Jon Stewart Makes A Case For Showing Dead Bin Laden Photos

Video

by Alex Alvarez | 11:52 pm, May 4th, 2011

» 58 comments

On The Daily Show tonight, host Jon Stewart took a little time to make a case for releasing the photos of Osama bin Laden‘s corpse.

Stewart began his segment by noting that, just as the U.S. can (for the most part) collectively exhale now that President Obama’s long-for birth certificate has been released, another groundswell has risen surrounding the photo evidence of bin Laden’s death.

Said Stewart:

But, you know what, I’m all for healthy skepticism and even though bin Laden’s widow positively identified the body to Pakistani authorities, why wouldn’t we release the headshot of bin Laden’s head… shot?

Stewart noted that a whole lot of American programming – like the wildly underrated series Bones – prominently and routinely featured close-up shots of gaping head wounds. Sure, there’s a slight difference between watching an actor slathered in makeup and studying an actual person’s bullet-riddled brain matter but, hey. Anything that inspires a David Caruso impression is a-ok by us.

Stewart then grew slightly more serious when discussing “the Muslim world’s” already prevalent animosity towards the U.S. – something he thinks releasing the photos won’t change – and pointing out that networks in that area of the world, such as AlJazeera, routinely show graphic images of those who have died because of our military efforts, whether by accident or on purpose.

He offered an alternative way the White House could “prove” bin Laden’s death without actually releasing the photos to the public: Have journalists view them, then report on them.

War is grisly, Stewart added. It’s not a video game. And, just maybe, it would be beneficial to have people fully realize just how harrowing war can be. Showing photos of bin Laden’s corpse – or of other, actually innocent casualties of war – can help bring the public to that realization.

Take a look at the segment, via Comedy Central:

daily show, Jon Stewart, Osama bin Laden, Photos

Barack Must Go

Speaking of casualties of war……America’s youth watching Stewart, Colbert and Maher each night…….oh the humanity.
grafxmail7

Barack Must Go said:
Speaking of casualties of war……America’s youth watching Stewart, Colbert and Maher each night…….oh the humanity.

“oh the humanity.”

Have you read any of your posts?

HAHAHAHHAH!!!! CLOWN!!!
Who is Salacious Crumb

Maher only airs once a week.
Newsjunky

I agree. Have journalists look at the photos and report on them. There’s no need to release the photos to the general public.
“Real” American

Who is Salacious Crumb said:
Maher only airs once a week.

He plays in BMG’s head 24/7.
“Real” American

PS…don’t tell anyone….but I think BHO is going to leak the photos the week before the 2012 election to put the final nail in the Cain/Palin coffin.
AikidoJoe

"Real" American said:
PS…don’t tell anyone….but I think BHO is going to leak the photos the week before the 2012 election to put the final nail in the Cain/Palin coffin.

Wouldn’t surprise me. B. Husein Obama will use anything to for political purposes. He has no shame. Anything to win, right?
Jaurez

"Real" American said:
He plays in BMG’s head 24/7.

Looks to me like bmg lives rent free in your hollow skull under all of your names.
AikidoJoe

Just release to the pictures. They will be forced to anyway. FOIA requests, I’m sure, have been filed by every single news agency in the country.
Nacho

Wow, it totally sucks that Jon Stewart has made the most compelling case by anyone who wants to see the pictures. And he is on Comedy Central…
WCinWI

Don’t worry Jon. Obama already cemented in his non-bump status after his latest no-photo flop.

You can’t change a flip flopper.
Nacho

Nacho said:
Wow, it totally sucks that Jon Stewart has made the most compelling case by anyone who wants to see the pictures. And he is on Comedy Central…

And just so you simpletons don’t think its the fake stuff we see on TV, video games, and movies.

It’s the point that those communities all ready see this stuff that both sides do on Al Jazeera and the point that we should all be forced to witness the consequences of war.
WCinWI

Nacho said:
And just so you simpletons don’t think its the fake stuff we see on TV, video games, and movies.

It’s the point that those communities all ready see this stuff that both sides do on Al Jazeera and the point that we should all be forced to witness the consequences of war.

