The debate over whether or not the U.S. government should release the photos taken of Osama bin Laden's dead body has made headlines all week. Many of those in favor seem to want to quiet those who would deny that bin Laden actually died. Others claim that seeing the body would provide them with closure. I don't understand that one but maybe it is true. On the other hand, those calls may simply be disguised voyeurism.
People arguing against the release of the photos argue that such photos could stir up Islamic extremists and cause problems for American citizens and our military. While that may be true, I really doubt that showing a photograph of an extremist's dead compatriot would incite the extremist more than the act of killing that same dead compatriot would. And, really, isn't it simply in bad taste? Disgusting?
In my mind, the only reason to release the photographs would be if there was some legitimate need to prove that America's military hit the right target. And, until now, that reason could have arisen. But the need is now gone . . .
"Al Qaeda confirmed the death of Osama bin Laden on Friday in an Internet message that vowed revenge on the United States and its allies." (Link to story
here.)
So, our government says that bin Laden is dead. And al Qaeda says that bin Laden is dead. Seems like bin Laden is dead.
If you still want to see the photos, ask yourself "Why?"
And if you give an honest answer, you might be able to satisfy your sickness by renting "
Faces of Death" instead.
Judge Robert H. Dierker, Jr., take a back seat. Though I'm still quite fond of Dierker's personal fight against red light cameras in the City of St. Louis (chronicled here and here), that fight was undertaken as an accused litigant in front of the bench. 
