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Panetta says he thinks bin Laden photo eventually will be released
[Updated at 10:33 p.m.] Vice President Joe Biden commended the team responsible for taking down Osama bin Laden in a stealth operation that showed "there's no place you can hide" from the United States.
"It was a staggering undertaking and there was no one else, I believe, other than an American group of military warriors who could do it. And the world is a safer place today, not only for the American people but for all people," Biden said in a speech at the 2011 Atlantic Council Awards Dinner in Washington.
He also said he was a little surprised by the overwhelming global reaction and offered prayers to victims of terror worldwide.
"They remain in our thoughts and our prayers. But I think one clear message has gone out to the world - there’s no place to hide, no place you can hide. The United States decides, from one administration to the next, that we will in fact reach a goal, we are determined and we will relentlessly without any hesitation follow on that commitment. Democrat, Republican, it doesn’t matter."
[Updated at 7:08 p.m.]Â CIA Director Leon Panetta said Tuesday he thinks a photograph of Osama bin Laden's body will be released at some point, but that it is up to the White House to make the final call.
[Updated at 6:39 p.m.]Â A few U.S. congressional staffers who received a briefing Tuesday about the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan were shown photos of bin Laden's body, a congressional source familiar with the briefing said, according to CNN congressional producer Deirdre Walsh.
One staffer who reviewed the photos suggested they might be too graphic for public release, according to the source.
U.S. officials are weighing whether to release an image of bin Laden's corpse.
[Updated at 6:18 p.m.] A widely distributed photo of a dead Osama bin Laden is fake. A photographer consulted by CNN said the gruesome photograph is most definitely not real, and the Guardian newspaper in Britain reported the picture is actually a combination of two photographs.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials are weighing whether to release an actual image of bin Laden's corpse.
"I'll be candid that there are sensitivities here in terms of the appropriateness of releasing photographs of Osama bin Laden in the aftermath of this firefight," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters Tuesday. "We're making an evaluation about the need to do that."
[Updated at 5:03 p.m.] U.S. commandos shot Osama bin Laden when he made a threatening move during the Americans' raid on his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, a U.S. official said, according to CNN's Pam Benson.
Earlier today, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said bin Laden was not armed when U.S. forces shot and killed him.
When Benson asked the first U.S. official whether bin Laden tried to grab a weapon or physically attack a commando, the official said only, "He didn't hold up his hands and surrender."
Recapping the five compound occupants who U.S. officials say were killed in the assault: Bin Laden; two al Qaeda couriers; one woman; and a son of bin Laden. A second woman - one of bin Laden's wives - was shot in the leg, but not killed, after she rushed the commandos, Carney said earlier today.
The woman who was killed was shot "in crossfire" on the first floor where the couriers were killed, and it's not clear whether anyone was using her as a human shield, Carney told reporters today.
The official who spoke to Benson said no other person - dead or alive - besides bin Laden was taken from the compound.
[Updated at 4:10 p.m.] The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday praising intelligence and military officials for the operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden.
[Updated at 3:22 p.m.] A fuller account of the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound from White House Press Secretary Jay Carney: He said two teams of U.S. Navy SEALs cleared two buildings, one of which was a three-story building where bin Laden was living with another family. A third family lived in the second building, Carney said.
In bin Laden's building, three people were killed on the first floor, including two al Qaeda couriers and a woman "who was killed in crossfire," Carney said. Carney said it's unclear whether anyone used the woman as a human shield; U.S. officials previously said that a woman was used as such.
The U.S. team found bin Laden in a room with one of his wives on one of the upper floors, Carney said. Bin Laden's wife rushed the U.S. commandos, and was shot in leg but not killed, he said. Bin Laden resisted and was shot and killed, Carney said.
Carney said bin Laden wasn't armed. When asked Tuesday why the decision was made to shoot and kill bin Laden if he was not armed, Carney responded that "he resisted" and that the U.S. personnel "handled themselves with the utmost professionalism." He did not explain how bin Laden resisted.
