Comments on: Photo: Obama and National Security team during Osama kill operation (UPDATED with found Photoshops) http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 20 Jun 2013 01:02:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1099009 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1099009 The maps were provided by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, one of the lesser-known intelligence branches. Their logo is on the paper in front of Clinton. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Geospatial-Intelligence_Agency The maps were provided by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, one of the lesser-known intelligence branches. Their logo is on the paper in front of Clinton.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Geospatial-Intelligence_Agency

]]> By: noah http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098755 noah Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098755 OK, here are some attempts at IDs... Everyone recognizes Obama, Biden, and Clinton, right? John Lithgow is Tom Donilon, the National Security Advisor. The grim Abe Vigoda-looking guy next to him is William Daley, the White House Chief of Staff. The nerdy guy with stars on his collar on the other side of Donilon is Michael Mullen, the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Secret-service-lanyard guy is Denis McDonough, Deputy National Security Advisor. The guy sitting in front of Clinton is of course William Gates, the Secretary of Defense. Standing behind Clinton is James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence. The other four, including General Facebook, I'm not getting. Anyone? OK, here are some attempts at IDs…

Everyone recognizes Obama, Biden, and Clinton, right?

John Lithgow is Tom Donilon, the National Security Advisor. The grim Abe Vigoda-looking guy next to him is William Daley, the White House Chief of Staff. The nerdy guy with stars on his collar on the other side of Donilon is Michael Mullen, the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Secret-service-lanyard guy is Denis McDonough, Deputy National Security Advisor. The guy sitting in front of Clinton is of course William Gates, the Secretary of Defense. Standing behind Clinton is James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence.

The other four, including General Facebook, I’m not getting. Anyone?

]]> By: DeathandGravity http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098758 DeathandGravity Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098758 no wireless is a security measure to prevent radio tapping. no wireless is a security measure to prevent radio tapping.

]]> By: t00mer http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1099526 t00mer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1099526 Seating arrangement speculation: My understanding of seating arrangements at the situation room is that the President and highest ranking members of the National Security Team (VP Biden, Secretary of State Clinton) would be seated at the center of the table in rather large, impressive, (and likely hard to move) chairs. Lower ranking team members like the Admiral would sit towards the ends of the table. Aides to the team members might have lower, smaller chairs and sit along the wall behind their bosses. It looks like Obama got up from his chair and moved to one of these support staff chairs the end of the room to get a better view of the live feed on the monitors, and Biden and Clinton just moved to the side a bit. Seating arrangement speculation: My understanding of seating arrangements at the situation room is that the President and highest ranking members of the National Security Team (VP Biden, Secretary of State Clinton) would be seated at the center of the table in rather large, impressive, (and likely hard to move) chairs. Lower ranking team members like the Admiral would sit towards the ends of the table. Aides to the team members might have lower, smaller chairs and sit along the wall behind their bosses.

It looks like Obama got up from his chair and moved to one of these support staff chairs the end of the room to get a better view of the live feed on the monitors, and Biden and Clinton just moved to the side a bit.

]]> By: Mujokan http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098759 Mujokan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098759 Love the bridesmaid pic. Love the bridesmaid pic.

]]> By: HeatherB http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098762 HeatherB Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098762 Don't believe the lies. This is actually a picture of them all watching the Royal Wedding and they just saw Princess Beatrice in her hat. Don’t believe the lies. This is actually a picture of them all watching the Royal Wedding and they just saw Princess Beatrice in her hat.

]]> By: KurtMac http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098763 KurtMac Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098763 In this case NOFORN stands "Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals/Governments/Non-US Citizens" and is simply an indicator of the level of classifiediness, not necessarily THE code word of the operation. In this case NOFORN stands “Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals/Governments/Non-US Citizens” and is simply an indicator of the level of classifiediness, not necessarily THE code word of the operation.

]]> By: Vnend http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1102091 Vnend Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1102091 An interesting, but ultimately light-weight (well, it is in the 'Lifestyle' section), article on this picture in today's Washington Post. I got the feeling a couple of times while reading it that the writer or editor had read BoingBoing and this commentary. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/lifestyle/style/situation-room.html It gets a bonus points for listing those attending and working in a reference to "The Fifth Element". An interesting, but ultimately light-weight (well, it is in the ‘Lifestyle’ section), article on this picture in today’s Washington Post. I got the feeling a couple of times while reading it that the writer or editor had read BoingBoing and this commentary.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/lifestyle/style/situation-room.html

It gets a bonus points for listing those attending and working in a reference to “The Fifth Element”.

