FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The White House has pictures of Osama bin Laden's body. But we're not sure when or if we'll see them.
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A senior U.S. official tells CNN that the White House received three sets of pictures on Monday: One set of bin Laden's body at a hangar in Afghanistan where it was flown after he was killed, one set from bin Laden's burial at sea aboard the USS Carl Vinson and one set from the raid in which he was killed, showing the compound and several corpses - including one of his sons - but no pictures of bin Laden at the scene where he was gunned down.
The tricky part for the White House is that the picture that includes the most recognizable image of bin Laden's face has been described as extremely gruesome and graphic. It reportedly shows a massive open bullet wound across both of his eyes. It's very bloody and not exactly acceptable for the front page of a newspaper or a morning television show. But whether to show it is a decision that should be made by the newspaper editor or the morning show producer.
Most Americans want to see the pictures anyway. More than half of Americans, 56%, say the United States should release a picture of Osama bin Laden's body, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll. Just 39% say it should not be released.
The other consideration is whether releasing the picture would further inflame Muslim extremists and members of al Qaeda. It probably would, but how much madder could they get? Bin Laden is dead, gunned down in his house by United States Navy SEALS. They're probably already pretty steamed.
A final decision on the photos has not been made, but there is "growing consensus" to release them. A decision could come as early as Tuesday.
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Tom in Fort Lauderdale:
I paid a trillion dollars to have bin Laden killed. To have the will of the American people overridden by the whims of radical Muslims would be a disgrace. Osama deserves less than nothing. Publish the photos as a testament to the will of the American people. We all saw the disgraceful images of 2900 who died on 9-11 as Arabs cheered.
Bob in Kansas City, Missouri:
Yes, release them. Let the rest of his minions see what their ultimate fate should be when justice comes calling. What goes around comes around.
Matt in Rockford, Illinois:
No. He had his ten years of "fame." Let it be so as not to keep his name and image "out there" for him to be seen as a martyr.
Joe:
I'd like to suggest a compromise. They should show the photos and videos to senate and congressional leaders. They can then report back to their constituents on their authenticity and hopefully squash any conspiracy theories.
Preston in Seattle:
Remember the gruesome images the world endured on 9/11 of people jumping to their deaths from the Twin Towers? Those were some of the first images of 9/11 that started it all. Go ahead and show his dead body to close the 9/11 chapter.
A.J. in Branson, Missouri:
They released photos of the Hussein brothers after the firefight that led to their deaths, so what's the problem? Osama bin Laden will end up a martyr in the radical muslim world regardless of whether the photos are released or not.
Ghias:
I think they should but they should take time before releasing anything. We are dealing with the world where our troops are there and most people are ignorant. Osama’s supporter’s emotion is running high now, what is the point of fueling it and put our troops in danger? We wanted Bin Laden dead and he is dead. Mission accomplished.
Tim in Fort Lauderdale:
No. We don't need to convince anyone who will only claim that the photos are fake anyways. Don't be tricked into giving propaganda to the enemy for their recruiting efforts. He is dead. Enough said.