Conservative Group sues over bin Laden Death Photos

Feuer Frei! · 05-14-11, 07:21 AM

Washington (CNN) -- A conservative legal watchdog group has filed the first lawsuit seeking public release of video and photographs of the U.S. military raid and aftermath that left al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden dead.
Judicial Watch is asking the Department of Defense to comply with a Freedom of Information request for the material, especially photos of the September 11 mastermind lying dead on the third floor of his Pakistan hideout. The legal complaint to force compliance was made in federal court in Washington on Friday.
The group says it is being "irreparably harmed" by the Obama administration's "unlawful withholding of requested records."
Judicial Watch made its initial request the day after the commando assault by Navy SEALs. A similar request for material was filed against the CIA.
President Barack Obama had announced that the U.S. government would not reveal any photographs of the May 2 military action and bin Laden's subsequent burial at sea. Some members of Congress have been allowed to privately view the materials this week.
Some al Qaeda-affiliated leaders, along with domestic and foreign websites and blogs, have questioned whether bin Laden was really killed and whether the details of his death released by the administration were accurate.
A May 9 letter from the Pentagon to Judicial Watch -- mentioned in the legal complaint -- stated, "At this time, we are unable to make a release determination on your request within the 20-day statutory time period" required by federal law. The legal group had the option of filing an administrative appeal directly with the Defense Department, rather than going for a lawsuit.
"The American people have a right to know, by law, basic information about the killing of Osama bin Laden," Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said. "Incredibly, the Obama administration told us that it has no plans to comply with the Freedom of Information law, so we must now go to court. President Obama's not wanting to 'spike the football' is not a lawful basis for withholding government documents. This historic lawsuit should remind the Obama administration that it is not above the law."
Obama had barred any public release of photos or video, telling CBS News, "It is important to make sure that very graphic photos of somebody who was shot in the head are not floating around as an incitement to additional violence or as a propaganda tool." He added, "We don't trot this stuff out as trophies. We don't need to spike the football."

SOURCE

mookiemookie · 05-14-11, 07:26 AM

Incredible the lengths that one side would go to in order to try and turn any positive event into a political negative for the other side.

Platapus · 05-14-11, 07:44 AM

Unfortunately both parties seem to have adopted a "party before country" attitude.

Everything is a game, a game to get elected/reelected.

Most depressing

MH · 05-14-11, 07:53 AM

Conservatives have really tough game ahead to crack Obama.
So far they are eating from his hand.
So if the photos get released how it will help conservatives besides make them look stupid again....that is unless there are no pictures.

"Here is the headshot enjoy wankers. You see i really did it"

TLAM Strike · 05-14-11, 07:57 AM

Politics, D vs R, I don't care I just want a confirmed kill.

in internet lingo: Pics or it didn't happen.

Schroeder · 05-14-11, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

Politics, D vs R, I don't care I just want a confirmed kill.

in internet lingo: Pics or it didn't happen.

Did it happen when there are pics?

In the digital age everything can be forged and they have had enough time to do so. So pics wouldn't prove a lot IMHO.

Torplexed · 05-14-11, 08:21 AM

When the organization that Bin Laden headed admits with no compunction that he's dead as a doornail, that pretty much tears it for me. They would have everything to gain by muddying the waters with conspiracy theories that he is still alive and on the loose. Instead, they have taken the 'we have a new martyr' route.

Schroeder · 05-14-11, 08:36 AM

I believe they have already declared him dead shortly after the Afghanistan war. This would now be the ideal time for him to retire and be left alone. I don't say he isn't dead, I just say it's difficult to proof without a body.

Skybird · 05-14-11, 08:43 AM

If they want an end to conspiracy theories - that so far can only be believed to be untrue, but not been proven to be untrue -, then they must release that material, no matter what. I thought in the beginning that it was a bad idea not to do so, and I still think so.

So far they just have stumbled over their own follies, forged old picture, chnaging explanations and mission descriptions repeatedly and no body evidence and all that. That was an idiot's job regarding PR.

Rockstar · 05-14-11, 01:45 PM

They had a good laugh when government suggested everyone run out buy cans of Tuna or when media told us to prepare for the bed bug invasion. I can imagine when sales of tuna and pesticides spiked it gave officials hard data as to our gullibility.

Now again we have the political powers that be dictating the terms and subject of discussion or arguement again.

That's my conspiracy theory and I'm sticking to it

Freiwillige · 05-14-11, 06:51 PM

I agree with what they are doing. Obama's administration works for us not for the (D).

Just because it may be improper doesn't mean he has the right to say no.

TLAM Strike · 05-14-11, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Did it happen when there are pics?

In the digital age everything can be forged and they have had enough time to do so. So pics wouldn't prove a lot IMHO.

Its very easy to find pics that have been Photoshopped to the trained eye.

mookiemookie · 05-15-11, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

If they want an end to conspiracy theories - that so far can only be believed to be untrue, but not been proven to be untrue -, then they must release that material, no matter what. I thought in the beginning that it was a bad idea not to do so, and I still think so.

The same tinfoil hat wearing conspiracy theorists who say bin Laden isn't dead are not going to be convinced by any evidence at all - they'll say the photographs are fake. They're Birthers 2.0.

STEED · 05-15-11, 07:06 AM

Its beginning to look like bin Laden with become more famous in death than he ever was in life.

Torplexed · 05-15-11, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

If they want an end to conspiracy theories - that so far can only be believed to be untrue, but not been proven to be untrue

There will never be an end to conspiracy theories, no matter how much evidence you throw at them. The more you throw the more desperate they think you are to cover up the truth.

