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Obama Says He Will Not Release Bin Laden Photo

I love how some folks claim I said Obama said anything, I'm referring to the entire situation.

Panetta comes out saying they'll most likely be released, then Obama says no let's not piss anyone off..

It's the hem hawing that went on, publicly, DUMB. I also highly disagree with the basis being "it will endanger our troops..."

Killing the man did that, pictures won't make a difference, it's silly. Besides, it'll leak out in due time.

This is what you were asked:

When did Obama say they were definitely releasing it? This is the first I've heard from the whitehouse on whether they would release.

This is what you replied with:

BRIAN WILLIAMS:
There is a report as we have this conversation, for the record, 10:36 a.m., that the President, the White House, has decided and, it may already be out, to release a proof of death photo. What light can you shed on this?
LEON PANETTA:
The government obviously has been talking about how best to do this, but I don't think there's-- there was any question that ultimately a photograph would be presented to the public. Obviously I've seen those photographs. We've analyzed them and there's no question that it's Bin Laden.
BRIAN WILLIAMS:
Were you debating how the release of a photo would go over, given its gruesomeness, versus the need on behalf of people all over the world to demand proof of death?
LEON PANETTA:
I think there's no question that there were concerns and there were questions that had to be debated about just exactly question kind of impact-- would these photos have. But the bottom line is that, you know, we got Bin Laden and I think we have to reveal to the rest of the world the fact that we were able to get him and kill him.


Read more: The Page by Mark Halperin | Panetta: Public Likely to See OBL Picture

So again, how is Leon Panetta speaking for either Obama or the Obama administration? Matter of fact, what does Panetta have to do with whether Obama said he'll release the pictures or not? Were you oozing so much political anger whenever Bush and his officials said contradicting statements? Or are you simply at that time of the month? You know, the time where you get extra-partisan just for the hell of it?
 
This is what you were asked:

When did Obama say they were definitely releasing it? This is the first I've heard from the whitehouse on whether they would release.

This is what you replied with:

BRIAN WILLIAMS:
There is a report as we have this conversation, for the record, 10:36 a.m., that the President, the White House, has decided and, it may already be out, to release a proof of death photo. What light can you shed on this?
LEON PANETTA:
The government obviously has been talking about how best to do this, but I don't think there's-- there was any question that ultimately a photograph would be presented to the public. Obviously I've seen those photographs. We've analyzed them and there's no question that it's Bin Laden.
BRIAN WILLIAMS:
Were you debating how the release of a photo would go over, given its gruesomeness, versus the need on behalf of people all over the world to demand proof of death?
LEON PANETTA:
I think there's no question that there were concerns and there were questions that had to be debated about just exactly question kind of impact-- would these photos have. But the bottom line is that, you know, we got Bin Laden and I think we have to reveal to the rest of the world the fact that we were able to get him and kill him.


Read more: The Page by Mark Halperin | Panetta: Public Likely to See OBL Picture

So again, how is Leon Panetta speaking for either Obama or the Obama administration? Matter of fact, what does Panetta have to do with whether Obama said he'll release the pictures or not? Were you oozing so much political anger whenever Bush and his officials said contradicting statements? Or are you simply at that time of the month? You know, the time where you get extra-partisan just for the hell of it?

Photo proof is essential whether you like it or not. The world needs a visual confirmation of OBL's death
 
Photo proof is essential whether you like it or not. The world needs a visual confirmation of OBL's death

Here's one.

Osama-Bin-Laden-Dead1.jpg


Of course, it's probably been faked, but then, there would be no way to know whether any image was faked or not. A photo in the digital era is proof of nothing.
 
I think a lot of people want to see photos to get a sense of closure and not everyone who wants to see the pics think he is still alive. just simply human curiosity for some-like myself:)
 
I think a lot of people want to see photos to get a sense of closure and not everyone who wants to see the pics think he is still alive. just simply human curiosity for some-like myself:)

From what I read on CNN, it's not just a matter of a corpse with an eye missing. Dude was shot in the forehead above the eye, removing a rather large hunk of his skull. That's really gruesome, so while I don't agree with the decision, I can certainly understand why the Whitehouse would be squeamish about releasing them. If they get leaked, though, it'll only be worse.
 
Here's one.

Osama-Bin-Laden-Dead1.jpg


Of course, it's probably been faked, but then, there would be no way to know whether any image was faked or not. A photo in the digital era is proof of nothing.

Why all the secrecy?...with digital forensics to confirm or not

Submit the photos
 
After having just gone through 2 and 1/2 years where people didn't believe an official birth certificate, what makes anyone think that people (who don't want to believe) will believe a photo?

And some would put the troops safety at increased risk for this?
 
@ MrV - Why is it the dumbest thing you've ever heard of? You can't think of any reason why it would be a bad idea to release the photo?

If Obama did release the photo, you'd probably still say it was the dumbest thing you ever heard of. You're just partisan like that.

