Where do they come from: Graham worries over lack of proof | POLITICO 44

Graham worries over lack of proof | POLITICO 44:

"President Obama’s refusal to show photos of Osama bin Laden’s corpse will fuel skeptics around the world who think the Al Qaeda leader is still alive, Lindsey Graham says.

“The whole purpose of sending our soldiers into the compound, rather than an aerial bombardment, was to obtain indisputable proof of bin Laden’s death,” Graham, a Republican national security hawk in the Senate, said in a statement. “I know bin Laden is dead. But the best way to protect and defend our interests overseas is to prove that fact to the rest of the world.”

Graham, who called Obama’s move “a mistake,” added that “the decision made today by President Obama will unnecessarily prolong this debate.”"

Common Sense notes juxtaposed in the news:

(Reuters) - Computer hackers are exploiting the fascination with the death of Osama bin Laden to spread malicious software through scams that promise access to videos of the historic killing.

Fake Bin Laden Photos Fool Some Lawmakers

So what exactly is a photo suppose to prove? Not much it seems. Not even for our clearly above average elected representatives. Really folks, get a grip and a bit of common sense.

Update 5/6/2011

Greenville, South Carolina (CNN) – Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a likely candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, called on President Barack Obama to release photos of Osama bin Laden's body Friday.

Speaking to a group of reporters the morning after his appearance in the first GOP presidential debate, Pawlenty said Al Qaeda's admission that bin Laden is dead does not settle the debate over releasing the photographs.

"Beyond Al Qaeda, there may be others who question the claim that bin laden was killed," he said. "But that's not the only issue relating to the photographs. There is a public interest in the photographs."

"I don't think the president needs to be the censor-in-chief, absent a clear national security need for it to be secret or confidential," Pawlenty added. "He was the one who said he wanted to have the most open and transparent government in the modern history of the country.

Really? Lets try some common sense.

• Photos don't prove anything. If you doubt it just consider the fakes currently making the rounds.
• Those that believe in conspiracies believe in conspiracies independent of evidence or common sense.
• Such photos will doubtless serve as a rallying point for violent radical Muslims. Think not? Consider Che Guevara.
• Even Al Qaeda acknowledges his death.
  

There is no upside and considerable potential downside. Now Mr Pawlenty hopefully knows better or perhaps not. That makes him either yet another hack seeking advantage via distortion and manipulation or a wingnut. Neither is attractive in someone who wants to be president.