Notice that only two “Righties” commented on this post. And yet you felt the need to explain something so trivial. HAHAHA
Nacho

I knew you would come along. I smelled bonbons
Jaurez

Nacho said:
I knew you would come along. I smelled bonbons

As opposed to the odor you put off?
BeckFinallyDemoted

Most journalists (and fake journalists) want the photos released. That’s their job.
Personally, I don’t need to see them, but I don’t really care either way.
TBH this is one case where I’m just supporting the president. It’s not a crime to do that occasionally.
I voted for him and I put some trust in him.

I’ll tell you one thing…I really don’t want to see that ugly face with a bullet in his head on thousands of Muslim protest signs for the next couple of years.
grafxmail7

WCinWI said:
Don’t worry Jon. Obama already cemented in his non-bump status after his latest no-photo flop.

You can’t change a flip flopper.

Seriously? This WACKO want’s to talk when she says this S#!T!:

WCinWI said:
She (Palin) didn’t quit. She resigned. If you’d like me to tell you why, it’s quite easy.
ChrisNH

It is wonderful seeing leftists in a perpetual state of rabid rage. They were rage-filled before the birth certificate and they are now. So, the appearance of a bin Laden photo won’t make them happy. Which is a good thing, because the best thing EVER is to see unhappy, livid Leftists. What a time this was supposed to be for them! A Socialist in the White House! A Socialist leading the Senate! A Socialist leading the House! Now, it’s all in shambles for them.

I love seeing Leftists in a rage at a time when they should be happy.
TfT

What a bunch of bull. The media had NO problem releasing Abu Grhraib photos, indeed, they celebrated them.

I’m so sick and tired of the doule standard you media folks have.

release the damn photo’s”stop pussy fotting around”.

Who gives a crap about their sensitivities? What about ours?
THE REAL ROYAL KING

TfT said:
What a bunch of bull. The media had NO problem releasing Abu Grhraib photos, indeed, they celebrated them.

I’m so sick and tired of the doule standard you media folks have.

release the damn photo’s”stop pussy fotting around”.

Who gives a crap about their sensitivities? What about ours?

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

That’s right. Enrage 1/5th of the world to release a photo of a slain man to satisfy Right Wing Reactionaries who won’t be satisfied with any thing until we no longer have an African American president. Sounds like a win-win for everyone.

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
TfT

Go jump in a lake TRRK – this has nothing to do with “having a AA president” and you know it. Stop being a racer; the card has been played from the bottom of the deck one time too many.

Inflaming the ME was the goal of the media during W’s administration so they could report dead soldiers day after day after day. Now, with hehimself in the oval, the media don’t even cover when our troops are killed in battle. Back then the SEALs were assassination squads, now not so much.

The media are sick puppies and they will do anything they can to protect hehimself rather than protect this country. he is their cult leader and they will obey him and I for one am sick and tired of it all.

Releasing th epicutres will do nothing, it won’t make a hill of beans difference to them, it will make a hill of beans difference to us. If Obama says we “don’t spike the football” than why is he going to gz to gloat?
THE REAL ROYAL KING

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

TfT said:
Go jump in a lake TRRK – this has nothing to do with “having a AA president” and you know it.

Keep telling yourself that. Maybe, some day you’ll convince yourself. You’re not convincing anyone else.

TfT said:
Stop being a racer; the card has been played from the bottom of the deck one time too many.

So the racists keep telling us. I have a higher opinion of America and Americans.

TfT said:
nflaming the ME was the goal of the media during W’s administration so they could report dead soldiers day after day after day. Now, with hehimself in the oval, the media don’t even cover when our troops are killed in battle.

Unadulterated BS. Most of the media want the photos released. As for the report of deaths, I don’t know where you get your misinformation. All deaths are reported. Fully. “This Week” even has a special segment. But, paranoiacs have no reason. It’s the nature of the pathology. America as a whole is understandably war weary. You are mistaking ennui and cynicism for lack of interest.

TfT said:
Releasing th epicutres will do nothing, it won’t make a hill of beans difference to them, it will make a hill of beans difference to us.

Right. Like the cartoons made no difference. Where do you get your news?

If release makes such a difference to you, I can only conclude you are a Deather. Enjoy your conspiracy theory.

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
TangledThorns

Interesting view points from John Stewart and Sarah Palin. Amazing what blood lust we have in this country these days.
GoneFishing

Release the photos…the Video too. This phoney concern for the feelings of nutters in Islam is pitiful.