I'm glad the photo wasn't released because it protects the soldiers who are still int he Middle East. I'm sure the terrorist networks are already pissed off that we took out their messiah, the last thing we need to do is add insult to injury by taunting them with the photo of his corpse.

It was a tempered decision and I see nothing wrong with it.
 
This is a great decision, Bin Laden is dead and there is no reason to show him with half his head blown away. For those people who don't think he's really dead, would say the pictures were just photoshopped.
i'll admit, i would like to see the pictures, but i understand why they won't release them...we went through the trouble to bury him at sea, to keep from giving his followers a place to congregate, to martyr him, why give them 'ammo' to inflame an entire new generation of terrorists?
 
i'll admit, i would like to see the pictures, but i understand why they won't release them...we went through the trouble to bury him at sea, to keep from giving his followers a place to congregate, to martyr him, why give them 'ammo' to inflame an entire new generation of terrorists?

Burying him at sea is not going to stop anybody from building a shrine nor will it stop them from looking upon him as a martyr. They can still pick a place to flock to and congregate. Dumping his body prevents none of that.
 
Burying him at sea is not going to stop anybody from building a shrine nor will it stop them from looking upon him as a martyr. They can still pick a place to flock to and congregate. Dumping his body prevents none of that.
the 'connection' won't be there, they won't be able to be near his physical remains...for sure , there will be some hardcore idiots out there that will still worship him.
 
the 'connection' won't be there, they won't be able to be near his physical remains...for sure , there will be some hardcore idiots out there that will still worship him.

Wrong. The connection will always be there...because, we are fighting an idea and no, it is not possible to erradicate terrorism as a tactic or even a strategy 100% - it has always existed and it always will.

Terrorist Islam will never go out of fashion - it has existed since day one after Islam was formed
 
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I don't think the government should release a gory photo of a guy we assassinated, no matter how much he deserved it. If it were to be mysteriously leaked however...

But the government should certainly release gory photos of criminals they've executed.

Especially since the government never hesitated in releasing photos of prisoners at Abu Graib, for example.

Given the fact that this mission was in planning for months, its inconceivable that a political hack like Obama didn't consider what to do with photographs of the corpse. This charade about "releasing, sure...oh! no no no, they're too gory, but he's dead, yes he is..." is just a teaser game serving some purpose.

One of the purposes it's revealing is that the Administration is willing to sacrifice America's right to supervise it's government, which requires knowledge, to the tender feelings of people who are going to hate us and retaliate anyway. It doesn't matter that bin Laden's body was patted all over with baby powder, and kissed, or whatever silliness the muslim burial rites are. Those people don't actually need an excuse to kill innocents, it's what they like to do.

So Obama's fake indecision isn't serving any useful purpose.

One of the possible reasons is that Obama was forced to surrender a documet resembling a birth certificate, and he needs to create a new furor to load his "these people are crazy" paintball gun.
 
The indecision, the idiocy of it all. You don't say you're going to release a photo like this, then decide not too. You say "We're discussing the situation a decision as not been made".

It's... madness. Besides, the photo WILL leak out, eventually.

The words are "FOIA Request".
 
Doesn't bother me either way. I'd prefer it to be released, it's nothing we haven't seen in a slasher movie and the like.

Would make a nice T-shirt with Property of The Government of the United States of America on the front, and Since May 1, 2011... Property of Arabian Sea Frozen Foods Company with a box of fish sticks with said logo on the back.

.

The Mayor suggests a photo of Osama with his brains exposed, captioned with Kyle Reese's warning:

"Listen. And understand. That [United States] is out there. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead."
 
The Mayor suggests a photo of Osama with his brains exposed, captioned with Kyle Reese's warning:

"Listen. And understand. That [United States] is out there. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead."

Bush said, "Bring it on," one of the few things he has said he regretted saying. And, yet the Mayor's quote tops his in stupidity. That must be quite the honor in the land of Snorkum! :sun
 
I think that publishing photos of emenies you've killed is disrespectful.

Well, here's a clue for you:

Not very many people in the US have any respect for a mass murderer.

Putting his death mask on a t-shirt would supplant all those idiot Che t-shirts out there.

Smacks a bit too much of putting his head on a pike in front of the WH.

The Mayor was thinking that this process would enable Obama to give a more gift more suitable to the Queen of England than some stupid iPod loaded with Obama campaign speeches.

There are conflicting issues in this case given the desire for proof, but I think publishing the photo would be in bad taste.

Ultimately the courts will rule the public has the right to know and the photos will be released. Welcome to a land governed by the First Amendment.

Leon Panetta's personal opinion being wrong is hardly Obama waffling.

What it was is Panetta's opinion as an official in the Obama Administration and what it indicates is that the Incompetent President is incapable of keeping his staff on message even for something as simple as the release of a photograph.
 
Bush said, "Bring it on," one of the few things he has said he regretted saying. And, yet the Mayor's quote tops his in stupidity. That must be quite the honor in the land of Snorkum! :sun

So, you're going to be putting the Mayor on Ignore soon, aren't you?
 
Here's one.

