There's no point to releasing death photos of OBL.

[pnwmom]

They won't prove anything -- deathers will say they were photoshopped -- and could well inflame public opinion.

I hope Obama doesn't release them.

[MineralMan]

1. I think that it's inevitable that some photos will be released.

I have no interest in viewing them, although I'm sure I will, whether I want to or not. Transparency is just that, and it's really a requirement of a free society. So, they'll be released. As you say, the disputes will continue. They would continue whether or not the photos were released.

[tekisui]

5. I agree. The release will satisfy the reasonable people that

have a reasonable doubt.

[seabeyond]

2. i agree. nt

[Poll_Blind]

3. And, uh, have you imagined there there might be legitimate reasons why people would want to see...

...proof of OBL's death? Like closure?

From Osama Bin Laden's Death Picture Readied for Release

President Obama and national security officials are considering releasing a photo of Osama bin Laden's corpse today, a source told ABC News.

Obama will head to Ground Zero Thursday to meet with 9/11 families. Some of those families think seeing photos of bin Laden might help their healing. Other parts of the world have also asked to see the photos for proof that the master terrorist is dead.

:eyes:

PB

[pnwmom]

7. I think the risk of inflaming public opinion around the world

outweighs whatever the benefit is for some people of seeing the pictures.

[Poll_Blind]

9. Inflame the opinion of WHO?

:shrug:

PB

[pnwmom]

15. People around the world who resent American military power. n/t

[Poll_Blind]

23. There, you had to admit it: It will inflame the opinon of people who already hate the U.S.

So you're saying we should try to pander to people who will hate us nomatter what we do? I don't find that argument compelling.

Most of the rest of the world hated Osama bin Laden just as much as we do. This "don't release the evidence" is an absolutely pointless, or, I should correct myself- it's an absolutely specious argument.

PB

[pnwmom]

26. I said "resent." I'd rather not further inflame them. And since the pictures

will never be seen as "proof" of anything, releasing them has little point.

[Poll_Blind]

30. Have you ever thought about the fact that you and I just breathing inflames some people?

So what's the point?

PB

[pnwmom]

32. Less is better, IMO. n/t

[MineralMan]

16. Those whose opinions will be inflamed already are inflamed.

The photos won't add much to that at all. As a symbol, Osama bin Laden creates inflamed opinions all the time. It's what he was about. That he was killed by the US is the issue, not the photos. Those with inflamed opinions will still have those opinions. Others won't necessarily be changed by the photos, I think.

[Bake]

34. Bingo. They're already inflamed.

They stay inflamed just because we're still on the planet.

Bake

[bighart]

20. did you hold the same opinion of the abu gharib phtotos?

[leftynyc]

22. And I think he

should be thinking more about Americans right now than worrying for the umpteenth time whether something we do is going to inflame others. Those that want something to get pissed off about will find a reason and it's moronic to cater to their sensitivities.

[Cid_B]

29. So...

... anyone who wasn't "inflamed" by his death would be pushed over the edge by the photo?

[tekisui]

4. How about some stills from the video? I think they will release

some form of documentation. Taking the unsubstantiated word of the US government isn't going to salve the questions of many.

Sure, there will always be a handful of conspiracy nuts, but there are also those with legitimate questions and those that have a completely valid reason to not trust official stories who would accept with verification.

[Skinner]

6. I think it is important that they be released.

The target audience is not the deathers. The target audience is skeptical-but-persuadable "show me the evidence" people.

[pnwmom]

8. But how will those people be able to recognize an older OBL

covered in blood, with the top of his head blown off?

[Poll_Blind]

10. Edit yer subject.

PB

[pnwmom]

17. thanks!

[Skinner]

12. I guess it depends on the condition of the body. (nt)

[Bonobo]

14. "Obama" - ooops. nt

[pnwmom]

18. fixed -- thanks

[ScreamingMeemie]

39. I don't remember what program I heard it on but, apparently, the pictures

are very recognizable as bin Laden and we will/would be reminded again of just how tall he was.

[Bonobo]

11. "Deathers"-LOL

So you have a cute new term to dismiss people.

People cannot discuss things anymore and instead choose derisive terms as shorthand.

Sad.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. I believe that pictures have already been released...in Europe.

[pnwmom]

21. I heard that those were fakes. Have new ones come out?

Why would they release them in Europe first?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

28. I don't know if there are new ones...

And perhaps they released pictures in Europe because they have a more realistic view of OBL and death.

It's a news story.

:shrug:

[pnwmom]

31. I really don't think the U.S. has released any pictures yet. n/t

[KharmaTrain]

25. Lots Of Fraudulent Pics Out There...

There's a cottage industry on Facebook of fooling people into clicking on these supposed pictures and getting malware and spyware dumped in their puters.

I expect the government will release some kind of pictures to prove bin Laden is dead...not just to the afterbirfers and non-believers here but also as proof to the "Arab Street" and other players in that region who also considered bin Laden and Al Queda as a threat.

My bets are any pics that are currently out there are bogus...

[pipi_k]

19. I can see both sides, really...

Releasing them won't do a damned thing to convince the people who just do not want to believe he's dead. Or that he died recently. Never mind photoshopping...how easy would it have been all these years to make up a wax model of OBL for just such a day?

The other side wants to see proof as a means to closure.

I really don't know what is the best thing to do here...

Either way, not everyone is going to be happy

[gratuitous]

24. No, but they took the photos and the videos

So I might as well see everything I bought with my tax dollars.

[jdlh8894]

35. Who took photos and video?

I'm SURE the SEALS took a photojournalist w/them on an "in and out" mission.
This ain't the movies people!!!!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

36. They said on the teevee the SEALS had helmet mounted cameras.

And I have zero doubt they snapped pictures while they were removing hard-drives and computers. They're a pretty multi-talented bunch, those SEALS.

[pipi_k]

38. Allen Funt, probably... n/t

[gratuitous]

40. The folks at the White House were watching something in that meeting

And I don't think it was "Transformers."

[Marblehead]

27. I want to see close up macro shots

like on TV

[bullwinkle428]

33. News reports claim there's growing skepticism in the Arab world

regarding whether he was actually killed, so they probably need to come out sooner rather than later.

We don't want to risk a "Jihadi Jim Morrison" type situation!

[pipi_k]

37. OTOH....

If they don't believe he's really dead, then there would be no reason for them to avenge his death.

Lots of positives and negatives all around no matter how we look at it, I guess...

[stuntcat]

41. I agree

Lots of people saw him die, one's his daughter right?

It's a shame everyone wants to see the gore so bad, just silly.. it's the 21st century not the 16th.