protect American lives!
For each & every liberal who has ever posted here about how all of this was wrong and we need a full disclosure, investigation, prosecution…etc. Why aren’t you calling for an investigation of Obama? He has made exactly the same choice! He has decided that somethings are better left out of the public eye in deference to our ability to protect our citizens and miliary people.
I said out here hundreds of times, until it is YOU who has to make that choice, make that call, it is all BS to sit here and say you would sacrifice lives and uphold some kind of “moral high ground”.
It is not so simple and wether its a genuine desire to protect the American people or a desire to play CYA politically, these “morals” are simple to talk about, but not so easy to live by!
Posted by: Mike_C | June 1, 2009, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm
“It also shows despite all the rhetoric that a President WILL push aside his so-called morals to protect American lives!”
The President has always been the one wanting to move forward and is not keen on getting mired in prosecuting the past administration. I’m not sure how not releasing these photos causes him to “push aside” his morals.
I think it reenforces them as he has always been a big supporter of our military and would not do anything to put them in harm’s way. You can still be very much opposed to torture and against the release of these photos for the safety of our soldiers.
Posted by: Ranger | June 1, 2009, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
===Do you think Sotomayor is a racist for example? ===
Actually, she has racist tendencies. Whether I would call her racist or not depends on what else we learn about her. I certainly think she has a chip on her shoulder. Not quite as large as the chip on the FLOTUS’s shoulder, but a chip.
Posted by: Axey | June 1, 2009, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
Ranger,
Obama has flip-flopped on this issue already! He was infavor of releasing all this stuff….until the commanders told him NO! His mistake was not fully understanding the situation before acting. Then, after realizing the full extent of the military & political situation, he was not about to release them, see an increase in American casualties, and give Republicans an issue to blast him with.
As I said, If these “morals” were what so many have claimed they are – namely that they would never ever break those morals to protect American lives, then the release of EVERYTHING should be a non-issue and already have been done!
In he view of those who want it all out there in the open, who cares if more soldiers die as long as we have our morals. My point has been clear since this all started, and the entire level of this was blown extremely out of proprtion, the use of extreme interrogation methods is not something we would ever WANT to use, but there are circumstances where time and loss of life may dictate that it is required.
Only a total moron would believe that if a circumstance arose like that during Obama’s administration, that these techniques would be completely off the table. While there has been some outrage from some people over the use of these techniques in the past, try to honestly imagine the public outcry if lives were lost and it became public in the aftermath that we had individuals in custody that had information that could have allowed us to prevent or minimize the loss of life.
People here have argued thats only a ’24′ scenario, its exreemely unlikely and we should never stoop to the terrorists level.
Well, these kinds of scenarios while rare are exactly why you need the ability to do what is required to save lives. As far as stooping to the terrorists level, I have never met anyone who got into a fight for their life who limited themselves in how they fought.
Police officers face these kinds of choices. They are often faced with the choice of using deadly force against a suspect instead of allowing that suspect to endanger lives. It is exactly the same kind of choice…Do what is neccesary to protect lives! We do not have to like the fact we have to resort to this level, but to say we never will is absurd, stupid & foolish.
Posted by: Mike_C | June 1, 2009, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
Gotta love being an American since Obama has been elected. Pravda just called us a nation of Sheeple and the British press is threatening to “show their teeth” — all in one weekend. I’m loving this new improved image we have and think that Gibbs is right on tract criticizing the press of an ally.
Posted by: Miss M | June 1, 2009, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm
This is the beginning of the end for Obama because the British press will dig up every skeleton in his closet and uncover every ounce of wrongdoing by his administration. He can’t manipulate them like he does with his lap dogs at the NYT and NBC.
Gibbs bit off more than Obama can chew.
Posted by: paul | June 1, 2009, 6:17 pm 6:17 pm
So, just to be clear. There have been one set of photographs already released. The ACLU is suing to get another set released. Taguba described photographs that detail “torture, abuse, rape and every indecency”, that are not the same as the ACLU set.
Gibbs has not denied that this third set of photographs exists. Now that we know they exist, they can be sued to release them.
I imagine that Gibbs and Taguba did not intend this to become public, and now they are going to have to get sued to release this additional set of photographs that they have so far sucessfully hidden.
Posted by: Flash Override | June 1, 2009, 8:48 pm 8:48 pm
Recruiting Station Shooting Suspect Had Ammo, Assault Rifles and he said he was going after military camps.
So I thank we all sure be happy the President didn’t release the torture photos becasue it will put and keep you service men in harms way.
Posted by: gl | June 1, 2009, 10:30 pm 10:30 pm
We do not have to like the fact we have to resort to this level, but to say we never will is absurd, stupid & foolish.
Posted by: Mike_C | Jun 1, 2009 4:40:18 PM
9/11 changed everything, but it did not change our constitution. To be unable to hold the values most fundamental to our country in our biggest time of crisis is shameful and “absurd, stupid & foolish”.
Posted by: Ranger | June 1, 2009, 10:44 pm 10:44 pm
Speaking of Pravda, they seem to be able to see our country for what it has become. Where is the American Press? What to they teach in Journalism Schools in this “Brave New World”.
Posted by: Steven | June 2, 2009, 6:35 am 6:35 am
Until the pictures are released nobody will know the truth. I say RELEASE THE PHOTOS and let the guilty be punished for their crimes. Cover-ups only make things worse.
Posted by: James B. | June 2, 2009, 7:20 am 7:20 am
54% majority of those polled by USA Today say that Gitmo shouldn’t be closed, and that they’ll be upset if the administration moves forward to close it.
Posted by: We Are All War Criminals Now | June 2, 2009, 10:27 am 10:27 am