Was Hillary Just Coughing During Iconic Photo?
- Posted on May 5, 2011 at 8:48am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
- Print »
- Email »
ROME (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday she has “no idea” what she and the rest of President Barack Obama’s national security team were watching at the precise moment that a photographer snapped what has become an iconic image of the operation that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
“Those were 38 of the most intense minutes,” Clinton said of the raid on bin Laden’s compound by U.S. Navy SEALs. “I have no idea what any of us were looking at at that particular millisecond when the picture was taken.”
The photo was taken by the White House photographer Sunday night as Obama and his national security team monitored the assault. Clinton is covering her mouth with her right hand, but she said Thursday that the gesture might not convey any special significance.
“I am somewhat sheepishly concerned that it was my preventing one of my early spring allergic coughs,” she said. “So, it may have no great meaning whatsoever.”
The story behind the photograph has been a subject of intense curiosity, but U.S. officials have refused to discuss details of what exactly was happening when it was taken, saying that could compromise intelligence efforts and capabilities.
Nonetheless, Clinton said bin Laden’s death “sent an unmistakable message about the strength and the resolve of the international community to stand against extremism and those who perpetuate it.”
“I think our resolve is even stronger after bin Laden’s death because we know it will have an impact on those who are on the battlefield in Afghanistan,” she said. She and other officials have expressed hope that al-Qaida sympathizers and other militants may now be more inclined to give up violence and rejoin Afghan society.
Clinton said U.S. plans to begin drawing down American forces in Afghanistan in July will continue apace even as she acknowledged that the battle against terrorism was far from over.
“Let us not forget that the battle to stop al-Qaida and its affiliates does not end with one death,” she said. “We have to renew our resolve and redouble our efforts, not only in Afghanistan and Pakistan but around the world. It is especially important that there be no doubt that those who pursue a terrorist agenda, the criminals who indiscriminately murder innocent people, will be brought to justice.”
Many in the U.S. have questioned Pakistan’s reliability as an ally, given that bin Laden was found hiding in plain sight in a military garrison town outside Islamabad. Lawmakers are questioning U.S. aid to Pakistan, something the Obama administration has said is vital to war on terror.
Clinton maintained the U.S. must remain engaged with Pakistan.
“It is not always an easy relationship,” she said. “But on the other hand, it is a productive one for both of our countries and we are going to continue to cooperate between our governments, our militaries, our law enforcement agencies.”
Clinton spoke during a press conference with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. She was in Rome for a meeting of the Libyan Contact Group, representatives of 22 nations and five international organizations who are discussing ways to support the rebels fighting longtime Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 591 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 416 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 415 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 379 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 376 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 416 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 415 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 379 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 151 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know 100 Comments- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 303 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 416 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (160)
psst
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:35amSaw hilLIE on the tube this am babbling (her usual lies)it was an earlyspring cough that she usually get and she was covering her mouth.
Report Post »Kinda reminds me about the time she said she came under fire from terrorist on the tarmac.
This whole administration is nothing but a pack of liars.
And that 25 min. tape blackout. blah-blah.
OBL had a weapon. OBL did not have a weapon. OBL threw his wife at our troops. OBL did not hide behind his wife.Blah-blah -blah.
An ever changing story.
And the lemmings believe every word of all this BS.
What da hey. It was a kill order. I have no problem w/ that.
Soetoro wants to bask in the glory of OBL kill.
Soetoro won’t release the pic/s because it will set the Arab World aflame (BTW, they are aways aflame) and he will get the blame.
Can’t get no blame right now. he’s in campaign mode. Not that he’s ever stopped campaigning.
Now it’s onto NY for more photo-ops.
He should take his Illegal auntie Zucchini along w/ him for the show.
BTW. I claimed a credit of some few pesos on my tax forms for Aunti’e upkeep.
sfearn
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:32amI was going to say the same thing… While I couldn’t care less if she is just coughing, I do believe we were all DRILLED with the proper procedure for coughing into our elbows. I’m sure Ms. Napolitano will be happy to demonstrate the procedure again though.
Report Post »nosycophant
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:30amWiping goo from the corners of her mouth.
Report Post »Cape_Lookout_RW_Extremist
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:24am“Bill, you said it was over with you and Monica.”
Report Post »Freedom1984
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:24amAchew…..
Report Post »Freedom1984
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:23amAt this point the whole thing is RIDICULOUS.
This adminisration knows nothing but to LIE.
