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Subscribe to RSSRepublican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said Wednesday that President Barack Obama’s decision not to release photos of Osama bin Laden’s corpse is a “mistake” that could “unnecessarily prolong” the debate over what the United States should have done in the wake of the al Qaeda leader’s death.
“I respectfully disagree with President Obama's decision not to release the photos,” Graham said in a written statement. It's a mistake.”
Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a leading Republican voice on national security issues, does not dispute that bin Laden has been killed but argues that definitive public proof would underscore his demise and protect the nation’s interests.
"The whole purpose of sending our soldiers into the compound, rather than an aerial bombardment, was to obtain indisputable proof of bin Laden's death,” he said. “I know bin Laden is dead. But the best way to protect and defend our interests overseas is to prove that fact to the rest of the world.”
Earlier this week, Graham raised concerns about the speed with which bin Laden’s body was buried at sea – a move that administration officials said was in accordance with Islamic law.
“This idea of disposing the body within 24 hours because of tradition bothers me a bit because we will be under attack as to whether or not it really was him,” Graham said on Fox News Radio. “And I’m not so sure that was a wise move.”
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Graham is wrong. Even if it was released some folks would just say it was photo shopped. Time to agree he is dead. His own family says so.
Of course his own family would say he was dead. If you want to stop people from looking for you, you fake your death, and have your family tell the world you are gone.
And of course, if that were the case the net result is the same. He is no longer on the world stage. Even if he weren't dead, he could no longer talk.
... does not dispute that bin Laden has been killed but argues that definitive public proof would underscore his demise and protect the nation’s interests.
Either he disputes it or he doesn't.
Such nonsense. Sheer nonsense. And to think - he's a United States Senator.
And to think - he's a United States Senator.
Pathetic isn't it Pat?
*sigh*
Keep in mind what state he represents... there's no shortage of crazies who somehow manage to get elected over and over again!
Paul, why on earth would he have to fake his death? You think America went along with this scheme? Faked his death?
if w. bush had killed or arrested him, then you can raise objections. but O did, Mr Graham. It's his call.......get it.
Yes Feisty, thank God Illinois only puts good people into office.
Paul-977599
If faking his death was an option to keep people off his trail don't you think he would have done by now? Why would his family wait until the US announces he is dead? They could have played that card years ago.
Next.
These therories just get dummerer and dummerer. That is exactly why President Obama did what he did.
There are people of every stripe who will disagree with him but he just went throught three years of nonsense about a Long Form Birth Certificate so he knows a little something about silly season.
No photo of dead man with a bullet in his head will quiet the crazies so why bother.
It's not my theory. It's only a possibility. If the US wanted to interrogate Usama for the next two years, wouldn't it be easier to do so if the world thinks he's already dead?
Sheila, I was just about to make the same comparison to the birth certificate.
Paul, those SEALS went in there not knowing what to expect. It is extremely disrespectful for you or Senator Graham or anyone to question what their mission was or wasn't. They put their lives on the line - big time.
Let's stop this minute with the fairy tales. He's dead. People saw the photographs. There were witnesses.
Sheila et al, ignore Paul 977599, he is a conspiracy theorist
If Graham wants to see the OBL death photo, I'm sure it is available to him if he has not already seen it. Besides, I'm sure the video of his burial at sea will come out and that is certainly sufficient for normal folk. Satisfying the delusional types ain't gonna happen no matter what evidence is released. Hence, why is releasing a photo of a head with a big hole in it necessary? Inflaming terrorist passions trumps (pun intended) satisfying loonies.
Allegedly..........they put their lives on the line. They follow their orders. If they are ordered to lie, they will lie about what they have or haven't done. Do you always believe whatever you are told by your government? Even when they get their own story wrong?
This thread is like a microcosm of crazy.
So first... we didn't really kill him, next he faked his death, next his family faked his death so that we can interrogate him. Not a single credible theory amongst these.
If we didn't get him, his family wouldn't say that he died; they'd use it as a means to play up US incompetence. Something along the lines of "They had been targeting an imposter's compound for 10 months, even lost a helicopter, and killed the wrong guy".