On Monday, President Barack Obama's top counterterrorism adviser, John Brennan, said bin Laden was resisting and had a weapon, though he added that it was unclear whether bin Laden had fired a shot.
[Updated at 2:50 p.m.] White House Press Secretary Jay Carney says that it's unclear whether anyone in Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, used a woman as a human shield during the U.S. raid that killed bin Laden early Monday. One woman was among five compound occupants - including bin Laden - who were killed in the raid, U.S. officials have said.
A different woman who was shot in the leg - previously identified by U.S. officials as a wife of bin Laden - had tried to assault or charge the U.S. commandos, Carney said.
[Updated at 2:29 p.m.] White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said Tuesday that the United States has a "complicated but important relationship" with Pakistan. Top administration officials have been in regular contact with the Pakistani government, he said.
"The idea that these kinds of complications exist is not new," he said.
"There has also been a great deal of important cooperation" in the fight against Islamic extremism, Carney said. He warned against "tarring" everyone in Pakistan's government because of the revelation that bin Laden had been living so close to Islamabad.
American officials need to learn more about the "support network" that allowed bin Laden to live there, he said.
[Posted at 2:27 p.m.] Osama bin Laden was not armed when he was shot and killed by U.S. forces in the assault on his compound in Pakistan, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said Tuesday.
The al Qaeda leader resisted the assault on his compound, Carney said, adding: "I think resistance does not require a firearm."
Carney described how the U.S. Navy SEALs carrying out the operation went floor-to-floor clearing the three-story compound where bin Laden's family lived with another family.
Three people were killed on the first floor, including a woman, and then the U.S. forces moved upstairs where they found bin Laden, Carney said.
"Bin Laden was then shot and killed," Carney said. "He was not armed."
On Monday, President Barack Obama's top counterterrorism adviser, John Brennan, said bin Laden was resisting and had a weapon, though it was unclear if bin Laden had fired a shot.
On Twitter
in Laden has been dead for many, many years. Why bring Osama's death out now? Why throw the evidence of his death into the ocean 12 hours after his demise, ruling out any ability for autopsy, for inspection for absolute DNA confirmation outside of the military? Even when the photo is released, how do we know when the photo was actually taken? Why stage these phony "situation room" photos of all the top fat cats in the room together, hillary covering her mouth in shock....come on!!! How blatantly phoney and staged can you get?! What's next war machine? War with Pakistan?! Most likely, to destabilize their nuclear weapons....Libya with ground troops? Syria? When does it end? When will easily duped American's say enough is enough?! END THE WARS!!!!
There are meds for what you have...
Wakeup –
Knowing there are people walking the streets that are as dumb as you....that my friend, is terror.
The terrifying thing is that they are allowed to breed.
Some people may find that offensive, you heartless dweeb.
What kind of reception do you get on that tin foil hat?
@wakeup....time for you to wakeup...you can't seem to tell fact from fiction...probably believe that the White House has alien bodies in the basement...need some tin foil to keep out the Russian radio waves?
Yes, and the earth is flat and we faked the moon landing as well...*sarcasm*
ha
"END THE WARS!!!!"
That is what they are trying to do!
wakeup: Go and change your diapers
I have to agree that I find the whole situation a bit conspiring. However, you are naive to think that war will end (aside from total world destruction). War keeps our military personnel employed and justifies a bloated defense budget.
Our military stays employed so they can protect your freedom to say whatever you want to say, idiotic as it may be.
Sandman
this was supposed to be to Sandman's comment:
"I have to agree that I find the whole situation a bit conspiring. However, you are naive to think that war will end (aside from total world destruction). War keeps our military personnel employed and justifies a bloated defense budget."
the arms business fuels the arms business, ideology is just a fad, there is always a new one, but the power and money behind the killing machine never goes away.
Costa Rica has free speech and they don't need a military to protect it. How do they do it? Are they just smarter than we are? Let's get it straight. Those poor boys and girls risking their lives are protecting YOUR right to drive a HUMMER to a 7-11 a mile away from your house. Not so that I can disagree with you.
