Greetings. In an extremely disappointing and I would assert hypocritical move, President Obama is now reversing course and is attempting to block the already scheduled release of prisoner abuse photos, citing new "national security" concerns not previously claimed.

I will make a prediction:

Sooner or later, those photos will find their way to the Internet and will be widely disseminated, as they should be.

Not only are the sudden new "national security" arguments being made by the administration entirely unconvincing -- especially in light of ongoing torture investigations and the lack of high level accountability for already exposed abuses -- but given that this attempt at censorship will ultimately fail, the exercise only serves to put the administration "in bed" with the perceived sensibilities of its predecessor.

For such an enlightened leader, this is a significant misstep and miscalculation that will not serve a positive purpose. Ultimately -- by triggering the inevitable suggestions of cover-up from those who would seek to undermine this administration -- Obama's efforts to block the photos may do far more damage than the straightforward release of the photos could ever do.

--Lauren--