We released photos of Uday and Qusay Hussein (far smaller fish in the grand national security scheme) and these photos made people flip out world-wide. They flipped out and it can be said to have cost lives in Iraq.
The only really likely story is that WE faked his death, to interrogate him, at which point it would be hard to fake a headshot (witnessed by several people in Pakistani custody).
As far as I'm concerned, let the world think he's alive. Obama summed it up best (summarized) believe what you want, but he will not walk the earth again.
fisty, look at who the DEM's from SC put up against Demint in the last election and tell me the DEMs are not crazy. wtf? over
Paul, what I don't buy is the conspiracy theory garbage. bin Laden is dead.
They "allegedly" put their lives on the line? Allegedly? Are you serious?
Did you see the fire from the helicopter they burned? I did. Did you see the house trashed, with blood stains everywhere? I did. Did you see the real time photograph in the Situation Room at the White House? I did. Was that one big fake photo shoot?
You and Senator Graham are doing a great disservice to our military and to our country's dignity.
Yes paul... I forgot, crazy often means conspiracy theoriest. So yes, people "allegedly" put their lives on the line to conduct an attack confirmed by several other nations and corroborated by hostile and non-hostile witnesses. Darn them government tricksters and their mischievous lies.
Paul, I don't see why this needs to be another conspiracy. He's dead. If he wasn't, don't you think Al-Qaeda would be the first to proclaim this? Don't you think there would be a swift video of OBL just to make America look bad? And the truth is, if the situation changes and the need absolutely arises to show the pictures, they always can. They aren't going to destroy them.
It's really hard to live in a world where no one believes ANYTHING. Everything is a conspiracy, a lie, and cover-up by somebody else. It's ridiculous.
"Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a leading Republican voice on national security issues, does not dispute that bin Laden has been killed but argues that definitive public proof would underscore his demise and protect the nation’s interests."
So you mean you believe him, but your word to your avid right-wing constituents isnt enough to convince them of the truth? Graham is playing politics as much as anyone on this issue.
A few strange things here; 1.) He was apparently unarmed when they shot him. 2.) The compound where the incident went down has been there for years. 3.) They dumped him into the sea within hours. 4.) They won't release photos. 5.) The compound was discovered back in August 2010. Seems to me that those facts alone, raise more questions, than answers!!
Graham looks like a chinless pale little milk toast that's never used his hands for anything other than combing his side parted little boy hair. He is a big Mamby-Pamby and is quaking in his Buster Browns that Obama finished the job that his fearless leader never intended to!! Bye-bye Repubes...your days are numbered!!!
Obama and Seal Team 6 RULE!!!
Paul-977599
Why in the world would they do that? Why can't you people accept something that has been confirmed not only by the President, but also by Republicans who saw the photos (for example, McCain). Why would someone come up with such a lie, to the entire world? The answer is very simple: they did not... don't you people have a life?
I just don't get the whole... "He's not really dead" conspiracy theory...
It's really, REALLY friggin simple....
If he wasn't dead... dont'cha think he'd pop-up with a video, or a tape saying...
"Look, I'm not dead, Obama the infidel is lying..."
What Obama has chosen to do is the most mature, honorable, civilized thing to do, regardless of potential consequences or benefits. This shows the USA has class!
All of those who don't want to believe won't believe it no matter what 'evidence' is provided. There are still plenty of people still don't believe the moon landings happened, 33 years after they did. That had live video feed, pictures, they brought back moon rocks and STILL some people assert it was a hoax.
It is impossible to convince everyone and it's therefore a waste of time to make the effort. It only encourages them, and it's the equivalent of calling some VERY honorable people liars.
Lindsey Graham is either a ghoul or an idiot or both.
Now that the birther issue has been answered, I guess it is now time to move on to something else. I just saw Peter King on CNN saying that "the pictures were not THAT gruesome".
WTF happened to the once level headed Graham? Again, if heads of states want proof, they can get their asses here or set up a secure viewing. Show it to congress and the various press outlets under a controlled situations and then let it go. There is no need to have it splashed all over TVs and news paper.
BTW: Mr. Graham, remember your right wingers think you are gay and cannot wait to out you (if that is the case). I would say move back to the middle and do some good again.
