May 2004 Archives

When the photos of American soldiers abusing and humiliating Iraqi prisoners in Abu Ghraib prison hit the media, they struck a nerve of outrage. Clearly the images and actions are shameful and revolting. But I wonder why these particular photos created such a storm of controversy. Every day, reports from writers and photojournalists covering atrocities around the world (such as innocent civilians killed by American troops, suicide bombings, etc.) fill our newspapers, TVs, internet news sources. Yet these "normal" objective photos of outrageous events barely cause us to pause mid-sip with our morning coffee.

What's the difference? Is it perhaps the "intention" of the photographers in this case? Is that what makes them particularly repulsive?

now about midnight
middle weekend, wired, alert
it's a dodge/burn thing