AP Files FOIA Request For Bin Laden Photos

Hugh Pickens writes "The Atlantic reports that President Obama's decision to withhold the visual evidence of Osama bin Laden's death has created a fundamental disagreement between the White House and the Associated Press, one of the largest journalism organizations in the world, prompting the news organization to file a Freedom of Information Act request for the bin Laden photos. 'This information is important for the historical record,' says Michael Oreskes, senior managing editor at The Associated Press. 'That's our view.' AP's FOIA request includes a reminder of the president's campaign pledge and a plea to be more transparent than his predecessor. 'The Obama White House pledged to be the most transparent government in US history,' writes the AP, 'and to comply much more closely with the Freedom of Information Act than the Bush administration did.' The AP isn't alone in wanting more insight on the specifics of the raid. When it eventually surfaced that bin Laden was not killed in a firefight, his wife wasn't used as a human shield, there was no live footage of the event and the 'mansion' where he lived was only worth between $250,000 and $480,000, many became skeptical of the White House's narrative. Other organizations that have filed FOIAs include Politico, Fox News, Judicial Watch and Citizens United. Oreskes sympathizes with the president. 'This is obviously one of his most difficult decisions and we understand that.'"

Comments

Re:stupid

[DarkOx]

Either they killed him like they say or they have solid intelligence that he is in fact dead. It would be to politically disastrous for them to *wrong* on this one. I am not even certain the consequences to Obama would be limited to those that are political if you get my meaning. Its unthinkable that he would lie about this. I say that as a Ron Paul Republican, that generally assumes Obama is lying as a starting position whenever he opens his mouth.

Its like the birth certificate thing, Orly Tates had a some plausible explanations for all the evidence available prior to his producing a long form certificate. I think it was entirely reasonable to doubt his citizen ship, I say doubt not conclude he was not a citizen, prior to his producing that document. I don't think there is much cause for doubt now, after all he had gotten away with not producing the long form until now. There was no reason to think it was going to be any real political trouble for him. He had everything to lose and little to gain ponying up at this point except that he was mostly tired of hearing it. The birthers are not going to suddenly become Obama voters. If on the other hand someone can show the long form is a fake it will cost him big.

Back to the Bin Laden issue, I think getting rid of the body the way he did was smart, it solves all kinds of problems with it becoming a shrine or turning any place its brought to into a target. I do understand that some people especially those personally effected deserve to see the photos. Its also true that this guy has been the bogey man for an entire generation of children, and it might help some of them to see justice was done. So I do think the photos should not be censored.

With that said I also feel that all of this was a dirty distasteful business. Basic justice demanded we kill him and I am glad it (appears tin foil haters) was done. It was a violent mess that while necessary is not something I wish to be reminded of everyday and I don't think its good for anyone else to be either. This is the sort of thing its best just to say "I am glad the matter is settled and we can put it behind us." So show people the pictures so they can all understand its over now and lets try to find other things to talk about.

Re:stupid

[shutdown -p now]

The real question isn't whether he is dead, it's whether he was really killed when, where and how the Obama administration says he was.