(CNN) - President Obama's decision Wednesday not to release photos of Osama bin Laden after he was killed by U.S. forces is eliciting both support and opposition:
Sarah Palin, on Twitter:
@SarahPalinUSA Show photo as warning to others seeking America's destruction. No pussy-footing around, no politicking, no drama;it's part of the mission
Rep. Duncan Hunter, member of the House Armed Services Committee, in an interview with CNN:
"I want to see them personally...I did three tours. I'm not talking as a Member of the Armed Services Committee – as a Marine who did three tours because of 9/11. As Americans we deserve to see them."
House Speaker John Boehner
"He supports the president's decision," Boehner spokesman Michael Steel tells CNN.
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer:
"I share the president's view. In my opinion there's no, there's no end served by releasing a picture of someone who has been killed and I think there is absolute proof that Osama bin Laden was in fact the person that was taken into custody, was killed in the process in the firefight, but I don't think there's any necessity to release the picture."
Rep. Peter King, Republican Chairman of the the Homeland Security Committee
“I understand the president’s decision and will not oppose it. While I have said that a photo release may be a good way to combat the predictable conspiracy theories about bin Laden’s death, this is a decision for the president to make, and I respect his decision.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham, Republican member of the Armed Services Committee
“I respectfully disagree with President Obama’s decision not to release the photos. It’s a mistake. The whole purpose of sending our soldiers into the compound, rather than an aerial bombardment, was to obtain indisputable proof of Bin Laden’s death. 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. I’m afraid the decision made today by President Obama will unnecessarily prolong this debate.”
From CNN Politics
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I don't see the point in releasing the pictures at all. Anyone who prefers to think that Bin Laden is still alive will brand them as fakes anyway and it would give them an opportunity to try to discredit the pictures. Others in the Islamic world, even those who are relieved he is dead, would consider them insensitive much as we did in Somalia. And Americans aren't going to believe a picture more than DNA evidence. So what's the point? If you need the visual gratification of seeing Bin Laden with his forehead blown off I can understand that, but I don't see how that outweighs the negatives.
I'm not a huge supporter of this administration, but in my opinion they did the smart thing by not taking Bin Laden alive and they're doing the smart thing by not releasing the pictures.
Releasing a photo is like releasing a birth certificate. Someone who doesn't want to believe it won't change his mind.
Could Sarah Palin be anymore of a red-neck slim ball?
Make a poster, place the picture of the body, and sell them for a couple of dollars over cost. Pay down the deficit. Some would want more than one.
On a lighter note, maybe selling them to the Enquirer would recoup a little of the cost of the operation and lost helo.
Sara Palin, should just keep Her mouth shoot. She is not in the White House She does not know what happens behind close doors. These photo may inflamed a bigger sitution. I am sure that the photos will be released when its appropriate. She is not the President. This the woman the left being Governor because of Her own Selfishness. SARA SHOOT UP.
Why do we care what Sarah Palin tweets? Is she an elected official? A candidate for anything? A recognized authority on anything (other than moose)?
SARAH PALIN WHO?
I support the President. She just reinforced her imcompetence. Showing the photo proves nothing. Obama once again exercises his Wisdom and Judgment. Thank God she is not in office. COMPLETE MORON
Sarah "pussyfooter" Palin should just shut up! Mr. President ought to give her same treatment he game Donald Trump.
I agree with Obama.
Pvssy-footing? The hell kinda redneck word is that?
Mr. President, I trust your decision.
Godspeed sir and God Luck.
These same republicans would have said it was a mistake to release the photos if Obama had decided to release them saying they would fuel more Terrorist attacks. No matter what decision he makes they're going to crucify him for it. The party of Nobama.
Nothing will stop the conspiracy theorists. Not a declaration from the man who pulled the trigger, not a photograph of his dead body, not even DNA. President Obama knows this and has wisely decided against releasing photographs of Osama bin Laden's body. Kudos Mr. President.
Dear Mrs. Palin. I don't dislike you because you are a Republican, a proud and good parent, that you believe that earth is 6,000 years old, and/or are a politician. Your Tweet, however, is quite concerning. This is not "pu–yfooting," which, by the way, is a s-xist term and aw-ul to be used in any context. Others have often likened Americans to "cowboys," who may have kept trophies and what not of their kils. The Taliban keeps trophies and terrorists have dragged the bodies of our soldiers through their streets and cut people's heads off on video, displaying it for the world to see. We are not them. Displaying the body/bodies are not "part of the mission." Showing a picture of a deceased Bin Laden will not appease the "deathers." It will not prove he is dead to anybody that matters. If you want to see the trophy, then call it what it is. Don't insult the US military by calling it part of the mission and accuse the President of "pus-yfooting."
What is wrong with this country that there are significant numbers of people who will believe absolutely nothing they are told. So cynical. Why not share the photos with all of Congress. That should quell any suspicions of political game playing. That way, people can rest assured that bin Laden is actually dead, and it will avoid inflaming those who will use it as an excuse to harm Americans.
Well Sara , your comment is exactly why I would never vote for you. You have no leadership. A photo doesn't prove a thing, not in todays world.
These photos will do nothing but cause more anger and danger around the world. If Palin says release them, then I'm sure we should not release them. Because she's an idiot!
From Palin, who could not even admit that this President had anything to do with the mission.
She should just shut up. Period.
Fortunately, Obama pays little regard to missy Palin.
We would be no better than the bin laden animals that have totured and murdered helpless US citizens on video. We are civilized Americans and we have standards, we should not stoop low enough to broadcast a dead persons body for the whole world to see, we have children watching TV too. Am I curious to see the body, yes.. but that does not mean it is a must for all of America to see.
so Graham deserves double the opinion?
I like how I can't even say what Palin said...stupid filter.
As a tax payer and an american we have the right to be shown thoses photograph ,every shot fried from the militray, is a taxs payer money,so our money is spent going in it war ,but yet our opinon isnt good enought ,sadam that had about nothing to do wit us , but yet we still had the chance to see him being hanged ,the man who killed millions of american ,and had us at war and bought suffering to the american people and with thoses reason said we still can see a photograph.