On Releasing The Bin Laden Pictures

Okay, so the Obama administration is refusing to release the photos, and this position is supported by many people and opposed by many others. So, what do I think about this?

Personally, I don't care much one way or the other, but I do have a pertinent question that I'll ask in a minute.

Releasing the pictures won't spark a huge outcry against Americans that isn't already destined to happen. And not releasing the photos isn't going to convince doubters that he's actually dead... they will say the government has had plenty of time to photoshop any picture they want to distribute.

So, the overall question doesn't bother me... except for this aspect.

Does PresBo even have the LEGAL RIGHT to keep those pictures secret?


This is a serious question, so think about it. Those pictures, the result of a US military raid, are government records. The US may refuse to release documents for national security reasons, but what can they POSSIBLY show that is secret or would harm or hamper future US military or intelligence operations? The entire world has already been told he's dead, with Al Qaeda confirmation now, and the US government has been eagerly issuing all kinds of information (albeit often conflicting information) about the mission and the personnel involved in it.

So, on what legal basis can they refuse to release them? Claiming that the pictures might prove politically embarrassing won't cut it, nor will raising "fears" that releasing the pictures would spark violence.

Please note that I'm not ADVOCATING that they release the pictures, I'm just saying that I don't see any legal justification for them not to do so. The first FOIA request filed, when refused by PresBo, will turn into a lawsuit that the federal government should ultimately lose.

The thing that PresBo doesn't remember (if he ever knew it at all) is that he's not a dictator, and he can't do anything he wants. There are limits, and the limits surrounding open records are pretty clear.

So I would like to hear PresBo tell us why he thinks he has the legal right to keep those photos hidden. He doesn't understand the limitations of the powers of his office, nor does he respect the people of this nation that make the whole shebang work.

But we should remind him.