Today, President Barack Obama reversed his earlier commitment to release a series of photos showing abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan by U.S. personnel. It should be noted that the personnel involved in abuse have been punished.

Despite claims by the ACLU and their ilk, these photographs would have served no purpose other than as recruiting and propaganda for those who would like to destroy the United States (like the ACLU). If you thought the Middle East got riled up over the Danish cartoons, that would've paled in comparison.

Obama defended his decision, saying publication of the photographs "would not add any additional benefit to our understanding of what was carried out in the past by a small number of individuals."

"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," Obama told reporters. "Moreover, I fear the publication of these photos may only have a chilling effect on future investigations of detainee abuse."

This is exactly right. It is the right decision. It is the responsible decision. President Obama deserves credit for coming to the proper conclusion -- even though it took him awhile.