Government

‘National Security Risks’: White House Explains Decision to Withhold OBL Photo

In an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes that occurred earlier today, President Barack Obama explained why he chose not to release the picture of Osama bin Laden dead. At a White House press briefing today, Jay Carney read from the transcript of that interview.

In the interview, the president explained his reaction when he first saw the pictures of Osama bin Laden dead. “It was him [OBL].”

And, to underscore that point, the president noted that as a result of DNA testing and sampling, “there is no doubt that we killed Osama bin Laden.” He also said that he did not want the pictures to be used as incitement or as propaganda tools. “It would create some national security risks.”

Comments (138)

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  • Pezman
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:00pm

    I‘m quite sure there’s someone in the Seals, reading this post. First. I give you my sincere thanks for your service, which provides myself and my family with the freedoms I so highly cherish. If you, specifically thik it’s safe for you and your comrades us to see this, please leak the pic to wikileaks. If not, why throguh wikileaks. We might as well get some real truth use out of that orgainzation.

    Report Post »  
    • calijohn
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 9:47pm

      so you are asking a us navy seal to disobey an order?
      you think they weren’t sworn to secrecy?
      you’re no patriot. just some blood sucker.

      Report Post »  
  • Daggett
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:00pm

    That’s funny… he was dying to release the 2,000 photos of prisoner abuse back in 2009…

    Report Post »  
  • ShyMan
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:57pm

    Now it’s about creating another time and attention consuming conspiracy.

    Focus on this while I…

    Report Post » ShyMan  
  • bjt141
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:57pm

    This is the problem with conservatives, you only think about yourselves. “I can handle it, blah blah blah”. Maybe it isn’t about you. Maybe it’s to keep 4 year old kids from seeing it. I personally don’t think all would be traumatized, but you never know, and it would be widely circulated. I agree with the propaganda thing. There is no point in releasing the pictures. People who are obsessed with seeing the pictures are the typical “I’m most important and what I want I want wah wah wah” people.

    Report Post »  
  • let us prey
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:56pm

    Only since the inaguration. 14,865 I think. Dont hold me to that.

    Report Post » let us prey  
  • 1776Patriot
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:56pm

    This man is a fool. This decision is a poor one. Release the darn pictures. They attacked us before and there werent any damn pictures! They will decide to attack us regardless.

    Publish the pix, confirm the news, otherwise shut up and dont take credit for it.

    BTW, NOT showing the pix lets the conspiracy idiots keep OBL alive….. ever think of that you rockhead?

    Report Post »  
  • Paul75
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:56pm

    However it’s OK to release any footage having to do with our soldiers supposedly “inhumane: treatment of the terrorist prisoners. That won’t cause a problem at all. I am done with they hypocrisy of everyone.

    Report Post »  
  • Barry@Occidental1980
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:55pm

    Barry will release them when they are most politically expedient. Took 3 years for a birth certificate. Be patient serfs.

    Report Post »  
  • undercover
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:55pm

    With today‘s technology it’s impossible to tell what’s real or faked, what’s true or a lie. We are left with only one option – either trust the source or not. Since there are plenty of reasons not to trust this administration, I take whatever they say (at best) as a partial truth. Maybe Obama is purposely muddying the waters on all these issues so he can have more reasons to vilify his political foes. After all, why don’t we just shut up and take whatever they say as gospel truth. OOPS did I say Gospel?

    Report Post »  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:54pm

    just another dictator style move, “”" we the communist government do not want to offend anyone,so we will just tell the sheep what we want them to know.”"”" what a bunch of crap, we have heard this before,they took the pictures of 9-111 off the t v ,they said it was to inciting, and now they don’t want to release these photos,will if i may,either way, the muslims are still peeved,and obama is the one they are peeved at, so what is the big deal,prove this killer is dead , we can’t believe any thing obama says,

    Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:54pm

    LORD GOD~~~ We need to talk. Or, maybe YOU need to talk and we need to listen. Now, there’s a good thought.

    Before we get quiet to let YOU talk, may we please tell you we do not like, nor do we want, nor do we follow this man as president of our country. he is not one of us and he is not OUR leader.