]]> By: scolbath http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098767 scolbath Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098767 That's BG Brad Webb, Asst. Commanding General of JSOC - presumably, he reports to McRaven, the 3* JSOC commander, and soon to be 4* SOCOM commander: http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=12900 That’s BG Brad Webb, Asst. Commanding General of JSOC – presumably, he reports to McRaven, the 3* JSOC commander, and soon to be 4* SOCOM commander:

http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=12900

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1099024 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1099024 Excellent. It's indeed wonderful to see the whole nation, the world for that matter, united in righteous celebration and gratitude for the courage and herocisim shown by the Mets in their extra-inning victory over the Philles. Excellent.
It’s indeed wonderful to see the whole nation, the world for that matter, united in righteous celebration and gratitude for the courage and herocisim shown by the Mets in their extra-inning victory over the Philles.

]]> By: DeathandGravity http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098769 DeathandGravity Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098769 Where is Jack Ryan? Where is Jack Ryan?

]]> By: Jack http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098770 Jack Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098770 I love the fact folks are snidely picking apart what the room looks like and how the computers are networked. You know who buys “mall cop” gear? MALL COPS! These people actually do real work. But I will add my own observation: So many men wearing so much blue. I love the fact folks are snidely picking apart what the room looks like and how the computers are networked. You know who buys “mall cop” gear? MALL COPS! These people actually do real work.

But I will add my own observation: So many men wearing so much blue.

]]> By: jordawesome http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098771 jordawesome Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098771 On the high res version, I note with 80% certainty that Hillary is clutching the same kind of Zebra Sarasa blue ball point gel pens I use. They really are the best. On the high res version, I note with 80% certainty that Hillary is clutching the same kind of Zebra Sarasa blue ball point gel pens I use. They really are the best.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1099283 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1099283 Why is the trinity killer behind that chair ? Why is the trinity killer behind that chair ?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098772 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098772 There are very specific reasons not to use wireless... There are very specific reasons not to use wireless…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1099029 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1099029 Do we now know that the goal of this operation was to assassinate bin laden? Because otherwise it seems a bit sensational to call it a "kill operation". My understanding was that the bad guy didn't want to come along peacefully? IMO there's a big diffence between a murder, assassination or kill operation and a legitimate attempt to capture bin laden that (as one would expect) ended in a dhootout. Do we now know that the goal of this operation was to assassinate bin laden? Because otherwise it seems a bit sensational to call it a “kill operation”. My understanding was that the bad guy didn’t want to come along peacefully?

IMO there’s a big diffence between a murder, assassination or kill operation and a legitimate attempt to capture bin laden that (as one would expect) ended in a dhootout.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1099798 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1099798 Am I the only one who thinks the original looks photoshopped as is? Am I the only one who thinks the original looks photoshopped as is?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1099031 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1099031 The pixelated document is in fact a photo of the person leading the attack. That person is Alf. Ever since his television series went under back in the 80's he has been doing black bag jobs for the CIA. The pixelated document is in fact a photo of the person leading the attack. That person is Alf. Ever since his television series went under back in the 80′s he has been doing black bag jobs for the CIA.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1099287 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1099287 I thought the same thing. Was bin Laden, by any chance, killed in a bathtub, with a hammer or by being talked into jumping off a building? I thought the same thing. Was bin Laden, by any chance, killed in a bathtub, with a hammer or by being talked into jumping off a building?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1099033 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1099033 I think black elbow guy is Ted Danson who's behind Hillary in this photo (top, middle). http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/5680161629/sizes/o/in/set-72157626507626189/ What's Ted Danson doing there, and why is he so pleased with himself? Can Droopy Dog standing in front of Hillary be The Tribble? I think black elbow guy is Ted Danson who’s behind Hillary in this photo (top, middle).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/5680161629/sizes/o/in/set-72157626507626189/

What’s Ted Danson doing there, and why is he so pleased with himself?
Can Droopy Dog standing in front of Hillary be The Tribble?

]]> By: turn_self_off http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098778 turn_self_off Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098778 The nametag says Webb, i think. could it be this guy? http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=12900 The nametag says Webb, i think.

could it be this guy? http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=12900

]]> By: robcat2075 http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098780 robcat2075 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098780 That Situation Room reminds me of the conference room scene in "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes", the one where everybody can just barely fit between the table and the walls. That Situation Room reminds me of the conference room scene in “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes”, the one where everybody can just barely fit between the table and the walls.

]]> By: turn_self_off http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098782 turn_self_off Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098782 heh, Scolbath took the point on that one. heh, Scolbath took the point on that one.

