It would appear that the debate over the release of graphic images depicting the remains of terror leader Osama bin Laden has been put to rest at least as far as President Obama is concerned.
"It is important to make sure that very graphic photos of somebody who was shot in the head are not floating around as an incitement to additional violence or as a propaganda tool," said President Obama in an interview with “60 Minutes“, adding "We don't trot out this stuff as trophies." saying later in the interview, “we don’t need to spike the football”.
While the President seems certain others are not as convinced with Senator Lindsey Graham calling President Obama’s decision “a mistake” adding “I know bin Laden is dead. But the best way to protect and defend our interests overseas is to prove that fact to the rest of the world.”
Criticism that this administration is sensitive too, Press Secretary Jay Carney:
"The fact of the matter is, as the president described, these are graphic photographs of someone who was shot in the face -- the head, rather," he said. "It is not in our national security interests to allow those images, as has been in the past been the case, to become icons to rally opinion against the United States. The president's number one priority is the safety and security of American citizens at home and Americans abroad. There is no need to release these photographs to establish Osama bin Laden's identity. And he saw no other compelling reason to release them, given the potential for national security risks. And further, because he believes, as he said so clearly, this is not who we are."
Commentary:
While I applaud the Presidents decision I am somewhat stunned by it, after all it was only yesterday that CIA Director Leon Panetta voiced his belief that pictures would be released. Still critics will remain and some will not abandon their belief that Osama Bin Laden is alive; a belief that likely would have continued no matter how much evidence was released.
The plain fact is that besides 9/11 victims families (who I think should be offered the option of seeing the photos) some in this world want to believe in the worst possible scenario. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) the head of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, who has seen the pictures himself sums it up quite well in an interview with ABC News, “The conspiracy theorists are going to see the pictures and find ten reasons why they think it’s someone else” adding “Yes it was Osama bin Laden. Yes he’s dead.’ I don’t know what we gain by showing this."
To answer the Congressman’s question; only a world with nearly as many unconvinced people and sidewalk vendors selling tee shirts and trinkets with bin Laden’s battered remains across them. Not the path to security or healing that we so badly need.
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