The political effect of Obama's decision to withhold Bin Laden death photos over fear of foreign reaction

President Obama, who recently expressed uncomprehending bemusement that a desire by some in the public to see his sealed birth certificate would endure and distract debate for four years, has decided to seal the post-mortem photos of the world's most wanted murderer, Osama bin Laden.

The president, who has seen the graphic photos, likened their once-promised release to spiking the football after a touchdown. In a taped interview with CBS News, which itself will not be released until network broadcast in four days, Obama reportedly said, "That's not who we are."

The Democrat suggested the world should take his word that it really was Bin Laden who was fatally shot in an early morning SEAL raid on his comfortable living compound in Pakistan after a 10-year manhunt.

Bin Laden was the mastermind of numerous deadly terrorism assaults on Americans and others, including the bombing of the destroyer Cole and the 9/11 attacks that produced so many graphic images of the deaths of nearly 3,000 people.

Obama, who once bragged that his administration would be the most transparent in American history, said he had all the proof necessary to convince him it was the real Bin Laden who was shot in the chest and forehead after maybe or maybe not being given an opportunity to surrender in his bedroom early Monday morning Pakistan time.

"We don't think that a photograph in and of itself is going to make any difference," the chief executive is reported to say.

The presumed reason is fear of inflaming Islamic jihadists over their leader's violent demise and the hope that maybe perhaps they might relent in their so far relentless war on nonbelievers.

Obama, however, reveals an unusual priority in the interview: He says there is no doubt of Bin Laden's death among the Saudi's followers.

Who was concerned about that?

In the leaked interview portion, Obama does not mention the concerns of his own countrymen, who saw countless gruesome photographs of deaths on 9/11. Obama's profound primary concern seems to be to ameliorate reactions among a foreign audience of terror extremists. To minimize public criticism at home, Obama's team has shown the allegedly secret photos to members of Congress, presumably grownups.

Start the timers on how long until an alleged death photo appears somewhere.

The decision to withhold photographic proof was only the latest flipflop by the Democrat's administration in what has become a constantly changing story of the precise SEAL raid, and Bin Laden's demise and the disposal of his body, as detailed here earlier Wedne sday morning.

Late Tuesday Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA and future secretary of Defense, said he was sure the photos would ultimately be released.

However, in a less-than-shocking claim Wednesday, Obama said that now all of his subordinates agree with his decision to keep the photos secret.

Although he made no reference to consulting other governments, such as friendly but nervous Muslim regimes in the Middle East, Obama may also have sought and received advice from them to withhold the photos as inflammatory. But Obama does not wish to appear back home to be abiding by the secrecy suggestions of governments he's been so publicly and constantly lecturing about democracy and openness.

Obama also says that Bin Laden received the justice he deserved.

This Obama decision, like so many others, including his vow to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility is, of course, subject to impatient reversal over time.

Politically, it will certainly prove difficult for Obama to sustain at home, where critics have long suggested he's too often an apologist abroad for his own nation. Whatever Obama's real motives, his publicly expressed ones appear to put fears of adverse foreign reactions ahead of his countrymen's reactions over a thwarted desire for closure by seeing the ultimate modern villain dead after losing so many American lives to Bin Laden and his hench-persons.

If there was any doubt about the pent-up nature of these emotions, they were killed Sunday night when so many spontaneous jubilant public celebrations broke out in this country over Obama's announcement of Bin Laden's death.

These street demonstrations involving flag waving, cheering and group sings of the "Star-Spangled Banner" occurred, among other places, in front of the White House, in New York's Times Square and, most symbolically, at ground zero in Lower Manhattan.

As it happens, Obama will travel there Thursday as part of his Bin Laden victory lap, which will now most likely include the first of many explanations over a silly photograph he's decided to keep secret.

On the other hand, 552 days before the presidential election, if political critics are discussing a secret photo, they're not talking of unemployment or amazingly high gas prices.

Which can't be sealed by this president.

RELATED:

Osama bin Laden's death: Clarifying the Obama administration's cnoufison and missteaks

Yes, the SEALs were in the raid, but aides hail Obama's office bravery

Rush Limbaugh on Osama Bin Laden's death: "Thank God for President Obama"

Donald Trump praises Obama on Osama bin Laden's death

The death of Osama bin Laden: Statements by two presidents who hunted him

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photos: The Bin Laden compound in Pakistan (credit: AFP / Getty Images); a 9/11 victim falling from the burning World Trade Center (credit: Associated Press); CIA Director Leon Panetta, left, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates. (credit: Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)

Comments

[Joseph]

First, I dont trust this fool or any other politician either. Two, I dont want to see the photos. I want to see them send all the proof to a 3rd party company that has NOTHING to gain from the outcome in anyway, even if it means to send them to a company in a country like Japan or another country.