A photograph isn't PROOF of anything. It is evidence which needs to be scrutinized and cross-examined before it can rise to the level of proof.
You guys said it all. Paul give it a rest.
I don't plan to ever give the TRUTH a rest. GFY
So, Paul, you are disputing the word of the President, the Vice President, the Secretary of state, the Chairman of the Joint chiefs, the head of the CIA, the White House Chief of Staff, the Administration's Chief intelligence officer, the wife of bin Laden, two dozen Navy Seals including the one who looked bin Laden in the face before he shot him, the doctor who prepared the body for burial, the photographer who shot the photo used for face analysis, all of the people who verified, fingerprint, DNA and face recognition data...
Seriously?!
You are a fool.
Paul, are you of the opinion that bin Laden didn't have a hand in the September 11th attacks, and instead you believe that it was George W. Bush? And that we faked bin Laden's death in order to confirm from him personally that he wasn't behind the attacks in 2001? Or worse, that he planned the attacks along with George W. Bush? And by us faking his death, that somehow we'll get the truth?
If I was bin Laden and wanted to fake my death, I'll tell you one thing. I wouldn't want to give myself up to the Americans. On that you can be sure.
_________________________________________________
Senator Graham, the next time you get on board to invading a country, please make sure this time that you are offered proof that they have WMD's.
We can save lives that way. Hundreds of thousands of lives. Thanks.
I'm soooo sick of conspiracy theorists and who gets credit for Bin Laden's death. For once, I wish the politicians and the media would just accept the wonderful, brave job the military did under Obama's guidance and move on.
Graham has an opinion, who cares..?
Graham's judgement has sucked for some time now. The fact that he disagrees with the decision says it was a right one. We do not need a stupid picture to end this. We especially don't need a stupid picture if it has the chance of igniting new hate. It is done. I love the way it was done.
Wow! Some people on here have a serious want of skill when it comes to reading comprehension - Message #1.3 by 'Pat, Boston, MA' is a perfect example.
There is absolutely NO contradiction Graham's statement that was sited in post #1.3 - "... does not dispute that bin Laden has been killed but argues that definitive public proof would underscore his demise and protect the nation's interests."
I will attempt to spell it out for those who are a bit confused...
Graham DOES NOT dispute that bin Laden has been killed.
Graham DOES think that the release of a photo to the general *public* would be beneficial for two reasons - that it would #1. "underscore his demise" and #2. "protect the nation's interests"
So, for the re-cap: Graham's statement says that he DOES, in fact, believe that bin Laden has been killed... but that he also thinks that there are benefits that could be gained by offering "definitive proof" to the *public* by way of a death photo.
Unless some extra violence causes some harm to the troops overseas. That is not in the national interest. Just to appease some conspiracy junkies? I say let Bin Laden prove he's alive then and he can deny the great Satan a great military and moral victory
It doesn't matter what President Obama does, the GOP is going to take the opposite stance - however ridiculous. Publishing death photos equates to putting heads on spikes...and I think we've evolved from that level of depravity.
Ursula, the GOP/TP has not evolved at all.
No doubt, they are the type that would rush to a horrific car wreck, not to help, but just to see!
If our President would have released the pics then Graham would have written a letter saying it was a mistake because it endangered our troops and civilians overseas.
Ditto what you all said!
Who CARES what the weasel from SC thinks anyway?
You got it Feisty,
...and I bet that The Trumpster already has a team of investigators, submarines and divers in the North Arabian Sea.....looking for OBLs body!
...maybe Lindsey should join Trumpsters team!
The bastard is dead. Period. If wants to make another video from hell denouncing the U.S.,then fine and if Republicans like Lindsay want to hold their breathes until that happens then there will be more air for the rest of us.
Of course. If the President had released the photos today, Graham would be outraged -- OUTRAGED -- that Obama would put Americans at greater risk of retaliation. It's no-win with these people.
By the way, in case people didn't read the whole NYT article, the White House is planning to release the photos at a later date, once the attention and heat about the story has settled down.
The only win for the GOP is to make Obama lose.
They only make fools of themselves trying to make that happen.
graham believes he is dead but the american people are to stupid to understand it without visual proof, that is what he is saying ,i guess he thinks everyone is like the people that voted for him
Chicken Fried piece of crap from SC.
