Despite reports to the contrary, President Barack Obama emphatically said today that he will not release an Osama bin Laden death photo to the public. Photos taken after U.S. forces shot him dead Sunday clearly show the Al Qaeda leader’s bloody, bullet-ridden face, which plenty of people want to see. It appeared that the administration was on the cusp of releasing the graphic images, but Obama now says it’s not gonna happen for myriad reasons. In particular, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both advised Obama against inciting a backlash against the U.S. Obama told 60 Minutes in an interview to air Sunday that “the risks outweigh the benefits” and that they wouldn’t quash conspiracy theories anyway. Some will “claim the photos are doctored anyway” and the risk is that the photos “will only serve to inflame public opinion in the Middle East.” The President continued his defense of not releasing the pictures: “Imagine how the American people would react if Al Qaeda killed one of our troops or military leaders, and put photos of the body on the internet.” “Osama bin Laden is not a trophy – he is dead and let’s now focus on continuing the fight until Al Qaeda has been eliminated.” He makes a point . What do you think, though: Release the bin Laden pics?
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama has decided not to release death photos of terrorist Osama bin Laden, he said in an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes,” amid concerns that the gruesome image could prove inflammatory. Obama’s decision was reported on the CBS News Web site Wednesday after the president sat for an interview with the news magazine program. Releasing graphic images of bin Laden’s corpse after his shooting in a U.S. raid on his compound could have dispelled doubts that bin Laden is indeed dead. The worry, though, was that it would feed anti-U.S. sentiment. The president made his decision as the Navy SEALS involved in the daring raid in Pakistan arrived in the U.S. for debriefing, and U.S. officials began to comb through the intelligence trove of computer files, flash drives, DVDs and documents that the commandos hauled out of the terrorist’s hideaway. Obama prepared to visit New York City on Thursday to lay a wreath at Ground Zero and visit with 9/11 families and first responders. What do you think? Should President Obama have released the graphic photos of Osama bin Laden’s corpse? RELATED: Weed Plants Found Growing Outside Bin Laden Compound RELATED: Celebs React To Bin Laden’s Death RELATED: Osama Bin Laden Killed In Pakistan [VIDEO]
Sunday’s news from President Barack Obama that Osama bin Laden had been killed in Pakistan brought closure to a nation still grieving the tragedy of 9/11. Deadline reports that Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow has been prepping her follow-up to the Iraq-set The Hurt Locker , entitled Kill Bin Laden , which could become the first feature film to depict the historical events of May 1, 2011.
President Barack Obama and his family attended the Easter Sunday service at Shiloh Baptist Church, which was founded by freed slaves in 1863. The first family entered the church to a standing ovation, then joined in singing with the choir, backed by a live band that included a guitar, keyboard and drums. Rev. Wallace Charles Smith welcomed the Obamas, noting the congregants pray for them every Sunday. At collection time, Obama and his daughters gave money in envelopes provided at their seats. The first family left after two hours, as the service approached its conclusion. The president and his family have attended services occasionally since moving to the White House in January 2009. Last Easter, the Obamas worshipped at a Methodist church. And for a special Easter treat check out some throwback images of a young Barack and his mother Stanley Ann Dunham… Source
Florida Republican Representative, Allen West, took to Fox News yesterday and completely disrespected President Obama in an interview with the conservative news channel’s Greta Van Susteren yesterday. We all know that Fox is no fan of the first Black Family in any capacity and Brotha West went on record to express just how he feels. Not only did he fail to acknowledge him as President, he made a point to stress his middle name, “Hussein,” whenever he referred to him. As if that’s not disrespectful enough, he called him a ‘low level socialist agitator’ who ‘never even ran a lemonade stand.’ While it’s no surprise that the Fox correspondent completely agreed with West’s enflamed statements, this beesh starts bringing up old sh*t ‘out of curiosity!’ She questioned whether West believed that Obama was unaware of his former pastor, Jeremiah Wright’s, ‘appalling’ references to white people. And just like the coon he is for the day, he insinuated that President Obama wasn’t being honest about how he really feels. SMH Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) stood by eyebrow-raising remarks he recently made about President Barack Obama during an interview with Fox News host Greta Van Susteren on Thursday night. Speaking recently on “The Laura Ingraham Show,” West asserted that the president demonstrated “third world dictator-like arrogance” in delivering a speech on the federal budget and government spending. “I do stand by those words,” said the conservative congressman, who was elected into office last November with support from the Tea Party movement. “The truth needs to be said.” “I am sick and tired of this class warfare, this Marxist, demagogic rhetoric that is coming from the President of the United States of America,” West explained. “It is not helpful for this country and it’s not going to move the ball forward as far as rectifying the economic situation in our country. And I’m not going to back away from telling what the truth is.” The freshman lawmaker took issue with the way in which the president has regarded Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), who recently introduced a controversial budget proposal for the next fiscal year. “I think that when you look at what a community organizer is turning out to be, it does seem to be like a low-level socialist agitator,” he said. Last weekend, West and Donald Trump were the keynote speakers at a Tea Party rally in Florida. The congressman told Newsmax at the time that he hopes the billionaire is serious about considering running for president in the next election cycle. “This is not a time for any jokes, games or gimmicks, and I hope he is very serious,” said West, who also declined to rule out running on a ticket with Trump in 2012. Allen, Trump, Fox News and the rest of the people who are completely displeased with Obama’s performance, that’s fine – they are entitled to their opinion – but they all deserve an emphatic HO. SIT. DOWN. The people voted and elected the current POTUS and If the GOP continues to showcase their jokes, also known as representatives and nominees, the 2012 election will be another easy sweep towards the left. That is all. Source