Well, Costa Rica isn't as involved in international diplomacy and politics...
Costa Rica has the luxury of having a big brother up north to settle their disputes.
For those of us that have wealth, Costa Rica is fine. Law enforcement can be bought off for a small price. Been their done that. Those that are economicly on the lower end, not so good. Realize the fact that Costa Ricans no longer own Costa Rica. Second Amendment is a wealthy man's greatest fear.
You comment "Second Amendment is a wealthy man's greatest fear. Is stupid and clearly makes No sense.
I f you don't understand that post, you are a dum phucque
Hello Bob. You are completely right, the wealthy are trying hard to take away our right to speak out and demand respect in the work force and in economics. The person below does not understand what you meant.
No, people who hate freedom keep the military employed...oh and the Hitlers/Osama's also play a role!!!!! You my friend are an idiot....
@wakeup is a moron! lol
I suppose you also believe the moon landing was faked. Get some help, not everything you hear on the news is a lie. Not everything is a conspiracy. Do you realize how many people would have to be in on this conspiracy for it to be true. You couldn't keep so many people quiet, if that were true.
wakeup = poser. Your not a US Navy Seal or US Delta Force or CIA wakeup. So shut your mouth.
And here we go all over again maybe you would let them bury him in your backyard. He needed to go in the sea or ground in 24 hours because of his fath and no country would take him but I am sure now the birthers have a new cause they have never liked facts.
OBL bin Laden died of acute renal failure. He was not assassinated.
Sounds more painful.....fine by me.
Actually, I believe the diagnosis is "lead poisoning"......
HAHA – nice one...
Yes indeed. He saw the SEALS and 5h1t himself to death.
Only if his kidneys were located between his eyes
ur n idiot,we should parachute you into IRAN
I would bet that his kidneys worked perfectly in his final seconds.
"This just in, Al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden is still dead"
– Chevy Chase, Weekend Update
That's one of my favorite bits. Today's generation won't get that.
its so sad this killer s getting just what he wanted he is better known now then ever and we are allowing it to happen.
Gee, I guess our government should have taken him out and never told us then, huh? Then there'd be no glory for ol' bin Laden. Darn, wish they'd thought of that first.
I believe that is "you're dumb and stupid", not "your". Looks like your bulb isn't burning too bright, either.
So what if he had a weapon. He already used his weapon. 4 airplanes that he threw at us.
His time for mercy passed on 9/11/2001.
Rot in hell punk b%$#@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
he never deserved any mercy, he has been pulling this stuff for years before 9/11. Good riddance, i've never been so happy over a death.
If you have the opportunity to arrest and interrogate the most wanted terrorist suspect in the world to obtain vital information to prevent future terrorist attacks why the Hell wouldn't you do so?!?! and (2) I don't know about the United States, but, where I come from, deliberately killing an unarmed man is considered murder and a violation of military law.
I guess we should just shoot in the head those U.S. Army soldiers that murdered those Afghan civilians in cold blood and are now on trial. I guess we should shoot in the head those helicopter pilots that murdered 2 young children and their father in Iraq.
Here's another, maybe the Pakistanis should have just shot that CIA contractor in the head after he shot two men in the street.
Cyberdog,
"Military law" applies to conventional wars Cyberdog. This is not a conventional war. We are not at war with any one country. Murdering 3000 innocent civilians on 9/11 is not in accordance with whatever "Military law" you are referring to. In this day and age, America must take whatever action that is necessary to eliminate this threat and prevent more innocent civilians dying at home.
No matter how much you complain about American policy on CNN, you (and no one else in the world) will not change it, or stop it. We are targeted because we are powerful, and we must respond appropriately using that power. Simple.
@Christian: Thanks for clarifying to our international audience that Americans consider themselves 'special' and, therefore, above the law (international, natural, moral, whatever).
Fish gotta eat!!!
who cares if he was armed the fact was and is that he was a terrorist of the highest magnitude good riddance hopefully more terrorists will b put down like the dogs that they are hell awaits all murderers especially of innocent civilians
This story just gets weirder all the time. Why kill him then?
why kill him? did you just ask that?