So whatever the reason, they FEEL THEY HAVE TO LIE the AMERICAN PEOPLE. So now all the stories are comming out….
PLEASE………………………..those who talk the most, lie the most.
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:14amMy caption for this photo: “If Bill was man enough to have done this, I would be president right now.”
Report Post »Ampleforth
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:10amThe real story in this photo is why the president looks like he was trotted in and added to the scene. He looks like a high school kid who just lost a locker room towel snap fight. Oh yeah, and why the hell was Martha Quinn in there?
Report Post »threecats407
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:10amThe biggest question is who’s head is in the bottom left of the photo!!!!
Report Post »cinco de mayo
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:09amHillary was wondering if she might later regret what she just said. “Put this jacket on over your golf shirt, go over there and sit in the corner, can’t you see we have work to do here?”
Report Post »threecats407
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:07amIt’s a look of concern. Who the F would not have it sitting in that room. If they need to milk this story any more they should focus on Obama tucked away in the corner out of the loop. The whole thing was going down long before he came in which is obvious by the seat in the last row of the balcony one of the standees offered him
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:07amWho cares, it was ALL STAGED.
They lie so much, I’m starting to think that they are really good reptilian actors in disguise and the White House is a set in a studio on a damn mothership.
Report Post »satotbs
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:39amI agree about it being staged. Othewise J. Biden would have been sleeping.
Report Post »jeff.cooper
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 4:00pmThe White House and its actors are filmed daily in my vast basement studios ;)
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:05am“Iconic photo”????
Isn’t “iconic” supposed to symbolize something of importance?
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:32amEverything this administration does is “historic”, “unprecedented” or “iconic”. That memo went out to the press in 2008.
Report Post »truthncharity
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:03amClinton said bin Laden’s death “sent an unmistakable message about the strength and the resolve of the international community to stand against extremism and those who perpetuate it.”
International community?? Who else went in besides Americans??? No one! Global community my behind….Hillary ain’t nothing but a Soros puppet.
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:19amTrue!
Report Post »4X4in
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:03amI have a headline for ya………
IS THE BLAZE, LIKE THE RAG MAGS IN THE GROCERY STORE?????????
Report Post »randy
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:12amAnd yet, you still find the time to come here to read and to post.
Report Post »So, what’s up with that?
Well-Armed-Lamb
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:26amSpoken like a true RAG HEAD!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:03amShe just saw that satellite photo in front of her, it shows Bill leaving a motel with a fat girl.
Report Post »BrianCK
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:02amWho’s the littlest looking person in that photo?
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:23amShe is the missing helicopter parts specialist.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:01amI honestly don’t care. This is perhaps one of the most pointless posts related to Bin Laden I have ever seen. What’s next? Will you ask what they were drinking from those cups? Was there booze in them?
Cough or no cough, she seemed to be displaying a real human reaction, as did Obama. they were watching a risky and dangerous military operation in real time with the killing of real people on the line. That’s the value of that photo, pure and simple, nothing more.
Report Post »orkydorky
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 4:13pmWhat they were watching was the military saying to Obama, “we’re tired of your political games we took him out without your permission!”
Report Post »emertz8413
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:01amNah, they were just watching Obama’s poll numbers drop!!!
Report Post »Liberalismsamentaldisorder
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 8:59amNobody cares
Report Post »Freedom1984
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:28amI care! We must know JUST WHY HILLARY IS HOLDING HER HAND OVER HER MOUTH IN TERROR!!!
Just kidding………………..
WE all know what is going on. Their excuses at this point are just ridiculous at best.
“ACHEW”!
Report Post »runninonempty
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 8:56amThat’s not a “cough cover.” Look at the TUG MARKS on her cheek… that gesture indicates deep thought or, porribley, distress. I”m no body language expert– I”m just sayin.’
Report Post »runninonempty
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:04amI meant to say “possibly.” That’s what I get for typing without my glasses….
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:16amUnfortunatly since there was no raw video to look at, instead of just this photo, it is hard to make sure of what is actually going on.
Report Post »Hephzibah
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 5:14pmI think it was because it was “icky”…our Secretary of State was grossed out by the main terrorist who murdered 3,000 of our citizens getting his brains blown out. I wonder if she was grossed out seeing those people jumping out of the flaming WTC buildings.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 8:55amHilary looks like she is about to lose her lunch. Oh, wait a minute. What were they watching? There is no video of the raid. REMEMBER!!!! So she must have been coughing.
Report Post »leftcoastslut
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:11amwho cares, except the fact that unemployment is rising again, almost up to 500,000. over 50% of all households receive government assisstance in one way or another.
