What would you do if you were President Obama: release a photo that will galvanize extremist Muslims who hate the United States, or, keep it secret and provide ammunition to conspiracy theorists and domestic opponents? Another way to ask the question: who is hurt by its release?
There is no obligation to release the photo. Certainly the public is interested. Already, the question whether Bin Laden was armed or not when he was killed is front page news. To me it doesn't matter. Our aim was to murder him.
Iconic images become collective experience, though. On balance, a decision by President Obama to release the photo should be weighed in respect to the amorphous battle against Al Qaeda and Arab populations that may be more or less susceptible to being inflamed by publishing Bin Laden death photos.
We waited 10 years to see the man responsible for 9/11 held to account. There is no harm to us, in waiting to release the photos if the uncertainty puts Al Qaeda at a disadvantage and deprives our enemies of iconic images to stir hatred against us.
7 comments:
I agree, don't release the photo now.
I say no, too, although I don't feel all that strongly about it. It's my QotD at 9:15 this morning...
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"There is no harm to us, in waiting to release the photos if the uncertainty puts Al Qaeda at a disadvantage and deprives our enemies of iconic images to stir hatred against us."
I'd like to add my thoughts about the Taliban "demands proof". I have an even shorter answer, two words which begin with F & Y!
Release the photos. They can only dishearten the supporters of UBL. To those who continue to harbor ill will and are willing to take action against us...see your ultimate fate.
This kind of death penalty is a deterrant of the most provocative and intimidating kind. How would you like to live knowing that eventually the last image your eyes will ever record is a US Navy SEAL with a gun aimed at your head.
Nice!!!
I don't want them released. I think we constantly do stupid things that make us look evil and not like a great nation.
I hated all the US kids chanting in the media that makes us no better than those who chant at us over there.
Our kids were acting like they were supporting a sports team. It6 is not a game. They were doing nothing besides making us a bigger target.
I think too much info has been given out. The photo of the "war room" probably endangered everyone in there worse than they were already. How can Clinton be effective as a States Person if she was in on the event?
Why is it if we are at war, our media constantly exposes the inner workings of US plans and opens our military up to having to face an enemy who can watch our plans unfold on tv and prepare? Not to mention, the media sits around and provides ideas of what they need to fix or do to get us for the other side to use by coming up with scenarios.
Shut your mouth, talking heads!!!!!
We don't need to know everything you stumble across when it impacts our nation's military and our security. It isn't always news, someday it will accidentally expose things that could cause tragedy.
PS: There is a circulating virus attached to a link/email that claims to be OBL photos.... don't open it, wait for the official release.
I think of the iconic images from WWII, of a charred Goebbels, of a finger-curled Himmler, of an open-mouthed Goering, and I say release one of them for posterity.
It strains credulity that exactly one available photo exists, too grisly to release purportedly, given that the body was transported by helicopter, subject to DNA testing, moved to a ship, given last rites in accordance with the Muslim faith, and then dropped in the ocean.
The people partying in the streets put our military at as much risk as releasing these photos. I don't think it puts us more at risk. We are at risk.
The guy(s) who shot him did so in front of his 12 year old child. He did his job and bless him for that. Obama got his due.
The photo is just another thing for us to disagree about in Washington. How about a candle light vigil to honor the dead? Lot's of people and families have suffered. I vigil would be a good way to close that chapter.
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