# President Obama and national security officials are considering releasing photos and video. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 3, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571 "2011-05-03T14:28:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/21 "2011-05-03T21:13:21Z")
At this point the Taliban is essentially demanding Obama release the picture by saying he doesn’t have the evidence. Of course they’re also basically admitting bin Laden is dead - they’re not asserting that he’s alive, just that the right people have not confirmed the death. ---
**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/22 "2011-05-03T21:55:26Z")
My personal feeling is that the videos/photos shouldn’t be released. Those who would deny that he’s dead would still deny it anyway, and the videos/photos might either 1) inadvertently show something we don’t particularly want to show or 2) inflame some folks we don’t particularly want inflamed. Just state that they’re too gory/sensationalistic and won’t be released. If you think he’s still alive, fine - we don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/23 "2011-05-03T22:19:48Z")
At least one photo will be released, per the CIA. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/24 "2011-05-03T22:22:45Z")
I am no fan of JFK’s assasination footage or the videos of Challenger ripping apart or the Twin Tower collapsing…hell, I am tearing up right now just typing this. When this shit comes on TV I usually have to get up and leave the room anymore these days. But, IMO, if such historic footage exists, it needs to be released. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/25 "2011-05-03T23:06:03Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > At this point the Taliban is essentially demanding Obama release the picture by saying he doesn’t have the evidence. Of course they’re also basically admitting bin Laden is dead - they’re not asserting that he’s alive, just that the right people have not confirmed the death. Tell them to drop by the [photo distribution office](http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=fbi+headquarters+in+washington+d.c&fb=1&gl=us&hq=fbi+headquarters&hnear=Washington+D.C.,+DC&cid=0,0,673694098317906410&ll=38.894506,-77.025004&spn=0.000866,0.00204&t=h&z=20&iwloc=A) at 935 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington D.C. for a copy. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2011, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/26 "2011-05-04T00:30:02Z")
I say release it. I have zero problem watching it or looking at pictures. Heck, I would have done it, so I have no problem seeing it. Release it and let this key historical moment be seen. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2011, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/27 "2011-05-04T01:36:48Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I think this is more to do with satiating an extremely doubtful population amongst the terrorists, rather than satiating an extremely doubtful population of US conspiracy nuts. Did I miss something, here? Best wishes, hh P.S. count me in for a peek! ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2011, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/28 "2011-05-04T01:55:05Z")
Regarding the “potential to inflame people” issue, I’d say they are going to be inflamed at the fact he is dead, and viewing the photos would only be an excuse. They’re already pissed off. I’m actually glad they made an attempt to bury him in a manner congruent with Islamic beliefs, I think it shows that even though we could have cut him into pieces and fed him to sharks, we are concerned about our appearance within the Muslim world. Release the photos. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2011, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/29 "2011-05-04T02:02:28Z")
What type of helmet cams did the Seals use? ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2011, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/30 "2011-05-04T03:01:30Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > The White House will probably hold onto the picture and video for a little bit. [November 5th, 2012](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_2012) might be a good date to release them. Why do you think one data point would persuade more than a handful of people? ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2011, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/31 "2011-05-04T03:11:04Z")
At least one of his advisers has told him that if he releases a picture of OBL dead, that he also _must_ simultaneously release a picture of his body having the proper Islamic ritual performed for burial at sea. I agree completely. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2011, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/32 "2011-05-04T03:23:20Z")
> [@sevenwood](#): > > Those who would deny that he’s dead would still deny it anyway, and the videos/photos might either 1) inadvertently show something we don’t particularly want to show. That is the one part I have reservations about - you would have to carefully edit whatever is released from the operation video to avoid revealing sensitive information about tactics/procedures/capabilities/identities, and that would in turn feed the fire of those who’d immediately scream that there’s something they’re hiding. And like \*\*sevenwood \*\*and **Ogre** said, there’s always going to be someone who will declare it all fake, giving all sorts of explanations, and those who’ll believe them… or at least those who would go on the air and say _“Oh, I’m not questioning the President, but some people are and I’m just asking why can’t they get their answers? Why not just show the full raw footage”_ :mad: (OTOH if I’m the Adobe corporation’s development team I should be flattered that everyone in the planet seems to think our software can do absolutely anything perfectly indistinguishably from reality…) ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2011, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/33 "2011-05-04T03:59:22Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > What an odd question. I didn’t realize there was any doubt that people still watched the news these days. Suppose **Marley23** is right and they don’t release footage. If people can’t watch the news then they can read the news. To give an example, while I was unable to see Operation Geronimo live on CNN, I was able to read about Operation Geronimo in _The New York Times_. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2011, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/34 "2011-05-04T05:11:17Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > none of his victims on 9/11 were armed. Actually, I believe most of the 60 or so police officers killed at 9/11 were armed. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2011, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/35 "2011-05-04T06:09:57Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Actually, I believe most of the 60 or so police officers killed at 9/11 were armed. Granted, although I tend to separate “first responders” who rush into a disaster from those who are caught in the disaster. One is tragic, the other heroic. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2011, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/36 "2011-05-04T06:54:28Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > What an odd question. I didn’t realize there was any doubt that people still watched the news these days. > Even children. It seems odd though that your kids would be hanging around watching the news, though. Plus, they always post large disclaimers before showing shocking footage, so there’s plenty of time to change the channel or have junior leave the room. The TV is not some device that is outside of your control. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2011, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/37 "2011-05-04T07:26:01Z")
I hope they do release pictures and video. I don’t have any desire to see them for the gore, but I’d just like to see it to confirm it for myself. Besides, I can take the President at his word that it really happened, but releasing this information will minimize the “deather” thing that’s popping up, which is worthwhile. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2011, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/38 "2011-05-04T21:44:39Z")
[Reuters has pictures from inside the compound. Warning - Graphic photos of dead people who are not Bin Laden.](http://www.reuters.com/subjects/bin-laden-compound) ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2011, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/39 "2011-05-04T23:30:17Z")
So, they’ve decided not to release any images/video. I’m fine with that for now. Personally, I don’t handle visceral gore very well, if I know it’s the real deal, but I can see several valid reasons, as stated above, to release them _eventually._ And, I’m sure they will some day, if only for posterity. It’s historical media now. Imagine if Lincoln’s assassination was filmed. I’d watch that, and if/when it’s made available, I’ll probably have a look at the Osama imagery. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571/40 "2011-05-05T07:03:04Z")
Activision is probably going to come out with a map pack for call of duty, relating to this mission. With the general layout of the place, it probably wont be all that hard to simulate what actually happened. Declan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-and-national-security-officials-are-considering-releasing-photos-and-video/580571.md?page=3)