Perhaps Graham should talk to his fellow GOP Senator McCain who totally disagrees with him. I'm going with McCain, the President and Gen, Pastraeus (sp) on this.
As much as I find John McCain to be without value, I have to agree with him this time, but only this one time.
Kirby...you're a very hard man to please. Ditto on the McCain comment.
After living in Arizona for over 20 years I had occasion to watch John McCain say and do stupid crap regularly. Like "without illegals, lettuce would be $50 a head".
As much as I disagree with Obamas policies, he still was a better choice than John boy.
It is not just about Arab sensiblities, it is about ours. Part of me says we should have dragged the body down the streets of New York. But I know that is wrong, that is something them crazy bastards would do. Well we are Americans, were not crazy bastards, and it is more about preserving that.
Well said, Forrest Grump!
Double well said... Forrest.... I know exactly how you feel.
Nice Post Forrest Grump. I pretty much feel the same way.
Thank you Mr. Grump! Good post!!
Good job Mr. President you have a lot of class! Don't give those people who want kill us all any motivation!
The more I think about what Obama did Sunday it was just like an Old Style Mafia Hit. Think about it; remember the part in the 1st God Father movie when Michael Corleone was becoming his nephew's God Father in the church. Meanwhile he was executing all of his enemies. The night before Obama was out correspondent dinner ripping Donald Trump. Then he woke up Sunday played a round of golf. This was so cool, then to dump OBL body into an ocean. Just like the old days when they use to dumb bodies into Hudson River. This was just like a movie. You do not want mess with this president! Obama may have some Italian blood in him also along with Kenyon, Irish, and who knows what else.
Obama the Chicago Gangster!
Just once, it would be pleasant if Senator Graham could simply say: I respect the decision of our President. This is the kind of petty nonsense that makes people angry at Congress. Senator Graham would have made the "it's a mistake" statement IF our President released the photos. He's one of the "contrary" guys who needs attention. Exactly how does Lindsay Graham knows the whole purpose of the mission was to get indisputable evidence of OBL's death? From what I have heard, this type of mission would provide the special ops team visual proof they got their man (with or without photos), meant fewer civilian deaths as well, would not destroy the building or the area, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY Pakistan could not claim we had bombed and attacked their country--I doubt that occurred to Lindsay. There's also the point that a great deal of intelligence information was gathered in the process.
EXACTLY - on every point you made!
People keep using that angle of: 'the president said that they did it this way so that there would be proof... but he's not given the public anything!'
Some folks seem to be forgetting that, first and foremost, proof of the target's identity was necessary for the team who carried out the mission. And, now that the mission has been carried out, the certainty regarding the target will only serve to help those individuals who have been tasked with sorting through the heaps of data that was collected.
At any rate, I don't think the general public actually wants or 'needs' any further proof, so much as they want to satisfy their own sense of vengence (which, in many ways, IS understandable), as well as their own sense of morbid curiosity (which is far less understandable) .
I wonder who takes Graham seriously any more. Statements he has been making lately do not make strategic sense. Playing to Teabaggers may be his insurance for re-election.
IMHO He should place his head back up his @ss and STFU. Obama is leading by example.
W didn't like even the threat of harm to daddy Bush. Lied us into Iraq for that one. He wouldn't have wanted ANY middle eastern country or, gawd forbid Glodal Terror Warriors, parading daddy's brain material up on cable for the world to see; wouldn't be prudent as Poppa used to say. Might inflame US All.
Obama is actually thinking this thing through BEFORE he acts on these difficult and very sensitive decisions. Graham couldn't handle the nuances of real decisions with real consequences of getting blood on his hands for the good of the country. He can go harp on this 'mistake' to someone who dares to agree with him.
Actually, it is high time he and the rest of the Far Right Ready Handwringers stop second guessing this presdident and back him up on Foreign policy like REAL PATRIOTS. Isn't that what they used to say...'You gotta support the President for the sake of the country and to show a unified front to the world.' Of course they also used to have respect for at least the office.
Not so much these days though. These days are very revealing of the Far Right Freaks. Crazy personified!