The hypocrisy of this administration is stunning, but sadly predictable. Obama spoke of openness…but that’s all he did, run his mouth; his actions said something else again. Obama as a candidate and senator was all for showing any picture that would show the US Military is a bad light, without any concern at all. But he is afraid of offending Islamic nutters that hate us anyway? The NYT went to court to get photos of Abu Ghraib, and Obama supported their cause from beginning to end; It is what it is.

I gotta call bullshit on this little maneuver…Is this guy on our side? Maybe another bow to the Saudi Prince would make it all better. Obama needs to stop sucking up to Islam and remember where he is, and to whom his allegiance is owed. He does not answer to Islam, he answers to Us. That the administration would even consider not releasing the photos and video show just how little respect he has for ‘We the People’ his employers.
THE REAL ROYAL KING

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

TangledThorns said:
Interesting view points from John Stewart and Sarah Palin. Amazing what blood lust we have in this country these days.

It is disturbing, but it’s not new, is it? Look at the throngs of people who turned out for lynchings in the 19th and 20th centuries. Still, one would hope we might evolve.

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
ChiliPeppersFan

THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

That’s right. Enrage 1/5th of the world to release a photo of a slain man to satisfy Right Wing Reactionaries who won’t be satisfied with any thing until we no longer have an African American president. Sounds like a win-win for everyone.

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

i’ve heard accounts by sane, law-abiding muslims that they would have been upset if he wasn’t given a proper burial. not sure how these same followers of islam would feel about the photo being released.
of course the screwed up, wacky and violent muslims will be enraged, but these freaks get enraged if they burn their toast in the moring, so i thought no big deal if they are pissed of anyway.
but then i remembered the uptake of violence after that hillbilly jesus freak burned a koran. that along with the warnings of gates and clinton tells me obama is making the right decision.
hgarner2000

Bin Laden would most certainly have released the video by now…he’s gone. But my worry about releasing the photos is that Al-Qaeda might somehow turn it into a recruiting tool. I saw the daily show last night, and I think John made a compelling case that it would do the opposite. ah hem…I have to try and be open-minded to make up for the fact that I’m not as smart as I think I am.
THE REAL ROYAL KING

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

GoneFishing said:
Release the photos…the Video too. This phoney concern for the feelings of nutters in Islam is pitiful.

The riots and destruction, the death threats about the cartoons don’t make you want to be a bit less dogmatic?

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
Pablo

ChiliPeppersFan said:
i’ve heard accounts by sane, law-abiding muslims that they would have been upset if he wasn’t given a proper burial.

Now, why would these Muslims be concerned about a proper Islamic burial for a mass murderer who utterly perverted and disgraced Islam? I believe the favored term is that he hijacked Islam for his own evil ends. So what gives?
Pablo

THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
The riots and destruction, the death threats about the cartoons don’t make you want to be a bit less dogmatic?

When will you realize that these nutters are going to get inflamed no matter what we do, Kook? It’s who they are. It’s what they do.
Pablo

The NYT went to court to get photos of Abu Ghraib, and Obama supported their cause from beginning to end; It is what it is.

The New York Times ran Abu Ghraib on the front page for 32 straight days. Did the pictures from these murderous nitwits in A’stan make the Old Grey Lady’s front page even once?

i guess it’s OK to inflame Muslims and put our troops in danger as long as a Republican is CinC.
writer

He’s dead. That’s good enough.
THE REAL ROYAL KING

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Pablo said:
When will you realize that these nutters are going to get inflamed no matter what we do, Kook? It’s who they are. It’s what they do.

I think we all realize that. However, at the moment all seems rather calm, doesn’t it? I’ve never seem much value in urinating on someone just because you can. Tends to anger people.

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
THE REAL ROYAL KING

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

writer said:
He’s dead. That’s good enough.

That’s most reasonable. I applaud you.

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
Pablo

ChrisNH said:
It is wonderful seeing leftists in a perpetual state of rabid rage.

If you like that, then you must check out Mike Malloy expressing his Bush death wishes.
THE REAL ROYAL KING

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Pablo said:
The New York Times ran Abu Ghraib on the front page for 32 straight days. Did the pictures from these murderous nitwits in A’stan make the Old Grey Lady’s front page even once?

i guess it’s OK to inflame Muslims and put our troops in danger as long as a Republican is CinC.