Welcome to THG’s Week in Review! Below, our staff takes a look back at the stories, stars and scandals that made this week one of April’s most memorable. If you don’t already, you can FOLLOW THG on Twitter and Facebook for 24/7/365 updates. Now, a rundown of the week that was at The Hollywood Gossip: Nicolas Cage gave Charlie Sheen a run for his money with a crazy arrest . So did Sheen’s own wife, Brooke Mueller , who’s gone off the rails again. Mel Gibson finally broke his silence on the infamous Oksana tapes. Michael Jackson autopsy photos will be allowed at trial. Jessica Simpson gave her fiance a prenup bonus plan . Tom Lippolis alleges he was stabbed by JWoww . Lady Gaga – Judas Lady Gaga released her newest controversial single, ” Judas ” (above). These Vanessa Hudgens pics sparked rumors of Coachella drug use. Donald Trump continued his tough talk on Obama’s birth certificate. Lindsay Lohan actually got a movie part (and will play a criminal)! Kate Middleton is shedding for the wedding – but is she too thin ? Speaking of the Royal affair, it’s totally gonna look just like this: T-Mobile Royal Wedding Dance Demi Lovato revealed that she has cut herself since age 11. Evan Rachel Wood admitted that yes, she is bisexual. Sarah Lane continues to call out the Black Swan facade . Reese was not digging her Robert Pattinson sex scene . Dancing With the Stars bid farewell to Petra Nemcova. The Real Housewives of NYC bid farewell to sanity. Paul McDonald confirmed a burgeoning relationship with Nikki Reed. Pia Toscano will sing on Dancing With the Stars – with Mark Ballas! Teen Mom 2 stars Leah Messer and Corey Simms are really over. The Bachelor’s Emily Maynard and Brad Womack may be, too. THG marked 4/20 with a tribute to celebrity stoners . Shayne Lamas is totally knocked up by Nik Richie. R.I.P. Tim Hetherington .
Bollywood beauty Mallika Sherawat has been in town this week before she goes to Cannes to launch her latest movie, “Politics of Love” and had time to meet with Barack Obama, who currently occupies the Office of President in the United States. Since her new movie tells of love stories that blossomed during Obama’s election campaign, the meeting seems quite apropos since he allegedly even requested a ticket to the premiere. Mallika has long wanted to meet Obama, and while working on “Politics of Love” had the opportunity to learn something about him.
Donald Trump, is pulling all stops on this ‘birther’ theory business. So much so, he’s launched an investigation in Hawaii to prove that President Obama is not a U.S. citizen by birth. In a heated exchange with CNN’s ‘American Morning’ Hosts Ali Velshi and Kyran Chetry, Trump assured “all Americans” that he will be “revealing some interesting things” about the POTUS. Possibly-serious Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is giving few details about the investigation he claims to have launched in Hawaii to get to the bottom of where President Obama was born, but the business mogul told CNN Thursday Americans will be “very surprised” by what he has found. “We’re looking into it very, very strongly. At a certain point in time I’ll be revealing some interesting things,” Trump said on CNN’s American Morning. Trump first claimed earlier this month he had sent investigators to Obama’s home state in an effort to find out if the president was indeed born there, as he says he was and several media organization’s independent investigations have confirmed. “I have people that have been studying it and they cannot believe what they’re finding,” Trump told NBC then. But Trump has since offered few details about the on-the-ground investigation and, in the interview with CNN Thursday, wouldn’t specifically say if it had uncovered new details. “You’ll be very surprised,” he said when asked by CNN’s Ali Velshi if his investigators have found anything. During the interview with CNN, Trump also maintained he is worth considerably more than the $2.7 billion Forbes Magazine has estimated, and says he will reveal the real number if he decides to run for president. I can tell you that’s a very low number,” Trump said of the Forbes estimate. “It’s much more than that. And if I decide to run, which I very well may surprise people, but if I decide to run, I will give a net worth statement essentially. As you know, we have to fill out very detailed forms for the federal government. And I think people will be extremely impressed.” SMH at Trump aligning himself with the tea baggers and their outrageous ‘birther’ conspiracies … good luck with that investigation! Source
Donald Trump, is pulling all stops on this ‘birther’ theory business. So much so, he’s launched an investigation in Hawaii to prove that President Obama is not a U.S. citizen by birth. In a heated exchange with CNN’s ‘American Morning’ Hosts Ali Velshi and Kyran Chetry, Trump assured “all Americans” that he will be “revealing some interesting things” about the POTUS. Possibly-serious Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is giving few details about the investigation he claims to have launched in Hawaii to get to the bottom of where President Obama was born, but the business mogul told CNN Thursday Americans will be “very surprised” by what he has found. “We’re looking into it very, very strongly. At a certain point in time I’ll be revealing some interesting things,” Trump said on CNN’s American Morning. Trump first claimed earlier this month he had sent investigators to Obama’s home state in an effort to find out if the president was indeed born there, as he says he was and several media organization’s independent investigations have confirmed. “I have people that have been studying it and they cannot believe what they’re finding,” Trump told NBC then. But Trump has since offered few details about the on-the-ground investigation and, in the interview with CNN Thursday, wouldn’t specifically say if it had uncovered new details. “You’ll be very surprised,” he said when asked by CNN’s Ali Velshi if his investigators have found anything. During the interview with CNN, Trump also maintained he is worth considerably more than the $2.7 billion Forbes Magazine has estimated, and says he will reveal the real number if he decides to run for president. I can tell you that’s a very low number,” Trump said of the Forbes estimate. “It’s much more than that. And if I decide to run, which I very well may surprise people, but if I decide to run, I will give a net worth statement essentially. As you know, we have to fill out very detailed forms for the federal government. And I think people will be extremely impressed.” SMH at Trump aligning himself with the tea baggers and their outrageous ‘birther’ conspiracies … good luck with that investigation! Source
