Porn Reportedly Found At Bin Laden Compound

Hugh Pickens writes "Reuters reports that a stash of pornography was found in the hideout of Osama bin Laden by the US commandos who killed him. The pornography consists of modern, electronically recorded video and is fairly extensive, according to the officials, who discussed the discovery with Reuters on condition of anonymity. Officials said they did not know if bin Laden himself had acquired or viewed the materials and it is unclear how compound residents would have acquired the pornography but a video released by the Obama administration confiscated from the compound showed bin Laden watching pictures of himself on a TV screen, indicating that the compound was equipped with video playback equipment. Officials familiar with evidence gathered during investigations of other Islamic militants said the discovery of pornography is not uncommon in such cases." Is it too cynical to mention that the US government has a vested interest in denigrating Bin Laden, and that he's no longer around to deny this claim?

Re:Too cynical?

[the_one(2)]

No, it's the muslim extremist that are so sexophobic....

Anyone else?

[Ender_Wiggin]

Seems like a dozen people lived in the compound, and porn was found on one of the PCs there. People are hoping it's Bin Laden's, since it fits with the idea he's a bad person, and a perv on top of it. Maybe it was his son's.

I'm skeptical it's Bin Laden's. I can't find the story now, but there were recordings of Al Qaeda leaders watching Al Jazeera, and then covering over the screen whenever an "immodestly-dressed" woman anchor came on.

Re:Too cynical?

[tverbeek]

The US is not the only (or even most) sexphobic society in the world. This news is intended for the one that is.

Re:Human after all!

[binkzz]

Yeah, but very strict religiously Islamic or Christians shouldn't have porn according to their respective teachings. Especially if they're in a position of leadership and example.

Saying that, I consider myself pretty devout Christian, and I watch porn even though I feel I really shouldn't.

I believe It

[jesseck]

When I was in Iraq, we found porn in a few houses on raids. Videos (arab and French), Playboy, and a few other things.

Re:Worth mentioning? Probably not...

[Reservoir Penguin]

Somehow I doubt Aphganis would be doing Google searches in English. The statistics likely apply to foreign troops and NGO stationed there.

Cynical

[DaMattster]

Is it too cynical to mention that the US government has a vested interest in denigrating Bin Laden, and that he's no longer around to deny this claim? No, it is not too cynical at all. I believe that there is a nugget of truth to OBL having pornography because we have seen religious zealots and conservative politicians here in the US having closet sexual perversions. However, the Obama Administration wants to parade OBL's faults and make his hypocrisy well-known thereby lessening his martyrdom. By denigrating him, Obama et al hope to further weaken the resolve to potentially avenge Bin Laden's death.

Re:Human after all!

[Oligonicella]

One can admit guilt in a venue other than court, say a video recording. He did some admitting there, for instance.

Re:Human after all!

[ultranova]

But to go so far as saying: its not bad at all to be sexually centered and have no self control - thats just ridiculous. I would not feel worse after a cigarette, than after watching porn, but I dont have to accept addictive behaviour as something benevolent towards my life.

Nobody cares what you do with your own life. Except the religious, who decide something, then decide it's God's will, and soon are either burning people at stake or posting Youtube videos, depending on the era. And, of course, are utterly convinced that causing completely unnecessary grief makes them extra holy.

Or flying airplanes into buildings, to get back on topic.