President will not release photos of bin Laden's body

[The Backlash Cometh]

Source: Andrea Mitchell MSNBC

Just reported 1:20PM

Savannah Guthrie reporting from the White House. May be an official statement at 2:00

Per MSNBC LINK:

"The risks of release outweigh the benefits," he said. "Conspiracy theorists around the world will just claim the photos are doctored anyway, and there is a real risk that releasing the photos will only serve to inflame public opinion in the Middle East."

"Imagine how the American people would react if Al Qaida killed one of our troops or military leaders, and put photos of the body on the internet," he continued. "Osama bin Laden is not a trophy - he is dead and let's now focus on continuing the fight until Al Qaida has been eliminated."


Read more: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/04/6584263-president-will-not-release-photos-of-bin-ladens-body

---

Other link offered by turborama

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20059739-503544.html

[warrior1]

1. self delete

Good job Backlash

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. It's on the news.

First time I've linked on Breaking news in forever.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

5. It's fine, but should be edited as soon as possible with a link nt

[Raven]

3. Good. Wise decision for many reasons.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. I agree.

Things are beginning to stir in the Middle East. No reason to add fuel to the fire.

[Turborama]

6. I thought it would have been counter-productive to release them just to satisfy a bunch of CTs

Conspiracy Theorists aren't going to trust they're real, anyway - they'd have to actually see the body in the flesh.

And why should the Obama Administration care what Conspiracy Theorists think anyway? :shrug:

[OhioChick]

7. Breaking Banner Here:

http://www.cbsnews.com/

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. What's the rule about linking?

Should I wait until MSNBC comes up with a hard link?

[OhioChick]

10. I really don't know...

I'll try to find you a link before your edit time runs out.

[Turborama]

11. There is a link to a proper article now, see below...

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20059739-503544.html

[steve2470]

14. link from msnbc:

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/04/6584263-president-will-not-release-photos-of-bin-ladens-body

[The Backlash Cometh]

16. Thanks, steve! I updated the thread.

[Turborama]

9. There's a link now....

Here: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20059739-503544.html

:hi:

[OhioChick]

13. Thanks..

:hi:

[bullwinkle428]

12. This might be another rope-a-dope move, like the birth certificate.

He'll wait for the RW drumbeat to begin, then sit back and let one lead assclown get in front of the cameras every day, blustering and bellowing about the need for absolute proof, be it Trump or whoever.

Then he'll step up to the podium, whip out the photos, and say "Here they are, motherfuckers! Don't say I didn't warn you!"

[Turborama]

15. LOL! good one.

:rofl:

That punchline made me laugh.

Thanks!

The thing is, it could actually happen, too.

[Ninjaneer]

66. At which point

he will exit stage left, kicking down the door.

[Dr Fate]

22. I agree100%- except I think the pics will be leaked when the time comes. n/t

n/t

[BumRushDaShow]

17. Additional MSNBC link

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42900991/ns/world_news-death_of_bin_laden/">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42900991/ns/world_news-death_of_bin_laden/

[dipsydoodle]

18. Maybe Obama wants The Sheikh remembered as he was.

:shrug:

Second in line to Ernesto in terms of a recognisable image.

[Turborama]

21. He wasn't a "Sheik" or "Sheikh" n/t

[dipsydoodle]

25. Whatever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKbhTqFkXHM

[neoralme]

19. I think this was a mistake. The Republicans don't want proof released

because it makes Obama look good. Now they can say OBL was never killed; it was a plant or something. Then they have time to plan what they'll say if the photos are released, which will be of questionable importance if the we-need-proof crowd is fixed in their non-belief. This will start getting real interesting next week. I wonder what the polls will do.

[truthisfreedom]

20. They'll never claim that. That's denigrating the military. Cheney and bush have already signed off

by congratulating the President and the military.

[neoralme]

23. Normally, I would agree with you. But these are not normal times nor

are there any standards of behavior anymore. Bush, Cheney? Who are these people?:sarcasm:

[Turborama]

46. If republicans want to think that, let them.

Why should we care? The vast majority of the world thinks he's dead now, and those who don't are insignificant.

[neoralme]

49. The vast majority of the world don't know who their Uncles are, let

alone bin Laden. Those who don't are hardly insignificant. It is these people who will be starting the martyr program now.

[Turborama]

53. You think those "martyr programs" are going to stop or increase if the pictures are released?

As for your uncle argument, I haven't got a clue what you're on about.

[neoralme]

58. This conversation has no value. I am now reading the government

is now refusing to confirm it was a Seal operation. Apparently the Seals may not have done the job or don't want to be known for killing an unarmed man regardless who he was or what he did. The vast majority of the world does not know or care who bin Laden is or if he is dead, respectively. Anyway, now too much uncertainty as to anything to comment on it. I wanted to see the picture, not so much for verification but for closure. I was military myself.

