The pieces here, and the Abu Ghraib photographs, remind us of the general but no less distressing truth, that human rights abuses happen in all war zones, at all times, regardless of the nationalities of the adversaries.
Mr. Obama can still release statements directly to the nation by way of podcasts and YouTube or the White House website, but the distressing truth is that he will remain deprived of a key form of communicating with his advisers.
Andy Rooney's often cranky observations of what irked him, and should have irritated us, gave a comfortable landing to the often distressing truths of "60 Minutes," and to the relentlessly harsh world we face each day.
"The interests of justice must be served, however distressing the truth will be brought to light," said Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge at the hearing.
As they investigate, they find evidence of domestic abuse on a distressing scale, but the truth, "things you wouldn't want to believe", keeps slipping out of their grasp.
Authentic adults demand the truth, however distressing.
It is a staged, prettified version of rural Africa carefully selected so as not to be distressing – none of McCullin's truth – and yet Prince Harry's pictures use atmospheric black and white to emulate the likes of McCullin and claim a fake seriousness.
Nor should we overlook the truth, which some find distressing and unacceptable, that we tend to identify more closely with "people like us" - people who share our western culture.
Truth be told, his downfall is rather distressing to witness.
But most distressing is the fact that Republicans lie about the vote using partial and half truths, omissions, and affirming reversals that create fear, in defense of their indefensible position.
And a distressing solipsism..