[Amarita]

To assume that the President has made this decision (of not releasing the photos) simply to appease the 'foreigners' with no thought of his own countrymen is juvenile, at least. While not inflaming Jihadists certainly plays a role, the decision was made with every intention to PROTECT the American people. He is correct in stating the release as the spiking the football moment - it would be nothing more than a move of arrogance and disrespect. If you want to lower yourself to the Jihadist level, that's fine, but I believe that America has a responsibility to be a better and bigger person than that. I am proud of my President for attempting to lead us in that way.

[Joe Murray]

Hey Andy
how did the terrorist treat the troops from Blackhawk Down?how about the contractors who were burnt and hung from a bridge in Iraq?how was Daniel Pearl treated and the potus is afraid he might hurt the feelings of the terrorist what a crock.72 hrs later and they still can't get the story straight.

[Mabel]

I think Obama is being selfish in keeping these photos a secrete. Basically he's trying to tell americans its okay for us to have seen and still see, and replay in our minds people leaping to their deaths, phone calls made to 911 that morning, people covered in blackish grayish dust, and pictures on walls of all the lives lost on 911. As gruesome as it may be, we should have the right to see the man that caused so much pain to us DEAD!!!Why should we take Obama's work when there's so many inconsistencies in each story. Thats why I personally doubt Bin Laden is dead..until I see pictures I wont believe anything.

[Mushell]

Some of the reasons I don't trust Obama, he continuously lie, back track on issues and statements, he's more concerned about foreign enemies welfare and emotions than America and it's people. The world's most wanted murder and we have to take the lier-in chief words that they killed the right man. I'll believe Osama is dead when I see a picture of him dead.

[Vigilant]

Now that is an insult.
We have the images of countless hundreds falling to their death from the Trade Center...but not proof of the dead killer.
And why are we apologizing to Islam by repeatedly mentioning his "proper" burial?
He was a problem to us...and we eliminated him. Period.
Their supposed Mahadi is dead.
Reprisals? Who are these noisy mobs addressing with threats?

[Frank]

A victory lap? You mean trying to take credit for proceeding with everything the Bush Administration put in place which led to Bin Laden's death?? That victory lap? Coming from the left wingers in this country that criticized Bush for every single thing he tried to do to wage war on terrorists...they sound like complete hypocrites. Bush took the hits...Obama takes the credit. What a complete joke this community organizer in chief is.

[Rob]

The White House should be required to release the photos. It's not about conspiracy theorists, it's about the right of the American People to see what was done in their name. It's about our basic rights and freedoms, and about justice. We were all victims of this man's crimes, and we all have the right to see that justice was done. Just as the families of murder victims have the right to view the executions of their loved one's murderer, we all have the right to see for ourselves whatever there is to see of the justice done in our name and on our behalf. It is the absolute right of everyone who lost someone on 9/11, of every soldier who has fought in the war on terrorism, or family members of soldiers who have died in that war, to see the results of this raid. It is not right for the government to deny us that right. As Americans, our rights are ours to exercise, not Washington's to dictate. By doing this, Obama is claiming OBL's death as his own personal achievement and victory, not that of the American People. Mr. President, that is not your prerogative.

[Rick]

Why is Andrew Malcomb showing a picture of a man plunging to his death? He must be the most disgusting reporter in America, and that includes Geraldo. At least I would have hoped that his editors at the Times would have stopped this revolting act.

[john dahodi]

Did we kill Bin Laden inhumanely? Just like his goons were and will? Are we any different than Ladens? Did we violate any human rights laws? Did we commit any crimes against humanity? Can Obama also be charged for such crimes? Did the latest Osama was really a threat to any one? Can we even imagine that this filthy person around filthy mess was running the greatest terrorist Empire or he was marginalized long ago and hundreds of new Bin Ladens are either giving orders or carrying out his mission? Hope, Obama can answer all these questions in his 60 minutes program if at all he wants to prove that he is not a BUSH-CHENEY war mongering and gun shooting President. I am sure he WILL.