Au Ghraib wasn’t a covert operation was it? Mounds of intelligence were not uncovered, were they? Seems to me you’re comparing stink bait to paper clips.

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
Pablo

THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
However, at the moment all seems rather calm, doesn’t it?

No. And no.
Pablo

THE REAL RABID KOOK said:
¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Au Ghraib wasn’t a covert operation was it? Mounds of intelligence were not uncovered, were they? Seems to me you’re comparing stink bait to paper clips.

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Those idiots in A’stan were not conducting a covert operation, Kook. They were murdering innocent people for kicks and trophy photos. It seems to me that you’re either easily confused or willfully misdirecting.
More Liberty5

We supposedly live in a free, and open society where the government is accountable to the people. The more secrets, lies and half-truths we allow the government to tell or hide reduces our individual liberty and increases the corruption of the already powerful state.

The White House should have had the DOD release the information. Now, the administration looks like a bunch of clowns.

-First OBL fired back / then we find out that he didn’t even have a weapon.

-First OBL’s wife was used as a human shield / then we find out she wasn’t but was simply shot in the leg as the NSW operators killed OBL.

-First the place was a multi-million dollar mansion / then we find out it was just another middle-east house with high walls

-First the operation supposedly took fire as they approached the target site / then we find out that they never took fire at all.

These people are clowns. The only thing that saved there ass was the professionalism of the NSW and CIA paramilitary operators.
An Idea

THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
That’s most reasonable. I applaud you.
¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Applause from Roberto may be un bueno reason to rethink one’s positione’ .
writer

My cousin married a guy from Venezuela and is always saying “Now where’d that Mexican go?” So happy Cinco de Mayo….I guess.
ChiliPeppersFan

Pablo said:
Now, why would these Muslims be concerned about a proper Islamic burial for a mass murderer who utterly perverted and disgraced Islam? I believe the favored term is that he hijacked Islam for his own evil ends. So what gives?

it doesn’t make sense to me. i am often confused by the mind of a religious person because i know so many, clear-minded and intelligent people who are religious and i have yet to find the grab (for use of a better word) it has on them and some of the reasons behind the things they do.
it’s a very intriguing subject to me. like why are priests present when a serial killer or how someone like a priest who can diddle little boys can be forgiven and even sent away to a different parish.
there was a segment on sixty minutes last week about monks living at this place in greece called mt. athos. it was amazing to me to see the way these monks live such a spartan life and living a life of constant prayer.
but like i said, this stuff intrigues me but i just don’t get it.
THE REAL ROYAL KING

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Pablo said:
No. And no.

You’re a bit of a knee-knocking, hand-wringer, aren’t you? If that’s the worst that happens, I’m pretty sure we can handle it. Now, don’t slip in the puddle of your urine.

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
THE REAL ROYAL KING

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Pablo said:
Those idiots in A’stan were not conducting a covert operation, Kook. They were murdering innocent people for kicks and trophy photos. It seems to me that you’re either easily confused or willfully misdirecting.

My point exactly. You’re the one who set up the false equivalency.

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
Pablo

THE REAL RABID KOOK said:
¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

My point exactly. You’re the one who set up the false equivalency.

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Kook, you’re especially dense this morning. What is the difference, in terms of the mission or troop well being, between publishing the Abu Ghraib photos and the A’stan trophy kill photos?
The_Reasonable_Lib

More Liberty5 said:
We supposedly live in a free, and open society where the government is accountable to the people. The more secrets, lies and half-truths we allow the government to tell or hide reduces our individual liberty and increases the corruption of the already powerful state.

The White House should have had the DOD release the information. Now, the administration looks like a bunch of clowns.

-First OBL fired back / then we find out that he didn’t even have a weapon.

-First OBL’s wife was used as a human shield / then we find out she wasn’t but was simply shot in the leg as the NSW operators killed OBL.

-First the place was a multi-million dollar mansion / then we find out it was just another middle-east house with high walls

-First the operation supposedly took fire as they approached the target site / then we find out that they never took fire at all.

These people are clowns. The only thing that saved there ass was the professionalism of the NSW and CIA paramilitary operators.

