E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
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.”
Leave a Comment:
Senator Graham provides us with yet another example of 'Cabbage Patch' thinking.
I understand his reasons but I respectfully disagree with Graham.
Conspiracists, do your own homework, buy a ticket to Pakistan, bribe a couple of local authorities, collect evidence, fly back to the US, make your case, otherwise shut up cause watching CSI, Alex Jones and youtube videos doesn't make you an expert in investigating.
I have often wondered just how these people promoting conspiracy theories function in real life. Just what is it that makes them so suspicious of the truth? Many of them are just going to dispute anything that President Obama says, and I still believe the reason is that they just can't accept that we have a black President. I'm sorry, most are racists but just are too cowardly to admit it. Others have been conspiracy theorists for years and doubt we landed on the moon and that we have alien bodies confiscated in Roswell. You can't reason with them, the photo won't help. I for one have no desire to see a gruesome photo, and the ones that do, are simply voyers with a sick desire to see the hole in Bin Laden's head. Disgusting!
There is a right way and a wrong way to do anything. Every President serves voluntarily, picking and choosing while in office at their own discretion. HORRIBLE is a word from common dictionary which identifies a particulary awful event. The current President establishes a HORRIBLE reputation, by his own intent, by emphasizing one "headshot" after another. First the Somali pirate(s), then "Gabby", now bin Laden. In each of these instances, the President intentionally intensified another person being shot through the head---obviously there were other choices to be made. Now, as per bin Laden, he goes further to present himself as some cultured gentleman by refusing to release photos. Very clearly his attempt is to create a false image that he alone fired the shot which ended bin Laden's life. This is the worst hubri since Baby Bush's fake aircraft carrier landing. Now we have circumstances wherein 1,000,000,000 Islamist can reasonably assert that unlawful assassination occured---add that to charges of Chinese water torture, distasteful homosexual military practice, and yet a second invasion of another country's border without Congressional approval. The situation becomes all the more complicated by announcing retrieval of huge data bases, most likely involving the Pakistani government. Now there is the possibility that corrupt Pakistani officials will quickly pursue retribution before they can be caught---perhaps officials who are in charge of nuclear weapons. It is most unlikely the final chapter of the bin Laden story is written.
You are soooo misinformed...READING IS FUNDAMENTAL....
Graham says, bomb on some nation, he says cut head off the head of snakes, he want to see the bloodshed of Osama’s head, and all his exploded body! O Mr. Graham, as you are, so are your wishes! What you wish a gentleman can’t fulfill them!
OCD calls Graham an even bigger "mistake." Go away fool!
This Graham is a typical GOP military service politician. His closest friend is Mccain and Graham naturally is a GOP /National Guard or reservist who serves because he can get another Check while sucking on the Government TIT. Never put yourself in a dangerous position always travel with fellow VIPs that are surrounded by legitimate mitlitary that are positioned to take a bullett for this typical political coward.What goes around comes around .