[Charice]

I don't understand people who say they will not believe bin Laden's death until they see pictures. How will pictures help you? You probably won't be able to see his face very clearly from how he was killed and then you will just complain that they could have been doctored or something. I don't think you guys would be satisfied unless you were there yourselves. Obama is thinking about the long term security of this country. Just because the terrorists would release pictures like these if they were in our place doesn't mean we should stoop down to their level.

[whocares]

A ridiculously exploitative and cynical article, born from the intellectual doldrums of a weak, impatient brain and a cowardly refusal to come to grips with reality.

[whocares]

A ridiculously exploitative and cynical article, born from the intellectual doldrums of a weak, impatient brain and a cowardly refusal to come to grips with reality.

[Mark]

So much for the 9 point bump in the popularity polls.

Now - what about JOBS? What about the DEFICIT?

[PT]

this is a very confusing article and represents the worst of the woolly thinking that characterized much of our approach to the war on AQ over the past ten years.

The USA is not some startup jihadi franchise begging for attention. It does not need to display gruesome trophy pictures to prove its military and moral superiority over this enemy.

[Maria]

Wow you guys are just too funny.First of all, congress by now have seen the photo's,Osama's daughter says he is dead,the seals know he is dead,DNA proves he's dead and you morons want pictures before you will believe it.I would bet when Obama goes to see the families tomorrow he will show them the pictures.To make them public will only serve to hurt the US because his followers will get extremely pissed and they WILL bomb us.I don't want to see the pictures,nor do I need to.He is dead,get over yourselves.The President made the right choice,not doubt about it.

[N.]

I don't think not showing the pictures in and of itself is the problem, but rather the lack of foresight in needing to provide SOME form of evidence for OBL's death that is striking. I have read, after all, that OBL's body was cleaned (as is customary in Islam) before it was thrown into the sea: were there no pictures taken then? The DNA tests are interesting, but I'm amazed how quickly they were done. In general I'm sort of surprised no one in the administration thought that there might need to be some evidence. Now please note that I personally feel OBL is dead, so it's not out of doubt that I write this (although it's possible he did die 10 years ago or something as some have suggested, but I'm not sure it really matters frankly). But in the interest of transparency I'm surprised there was so little consideration beforehand of what evidence would be supplied after the raid and killing to confirm its occurrence. That is all.

[Montana]

Bin Laden's daughter says he is dead, the seals says he is dead, DNA proves he's dead and now some more LOSERS think they know better, too funny, stick with roswell, the moon landing you LOSERS! Ha, ha.....

[Bryan]

Seeing the pictures you would still call them a lie. If Obama put Osama's head on a stick, someone would say it was a mannequin. Nothing will please you.

You're upset that pictures of 9/11 were taken and posted on the internet to see... what's the difference? Those pictures were not taken in a controlled manner and anyone could have taken/released them. What do you expect someone to do about that? This is a situation were pictures can be controlled and they are BEING controlled, and now you're upset?

It's like you folks are in denial. Tupac and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes are obviously dead, with their autopsy/coffin pictures having been published and someone still walks around assuming they're in hiding. I don't get it.

I can be honest and say I'm a fan of the gruesome/macabre and there is an interest in seeing the pictures, but I don't need them to feel that Osama is dead. Obama is doing what's best for this nations future, not our own personal interests or agendas.

[shutupalready]

I want to see the photos. All of them. I want to see the video created by the helmet cams. I want to know why no one has pointed out/commented on Osama Bin Laden's CPAP snoring/sleep apnea machine by his bed. It's sitting on the floor in the upper right of video/photos showing the bed with all the blood on the floor on the lower right corner of the bed. Osama had sleep apnea! A CPAP machine kind of looks like a vacuum cleaner cause it has a hose and a small cylinder type thing attached to the hose. You can see it sitting there on the floor.

[Frank Hatch]

OBL Death Photos:

Not to show OBL-Death photos could have been a competent and practical decision. However, such an honest decision could only have been made before OBL was killed. Any decision afterwards is caused by indecision...weakness and politics. Muslims can quickly smell both.

The mingling of Objective and Subjective analyses can only achieve a politically expedient end for weakness...not strength. The mingling of the observed Muslim rage with their so-called righteous sensitivity can only acheive a political joke: a weak victor. Now, truncating empirical data (photos) can only be seen as truncating the truth.

Best Regards,

Frank Hatch
Initial Mass Displacements