Obama: We meant what we said by "never forget"
President Obama on Thursday visited the Manhattan firehouse that sustained the heaviest losses in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and paid tribute to the "extraordinary sacrifice that was made on that terrible day almost 10 years ago."
In comments preceding his visit to ground zero, where the president laid a wreath and visited with Sept. 11 victims' families, the president thanked New York firefighters for their services on 9/11 and beyond - and pledged that "you're always going to have a president and an administration who has got your back." (watch above)
"I wanted to just come up here to thank you," said Mr. Obama, who was joined by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani at the Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9 fire station in Manhattan. "This is a symbolic site of the extraordinary sacrifice that was made on that terrible day almost 10 years ago. Obviously we can't bring back the friends that were lost, and I know that each and every one of you...grieves for them."
Debate rages on over releasing bin Laden images
President Barack Obama listens during one in a series of meetings discussing the mission against Osama bin Laden, in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011.
/ White House/Pete SouzaMr. Obama, who announced his decision in an interview taped with CBS News' "60 Minutes" on Wednesday, explained his fear that, if released, the images might incite violence or be used as propaganda.
"We don't trot out this stuff as trophies," Mr. Obama said. "It is important to make sure that very graphic photos of somebody who was shot in the head are not floating around as an incitement to additional violence or as a propaganda tool."
Continue »Three senators fooled by fake bin Laden pics?
Mass. Sen. Scott Brown on The Early Show on Feb. 21, 2011.
/ CBSUpdated 6:48 p.m. Eastern Time
Three Republican senators who claimed to have seen images of Osama bin Laden after he was killed may have been duped.
Republican Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts said Wednesday that he had been fooled by a fake photograph ostensibly showing an image of bin Laden post-mortem.
"I have seen the pictures. I've received the briefings. I've spoken to the operational leaders and I can tell you for a fact that he is dead," Brown said in an interview with WBZ Wednesday morning.
Continue »Did harsh interrogations lead to bin Laden?
CAROUSEL - Osama Bin Laden and Sheikh Khalid Mohammed
/ CBS/APWhite House Press Secretary Jay Carney on Wednesday declined to rule out that enhanced interrogation techniques helped lead the government to Osama bin Laden.
A reporter asked Carney: "It sounds to me at the very least like what you're saying is that the interrogation techniques cannot be ruled out as a critical and necessary piece to have found bin Laden. Is that correct?"
"Now, I can't categorically rule out that one piece of information -- because we don't know," Carney responded before lauding the work of the intelligence community.
Earlier, Carney said that "no single piece of information, with the exception of the address of the compound, was vital to this, was singularly vital to this, because we're talking about tiny bits of information that were compiled by unbelievably competent professionals over nine and a half years."
Continue »Many in Congress happy photos won't be released
Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) assesses U.S. policy in Libya and Syria on "Face the Nation," Sunday, May 1, 2011.
/ Chris Usher/CBSMost Democrats and many Republicans on Capitol Hill seemed satisfied with President Obama's decision not to release graphic photos that show Osama bin Laden with fatal gunshot wounds to his face.
"My initial opinion is it's not necessary (to release the photos)," said Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) as he emerged from a classified military briefing about the raid. "I think there is ample proof that this is Osama bin Laden."
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), who chairs the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, agreed, adding: I don't think that the timing is such that something incendiary is the right thing to do."
Republican Congressman Mike Rogers of Michigan, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, released a statement earlier in the day urging the President not to release the photos. In an interview with CBS News, he explained his position.
Continue »Palin to Obama: Stop pussyfooting, release photo
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin
/ Mario Tama
In a Tweet posted shortly after the president announced he would not be releasing the images, Palin chided him for his decision: "Show photo as warning to others seeking America's destruction. No pussy-footing around, no politicking, no drama;it's part of the mission," she wrote.
In an interview with CBS' 60 Minutes on Wednesday, Mr. Obama explained his decision not to make the images public.
"It is important to make sure that very graphic photos of somebody who was shot in the head are not floating around as an incitement to additional violence or as a propaganda tool," the president told CBS News' Steve Kroft.
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