    Tomorrow, May 5th is the NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER for our country, LORD, and for YOUR kids all around the world. We are praying even now, LORD, and we will continue to pray…. and to LISTEN TO YOU.

    We love YOU, LORD. We will be quiet now and hear YOUR voice. In JESUS’ HOLY name, amen.

    Report Post »  
  • QuranisBookofDeath
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:54pm

    I wants to see what Quranic-end OBL had.

    Died living and defending the Book of Death and Hate, we pay our taxes and our taxes funded the raid.

    Wants to see the fruits.

    Report Post » QuranisBookofDeath  
    • calijohn
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 9:40pm

      we pay our taxes and we funded iraq and afghanistan.
      using your logic, we should show our soldiers smeared all over?
      is that picture a viagra moment for you?
      as someone stated earlier, that picture would be on tee shirts in no time at all.
      i, for one, don’t think we need to stoke the fires any more.

      Report Post »  
  • GruntUSMC
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:47pm

    Lie, deny, and counter accuse, when that does not work ….shift the blame. Obama leadership rules.

    Report Post » GruntUSMC  
    • IAMNOTKNOWING
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:57pm

      GRUNTUSMC,

      You should have listed “deny” twice.

      They deny everything, including denying Us of leadership with integrity, honesty, and humility.

      Report Post » IAMNOTKNOWING  
  • Randyrocker
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:46pm

    Obama is so concerned about the sensitivities of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Al Qaeda, yet when it comes to feeling up American children right in front of their parents in American Airports because of the Al Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood, he doesn’t give a damn.
    What a Presidential pipsqueak!

    Report Post »  
  • Primekid
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:46pm

    Then as far as I’m concerned the beast is still alive. I do not trust this administration. When I combine that with the quick trip to ‘ground zero’ for a potential publicity stunt / photo op. at the onset of another campaign period, I simply have no reason to believe the claims that have been made considering the fact there is no solid basis on which to believe them. We are told of a Muslim burial at sea for someone, who even mainstream Muslims claim, was not a true Muslim and, outside of this administrations reassurances, no evidence whatsoever that any of these events even occurred at all outside of some supposed ‘Tweets’ from an obscure unknown. But then I guess considering a lot of the people making the claims are probably the same people, or at least of the same mind, as those that wanted to propagate the 9/11 conspiracy theories, I suppose real, solid evidence wouldn’t be important.

    All this, just to wag the dog. One big ploy, a diversion to take our attention from the economy that is being distroyed. Thanks for wasting our time!

    Report Post »  
  • vtxphantom
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:45pm

    White House and obama shoot themselves in the foot again.

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:59pm

      I’m not so sure they are shooting themselves in the foot. Now the loons (like Trump) will rampage for 6 months about the photos and proof and turn it in to a big birther style issue and then bam, a month before the election he releases them and the conspiracy theorist all look like dopes and the “independents” all go for Obama again. We need to be careful with this one.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:00pm

      Look at Tower7femacamp’s post, it’s already working.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:27pm

      @gonzo,only until the commander and chief, and my lovely wife gets home,.

      Report Post »  
  • reconmarine
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:45pm

    You lie all of the time Barry. Release the photo!

    Report Post »  
  • Blazer334
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:44pm

    This guy doesn’t have a clue when it comes to understanding Americans. As a result, his “bump” in approval ratings will be even more short lived and could actually sink him to new lows. But I couldn’t be happier! Number one, there are enough folks on board that aircraft carrier that know Bin Laden is dead, so I really don’t need to see the photos. The photo will leak sooner or later. And two, once again, Obama has screwed up royally and has an even smaller chance of re-election.

    Report Post » Blazer334  
  • IAMNOTKNOWING
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:43pm

    I wonder if Obama is gonna yell “Geranimo” when he gets cast into Hell?

    Or….. “I’m meeellllllllllllllllllllllllllllting.” ;D

    Report Post » IAMNOTKNOWING  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:47pm

      He’s working on collective salvation for all of us! That’s right, Obama is working on getting us ALL in to heaven. I guess he figures he can do a better job than Jesus, surprised?

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:01pm

      @gonzo,he can stop trying to save me, i don’t need his devil help,i have but bone god and it ain’t obama.
      by the way caught several nice bass,what a great day here in texas, just beautiful, just hope the wife is not to mad,i did not show up to work,but i know she can handle it,she always says i get in her hair,so today she can’t complain.i hope,but any way have a great day.

