The one thing I learned from NBC's show in the bin Laden killing...

[Drunken Irishman]

The famous photo, you know, this one...



...didn't actually take place in the real situation room. Instead, Obama was in the bigger situation room waiting for information that came from this room and decided he wanted it first-hand, so he got up, told everyone he was going and they were free to join him and entered the room in the photo above. There, he found Brigadier General Webb seated and in communication with those doing the operation.

So, it explains why Obama was tucked away in the corner.

Also, to clarify: Every aspect of this is technically the Situation Room, however, there is a far bigger room used by the President and his staff - this room is not it. It's a smaller one off to the side, which, as you can see, was being used prior to Obama's, and his staff's arrival by Brigadier General Webb.

[JNelson6563]

1. Thanks for the report DI

I didn't know any of the info in your OP. I don't have TV so I appreciate being able to catch up.

Julie

[Beaverhausen]

4. here is a link to the web page for the show. It was really interesting

http://rockcenter.msnbc.msn.com/


watch some of the videos.

The show brought up a lot of emotions for me, mostly pride that we have a president who is so smart, so cool under stress. The various interviews were all really fascinating to me.

[Zorro]

7. The show was outstanding

The detailed descriptions of the main and surrounding events gave the viewing audience great insight into the mindset of the participants.

Highly recommended viewing. It will serve as a key reference of those events for many years to come.

[blue neen]

9. Agreed.

I'm glad I had the opportunity to watch that very excellent report. It explained many interesting things about the whole chain of events, the decision making process, etc.

One really has to wonder how the President maintained his cool throughout the Correspondents' Dinner.

I also enjoyed listening to the interviews of the others, especially Hillary and Biden.

[JNelson6563]

15. Thanks you!

That was very nice of you, thanks.

Julie

[davidpdx]

23. Thanks for posting this

I'm outside the US and will spread it on the Obama Expats email list.

[tishaLA]

2. what surprised me most was

That neither FLOTUS nor Bill Clinton was aware of this until after it was already done. I don't know that it should be so surprising, but it was.

[annabanana]

3. Neither of them is in the chain of command..

There was no reason that they would know.

[Whisp]

16. I think both Barack and Hillary told their spouses

but no way they can say that publicly or they would get extreme hell from the RW assholes (and other mixes of assholes) for that. So a little white lie to the public in this case is understandable to me.

[bluerum]

5. That picture is soooo photoshopped.

[Beaverhausen]

8. what are you talking about?

care to elaborate?

[bluerum]

21. No. Not really.

I think I was pretty clear about my opinion.

[braddy]

6. Obama looks to have set himself exactly where he should have

I have never seen a negative in that photo, it would be creepy and negatively revealing if a boss tried to impose himself in some grand way within the seating arrangement, or to jockey for a more aggressive, imposing position, when all he wanted to do was observe and stay on top of the operation without disrupting the people at their duty stations, he placed himself right next to his General, who was the center of things at that moment, which is where he should have been.

People looking for something to attack Obama for there, are being worse than petty, they are seeing something that isn't there, actually, they are getting it wrong.

[Cosmocat]

13. absolutely - I LOVE the photo

Just kind of highlights him in the way I think he really is.

He gets in front of the camera and crowds and is amazing, but I think this reflects his leadership style, where he is not all full of himself and lets the people who know what they are doing provide imput and do their jobs.

[Whisp]

17. that's the Obama I know

he is not a show off egotistical chest puffer at all. It's good that he has a healthy dose of self respect (and respect for others) tho

[grantcart]

10. Webb tried to get up and give his chair to Obama and the President told him to keep his seat and

took the folding chair.

[flamingdem]

11. That might be the reason the photo is fascinating

He cares more about content than form.

[Rhiannon12866]

12. K&R. I watched this latenight tonight.

Fascinating stuff and surprisingly candid discussions with both the president and SoS Clinton. Hope they repeat it again, since I missed the beginning.

[Raven]

14. "Hi, honey, sorry I'm late for dinner, I

just killed Osama." Interesting that spouses were not told. Also, watching that program last night gave me a new appreciation of The SoS. She's one tough lady!

[Shrek]

18. Beverages next to laptops during a critical operation

The guys in IT are not amused.

[GOTV]

19. Those particular laptops are probably not critical...

... they are likely just the laptops of the people sitting near then for their convenience.

[GOTV]

20. Anyone know what they're watching?

Is it a camera on the helmet of a Navy Seal? Is it people in a control room on an aircraft carrier nearer the action? Is it live updated maps and charts? Twitter?

[janx]

22. In one of the videos, President Obama mentioned that they were watching as one of the Blackhawks

ran into difficulty. If I remember correctly, they were indeed able to watch real time video of the operation from cameras on the Seals' helmets.