That's what a picture is said to be worth. It seems like a picture of a dead Osama bin Laden is worth a thousand questions, especially since one is not going to be released.
The only word I am left with, though, is maybe. When I see poll questions about whether a photo should be released the options are usually "yes" and "no." Unfortunately, my answer is "I don't know."
I admit to being one of the people who felt squishy about cheering the death of a human being, despite this particular human being's history of inhumane behavior. I don't need to see the picture to prove he's finished. No thanks to that type of reality TV. I'll stick with believing President Obama, as well as our military and intelligence officials. Of course, I also believed the president was an American without seeing his birth certificate.
I also admit that there are several reasons to release the photo, not the least of which is so that it will be definitive evidence of bin Laden's demise for those who need that. Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson makes a good case for releasing photos, as have many other thoughtful people.
One final admission: I hope, more than anything, bin Laden's end means we are closer to a season of relative peace on Earth. I'd love to see pictures of that.
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