What example? If you believers of death of Osama can tolerate watching JFK getting shot in the head with brain splattering all over the car, jumpers from 9/11 squashing all over the ground, the collapse of the twin buildings over and over and...then why the hell we can't see one photo, at least one shred of proof that if he in fact is dead? You believers are being brainwashed by Obama's pussyfooting! I admit the Obama has got a great, charismatic and convincing voice but Darth Vader's (Jame's Earl Jones) far much better! No single shred of proof, no Osama. Simple as logic!
*logic* is an odd choice ofword considering your incoherent rant...
that's the great example of how some people find one word to disregard the message.
grizzlyowl28....
If you believers of death of Osama can tolerate watching JFK getting shot in the head with brain splattering all over the car, jumpers from 9/11 squashing all over the ground, the collapse of the twin buildings over and over
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can't speak for everyone but i don't watch all these events over and over again. You were pretty specific too. Brain splattering all over the car, jumpers squashing all over the ground. I think you have a fascination with death and just would enjoy the photo. Sounds sick.
And yet, if you look at JFK's autopsy photograph, his face is clean as a whistle, no exit wound. Nor has his head exploded as you claimed Usama's would have after being shot in the eye.
Is his brain on his face? His face is unmarked. The shot came from behind him and above him, allegedly anyway, the exit wound should have been below his left eye socket. His brain, which was then somehow lost, was hanging out the back of his head.
Paul977599, they washed JFK's face since after all he had been on the emergency table. not all shots to the head whether from the front or back always create the same type of wound or trama to the head, bruising and swelling also that occurs before death, nor pass through the head everytime. Depends on the angle, the distance, the caliber, and so forth. Dead instantly or not, etc. You have totally simplified a complex event. OBL family had disowned him, so they have no reason to be involved in conspiracies and does not benefit the U.S. either. showing the picture does not convince those perpetual nay-sayers. folks who want to see the photo are just doubting toms about everything, distrustfull of everyone, and like gruesome picttures to gloat over.
They washed the exit wound away? Are you an idiot? The angle. the distance, the caliber, are all known quantities in the JFK assassination. No exit wound on his face means no shooter from the sixth floor of the Texas School book depository. UBL was 'disowned" by his family as part of the CIA cover story.
Welcome to my state of Texas, the GOP/Conservative Haven. We are facing a budget crisis of $26 BILLION (so much for the conservative way). BUT what bills/debates are going on in our state house?
1. Sonograms before abortion
2. Concealed weapons on college campuses
3. Tax breaks for Yatch buyers
Nothing to tackle our looming financial crisis, nada, nill.
The sonogram bill has an emergency priority status.
New Wavez. I think all those GOP Governors sat down at their annual meeting and decided those were all their priorities--and then they sent a copy to Speaker Boehner for the House to follow.
I see that BS down here too New Waves. Interesting choices these folks make when the chips are down. What they ARE willing to pay for AND what they are NOT is very interesting indeed. Rainy day fund my @ss. It's Perry's cash stash to be used only on Buddy Breaks.
They'll pay for guilt, guns and greed every time. The closest to MORAL these bozos get is that a word that starts with the same 3 letters MORON.
Strictly speaking they like control (power) and taxbreaks for people who do not needs them (greed).
They also like to shoot at innocent things for sport saying that guns don't killed, while they skin their kill, and that people do. I'll bite. So why kill folks spirit by prolonging the recession by refusing to address what they ran on last Fall....
JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!
Now NOT addressing that campaign promise will be the MISTAKE that the GOP/TP will have to live and loose with come the election. OBAMA 2012!
Graham must have a difficult time finding his way around a Skinner box.
Spoken by a man from a state that still has the Confederate flag flying atop its statehouse. Too bad we couldn't have had a good ole' fashioned lynching, huh Senator? Would that have appeased your idiocy?
It is NOT atop the SC Statehouse. Time for another butt munching barney.
dontgivemethepenguin
But the confederate flag is flying in an SC government ground, right? Do we need to spell it out for you?
ON govt ground, so what? it is part of the state's history. Attention to detail.
Hey Newt! The rest of the world has accepted this already. They hear the chatter when spying as much as we do. Just because you aren't part of this doesn't mean it didn't happen. Anyhoo . . . stick to your strengths. Affairs and divorces!
