Don’t worry: not every entry is going to deal with bin Laden. I’m going to try to branch out some soon, but I felt like this was a good topic to discuss, because it’s one that I’m still working through myself.
A friend shared a good article on Facebook today concerning the question of whether or not to release photos of the body of Osama bin Laden. Though the whole article is worth reading, the gist is that, regardless of whether or not the administration wants to release the photos (which, they've obviously decided not to), ultimately they may have to under the Freedom of Information Act.
Initially, I was in favor of the release of the photos for two primary reasons.
First, quelling any doubts around the world about whether or not we had in fact killed bin Laden. I am a little sympathetic (word used loosely) towards those abroad who may just be in such total shock that they won’t believe it—I’m particularly thinking of people in Abottabad or Pakistan in general who may not want to accept the fact that he was right there among them [Although, as an article I recently read--which I unfortunately can't find anymore--mentions, many may just be too busy with other maladies like avoiding drone attacks or feeding themselves to care or worry].
I don’t care as much about releasing them for the sake of “skeptics” or “conspiracy theorists” here at home, who likely would still claim the photo had been doctored or manipulated somehow.
Second, closure. This sounds somewhat barbaric, and admittedly, to a degree it is. But, for those individuals directly affected by 9/11, a part of me understands how this type of visual confirmation that some sort of justice had been done could potentially bring a measure of closure. It’s not so much that I see such people as doubting that he was killed, but rather, having that tangible proof, experiencing that for yourself could potentially be more emotionally relieving.
[Admittedly, this also comes down to whether or not bin Laden being dead even constitutes justice. I'll leave that up to those most impacted by his actions.]
Of course, as we’ve all seen by now, the President has opted not to show the photos. I was initially disappointed, but after considering the decision and the logic behind it, it makes sense.
I’m not going to fault the administration for wanting to avoid the perception of engaging in any sort of "triumphalism" by taking a route similar to that after Musab al-Zarqawi was killed—unveiling the photo in a giant gold frame and all. While I'd say there are ways of releasing the photo without “spiking the football” (as Obama would say), I can respect the reluctance to even risk such a perception and the potential international ire that could accompany it.
Also, my first reason for supporting the release of the photos is no longer really an issue. Today [now yesterday...sometimes these things take a little longer], Al-Qaeda released a statement confirming the death of Osama bin Laden. If Al-Qaeda is admitting he’s dead, then he’s dead, and I would think this would suffice for doubters abroad. After all, what would they have to gain from leading the rest of the world along in a huge American conspiracy?
[As a brief aside, Al-Qaeda’s statement is rather odd. On one hand, whoever wrote it didn’t seem to be aware that we’d already dumped the body at sea (unless the next message will be about how we secretly still have it), which gives the impression that maybe it was a previously prepared statement. But on the other hand, they reference bin Laden being “betrayed,” which would seem to be a reference to the Pakistani government, which would indicate an awareness of the specific circumstances of his death. Have they had this ready for a while and just put in place a vague reference to betrayal figuring someone would do him over eventually, or did Al-Qaeda’s PR guy just miss all the burial coverage?]
While I realize that everyone mourns and reacts to loss differently, after hearing the families of some of the 9/11 victims comment on Obama’s photo decision, I feel less strongly about the pictures' potential to bring closure. If you truly want justice to be served, then don’t give bin Laden any additional means by which to be remembered. If you release photos, then inevitably someone will use them as a rallying point [I can’t help but be reminded of sidewalk preachers carrying giant banners of a bloody crucified Jesus] and they will become another way to memorialize him. Real justice will be found in doing all that we can to erase his name from history as much as possible so as not to give him a legacy, but while somehow balancing this with the need to remember his actions so as to do what we can to prevent more tragedy.
Some will call for the release of these in the name of “government transparency.” Transparency is good and necessary, of course, and we could use more of it to help keep our government responsible. But, I question how this specifically would make government more responsible. We have the confirmation from Al-Qaeda—he’s dead. Knowing that, how would releasing this picture keep the administration any more accountable? Confirming that he was in fact shot through the head and chest and that his brains were visible? What else do we need to know that these photos would provide?
If anything, the release of the video feed (assuming such exists) of the mission itself would do the most in the way of confirming the government’s narrative of the raid. However, I doubt this will ever happen for the sake of keeping potential military tactics and strategy under wraps. Which is understandable. It would be nice, though, to have some means of confirming the reports of the mission, which still seem to be changing rather regularly.
Finally, I really am not that up in arms over this decision because I think that, ultimately, the pictures will indeed be released. Maybe not now, maybe not this year, but somewhere down the line, they will see the light of day. And with time, I think they should, if for no other reason than the historical record itself. And release through a FoIA request seems like a good way to go, rather than simply shooting it off to the media or pulling back a big curtain and saying, “Ta-da!” Right now, though, it just doesn’t seem necessary.
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