[Turborama]

59. No, it doesn't.

I'm glad it's over.

[neoralme]

60. It is nowhere near over. Phase two has begun. Good luck to you.

[Turborama]

65. I meant the conversation.

You: "This conversation has no value."

Me: "No, it doesn't. I'm glad it's over."

Good luck to you, too.

[Imajika]

24. Bad decision...

Stuff like this should be released to the public. It will not only be Republicans and "deather" conspiracy theorists that want to see the photos - I would bet most people worldwide want to see the proof to satisfy themselves that Bin Laden is truly dead. Personally, I have no doubt we killed Bin Laden but I still want to see the pictures.

In my opinion, the President pulled off a masterful operation and killed UBL, but his administration has since somewhat bungled the PR phase that has followed.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[christx30]

73. I'm sure if it

exists as a digital image anywhere on a government server, Anonymous and Wikileaks will release it in the next few months.

[TomClash]

27. Obama: I won't release bin Laden death photos

Source: CBS News

In an interview with Steve Kroft for this Sunday's 60 Minutes, President Obama says he won't release post-mortem images of Osama bin Laden taken to prove his death.

snip

Republican House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers said Wednesday that the Obama administration should not release the gruesome post-mortem images, saying it could complicate the job for American troops overseas. Rogers told CBS News he has seen a post-mortem photo.

"The risks of release outweigh the benefits," he said. "Conspiracy theorists around the world will just claim the photos are doctored anyway, and there is a real risk that releasing the photos will only serve to inflame public opinion in the Middle East."

"Imagine how the American people would react if Al Qaida killed one of our troops or military leaders, and put photos of the body on the internet," he continued. "Osama bin Laden is not a trophy - he is dead and let's now focus on continuing the fight until Al Qaida has been eliminated."

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20059739-503544.html?tag=breakingnews

---

Good call, Mr. President.

[wtmusic]

28. Agree. Good call. nt

[Dr Fate]

29. It's a good call, plus it will bait the GOP Deathers into looking like idiots again.

My guess is the photos will eventually find their way out to the public- right about the time that a "Deather" stroy is at a fever pitch. And if true, I approve of such a tactic! ;)

[Tarheel_Dem]

30. Thank You....

:thumbsup:

[opihimoimoi]

31. I respect Obamas decision...Hillarys face said it all....

[nykym]

32. I agree they should not be released

but Mike needs to go and review all those beheading video's of Westerners & Europeans caught in a conflict, being captured, tortured and beheaded in the name of Jihad!.

[Eric J in MN]

33. The US public should view images of what our military does. NT

NT

[Warren Stupidity]

34. until the usual idiots and their allies make the usual stink

and then Obama will be advised to cave-in to the deathers.

[progressoid]

35. Even if he did release it, the deathers would just say it's photoshopped.

[BallardWA]

36. I, for one, and grateful

I still have Saddam Hussein and his sons burned into my brain. There is no reason for any of us to see these photos. Make them available to Boehner and company, for their eyes only. They can keep the deathers quiet.

[klook]

37. Right call

What a relief!

His reasoning coincides exactly with my own and that of millions of other people, I'm sure:

"The risks of release outweigh the benefits," he said. "Conspiracy theorists around the world will just claim the photos are doctored anyway, and there is a real risk that releasing the photos will only serve to inflame public opinion in the Middle East."

I don't agree with Obama on everything, but he shows great wisdom and leadership with this decision.

[closeupready]

38. I'm fine with that.

nt

[GeorgeGist]

39. I can imagine ...

he's not all that proud of his artwork. If you'd like to see a sample, Google: veteranstoday

[Amerigo Vespucci]

40. Right decision. I'm still dancing on the scumbag's grave, but photos would be a mistake

There would most definitely be backlash, and out troops would catch it. I applaud the decision.

[marasinghe]

41. very good. traces of civilization returning to the White House after the nest of bush vipers. n/t

[Cognitive_Resonance]

42. Another good call Mr. President. nt

[The Nexus]

43. It will be released one way or another

hopefully Wikileaks.

[Bgno64]

44. So. No proof at all beyond the government's claim

And we're all cool with that?

[HomerRamone]

47. No not all of us.

But I feel extremely lonely here the past couple of days...

[Bgno64]

50. Yeah, you're not alone

And I find it astounding that liberals would just accept what the government now tells them, no proof necessary, when government lied so extensively in the run-up to war with Iraq.

[SoapBox]

45. Agree...

Besides, the wingnuts will claim it’s a fake anyway.

