"Has anyone noticed that media stories on the internet almost NEVER link to the original material? Such a link would be so easy, and so informative. Wonder why not. "

Because they are in the spin business not the information business?

Anyhow one of main points was that those porn pictures depicting preverted acts weren't related to getting intel- rather they were a sick kind of entertainment for some US soldiers who on the nite shift. This "twisted sexual activity" was performed on common criminals- not intel targets.
So my guess is instead of having "victims" who "bravely" enduring demeaning sexual degradation- they were possibly "more willing" players in this activity. This of course still does not excuse the soldiers behavior and the behavior could have been abusive and degrading to the criminals or prisoners who were thought to be common criminals [could been wrongly arrested prisonors]..

And in addition there was found to be numerous improper interrogation methods mistakeningly used. And of course the investigations continue and there might be cases found in which torture was used in the interrogation process.

But in summary it's not as bad as it first appeared- some disgraceful behavior no doubt- and widespread problems with training and not adequately responsing to growing need for more personnel and resources to deal with holding prisoners in Iraq.