Release Bin Laden photo

[Mr Nice Guy]

Should the United States release the photographs of Bin Laden?

Despite the satisfaction I would get seeing them (kind of like the satisfaction I got seeing the Columbine shooters dead in the library,) I think it would be best to not release them. It would show just how humane we have become as a country, and I think that speaks volumes of what we are about. I don't really think its a big issue to national security, because if the Taliban wanted to strike, wouldn't they do it regardless of some pictures?

What say you?

[kork13]

No, absolutely not, never, without a shadow of a doubt. I defy anyone to explain any meaningful benefit that would be gained by releasing those photos. There are none. However, there are innumerable downsides to releasing them. Those sort of photographs can only be inflammatory. It would spark a firestorm in the media. In Islam, respecting the bodies of the dead (regardless of who it may be) is extremely important. To release those photos (which would without doubt be paraded about proudly by certain groups in our society) would inflict even more harm to the American image and perception in SW Asia. Terrorism is about manipulating the hearts and minds of the people, and to release those photos would play into Al Qaida's goals quite nicely.

I absolutely respect the Obama administration's decision to withhold the photos, and I hope they stay hidden for years on end, until the name of OBL means no more to people than as a historical reference.

[bjl584]

I don't think that it matters one way or the other. The radical muslim world hates the west because we are the infidels in their eyes. The most radical sects take children from a very young age and instil in them that the Jews and that the west are evil and need to be destryed. You can't negotiate or appease an individual like that. A photograph isn't going to change that mindset. They wanted to destroy western civilization before Bin Laden photographs (see September 11th), and they would still want to destroy western civilization after the photographs were released if they ever were released. The muslim street gets inflammed no matter what the USA does. Releasing a few photos would be as unnoticeable as throwing a few twigs onto an already raging bonfire.

Do I think that they will release the photos? Yes. But probably not for many years. Some future Administration or Congress will most likely release the photos. Eventually, most things become declassified.

[maat55]

The photos are meaningless with the exception to those with morbid desires.

[mcfroggin]

Without proof, how do we know he is even dead? The Obama administration hasn't exactly lived up to it's promises, so why believe bin laden is actually dead?

We supposedly shot, killed, and eliminated the body before actually proving to the public anything actually happened. Seems like a political ploy to gain favor to me. I don't trust it until I see proof.

[maat55]

Without proof, how do we know he is even dead? The Obama administration hasn't exactly lived up to it's promises, so why believe bin laden is actually dead?

We supposedly shot, killed, and eliminated the body before actually proving to the public anything actually happened. Seems like a political ploy to gain favor to me. I don't trust it until I see proof.

My republican senator(James Inhofe) has seen tham and attested to his demise. That is enough for me. Besides, do pictures these days really prove anything?

[disneysteve]

Without proof, how do we know he is even dead?

People watched the moon landing live on TV and still refused to believe it happened.

People deny that the Holocaust ever occurred despite thousands of survivors stories and tons of physical evidence.

A photo isn't going to change the minds of the conspiracy theorists.

[GREENBACK]

A photo isn't going to change the minds of the conspiracy theorists.

Funny you bring those folks up. They're the ones who believe the twins were brought down by our own gov't. They'll claim the photos are the next step in the massive conspiracy .

[mcfroggin]

People watched the moon landing live on TV and still refused to believe it happened.

People deny that the Holocaust ever occurred despite thousands of survivors stories and tons of physical evidence.

A photo isn't going to change the minds of the conspiracy theorists.

Nothing will convince conspiracy theorists.

For everyone else, the Holocaust has thousands of survivors. What proof is there of bin laden's demise? I'm not saying he isn't dead, but I don't trust politicians either. How many promises has Obama kept?

[sylviaB]

Bin Laden's photo is a proof so it should be released to the media.

[sylviaB]

Bin Laden's photo is a proof. if they promote transparency, it should be released for everybody to see and believe.

[ironicone]

I don't think releasing photos will be of any benefit to anyone. In the last ten years, he has turned into a figurehead for what happened in 9-11. I don't believe people whose friends, relatives and coworkers who died in 9-11 will get any real relief from seeing photos. As much as one would believe, it doesn't bring closure.
For reference, my grandmother was murdered in a horrific attack. The individual who committed the murder was caught, prosecuted and eventually died in prison. Knowing the individual was in prison didn't bring any sense of closure, and the relief gained was knowing other innocent people did not have to be exposed to the evil he had become.

[cschin4]

I don't think a photo changes anything one way or the other. Photos are easily made, forged, faked, photoshopped. It would prove anything. And , as far as "hate", they always have a reason. You have to stop tiptoeing around the bullies because they are going to hate regardless what you do so you don't make decisions based on their response.

[Scanner]

Without proof, how do we know he is even dead? The Obama administration hasn't exactly lived up to it's promises, so why believe bin laden is actually dead?

Because I saw him in a bar in the Ozarks, singing with Elvis.

[mac123]

i think photo should be released.that shows Bin Laden's dead proof.