Photos of Bush-Era Prisoner Abuse to Be Released

(NEWSER) - Jimmy Carter politely disagrees with the current president’s move to block photos depicting prisoner torture in Iraq and Afghanistan from public view. “I don't agree with him,” the former president said of Barack Obama. “But I certainly don't criticize him for making that decision,” he tells CNN's Campbell Brown in an interview airing tonight. Still, Carter is disappointed. “Most of his supporters were hoping that he would be much more open in the revelation of what we've done in the past.” More»

In reversal, president says images would endanger US troops

(NEWSER) - President Obama has reversed position and will oppose the release of abuse photos of detainees in US custody, the Washington Post reports. "The publication of these photos would not add any additional benefit to our understanding of what was carried out in the past by a small number of individuals," said Obama, who insisted the similar abuse is no longer tolerated. "In fact, the most direct consequence of releasing them, I believe, would be to further inflame anti-American opinion and to put our troops in greater danger." More»

'We had no domestic attacks under Bush,' Giuliani says. Except...

(NEWSER) - Rudy Giuliani has some advice about terrorism for President Obama: Follow George W. Bush's example, because “we had no domestic attacks under Bush.” Dubbing American's Mayor "Mr. 9/11," Talking Points Memo points out that Sept. 11, 2001 was well into Bush’s tenure. As was shoe bomber Richard Reid's attempt to blow up a flight from Paris to Miami in December 2001. More»

'Bellicose rhetoric' about war failed before, fails now: Pfeiffer

(NEWSER) - Dick Cheney’s “bellicose rhetoric” and “clearly untrue” claims following the Christmas terror attempt aren't sitting well at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, and the new administration isn't shy about telling the ex-veep off. Echoing the sentiment—and the words, even—of a “senior Democrat” yesterday in Politico , Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer questions the former VP’s motives. “It is telling that Vice President Cheney and others seem to be more focused on criticizing the Administration than condemning the attackers.” More»

President is too soft on terrorism, says former VP

(NEWSER) - Dick Cheney is steamed at what he perceives as President Obama’s downplaying of the Christmas air terrorism attempt. The US is “at war and when President Obama pretends we aren’t, it makes us less safe,” he tells Politico , becoming the latest Republican to take up the theme. The enemy “knows we are at war,” Cheney says. “Why doesn’t he want to admit we’re at war?” More»