]]> By: Nicky G http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1099294 Nicky G Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1099294 This is a very historic picture, of the USA's top peeps likely witnessing in realtime video one of the most significant US Special Operations actions in history, period. The stakes involved are extremely high. We have significant SEAL and other forces involved, all of whom are at very high risk. They are operating within the borders of a foreign nation they do not have clearance to be in, a nation that has nuclear weapons at that. And let us not forget, they are on the verge of possibly taking out the head of the organization responsible for 9-11. I think they really deserve to have intense or even shocked expressions on their faces. I almost fell off the shitter reading the news this morning on my iPhone. Total state of shock. And yes, to be frank, I am very, very happy at how this went down. What happens between the USA and Pakistan now, however? That's not going to be happy-time. Very, very difficult to believe Osama was "hiding in plane sight" for at least 3 years without anyone in the Pakistani military or intelligence apparatus being suspicious. This is a very historic picture, of the USA’s top peeps likely witnessing in realtime video one of the most significant US Special Operations actions in history, period. The stakes involved are extremely high. We have significant SEAL and other forces involved, all of whom are at very high risk. They are operating within the borders of a foreign nation they do not have clearance to be in, a nation that has nuclear weapons at that. And let us not forget, they are on the verge of possibly taking out the head of the organization responsible for 9-11. I think they really deserve to have intense or even shocked expressions on their faces.

I almost fell off the shitter reading the news this morning on my iPhone. Total state of shock. And yes, to be frank, I am very, very happy at how this went down.

What happens between the USA and Pakistan now, however? That’s not going to be happy-time. Very, very difficult to believe Osama was “hiding in plane sight” for at least 3 years without anyone in the Pakistani military or intelligence apparatus being suspicious.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1099550 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1099550 Boy do you have your history out of line. You may consider the Nuremberg trials "bullshit" from the point of view that the laws and sense of morality enforced there were still fresh and new (before WW1, war was considered a regular tool of diplomacy; before WW2, the ideas of "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity" were barely established). But the German top brass in Nuremberg wasn't tried simply for "acts of war" - they were put on trial for their responsibility in things like systematic genocide and the unspeakable atrocities and ideological disregard for human life committed in the process. If you think about it (for a change), you might agree that what the Nazis did is a *bit* on a different level than mere "acts of war." Boy do you have your history out of line. You may consider the Nuremberg trials “bullshit” from the point of view that the laws and sense of morality enforced there were still fresh and new (before WW1, war was considered a regular tool of diplomacy; before WW2, the ideas of “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity” were barely established). But the German top brass in Nuremberg wasn’t tried simply for “acts of war” – they were put on trial for their responsibility in things like systematic genocide and the unspeakable atrocities and ideological disregard for human life committed in the process. If you think about it (for a change), you might agree that what the Nazis did is a *bit* on a different level than mere “acts of war.”

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098784 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098784 LOL. Thank you. At least WE know what rank he is... Admiral, please! LOL. Thank you. At least WE know what rank he is… Admiral, please!

]]> By: Mujokan http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098785 Mujokan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098785 I mentioned it above, but the balding guy in a white shirt at the top right is John Brennan the "counterterrorism czar". I mentioned it above, but the balding guy in a white shirt at the top right is John Brennan the “counterterrorism czar”.

]]> By: facetedjewel http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098786 facetedjewel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098786 I can hardly blame Hillary for that expression. Even for someone in her political position, she probably doesn't see another human being assassinated everyday. Receive classified reports to that effect? - maybe, actually view the killing...remotely? - not so much. @NOAH Thanks! @Donald Petersen The boardroom link...funny! I can hardly blame Hillary for that expression. Even for someone in her political position, she probably doesn’t see another human being assassinated everyday. Receive classified reports to that effect? – maybe, actually view the killing…remotely? – not so much.

@NOAH Thanks!

@Donald Petersen The boardroom link…funny!

]]> By: abstract_reg http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098789 abstract_reg Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098789 Man just when I think that a Canadian Election might actually be the big news of the week. Man just when I think that a Canadian Election might actually be the big news of the week.

]]> By: hassenpfeffer http://boingboing.net/2011/05/02/photo-obama-and-nati.html#comment-1098791 hassenpfeffer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1098791 I love Zebra Sarasa pens. I got a multicolored set from Japan, 0.4 mm tips, through jetpens.com (which I discovered through a long-ago BB article). Hillary apparently has better taste in writing implements than she does in husbands. I love Zebra Sarasa pens. I got a multicolored set from Japan, 0.4 mm tips, through jetpens.com (which I discovered through a long-ago BB article). Hillary apparently has better taste in writing implements than she does in husbands.

]]>