In deciding not to make public the pictures of the corpse, Obama resisted arguments that to do so could counter skeptics who have argued there is no proof bin Laden is dead.
"I think that given the graphic nature of these photos, it would create some national security risk," Obama told the CBS program "60 Minutes."
"It is important for us to make sure that very graphic photos of somebody who was shot in the head are not floating around as an incitement to additional violence. As a propaganda tool," the president added.
"There's no doubt that Bin Laden is dead," Obama said. "And so we don't think that a photograph in and of itself is going to make any difference. There are going be some folks who deny it. The fact of the matter is, you will not see bin Laden walking on this earth again."
The decision not to release photos of bin Laden followed intense debate in the Obama administration. CIA Director Leon Panetta had said on Tuesday the pictures would be released.
Washington had to weigh sensitivities in the Muslim world over what White House spokesman Jay Carney called "a gruesome photograph" of bin Laden before Obama made his decision.
I do have a minor qualm with the notion that this would "inflame" Islamist sensibilities, the truly twisted nutjobs on the far end of the spectrum aren't going to start being nicer to us after we ended the guy, picture or no picture. Having said that, causing additional grief to some isn't worth it just to please the ghoulish twits on the right.
The President went on to say that we don't "spike the football" and that bin Laden wasn't a "trophy" to be displayed, and that argument I can agree with and respect. Heck, even the GOP House Intelligence committee chair Mike Rogers of Michigan, agreed with the President on this.
Also note that the right is furious, starting with Sarah Palin desperately trying to re-inject her narcissistic quitter self back into the national debate by moaning that the President was "pussy-footing" around by not releasing the pictures.
Not more than 24 hours ago, the Obama Derangement Syndrome narrative was that "arrogant" Obama was taking Bush's rightful credit when he didn't deserve it. Today, by not releasing the pictures of OBL's body, he's "weak" and "indecisive" again. Oh, and the left demanded Abu Ghraib photos, so this is exactly like that too!
Gosh, it's almost like the wingers will pivot to attack Obama no matter what position he takes.
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