What are you going to do with him if he lives? Easier dead.
Wish they would not have shot him in the head though. They probably would have already posted photos by now if they hadn't. Now you've got conspiracy theorists all over claiming that it didn't actually happen. Donald Trump will probably be on TV next saying it's a lie.
John, it is somewhat scary that you have to ask this question. Perhaps the planes, the bombs, and the murders were not enough for you. I doubt he put his hands up, so if he moved one muscle afterbeing confronted by the Seals than that is all they needed.
Why kill him!! Because if any SOB ever need killing he was the SOB!
There are two reasons why it is right to ask this question: (1) If you have the opportunity to arrest and interrogate the most wanted terrorist suspect in the world to obtain vital information to prevent future terrorist attacks why the Hell wouldn't you do so?!?! and (2) I don't know about the United States, but, where I come from, deliberately killing an unarmed man is considered murder and a violation of military law.
After about 30 minutes of fighting their way from room to room, having already exchanged fire with and killed 2 or 3 armed men, one of the room clearing teams reaches the room containing Osama. In a split-second they have to decide what to do. Unless Osama is standing straight up with both his hands clearly visible and well away from his body, their training is to fire two shots, first to the head and second to the center of the chest. The head shot isn't intended to make for a nice postmortem, it is the best way to prevent any further action (such as triggering a bomb or pulling a trigger). It also avoids the problem of the target wearing body armor but is a smaller and harder target then the center of the chest. The second shot, fired immediately and before the results of the first shot are visible, is to insure at least one hit that will at least disorient the target, even if wearing body armor.
Those of you who wanted him arrested, read his rights, or shot in some other fashion, should get out the phone book and call your local military recruiter. If you're too old, send your own son or daughter. With time and effort then you too can show the guys who perform these missions or those who command them how Hollywood would have done it.
@Djanes: Trump just wants to see the long-form death certificate so he can move on to accusing Obama and the CIA of photoshopping that too!
I would never trust a Muslim or the Pakistani
muslim's are not to blame its the radical muslims that listen to terrorist views that r 2 blame in no part of their bible is murder justified so do not place wrong doing on the muslim faith
Amen
I am a Christian but there are terrorist Christians too. Westboro?
Most Pakistani, like most people elsewhere, are basically decent folk. Their leaders, like leaders elsewhere, are more concerned about remaining in power.
Extremists are the problem not Muslims! Ive had alot of good Muslim AMERICAN SOLDIERS fight side by side with me to void this world of these nasty TERRORISTS who simply want to kill AMERICANS!
Yeah, it really is too bad they couldn't do an autopsy. I mean, do we really know how bin Laden died?
It's a conspiracy! What they don't want you to know is that the bullets were laced with poison!
Yes. He went "swimming" too soon after eating.
Bullet through eye and exit back of head = dead
Bullet through chest = really dead
Well, the photo of him with those gaping bullet holes in his head are probably an indication that he died of... Geez, I dunno, kidney failure maybe? I guess we should ask a doctor.
Maybe he died from syphilis, and without the autopsy, we'll never know.
It's like that Family Guy line: "He died from a combination of tuberculosis and a tomahawk to the head"
Its really just a simple case of lead poisoning..... Two doses of lead like that can be quite fatal.
They buried him at sea so his body couldnt be used as a rallying point for martyrdom.
USA should take next step by declaring Pakistan as a "Terrorist State". Then they should pass UN resolution for economic embargo and travel ban to the country.
Pakistan has always been a terrorist safe haven, and have finally been caught. India has been saying this for years; it is high time the rest of the world recognizes Pakistan for the frauds they are.
I definitely agree, we need to list Pakistan as a state sponsor of terror, no doubt about it. For them to say they were "flabbergasted" from discovering that Bin Laden was so close to the capital and living amongst retired military is laughable. Its like walking in on your wife in bed with another man and she says "Its not what it looks like."