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:03pm

      You live the life, don’t you? I’m jealous.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • OhSuzieQ
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:40pm

    Oh Please! It sure sounds like BS to me. But what else is new??

    Report Post » OhSuzieQ  
    • Sinista MACE
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:45pm

      They are the terrorists.

      The United States Government.

      Red Dawn is coming.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:09pm

      Dumb is as Dumb does
      and the American people have been the result of MKULTRA mind control
      with the help of fluoride and prozac

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • let us prey
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:40pm

    I hope they didnt yell Geronimo when they pushed him over the side.

    Report Post » let us prey  
  • chiefparker
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:39pm

    This is hilarious. Stutter, lie stutter, lie

    Report Post » chiefparker  
  • texanpatriot
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:38pm

    O wants to take three or four weeks to think it over and then he will decide. Thank God he made the right decision to go after the mass murderer ever though it took a LOT of time.

    Rest in hell OBL.

    Report Post » texanpatriot  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:38pm

    Now let’s move to the real issues!

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
  • 82dAirborne
    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:38pm

    I believe he’s dead. I get it. Now release the photos/video! Americans are grown ups. We can handle it.

    Report Post » 82dAirborne  
    • Revere1
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:40pm

      They just want to drag this thing out as long as possible, to get more credit. http://www.elephantwatcher.com/2011/05/after-bin-laden-should-republicans-be.html

      Report Post » Revere1  
    • Taquoshi
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:44pm

      B.O. must be thicker than a pair of 2×4s nailed together and strapped to a concrete cinder block. He STILL doesn’t GET IT! With all the delays and game playing that went on with the birth certificate, he basically equated himself to “Open mouth, insert lie.” So much for the most transparent government. Now, we are all wondering what he’s hiding this time………

      Report Post » Taquoshi  
    • 101
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:45pm

      File it with the long form birth certificate

      Report Post »  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:52pm

      How do WE know it was OBL? Do WE get to see DNA evidence? That wouldn’t be gruesome.
      The could just redact the hole in his head and show his picture. They could also show Osama’s picture, too. A Hahahahahaha. Seriously, though, we are grown ups and we have seen worse, such as the befeading of Dan Pearl or the soldier who was dragged through the streets of Mogadishu that was plastered all over the news. I don‘t think I like taking a lir’s word for it, that this was actually OBL.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • techengineer11
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:52pm

      How many lies can they possibly damn tell? Was anything which was said about the entire raid true? My god these people are sick! It’s getting worse by the minute! We have no reason to believe a damn word these people say… Nothing!

      Report Post » techengineer11  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:55pm

      they were afraid of 2 things
      1 was that somebody could do an age analysis based on the photo

      I have seen them recreate faces from thousand yr old skulls
      would be hard to explain the corps age was 10 years younger

      2 maybe the freezer burns would show.

      wake up america

      WTC tower 7 was demo’d not a fire

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:55pm

      He also said that he did not want the pictures to be used as incitement or as propaganda tools.
      ——-
      Really ?
      Muslims are incited to kill by a frikin cartoon and a teddy bear named MoohamMAD.
      And as long as they have their koran, they DO NOT need any other propaganda material.
      Nothing but drivel from WH

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • Infidel and Proud
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:55pm

      NO body,
      NO Pics,
      NO video
      NO consistancies between stories

      DIDN’T Happen.

      Report Post » Infidel and Proud  
    • code green
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:55pm

      Security risk????????????????? What ?????????We Could inflame those who want us all dead ???
      I would hate the thought of making some radical Islamist want to kill infidels. Read suras 8&9. It demands that all moooslims kill Jews and infidels where they are found. Has there been a hold on suras 8&9 lately?
      Show the pic, I am boored with my present wall paper.

      Report Post »  
    • Taquoshi
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:56pm

      Finch – I wanted the photos and the death certificate, so I could cash in the life insurance policy I had on bin Laden with Lloyd’s of London. Darn!!!! Darn!!!!! Darn!!!!!