Report Post »nomercy63
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 8:55amShe is thinking how am I going to sell this load of crap to people
Report Post »Freedom1984
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:20amA “Spring Allergy Cough”… please…………………………………..
Hillary you are watching OBL getting shot in the head.
Report Post »Well-Armed-Lamb
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:25amWouldn’t be a complete story without at least one Clinton lie.
Report Post »lowermytaxes
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 8:53amwho cares, cough or concern?
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 8:59amIt could have been worse. Recall in the Star Wars movies the coughing sound usually was followed by an Imerpial Admiral falling to the floor dead and Vader saying “Apology accepted Admiral.”
Report Post »bccrane
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:44amIt may be that she is realizing that for political purposes her boss just ordered the assassination (not capture) of UBL and she was just dragged into it. And when it is found out that they knew he was there since August they couldn’t afford politically to miss this chance and they could not survive politically if he was left alive and taken to Gitmo and be in the press day after day with everyone from his base to opponents questioning his ineptitude in the manner. If this is what happened then she is politically dead too.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 8:50amNo offense, who cares.
Where though, was the US Attorney General?
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:05amNow I am really laughing. Yes, she is obviously coughing–maybe sneezing?–while looking at Panetta –because there was no live feed….. Panetta’s image must have been changing millisecond by millisecond….. :D
Report Post »AynRandLives
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:06amObama used this photo to make Hillary look weak. Everything he does is for his purpose.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:11amShe was thinking “did I leave the iron on? Maybe I should call the housekeeper and find out, because that damn Bill is never home. I hope it doesn’t ruin my best blouse.”
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:15amCould it have been she was thinking “Where were these guys when Bill was in office with that lady of his…”
Report Post »SpiderPig
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:15amI care!!! Perhaps she had just burped and was covering her mouth so that no one could smell the huge meal that she had just finised eating with the First Lady.
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:17amHolder must be filing osamas law suit
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:29amThey are watching the money shots from the unreleased Bill and Monica tapes.
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:32amfunny, now we know photo was staged. too funny. story changes every few hours. Granted, secret missions should stay secret, but why lie , then change the lie, then change that lie, then change that lie……
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:34amThe AG was probably watching his look-alike TV show – The Marx Brothers. Not only is he clearly a Marxist, but he looks like he could fit in with Groucho and Harpo and not miss a beat.
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:35amit is not a cough, obviously, don‘t know why hillary’s first reaction is to always lie,
Report Post »warriorspirit
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:43amIn the study of body language the hand over the mouth gesture that Clinton is doing is the sign of two things. It happens when a person is experiencing something of disbelief like when watching a car accident happen or it can be used when having thoughts or emotions that the person would not want others around them to know or some combination of the two. Considering the situation this picture is taken in I am not surprised by this gesture at all. I am more surprised that more people in the room are not doing it. What bothers me more about the picture is if you look everyone but Obama is in a neutral body position (not leaning forward or backwards). people lean back when they want to disengage from something. Some people have their arms crossed. That is a sign of discomfort with a given situation. Its a self made barrier. Now look at Obama he is the only person in the room with an engaging (leaning forward) body position. I just can’t figure out why he would be the only one doing that???? The leaning forward gesture is more difficult when standing but there are other body position used to “engage” a situation and trust me Obama is the only one in that picture engaged from a body language perspective. But why?
Report Post »nacilbuper
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:49amThe laptops are not turned on! Why?
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:49amThe more they talk about this mission and change their stories the less I am beginning to believe what they are telling us. I had little faith in their integrity before this and am losing it more and more each day. What a pack of liars these people are. You would think it would be real easy to tell the truth rather than have 12 different stories as to what took place and who was killed and or captured. What a bunch of amateurs we have running this government.
Report Post »QuiteContrary
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 10:13amObama looks so tiny in this picture.
Report Post »NuffSaid
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 10:43amDentures slipped, spontaneous regurgitation, holding back a chuckle?
Report Post »Unix
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 10:46amcough, cough
Report Post »the_zazzy
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 10:48amNo, she looks genuinely devastated that her friend just got taken out.
Report Post »Unix
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 10:52amyou see Obama in this pic, dimished to a small chair off to the side – that is because he and Valery Jarret tried their BEST to stop the raid from happening, it was Panetta and Clinton (who has more b-a-l-l-s than BHO) took the ball and ran with it. They had to pull the goofball off the golf course to inform him the raid was in progress. There is a big story on that, look http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/ — look for the article under — 9 Months, 16 hours …… Obama’s Reluctance, Osama Poised to Flee….incredible reading for you all.