[frebrd]

55. I hope he really means it.......

It would be nice if this country showed a little class, for a change.

It's been so long.

[JDPriestly]

75. As long as they have pictures for the historical record,

no one needs to actually see them.

Our government has lied so much that there is no reason to believe it about anything. So they had better have the pictures and keep them safely.

Because this story is the stuff of which nasty myths are made. Dropping a body in the sea indeed. I understand why they did that, but I also understand that a body in the sea cannot be exhumed in order to prove its identity or determine the cause and date and time of death. And that will be a problem if mythmakers' imaginations start running away with them.

[janet118]

48. Good . . . n/t

[Frisbee]

51. This is the right call. eom

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

52. Pinetta wanted to release them. Let's see if they "get leaked"

I don't need to see them. I believe he's dead.

Whether I believe his body is in the ocean or at area 51, well, that's a theory for another day.

:hi:

I hope I spelled "Pinetta" right. Too lazy to look it up.

[nsd]

54. MSNBC corrected the link.

The person being quoted is Mike Rogers, the House Intelligence Committee chair, not President Obama.

[Turborama]

57. In an interview with Steve Kroft for this Sunday's "60 Minutes," President Obama says....

Updated 2:15 p.m. Eastern Time

In an interview with Steve Kroft for this Sunday's "60 Minutes," President Obama says he won't release post-mortem images of Osama bin Laden taken to prove his death.

Video of the comments will appear on the CBS "Evening News" on Wednesday.

Republican House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers said Wednesday that the Obama administration should not release the gruesome post-mortem images, saying it could complicate the job for American troops overseas. Rogers told CBS News he has seen a post-mortem photo.

"The risks of release outweigh the benefits," Rogers said. "Conspiracy theorists around the world will just claim the photos are doctored anyway, and there is a real risk that releasing the photos will only serve to inflame public opinion in the Middle East."

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20059739-503544.html#ixzz1LPSyEj5k

[marions ghost]

56. The mainstream media won't be able

to put the gory head on a spike in our faces over and over, day after day. That in itself is a blessing, thank God and Allah.

As for those who say it will inflame Islamics...it also has the potential to bring out the worst in Americans.

Taking pictures of a killing (no matter if you think it justified) and then parading the gruesome visual evidence for fun, gloating, and profit is kind of primitive, shameful even. Isn't it? I have a hard time imagining anyone even considering doing that. Haven't we already disgraced ourselves with Abu Graib and other atrocities in the Wars for Oil?

Can anyone here say there would be a good reason TO show the picture? :shrug: We all know that pictures aren't truth anymore, so that can't be it.

[blitzburgh55]

61. Obama setting Birfers up for next conspiracy

Trump figuring out what to do.

[Nancy Waterman]

62. Very wise decision! I am relieved.

I am glad he didn't get goaded into it by the naysayers. I think it would have been extremely inflammatory and become the iconic image used to ignite all kinds of trouble.

[aquart]

63. Good.

[Solly Mack]

64. :)

[jakeXT]

67. Too much Freezer burn ?

They may have shot him in the left eye, but there is probably not much left to identify him. Was his beard black or white last time, I can't remember?

1. Photos of OBLs body at a hangar after he was brought back to Afghanistan. This is the most recognizable with a clear picture of his face. The picture is gruesome because he has a massive open head wound across both eyes. It’s very bloody and gory.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1028488

[JackRiddler]

68. Whatever. How about those Abu Ghraib photos they want to keep the wraps on?

[MasonJar]

69. Thank God!

[elocs]

70. As far as a photo goes, it should have been released or not released,

but days should have not been spent publicly hand-wringing whether a photo should have been released or not.

[David__77]

71. I agree with this decision.

I think society has become too hardened with exposure such things. It is unseemly.

[onehandle]

72. How un-Bush like. The President has deprived 9/11 fetishists of their fantasy photo.

They will have to stick with jacking off to photos of Abu-Graib and other targets' death photos.

[RKP5637]

74. This makes excellent sense to me!!! n/t

[Zorra]

76. good, glad that's settled nt

[BlueStater]

77. "Inflame public opinion in the Middle East"

Like they don't hate us enough as it is. They're already pissed that he's dead. Not showing the pictures won't make them any less angry or less likely to try and attack us in the future.

Bad decision.

[buckrogers1965]

78. Obviously they didn't kill Osama.

If they had actually killed Osama bin Laden then they would have cheerfully released the photo. Probably just some old dude with a little grey in his beard.

[mvd]

79. I'd rather they be released, just for closure

I'm happy he's no longer a threat and believe he's dead. I have no desire to see him with brains open, but I just think releasing them would even satisfy some of the families who lost loved ones on 9/11. I respect the decision, though - you don't know what info the President has.