The decision to not release the dead terrorist's bullet-through-the-eye pictures in the right one.

[Stinky The Clown]

The entire world has no choice but to accept on faith that he's dead. The pictures will add little to whatever debate there might be. If one is inclined to think the US is lying, the pictures will be seen as doctored. If one is inclined to think the US is telling the truth, the pictures add nothing.

The pictures will not change minds.

We don't need them circulating; that will likely cause far more harm than good.

[FSogol]

1. I agree. People who want evidence won't believe it anyway and

The photo would just end up as recruiting propaganda for terrorist groups.

[kestrel91316]

2. Zactly.

[JBoy]

3. Yup. Zero upside to releasing these photos.

[sasha031]

4. by not releasing the photo, the US is taking higher ground

death is not to be celebrated. Although I'm very relived Bin Laden is no longer of this world to deceive, manipulate and kill.

[CottonBear]

5. We must take the higher ground and I agree completely with your comment. n/t

[Lone_Star_Dem]

6. No argument from me.

Even though I still won't be surprised if it is released at some point. I'd rather they didn't for all the reasons you stated.

[MatthewStLouis]

7. Photos won't "prove" anything to people who don't want to believe Bin Laden is dead.

So what good does it do to release them? It is a good call. Besides, it's not as if no one else has seen them.

[seabeyond]

8. not faith. family id'ed osama. dna proved it. everyone acknowledges osama from u.s. to hamas

to pakistan to al jeazera to al queda. (ignore the spelling, i am clueless)

people dont have to go off faith. if they already need a picture then it really wont matter cause they will find something wrong with that

[GeorgeGist]

9. Truth hurts.

[cherokeeprogressive]

10. Wholeheartedly agree. K n R n/t

[Gregorian]

11. And all it will take is a copycat Osama video.

I know that transparency is important. But I think the inflammatory response to a dead Osama is worse.

[sinkingfeeling]

12. They should be made available on a 'need-to-see/know' basis only. If some ally wants to review them,

then a representative should have access to them.

[Dappleganger]

13. Even if it were released, those who didn't believe it from the beginning would claim it was faked.

[Marrah_G]

14. I agree

[Imajika]

15. The hypocrisy here is absolutely astounding...

If this were the Bush administration that claimed to kill Bin Laden, changed their story on how it happened and then refused to release the photos, virtually 100% of DU would be clamoring for the pictures.

I have no doubt Bin Laden is dead, but I want to see the pictures. The public and the world should see the evidence that UBL is dead and gone This is the information age, this administration needs to get with program and stop trying to hide stuff like this.

[pintobean]

16. "that will likely cause far more harm than good"

How? Will our enemies become super-enemies?

"The pictures will not change minds." That's true.

[gratuitous]

18. I'm a little unclear on the "cause" that would be harmed, as well

I'm persuaded that bin Laden is indeed dead; I'd just like to see what my money paid for. It seems like we're almost ashamed of our handiwork. But I'm sure that's not it, so I'll stop saying that.

[Lugnut]

17. That's the sort of thing terrorists do.

We're better than that. It was a good decision to not release the pictures.