Five years ago, when the first round of photos depicting abuses at Abu Ghraib surfaced, I focused -- like I think most people did -- on this image. There's something so compelling and yet so thoroughly revolting about it that it stays with you for quite a while. I've failed a number of times at unpacking the inner workings of this gut reaction, why this image -- beyond pictures showing far uglier things -- is so infuriating.
A year ago, filmmaker Errol Morris not only articulated the why, he dug deeper [no surprise there, knowing his work] into the soldier's story before, during and after the photo was taken for the NEW YORK TIMES. Assuming you haven't already, it's more than worth your time in this life to read his essay.
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