Report Post »No1YaKnow
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:04amOh come now Shrillary, you can come up with a better lie than that.
Report Post »pinnybogg
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:10amis is now being reported that she had her hand over her mouth due to allergies!!!!
Report Post »Independent Tess
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:46amToo bad Hillary. I was liking you better when I thought you were feeling compassion, fear for our guys, the deep reality of what was going on.
Report Post »But, if it was only allergies…..never mind.
ak
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:17pmPresident is not sitting on a seat fitted with lap top others are.
Report Post »Brad Wesselmann
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:59pmI’m with ya on your analysis, “Warriorspirit”, and “Aynrandlives”, that is a distinct possibility.
Report Post »patriot308
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 1:53pmOh wow! Don’t tell me…… Clinton is human. Stop the presses, even progressives have emotions, allergies, etc. And it would really start rumors if……. THE A.G. was there. Why would ‘immediate’, legal advice be required?????
Report Post »pissedlizard
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 1:58pmCouldnt agree more. Shee could be picking her nose for what its worth. He is dead, we are all happy and should focus on this country and its problems.
Report Post »Molly Caudle
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 2:40pmWhy is Scott Baio in the photograph?
Report Post »Archibald Nastybottom
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 2:55pmHe was out preparing to file an indictment against SEAL Team 6!
Report Post »IAMNOTKNOWING
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 3:38pmSeriously?? Allergies?
Gimme a break.
They’re watching terrorist b!tches getting wasted.
I like Gates’ look the best.
He’s like, “Yessir. That would be correct.” ;D
Obama’s getting schooled. He’s learning how to put his “big-boy” pants on. … since he hasn’t the first CLUE about military matters and the realities of what is sometimes necessary. Precisely why he is under-qualified for the position he now holds.
Report Post »jeff.cooper
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 3:58pmPrepping for his grilling in the House.
Report Post »orkydorky
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 4:01pmThe look on their faces are priceless, especially after the military had already completed the mission before Obama and his clan were informed!!!
Report Post »Clara88
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 4:19pmSo WHAT were they watching? Maybe Obama was playing video games?
Report Post »http://theodoresworld.net/
KewlBigDan
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 4:35pmThey watched/heard/followed/whatever the raid by the Seals in a 10×10 room crammed with people? Seriously I thought they had huge underground war rooms for this kinda thing.
Report Post »Clara88
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 4:39pmtheodoresworld.net
The Obama Administration’s cloud of confusion explained
Bookworm Room
what do we have here:
1) There was a firefight.
2) There was no firefight.
3) Bin Laden was “resisting.”
4) Bin Laden wasn’t armed. (Makes the concept of “resisting” interesting.)
[4.a) And the newest one: the SEALS thought bin Laden was reaching for a weapon.]
5) He used his wife as a shield.
6) His wife was killed too.
7) He didn’t use his wife as a shield. She ran at a SEAL who shot her in the leg, but she’s fine.
8 ) Some other woman — the maid? — was used as a shield. By somebody. Downstairs.
9) That other woman — downstairs — was killed.
10) Maybe not. She was killed unless she wasn’t — and who was she, anyway?
11) Bin Laden’s son was killed.
12) Unless it was some other guy.
13) Bin Laden’s daughter saw him get killed. She’s undoubtedly traumatized, poor dear.
14) They were going to capture Bin Laden until the problem with the helicopter, which was:
A) It had mechanical trouble
B) It did a hard landing
C) It crashed
D) It clipped a wall with a tail rotor, effectively a crash
15.) They were never going to try to capture him; it was always a kill mission.
Report Post »16.) No, it wasn’t.
17) The chopper blew up.
18) The SEALs blew it up.
19.) Panetta said yesterday the world needed proof and the photo would be released.
20.) Obama said today in an interview he taped with Steve Kroft for “60 Minut
Kalish
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 4:47pmWhat’s the picture of that is on top of the computer that is in front of her ? it appears to have been scrambled when you try to zoom in ????????
Report Post »Bronx
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 5:17pmWhy do these people take us for fools. Remember this…”YOU LIE!”
Report Post »GBMBulletsSKNRD
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 6:13pmWhat is best about this picture is Obama is sitting in the corner where he should be. What would have made it even better is if he had a dunce hat on. Making him the biggest dunce in the room.
Report Post »