(2004-05-10) -- Photographs of alleged hazing of inmates in Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison by U.S. military personnel and contractors constitute "works of art, protected as free speech," according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Democrat presidential hopeful John Forbes Kerry.

"These photos dramatically symbolize the often hopeless struggle of oppressed proletarians against the military-industrial complex," said an unnamed ACLU spokesman. "If these pictures had been taken in the United States, they would be praised by the critics and go on a nationwide museum tour funded by the National Endowment for the Arts."

Democrat president hopeful John Forbes Kerry agreed that the photographers were "simply expressing their opinions about the war."

"Whether it’s throwing one’s war medals on the White House lawn, burning an American flag or taking photos of frightened prisoners," said Mr. Kerry, "it’s all protected speech. Who are we to judge how another person chooses to express himself or herself."