I have to say I am not one of those people who feel we need to see photos in order to be convinced that Osama bin Laden is in fact dead.
I just don't think the US military and the US government would risk announcing something like this, unless they were absolutely sure they had got their man.
So for now, I'm content with the assurances and claims of photo proof and DNA evidence that back it up.
However I can understand why there will be plenty of people who aren't convinced. Choosing not to release photos and bury the body at sea was a brave move by the Obama administration and it must have known it was going to draw scepticism.
According to President Obama releasing graphic photos of a dead Osama could incite violence against US troops and risk further terror attacks.
Keeping the body could have apparently also risked creating a shrine.
These are reasonable arguments.
However the administration's release of details surrounding the killing hasn't been so reasonable.
Over the course of the week the story of what happened when the Navy Seals raided the compound has changed a few times.
For example originally we were told Osama was armed and resisted capture. This doesn't now appear to be the case.
For many in the US and around the world these details don't matter.
All that matters is that Osama Bin Laden - the mass murderer - is dead.
And I think everyone who remembers the deadly Twin Tower attacks can certainly appreciate that sentiment.
However it would be wrong to think all Americans are completely accepting of the killing and how it was carried out.
In fact from what I've seen there is still huge scrutiny over the killing, with the media questioning the inconsistencies coming from the White House?
Was the killing actually an assassination? Did the Navy Seals actually act lawfully? Could they have done more to ensure Osama was taken alive? Did Osama really use a wife as a human shield? The list goes on.
These are questions some commentators in the US say could be answered by the release of the photos of a dead Osama bin Laden.
In fact they argue there is an obligation to release the photos so a proper inquiry can be held.
This is the best argument I've heard for releasing the photos.
Releasing them on the other hand to quell conspiracy theories, would probably be futile.
Photos or no photos (given their ability to be doctored) there will always be people who just simply won't believe the US government.
But then, given their intelligence bungling over the non-existent weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, they probably only have themselves to blame.
Read more Corin Dann opinion .
What do you think? Should the photos have been released? Have your say on the messageboard below.
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Post new commentstandback said on 2011-05-09 @ 19:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
The Americans are so far from the truth shooting an unarmed woman in the leg and then an unarmed most wanted man in history in the head instead of taking him in and then followed islam custom and buried him at sea? really do they think real people can swallow that...think about 9/11 and WTC builing 47 stories high that also fell to the ground on the same day as the towers amazing thats still not questioned was it because all the relevant files pertaining to the bombming were in it?
wakeupworld said on 2011-05-09 @ 18:54 NZDT: Report abusive post
people need to open their eyes. don't you find it weird that over all the times so far that america let Osama get away, and i don't mean by accident. its just a little bit weird that all of a sudden they have found him, killed him, wont release any pictures and exposed of his body so fast. plus Obama has been going out of fasion to the Americans lately. be a good boost for his reputation to be able say he killed Osama aye?
Tim Deavin said on 2011-05-09 @ 09:28 NZDT: Report abusive post
Next they will claim they also walked on the moon
blaize said on 2011-05-06 @ 13:46 NZDT: Report abusive post
LOL....all that can really be said, yay sheep!