A picture paints a thousand words. It can also inflame a million souls. Which is why President Obama was wise to rule out releasing photos of a dead Osama Bin Laden.

In the brilliant operation that eliminated Bin Laden, military and intelligence officials made a series of delicate choices.

Releasing a photo of a bullet-ridden Bin Laden would erase whatever goodwill was won by burying him at sea in a manner compliant with Islamic practices, so as not to unnecessarily agitate moderate Muslims whose hearts and minds might be ours to win.

As Obama smartly told Steve Kroft of "60 Minutes," we did what we set out to do - and "don't need to spike the football."

What would be gained by revealing the photo?

Some said let it see the light of day because, well, everything ought to see the light of day. Anyone who tried to fight and win a war guided by that looping philosophy would soon be kneeling before the enemy.

Others said Obama should release the photo as a deterrent to our foes - in the say-anything-that-sounds-macho words of Sarah Palin, "as warning to others seeking America's destruction. No pussyfooting around, no politicking, no drama."

As though, having absorbed the full breadth of U.S. dedication and military might, Al Qaeda still harbors faith in American namby-pambyism.

Others said putting out black-and-white, or full-color, proof of Bin Laden's demise was necessary to quell conspiracy theorists and bargain-basement doubters who think the man is still alive.

Equally absurd. Those who believe Bin Laden still walks the Earth will not be swayed by one photo or 100 - not with Photoshop a click away.

Not if they're unmoved by DNA evidence.

Not if they're unmoved by the fact that the man will - we'll bet you $1 million - never record another videotape.

The Pakistani Taliban say the United States failed, and is lying, and the man they love like a leader is still alive and well. Prove it.