Osama-Bin-Laden-Dead1.jpg


Of course, it's probably been faked, but then, there would be no way to know whether any image was faked or not. A photo in the digital era is proof of nothing.

That has been confirmed to be a fake.

osama_bin_laden_dead_body_f_thumb.jpg%3Fw%3D477%26h%3D453
 
the 'connection' won't be there, they won't be able to be near his physical remains...for sure , there will be some hardcore idiots out there that will still worship him.

What about the place he was killed? Maybe they will go there for that kind of connection? I mean that is where he died.
 
Geez, and this from the party that claims sensitivity? Where did it all go? Weren't conservatives going around claiming that it was insensitive to build a community center in NY in an effort to be sensitive to the victims of 9/11?

So, you're saying the agressors in the conflict can be as insenstive as they please, and the defenders, the Americans, have to bend over and spread their cheeks, and buy the KY, too.

Well, we have men in the ME that will be targeted by those who followed BinLaden,

You are referring to, of course, the men in the Middle East who are already targetted by the terrorists, and that the death of bin Laden doesn't change that in the least.

and we need to be sensitive to their safety. Why pour gasoline into the fire. We've killed BinLaden, we don't need to make T-shirts and the like out of his remains - what idiocy is that?
It's called "freedom".

Democracies don't do well when their governments can hide facts.

The people have the right to see all the facts and to make up their own minds. That a few won't reach the correct conclusion isn't any concern of yours.
 
But the government should certainly release gory photos of criminals they've executed.

Especially since the government never hesitated in releasing photos of prisoners at Abu Graib, for example.

Given the fact that this mission was in planning for months, its inconceivable that a political hack like Obama didn't consider what to do with photographs of the corpse. This charade about "releasing, sure...oh! no no no, they're too gory, but he's dead, yes he is..." is just a teaser game serving some purpose.

One of the purposes it's revealing is that the Administration is willing to sacrifice America's right to supervise it's government, which requires knowledge, to the tender feelings of people who are going to hate us and retaliate anyway. It doesn't matter that bin Laden's body was patted all over with baby powder, and kissed, or whatever silliness the muslim burial rites are. Those people don't actually need an excuse to kill innocents, it's what they like to do.

So Obama's fake indecision isn't serving any useful purpose.

One of the possible reasons is that Obama was forced to surrender a documet resembling a birth certificate, and he needs to create a new furor to load his "these people are crazy" paintball gun.

Did Obama use those exact words as why he will not release the photos? Because they are too gory? I do not think that was his reason. Maybe I am mistaken?

They have video so they could at least release the video of them going up and of him right before he was shot. I wish they would release these pics. But support Obama 100%. He knows what is best for our country and there could be reasons we are not even privy to.
 
I'm sure that AlQaida has been aware that BinLaden was wanted, why his whereabouts were so carefully guarded. That we were able to find him and kill him is no surprise to them.

But, parading the picture of the dead OBL is just adding fuel to the fire and it serves no purpose. Those that take satisfaction in having the picture published have no sensitivity toward our troops.

Purposes served:

It informs the enemy we do not respect them. Absolutely Osama should not have been given any form of muslim burial rites. While the muslims say that dumping the body to the fishes is an insult, putting him in a shallow unmarked grave in any one of six continents without ceremony, or cremated, or indeed, dropped naked with a cannonball tied to his ankle to feed the lobsters would all have been more fitting. The man did not reserve any shred of respect from his victims.

Disrespecting the American people by hiding the evidence is also wrong. So what if people will play with the photo, putting it on t-shirts, beer mugs, and right-handed toilet paper? Is there any particular reason Osama should be treated with greater respect by the Left than Ronald Reagan?

Don't give us any of that "safety of the troops" guff, you people were ecstatic when the body count hit four digits, and doubly so when it hit 4,000 before the 2008 election. You people were all behind the truly stupid notion that the US should post a specific date for withdrawal from our fields of combat, and you had no regard for the safety of the men in the field then.

Killing Osama raised the tempory risk factor. Publishing photos of the corpse, at this time, will not add to the outrage felt by the terrorists. Delay of the inevitable, though, will cause a secondary spike as the animals are reminded of their failures.
 
Did Obama use those exact words as why he will not release the photos? Because they are too gory? I do not think that was his reason. Maybe I am mistaken?

No.

Obama doesn't want to hurt the feelings of his co-religionists.

If you want to cut straight to the heart of the matter.

They have video so they could at least release the video of them going up and of him right before he was shot. I wish they would release these pics. But support Obama 100%. He knows what is best for our country and there could be reasons we are not even privy to.

Obama has, only one time in his entire life, done what was best for the nation. That was when he ordered the strike team to enter and do their job. Yes, Obama clearly knows what is best for the nation, it's the only way he could be so consistent in his avoidance of the beneficial path.
 
What about the place he was killed? Maybe they will go there for that kind of connection? I mean that is where he died.

You mean treat it like Ralphie's House, and put somehing like a Leg Lamp in the window with Fishnet Stocking?
 
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