Let Senator Graham and any other legislator see the photo. Let them forever live with the gruesome mental images if that's what makes them happy. I completely agree with President Obama that the photo should not be distributed. Thanks on behalf of the sane minority that lives in South Carolina.
Let Senator Graham and any other legislator see the photo. Let them forever live with the gruesome mental images if that's what makes them happy. I completely agree with President Obama that the photo should not be distributed. Thanks on behalf of the sane minority that lives in South Carolina.
I've heard enough about the raid that killed bin Laden. Observances should be solemn affairs, not celebrations, focusing on Americans who died on 9/11 and thereafter. It's time to turn the page and move on to remaining threats. The unseemly GOP carping is grating, but they seem able only to complain.
Grahm is a moron. Lets face the right hates president Obama. They can not stand him. If he offered everyone lolly pops and unicorns they would lose their @!$%# because he is giving away something people should work for. If her personally killed OBL with his bare hands and snapped his neck like a twig on national television, they would find some sort of fault.
Seriously we get it. Unles you are a rich-white-holier-then-thou-christian no matter what this president does, he will be a failure in your eyes.
If he is as dumb as he speaks he is a real douchebag. No wonder south carolina is ranked as a state at the bottom of the pile.
This is what you get when you name your male child "Lindsey".
Perhaps American Standard should come out with a new model of urinal and call it the 'Lindsey' - a great hang-out for all dicks large and small.
lmao, ORB.
Who gives a crap what Senator Graham says. I'ts the Presidents decision.
If you believers of death of Osama can tolerate watching JFK getting shot in the head with brain splattering all over the car, jumpers from 9/11 squashing all over the ground, the collapse of the twin buildings over and over and...then why the hell we can't see one photo, at least one shred of proof that he in fact is dead? You believers are being brainwashed by Obama's pussyfooting! Pay close attention to his body language and it is so obvious!
Not everything is partisan. McCain, for example, feels the photos should not be release. There are a large number of congressional leaders and members on both sides of the aisle who agree with the Presidents decision. I have been pretty impressed overall with the republican response... it has been, for the most part, an American first, republican second response. For those of us who lean left (myself included), lets follow suit on this issue. Bicker as we may on all other issues, but as for this one we all win.
O - well put
So they all opposed the idea of releasing photos because of one simple reason....photos do not exists! At least Obama or Trump should personally see them and tell us that at least one proof do exists. Oh it's gruesome pictures to look at but we all have seen JFK getting his brain splattered all over the car...over and over and over. Don't tell me it not gruesome. Simple as logic!
Also, all you idiot deathers and birthers need to grow up get educated or leave the country.
Sorry, but I think it is the poor, white, ill educated constituents to whom they pander?
and racist!
This guy objects to the United States acting in accordance with Islamic tradition, how much you want to bet there is not one Christian tradition that he could find fault with, or demand strict compliance.
Bush refused to show the caskets of our honored dead returning home. "Nuthin to see here folks". This was to sanitize an unneeded, un-paid-for war, hence anesthetizing public perception. But this is different.
The macabre exhibition of bin Laden's remains won't make him any deader. I guarantee it.
Bin Laden has already had far more than his 10 minutes of fame and the damage he has done America will outlive him by centuries.
Someone once observed that bin Laden's objective was not to engage the U.S.A. militarily. No. He knew better. His objective was to make America drain its Treasury in a futile quest for his head.
He sought to bleed America white.
He has prevailed. He beat America the only way you can: from within; by turning us against one another.
I'm glad he's dead, and President Obama subjected him to the best use I can think of for a terrorist: fish food. But once this dies down let us remember OBL's prime objective and start the process of carrying on with life after OBL.
Let us defeat HIM by thwarting him prime objective. Bring home our troops. Remain vigilant. Begin healing.
let's create a nation that avoids war in all aspects. why is it that everything we do is framed in war. last time I checked we haven't won a war since 1945. could it be we don't want to win, that we support the failures on purpose, just to firther the war machine.
TRUE! OSB said his goal was to involve the US in war and bankrupt us. Still OK in that respect.