Releasing the Osama kill photo

[Denver]

I heard on the news this morning that the white house is trying to decide whether to release a "death" photo of Osama. Do you think they should?

The details seem to imply it is a fairly gruesome picture, regarding head damage.

Personally, I vote no.

 

[jasonpatterson]

Whether it's him grossly mutilated or cleanly made up in a coffin, I can't see the benefit to releasing the pictures. The kind of people who 'won't believe without a picture' aren't going to believe it anyway.

 

[Amapola]

I voted "not sure".

I used to work at a newspaper and one day there was a horrific accident - a filled cement truck was unable to stop, and when the guy hit a ditch the whole back part came forward and crushed him. One of our photographers took a photo but the editor would not allow it in the paper... even though it was news, it was disrespectful to the man who was killed, and his family.

In the case of bin Laden, he is not just a private citizen who happened to die, so I'm not sure about it. He *is* an international figure, hero to some, villain to most, and a criminal. Does that make it OK?

 

[Roadtoad]

Release them.

 

[Darat]

I remember watching as people jumped out of windows in the WTC towers and people hanging out of windows as the fires raged, I doubt these photos can be as horrifying as that.

 

[BenBurch]

I think releasing them will just feed conspiracy theories. Instead, schedule them for release in 20 years.

 

[Denver]

The white house discussion may be moot anyways, as there already seem to be pictures of this circulating on the net (assuming they are authentic).

I voted no for a few reasons: I don't like the idea of posting pictures of enemy combatants killed in battled. I understand that bin Laden, being the top guy, could be seen as an exception to that because of his rank and actions. And I almost voted yes, to just leave it up to each individual as to whether they want to peek or not.

But, other than addressing those want more evidence of the kill, I don't see it being a benefit, and in fact, could make things worse in the eyes of the world. I suppose I would be ok with a picture of his burial at sea, that wasn't graphically inflammatory.

 

[McHrozni]

Why would they release the photo? I can't think of a good reason to do so, but it could become an icon, like Che Guevaras' did. Leave him like it is, on the path to annonimity.

McHrozni

 

[sonofthor]

Why not. We all saw the news footage of Saddam Hussein's execution. So, let's see the pictures of Osama then.

 

[Bikewer]

It would not amaze me to see it "appear".... Also, it would not amaze me to know that certain world leaders have been shown whatever evidence of the man's death exist.

 

[Undesired Walrus]

I think releasing them will just feed conspiracy theories. Instead, schedule them for release in 20 years.

What have they got to hide ??!!!11Eleventy!!

 

[Aepervius]

I would not care either way, so I answered "not sure".

 

[commandlinegamer]

I say publish, under the principle of justice having been seen to be done. Let individual editors choose whether to show them or not.

 

[plumjam]

I don't see why not.
John F Kennedy's destroyed head pictures were released, and Bin Laden was more important than Kennedy.

 

[Biscuit]

I think they should. I don't care to see it but I think not showing it will just fuel speculation and conspiracy theories. If you release them some people will claim they are fake but experts can look at them and confirm the authenticity. If they aren't released the CT will just grow and grow based on that alone.

 

[sinclairmcevoy]

I voted no. What's the point? I'm willing to take the US military's word that he's dead. I don't need to see that type of picture to confirm it. Conspiracy theories will no doubt crop up, but so what? He's still dead.

 

[I Ratant]

There's far worse graphic images in popular movies and tv shows.

 

[Hokulele]

I can't see any benefit to doing this. If anything, it will perpetuate his image as a martyr among some people.

 

[McHrozni]

Why not. We all saw the news footage of Saddam Hussein's execution. So, let's see the pictures of Osama then.

Except that that footage wasn't released, but rather illegally taken with a mobile phone.

There is at least one good reason not to release the video of the action: it is quite possible not all capabilities, operational procedures and tactics of US spec. ops are known, keeping them a secret is useful for the US - for obvious reasons.
This is certainly more important than 40 minutes of snuff video, no?

McHrozni

 

[BenBurch]

I think they should EVENTUALLY be released. This is part of History now, and an important part. But there is no need for immediate gratification.