Show Me The Death Certificate, President Obama!!!

Since Osama (or Usama, depending on which cable news network you watch) bin Laden was killed Sunday, debate has brewed about whether or not Real Americans need to see his grizzly autopsy photos as proof. I've been all over the place on this one, but was actually convinced by an interview with a GOP congressman (the horror!) this morning that it's in our best interest to not release them. Doing so would only inflame anger of those who sympathize with Osama and put our troops in more harm. Seriously, what's the point? The man is dead.

Either way, I was waiting to see how Obama and Co. would play this one, given the BS "birther" conspiracy they just weathered. Well, I guess we've got our answer...

President Obama has decided not to release photos of Osama bin Laden’s body, CBS News reported Wednesday. The network said Obama told “60 Minutes” reporter Steve Kroft of his decision in an interview scheduled to air Sunday.

Bin Laden was shot in the head and chest in a U.S. commando raid on his compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad early Monday local time. The al-Qaeda leader’s body was then buried at sea.

Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (Md.), the No. 2 Democrat in the House, said he agreed with Obama’s decision. “There is no end served by releasing the picture of someone who has been killed,” Hoyer said, adding that he had not seen the picture.

And there you have it.

I can see the flipside of this argument. People are going to believe what they want about this mission, and not providing proof is only going to stoke more conspiracy theories about whether or not Osama is really swimming with Spongebob SquarePants. There's also the political reality that some of Obama's GOP opponents will probably use this to score cheap points (they already are!) and attempt to paint him as a Muslim sympathizer (they already are!) with something to hide.

What would make the most sense is letting every member of Congress see the photos, then asking Speaker Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Reid adress the press. Both men should say that they've seen the pics, can vouch for their authenticity, and do not want any Real Americans (or their elected officials in Washington) to engage conspiracy theories. Real Americans should take their word that they've seen what they've seen, and that there's no need to polticize this.

As if.

Anyways, what do ya'll think?

Question: Should Obama have released Osama's autopsy pics or not?