The appeal of conspiracy theories is threefold. First, conspiracy theories claim to explain what others can't. They appear to make sense out of a world that is otherwise confusing. Second, they do so in an appealingly simple way, by dividing the world sharply between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. They trace all evil back to a single source, the conspirators and their agents. Finally, conspiracy theories are often presented as special, secret knowledge unknown or unappreciated by others. For conspiracists, the masses are a brainwashed herd, while the conspiracists in the know can congratulate themselves on penetrating the plotters' deceptions.

We can't deprive them of thinking they're special because they know something we don't, can we?

05-14-11, 07:21 AM	#1
Feuer Frei! Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Valhalla Posts: 5,295 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 17	Conservative Group sues over bin Laden Death Photos Washington (CNN) -- A conservative legal watchdog group has filed the first lawsuit seeking public release of video and photographs of the U.S. military raid and aftermath that left al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden dead. Judicial Watch is asking the Department of Defense to comply with a Freedom of Information request for the material, especially photos of the September 11 mastermind lying dead on the third floor of his Pakistan hideout. The legal complaint to force compliance was made in federal court in Washington on Friday. The group says it is being "irreparably harmed" by the Obama administration's "unlawful withholding of requested records." Judicial Watch made its initial request the day after the commando assault by Navy SEALs. A similar request for material was filed against the CIA. President Barack Obama had announced that the U.S. government would not reveal any photographs of the May 2 military action and bin Laden's subsequent burial at sea. Some members of Congress have been allowed to privately view the materials this week. Some al Qaeda-affiliated leaders, along with domestic and foreign websites and blogs, have questioned whether bin Laden was really killed and whether the details of his death released by the administration were accurate. A May 9 letter from the Pentagon to Judicial Watch -- mentioned in the legal complaint -- stated, "At this time, we are unable to make a release determination on your request within the 20-day statutory time period" required by federal law. The legal group had the option of filing an administrative appeal directly with the Defense Department, rather than going for a lawsuit. "The American people have a right to know, by law, basic information about the killing of Osama bin Laden," Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said. "Incredibly, the Obama administration told us that it has no plans to comply with the Freedom of Information law, so we must now go to court. President Obama's not wanting to 'spike the football' is not a lawful basis for withholding government documents. This historic lawsuit should remind the Obama administration that it is not above the law." Obama had barred any public release of photos or video, telling CBS News, "It is important to make sure that very graphic photos of somebody who was shot in the head are not floating around as an incitement to additional violence or as a propaganda tool." He added, "We don't trot this stuff out as trophies. We don't need to spike the football." SOURCE __________________ "History is the lies that the victors agree on"- Napoleon LINK TO MY SH 3 MODS

05-14-11, 07:26 AM	#2
mookiemookie Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9,404 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 1	Incredible the lengths that one side would go to in order to try and turn any positive event into a political negative for the other side. __________________ They don’t think it be like it is, but it do. Want more U-boat Kaleun portraits for your SH3 Commander Profiles? Download the SH3 Commander Portrait Pack here.

05-14-11, 07:44 AM	#3
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Unfortunately both parties seem to have adopted a "party before country" attitude. Everything is a game, a game to get elected/reelected. Most depressing __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

05-14-11, 07:57 AM	#5
TLAM Strike Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 8,633 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 6	Politics, D vs R, I don't care I just want a confirmed kill. in internet lingo: Pics or it didn't happen. __________________

05-14-11, 08:21 AM	#7
Torplexed Let's Sink Sumptin' ! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,823 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	When the organization that Bin Laden headed admits with no compunction that he's dead as a doornail, that pretty much tears it for me. They would have everything to gain by muddying the waters with conspiracy theories that he is still alive and on the loose. Instead, they have taken the 'we have a new martyr' route. __________________ --Mobilis in Mobili--

05-14-11, 07:53 AM	#4
MH Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3,184 Downloads: 248 Uploads: 0	Conservatives have really tough game ahead to crack Obama. So far they are eating from his hand. So if the photos get released how it will help conservatives besides make them look stupid again....that is unless there are no pictures. "Here is the headshot enjoy wankers. You see i really did it"

05-14-11, 08:36 AM	#8
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	I believe they have already declared him dead shortly after the Afghanistan war. This would now be the ideal time for him to retire and be left alone. I don't say he isn't dead, I just say it's difficult to proof without a body. __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.

05-14-11, 08:43 AM	#9
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,603 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	If they want an end to conspiracy theories - that so far can only be believed to be untrue, but not been proven to be untrue -, then they must release that material, no matter what. I thought in the beginning that it was a bad idea not to do so, and I still think so. So far they just have stumbled over their own follies, forged old picture, chnaging explanations and mission descriptions repeatedly and no body evidence and all that. That was an idiot's job regarding PR. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

05-14-11, 01:45 PM	#10
Rockstar In the Brig Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Zendia Bar & Grill Posts: 12,614 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	They had a good laugh when government suggested everyone run out buy cans of Tuna or when media told us to prepare for the bed bug invasion. I can imagine when sales of tuna and pesticides spiked it gave officials hard data as to our gullibility. Now again we have the political powers that be dictating the terms and subject of discussion or arguement again. That's my conspiracy theory and I'm sticking to it

05-14-11, 06:51 PM	#11
Freiwillige The Old Man Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phx. Az Posts: 1,458 Downloads: 24 Uploads: 0	I agree with what they are doing. Obama's administration works for us not for the (D). Just because it may be improper doesn't mean he has the right to say no.

05-15-11, 07:06 AM	#14
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	Its beginning to look like bin Laden with become more famous in death than he ever was in life. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!