      Interesting that B.O. had a very brief surge in popularity on Sunday, but now I think he’s alienating more people by going back to his old game of carrot and stick. I wonder if he’ll let them be leaked just before the election.

      Report Post » Taquoshi  
    • nothingbuthetruth
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:56pm

      Look the guy is dead. It would look really stupid, I Osama Bin Laden came out with anohter video, Oh here I am. Ha ha. He is dead. I doubt Obama would risk looking like a fool

      Report Post »  
    • Showtime
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:56pm

      @TAQUOSHI ~
      He’s hidinjg the fact that OBL was killed in December 2007. All this showboating is to claim credit for OBL’s demise so he can use it in his campaign for “reelection.” He got the MB’s approval in order to deliver Israel to them.

      Obama cannot show any photos because he doesn‘t know if there are any already in existence from 2007 of OBL’s death by another person! Two different OBL deaths would be hard to explain!

      Did you notice that they left one percent room for error in identification of OBL? That’s to protect against the possibility that his story could be “shot down” later on.

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • SoCal Patriot
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:56pm

      Move along, folks, there’s nothing to see here…

      Report Post »  
    • AOL_REFUGEE
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:56pm

      Good grief. I wonder if Obwana has to decide whether or not to wipe each time after he drops a deuce.

      Report Post » AOL_REFUGEE  
    • SavingtheRepublic.com
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:58pm

      ^______^______^
      We’re already engaged… Pic will only accelerate whats already in the works. Quite frankly withholding the pics IS giving into terrorism! So even his death caught in imagery is used now as a terrorist tool/weapon. UBL is laughing at us while he burns in hell!

      WH release the pics and any vids you have b/c its a guarantee they WILL be leaked. Its like telling someone in the hospital who just came out of surgery who has been in a car accident that other passengers(friends/relatives) have passed. Get the shock out of the way and start dealing with the fallout. The longer this is dragged out the worse it will be. Oh and BHO you dont want this out close to ‘12 election but go ahead keep them sealed it will help whomever is running against you!

      Report Post » SavingtheRepublic.com  
    • Showtime
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:05pm

      I’d like for someone to invite Obama & Co. to a pig pickin’!

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • prov1
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:07pm

      /////It‘s a shame the seals didn’t put a pair of underwear on his head before taking the pics, for I assure you they would be front and center a la Obama thinking…….as for the post it note issue..”Hope and Change ??? Yea, I‘m hopin’ for change !!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:08pm

      No…It was to get the Deathers like you idiots out and frothing at the mouth….

      Birthers
      Truthers
      Deathers
      All idiots!

      Report Post »  
    • poverty.sucks
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:09pm

      $$ longer he waits, networks will pay more $$

      Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:11pm

      You realize if you don’t believe he is dead…You are CALLING OUR MILITARY LIARS>>>

      Dumb Deathers…Think about what you are doing you morons!

      Report Post »  
    • auntbea
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:19pm

      My God, its a good thing that the SEALs Team Six aren’t a bunch of amatuers like the White House! Obama’s stumbling, bumbling reporting of the Team’s superb operation is an embarrassment to the whole country. He would do well to learn a lesson from the military, or even the Boy Scouts, i.e., BE PREPARED. It isn‘t like he didn’t have months to put together an intelligent press release.

      Report Post »  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:29pm

      This is further proof that the article posted yesterday by a Blazer which claims that Obum was against the raid is TRUE (see link below). Post Operation Geronimo, Obum has done nothing BUT apologize to the Muslim world both in word and in deed, thereby affirming that he and every other follower of Islam in the Muslim world considered UBL a COMMITTED MUSLIM.

      As former CIA officer Michael Shueur rightly observes, the operation itself was flawless but its handling has been a total disaster. It figures; CIA initiated and carried out the former, while Obum was put in charge of the latter.
      http://socyberty.com/issues/white-house-insider-obama-hesitated-panetta-issued-order-to-kill-osama-bin-laden/

      Report Post »  
    • Lloyd Drako
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:31pm

      There’s more than one way of looking at this.

      On the one hand, so what if the pictures are gruesome? I want to see them! And I want to show them to my children! And make multiple copies to throw darts at and wipe myself with! I want to rub Al Qaeda’s face in it, and warn all the so-called moderate Muslims who secretly despise us! Sensitivity be damned!