Can mr. north satisfy your curiosity: http://www.mediaite.com/columnists/oliver-north-hits-back-at-sean-hannitys-critique-of-conflicting-white-house-reports-on-bin-laden/

And do you honestly think that they would have caught Bin Laden had this operation not been kept quiet? No. The media would have information everywhere like they do with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Pablo

THE REAL RABID KOOK said:
You’re a bit of a knee-knocking, hand-wringer, aren’t you?

I’m not the one sweating whether the lunatics will act like lunatics, Kook. That bit of hand wringing is yours, knee knocker.
THE REAL ROYAL KING

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Pablo said:
Kook, you’re especially dense this morning. What is the difference, in terms of the mission or troop well being, between publishing the Abu Ghraib photos and the A’stan trophy kill photos?

Well, if you want to change the subject, and I don’t blame you ….

OMG, there’s a man in a turban! Run for your life!

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
Pablo

THE REAL RABID KOOK said:
Well, if you want to change the subject, and I don’t blame you ….

That’s not a change of subject, Kook. I said this:

Pablo said:
The New York Times ran Abu Ghraib on the front page for 32 straight days. Did the pictures from these murderous nitwits in A’stan make the Old Grey Lady’s front page even once?

i guess it’s OK to inflame Muslims and put our troops in danger as long as a Republican is CinC.

And you replied with this:

THE REAL RABID KOOK said:
¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Au Ghraib wasn’t a covert operation was it? Mounds of intelligence were not uncovered, were they? Seems to me you’re comparing stink bait to paper clips.

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

…which is non sequitur. I think our Mexican friends would appreciate it if you wouldn’t sandwich your mendacity in Cinco de Mayo greetings. A for men in turbans, it seems to be you that’s so concerned about them and what they might do, where I’m taking a position of staunch indifference. Are you posting from under your bed, Kook?
More Liberty5

The_Reasonable_Lib said:
Can mr. north satisfy your curiosity: http://www.mediaite.com/columnists/oliver-north-hits-back-at-sean-hannitys-critique-of-conflicting-white-house-reports-on-bin-laden/

And do you honestly think that they would have caught Bin Laden had this operation not been kept quiet? No. The media would have information everywhere like they do with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

What does the possibility of using video evidence against NSW operators have to do with the almost complete turn around of information?
More Liberty5

Pablo said:
I’m not the one sweating whether the lunatics will act like lunatics, Kook. That bit of hand wringing is yours, knee knocker.

LOL..good point. Obama claims that this is not about Islam, but he specifically doesn’t want to release the photos out of offending muslims.
RowdyHoward

More Liberty5 said:
LOL..good point. Obama claims that this is not about Islam, but he specifically doesn’t want to release the photos out of offending muslims.

I think it is more to show that we don’t need to bath in his blood so to speak. We are better than those filthy pigs who broadcasted the beheadings.

We’ll see them before too long I’m sure…
Pablo

RowdyHoward said:
I think it is more to show that we don’t need to bath in his blood so to speak.

But a victory lap is in order?
njoy-d-ride

Does anyone else feel like Obama is trying to be our parent and tell us that we shouldn’t look at bad pictures like that because they will give us nightmares?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Dronetek-Bulk-Vanderhuge/100000918732763 Dronetek

So is he “just a comedian” or are we supposed to take him seriously? That standard seems to change depending on who or what his target is.
GoneFishing

THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

The riots and destruction, the death threats about the cartoons don’t make you want to be a bit less dogmatic?

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

No, not in the slightest. You pussy out to threats if you want to, but the rest of us understand that going all ‘Nevell Chamberlain’ is a non-starter. It gets you nothing. Any man with a pair learned as a kid to Never step back from a bully…the only ‘Reason’ they understand is a punch in the nose.
MrTPar_taY

Jon Stewarts’ mug is kind of corpse-like.
http://societyfordaintydamsels.wordpress.com Lynda Appell

Mixed emotions , thoughts of showing the photos of the corpse of Osama Bin Ladin. On the plus side , there is tangible proof for most people he is really dead. Okay that’s the positive. On the other hand I wouldn’t be terribly surprised there are many people among us, even with the photographs won’t be convinced. Look at the Birthers. I mean there are folks even today who don’t believe men walked on the moon, back in 1969. The doubters can say the pictures were somehow altered or photoshop was done to them or whatever. As for being gruesome, they probably are. I think a disclaimer, a warning is definitely in order before displaying them. I think too children shouldn’t view them either. OTOH this decision I believe should be left to the parents or parent.