Uhh...who in their right mind travels to Pakistan anyway?
Pakistan has nukes. That is why they aren't given any labels.
I agree!!! Pakistan denying any knowledge of his whereabouts as our troops are dying and bin laden's been sunbathing in a million dollar mansion for close to 4 years!!! Listening to those Pakistani ambassadors still deny any knowledge of bin ladens location makes me wanna bomb them! That's why they didn't want our military in their country weeding out terrorist because they're in bed with them. If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck....you know the rest!
P.S.: Great Job President Obama! Nothin like a clean kill to perk up the day!
Whats the point, if they hide the garbage, it gets found anyway.
'Downfall'
http://www.zoharme.com
Graphic Commentaries on the Middle East
now 4 the libyan dictator your end is near all so .
I, too, cannot wait for the day when the world will be perfect when all the bad men in charge of unhappy people are shot by the U.S. And by the by, screw the military, let's stop going to the Middle East and spending money- we're already too poor- taht money belong in the hands of the people (too old to work or pay any benefit to society).
Sounds like another lunar landing to me
Most Americans are easily duped, but the bin Laden saga did occur. What's phony is the story behind 9/11 to begin with. Bin Laden may have orchestrated the planes into the buildings but he had help from the American government. Specifically former VP Dick Cheney taking over NORAD on 9/11, the first time that has ever happened. He took over command of the airspace in order for the planes to hit their targets and then the bombs that were planted throughout the towers went off after the planes hit .. 9/11 was an inside job all the way .. check the facts, videos, books, 1st account testimonies, and you will clearly see what a sham 9/11 was .. http://squidoo.com/illuminati3
u idiot listening 2 a former professional wrestler lol u joke a jesse ventura fan 2 morons scratching each others backs get a life the 2 of u ventura should be kicked out of America and free speech should be reevaluated if citizen's can acuse people of setting up mass murder
"Most Americans are easily duped" Apparently so are you. It's amazing how stupid people are the days. Takes some meds or eat a bullet. Who cares. Your kind does not need to reproduce.
You're a moron.
Utter complete idiot.
ah....the product of hollywood movies right there. everything is a conspiracy yes? Kennedy was never assassinated, it was a robotic dummy. The moon landing never happened, it was all filmed in new mexico. Leonardo daVinci hid clues in his painting! The founding fathers were all Masons! There are aliens living among us! the MIB are REAL!!
I don't appreciate the administration lying to us about what happened
so every news story that comes out that reports rumors, hearsay, speculation and incomplete reports is lying by the administration. In an operation like this it is always days before all the details are sorted out and the facts known. Heck, I bet the Seals haven't even been fully debriefed yet, nor all the reports completed.
Yes. You're gullible.
I agree with wakeup. Are we really sure we landed on the moon? How do we really know for sure Obama was born in the US? Is hawaii really an island? If it's not attached to the US, then how can it be a part of the US? Are flying saucers for real? Bigfoot? Wake up people...just watch FoxNews and Glenn Beck for all the "real" answers.
its funny the more comments i read the stupider ithey get but we all have our own opionions yet accusing people of mass murder should be a criminal offense
It is sad in this day and age there are people like you. Go get some education so we are on the same page!
I'm also pretty sure you can't prove the existence of Uzbekistan,either. You've only heard about it and seen pictures.
The Seals didn't want to bring Osama back only to be freed by Eric Holder. That's why they didn't take him alive.
Nobody ever had any intention of taking him alive. The mission proceeded exactly as planned.
You are right. And why was it planned that way? Why no interrogation of a key terror suspect? Why no trial of a wanted man?
You're wrong – Michael Moore had rights to the story before it happened and Washington gave the ok.
John Boehner on operation "Geronomo." Mr. President you should have addressed congress before executing this highly secretative and sensitive national security mission.
Yes, and you have access to the internet. that needs to be addressed by Washington, as well.
Wasn't it a congress source that first leaked the news? This person obviouly wanted to upstage the presidents address to tell the people.