      On the other hand, what if there‘s not enough left of Osama’s head to make photo identification possible? Doesn’t that only encourage doubters, conspiracists and the Obama-can-do-no-right crowd? They won’t be placated anyway, so why bother? Better for him to vanish altogether “into night and fog.”

      Report Post » Lloyd Drako  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:34pm

      This administration .. just spouts and oozes BULL!

      Report Post »  
    • desertkid
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:34pm

      You know that Al Qaeda has several video tapes of OBL. Releasing a(one) photo of OBL on a cold slab would be better then to let Al Qaeda release a video of OBL in the near future. The world needs to see for themselves. Don’t let Al Qaede play us.

      Report Post »  
    • obfuscatenot
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:54pm

      I know lets post more Abu Gharab photos…..yeah, that’s the ticket….we need proof….they don’t cause any tremors or hate in the world, yeah, that’s the ticket. Wow, hyperpolitical animals.

      Report Post »  
    • APatriotFirst
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:56pm

      Showtime
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:56pm
      @TAQUOSHI ~
      He’s hidinjg the fact that OBL was killed in December 2007. All this showboating is to claim credit for OBL’s demise so he can use it in his campaign for “reelection.” He got the MB’s approval in order to deliver Israel to them.

      Obama cannot show any photos because he doesn‘t know if there are any already in existence from 2007 of OBL’s death by another person! Two different OBL deaths would be hard to explain!

      Did you notice that they left one percent room for error in identification of OBL? That’s to protect against the possibility that his story could be “shot down” later on.

      ————————————————————————————-

      Showtime..you keep referring to 2007 but IF you do your research just a wee bit more, you will find that what was said about Osama killed was not true, it was a mis-speak. Please do your homework on this.

      Report Post »  
    • ozchambers
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:57pm

      I do believe he is dead, but beyond that fact it is hard to believe that even the WH knows what is going on based on this ridiculous handling of information. It almost seems as if they are undergoing a concerted effort to create suspicion and conspiracy theories against the government.

      Report Post » ozchambers  
    • Polwatcher
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 5:07pm

      I find it hard to believe that our military or this country is afraid of an enemy. Is that what Obama is saying?

      Report Post »  
    • BJC
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 5:27pm

      Releasing photos of US military abuses on prisoners: Okay
      Releasing photos of the FBI’s #1 most wanted terrorist: Too sensitive

      Spread this video…
      Barack Obama Makes His First Visit To Ground Zero As President
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDzI7hYM3L8

      Report Post »  
    • Chet Hempstead
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:48pm

      Americans aren’t grown-ups. We would turn the photos into T-shirts and try to fly to other countries while wearing them.

      Report Post »  
    • cassandra
      Posted on May 4, 2011 at 9:46pm

      what to you think ???? Obummer was folllowing shria law by burying bin Laden like he did ?

      Report Post »  
    • thepatriotdave
      Posted on May 5, 2011 at 1:36am

      “there is no doubt that we killed Osama bin Laden”
      ————————————————————————
      No you moron, some will never believe unless you release the photos. I’m afraid Obama is using this like he did the birth certificate issue. President Bush showed some real class today by not taking up Obama’s offer to go to ground zero with him. As far as Obama is concerned, it‘s disgusting how he’s using this for Brownie points. A dirt-bag gloating over a dead dirt-bag!

      Help draft Colonel West…
      http://www.americasteapartynews.com/draft-allen-west.php

      Report Post » thepatriotdave  
    • LittleLordFauntleroy
      Posted on May 5, 2011 at 7:05am

      It’s kind of ridiculous to perpetuate the conversation to the point that showing the photo would have have been exponentially simpler.

      Report Post » LittleLordFauntleroy  
    • StonyBurk
      Posted on May 5, 2011 at 8:30am

      The 0 knew his brother was living in that house for two years. the Paki have affirmed this. He waited like a true despot until he could use the political assassination to assure Americans would accept Caesar as their beloved leader. The 0 has seen the photographs-but like a true despot has decided “ we the people ”can’t “handle it” -”that’s not who we are” Oh es verdad in his mind Obama is the One he’s been waiting for.TO Obama he is “the people”

      Report Post »  
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