Evidence

[caddyman]

Well, it's unsurprising, but certain factions - notably the Taliban (purveyors of peace and truth) are demanding evidence that their chum is indeed dead.

Quite why the US didn't relaease the pictures straight away, I don't know. I doubt the passage of time will make them any less gory or potentially upsetting. In the meantime, conspiracy theorists and their ilk will just carry on churning speculation as fact.

Comments

[w00hoo.livejournal.com]

I love the fact that they decided to add 'Elvis' on the guitar in case people weren't sure what they were looking at :-)

[bluesman.livejournal.com]

I'm sure some people are not. Many born after the mid-seventies are ignorant of even such a cultural icon (I hate that overused, misapplied word, but it's applicable in his case) and don't fully appreciate the delicious daftness of "Elvis is alive and well and working for Safeway," etc.

[w00hoo.livejournal.com]

In which case, what's the point. If they have to google Elvis, then check out the wiki to find out stupid people think he might not be dead it kind of ruins the joke.

Anyone who can't recognise it's Elvis from the rhinestone jumpsuit has to already be outside of the demographic!

[mr-h-r-hughes.livejournal.com]

Releasing pictures is a monumentally bad idea, let the loonies squawk I think it has shown very good judgement that they haven't been released and I'm annoyed that they'll probably end up bullied into it.

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

As a matter of interest, why do you think it would be a bad idea - particularly if they did indeed clean the body up before disposal?

I don't quite see why allowing the loonies squawk, when there is no obvious evidence other than 'take my word for it', is such a good idea. I accept that some will continue to believe to the contrary, but others won't.

[w00hoo.livejournal.com]

Either release the pictures straight away, or don't do it.

The Loonies will still squawk about it being a photoshopped fraud (Trump and 'I'll believe it's the real birth certificate when it's been officially verified by a specialist' anybody?) the pro Bin Laden groups will have a death picture to put on their banners.

It will almost definitely be done, but I think it's a mistake.

[w00hoo.livejournal.com]

I think it's probably thanks to where and how many times they shot him. I'm guessing it wasn't one clean headshot.

Equally I'd be quite surprised if the orders hadn't been to only bring back a body. Alive he would have been a lot more difficult for the US Government.

[mr-h-r-hughes.livejournal.com]

Within seconds the picture would be on t-shirts, on posters, would be the target of 'hilarious' photoshopping jokes, you'd see it constantly on 24hr rolling news, it'd be on the posters and placards of muslim hardliners. Doubtless the currently quiet Ahmedinnjad (sp ?) would start rattling his cage again and the US would be blamed for it all. The loons will squawk whatever happens.

Do we have evidence for everything that we are told has happened in the world, these days are photos ever hard evidence whith all the fakery possible ? Nope we just have to take some things on trust (and yes I know governments are often *shock horror* not trustworthy. The way I see it swathes of Obama's fiercest critics accept what's happened then I'm happy to as well.

Surely if the president, his staff and chunks of the military all wished to fake this to get Obama re-elected maybe they'd have waited until 2012.

What is gained by releasing pics ? A few sqwakers are appeased (though lots aren't) and some people are offended and take it badly.

[littleonionz.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't have released the piccies straight away as that would have looked like gloating (remember the wanted poster?) This way, now that people are demanding to see the picture (presumably to cry, fake!) it looks less like gloating and more like producing evidence.

[mollpeartree.livejournal.com]

Good point, I hadn't thought of that.

I agree that the tinfoil hats will think it's a fake photo no matter what it looks like.

[ellefurtle.livejournal.com]

I'd never release them. Doubters will always doubt and photo will do nothing to change their minds. Releasing a gory photo could be seen as gloaty, disrespectful (to all sorts), tasteless and most of all, feeble i.e. it acknowledges that their word is not sufficient. My 2p anyway :)