Former CIA official: US will likely release photos of bin Laden to prove he's dead
By Bob Cusack - 05/02/11 09:11 AM ET
A former senior CIA official said Monday that the U.S. will likely release photos of Osama bin Laden's body.
During an appearance on C-SPAN's "Washington Journal" program, Michael Scheuer cited conspiracy theories as a leading reason why the government will probably release the photographs.
"I think they will be forced to put out the pictures," said Scheuer, who headed the initial CIA unit aimed at capturing or killing the terrorist mastermind.
The U.S. released photos of Saddam Hussein after the former Iraqi leader was hanged in 2006.
Scheuer said he was initially surprised by the decision to bury bin Laden at sea. But on further reflection, Scheuer said, "I think they did the right thing."
Scheur noted that Saudi Arabia declined a U.S. offer to take bin Laden's body. Bin Laden was born in Saudi Arabia.
He added that the news of bin Laden's demise could lead to violent attacks within Saudi Arabia.
Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces people into thinking they can't lose. -Bill Gates
Luck is where preparation meets opportunity - Seneca
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'" - Isaac Asimov
It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book. - Friedrich Nietzsche
No proof means he's not dead.. I'm sorry but I'm really starting not to believe this nonsense and I would hope every other American feel the same way. Now Obama won't release one single damn photo or anything to prove it.
President Barack Obama has decided not to release a photo of Osama bin Laden's body as evidence of his death, an administration official briefed by the White House told CNN Wednesday.
The president was "never in favor" of releasing a photo, a senior Democratic official close to the White House said. The president noted that few credible people have questioned the death and that conspiracy theorists would not be satisfied with a photo, the official said.
Obama's position was supported by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democratic official said.
The president's inner circle was not happy with CIA Director Leon Panetta's remarks on the matter Tuesday, the Democratic official said.
Panetta said Tuesday that he believed a photo would be released at some point. "I just think it's important -- they know we have it, to release it," Panetta said.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, a Republican former Marine who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, disagreed with the decision. "As Americans we deserve to see them," he said.
I'm fine with it, it would piss off more people and put our people in more danger. Plus the people that really think the administration fabricated this, wouldn't be swayed by a photo.
Roody wrote:Like you I wish he would release the photo, but no proof does NOT mean he's not dead.
I want pics too, but I'll settle right now, for whatever leaks out about what's found on his computers, storage devices, etc. But like with the pics, they aren't going to tell us squat.
Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces people into thinking they can't lose. -Bill Gates
frostybear wrote:what a beautiful example of cognitive dissonance and cognitive disequilibrium..cheers im impressed.
tut tut, be kind in disagreement.
Hell_Yes
Luck is where preparation meets opportunity - Seneca
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'" - Isaac Asimov
It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book. - Friedrich Nietzsche
DV wrote:I'm fine with it, it would piss off more people and put our people in more danger. Plus the people that really think the administration fabricated this, wouldn't be swayed by a photo.
Closure comes from seeing the deed done. Peculiar, the Hussein family not afforded any dignity in death.
Hell_Yes
Luck is where preparation meets opportunity - Seneca
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'" - Isaac Asimov
It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book. - Friedrich Nietzsche
frostybear wrote:no disagreement, just observation of human perception good sir the lens comes in many colors and flavors
Flavored lens.... Staring though a barley sugar lollipop. Halal, no doubt. .
Enjoy your day, C.
-d
Hell_Yes
Luck is where preparation meets opportunity - Seneca
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'" - Isaac Asimov
It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book. - Friedrich Nietzsche
What slays me is, those that we fear will be offended and retailate are going to do so whether or not the pictures are released. In my opinion, were just playing the "Politically correct" game again.
Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces people into thinking they can't lose. -Bill Gates
I still want a picture for proof... I don't care what whoever says is true or not. This is turning into nothing more than a big political gain run for Obama and it makes me sick.
Sava700 wrote:I still want a picture for proof... I don't care what whoever says is true or not. This is turning into nothing more than a big political gain run for Obama and it makes me sick.
It's definitely your right to consider it a political gain move by Obama, but your assertion that he isn't dead unless you see the pictures is ridiculous. You can disagree with his move and like you I do, but playing conspiracy theorist because you don't like something only undermines your own credibility.
Pictures won't prove anything for conspiracy theorists....they can be photochopped to sell anything. I'd love to see a picture just to see it, and perhaps it will give an "eye for an eye" sense of closure for those that witnessed 911 up front and personal, and those that lost loved ones. But to "prove that he is dead"...a picture won't do it. Neither will "al queda says he's dead"...."who" actually said it? How is "they said it" proof?
No...I prefer to think along the lines of something once said by Churchill...and that goes, "We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."
I believe that he is dead. Our men and women in service over there for the past 10 years on the mission...deserve to have a feeling of accomplishment.
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Guinness for Strength!!!
Y2K, Hale-Bopp, 9/11, 2012, just add the Osama conspiracy theories to the list. Some people just need something to argue about in between arguing about the nightly news.