This clip is from the local Fox affiliate in New York today. New Yorkers seem to be very angry about having been chosen for what seemed to many a re-enactment of 9/11. Buildings were evacuated and people fled in fear of their lives. Some were injured trying to escape what they imagined to be a new terrorist attack. And all because the White House wanted to update its file photos of Air Force One, and failed to consider the obvious: that jumbo jets flying at Manhattan without warning are bound to terrify people.
During last year’s presidential campaign, Republicans charged that Obama and his team lacked the experience and judgment to tackle the challenges the nation faces. But did anyone expect that one of those ‘tough’ calls would be whether to send a jumbojet screaming toward Manhattan at low altitude, chased by F-16s? Before today, I would have told you that was one of the easy questions - especially when it was nothing more than a photo-op.
The White House was quick today to throw its own appointee under the bus. Louis Caldera - whom Obama named to this job almost 5 months ago - quickly took the blame for the decision to send the president’s plane to New York for some publicity shots. It appears that Caldera also takes the blame for forbidding information about the flyover to be disclosed to the public. Reports say that the Presidential Airlift Group made the decision to keep this a secret. And according to the White House webpage, the Group falls under Caldera’s jurisdiction.
I see no indication of how many people work under Caldera, or how many oversee his decisions. However, it boggles the mind to think that there were no grownups in the White House who recognized what a terrible idea this was. But then again, lapses in judgment seem to be par for the course with this administration.
I swear that this bunch
Paul_In_Houston Monday, April 27th at 11:31PM EDT (link)is on a mission from God to re-define stupidity.
-
sure seems that way
dave_in_atl Monday, April 27th at 11:36PM EDT (link)It’s hard to imagine how that this became the plan in the first place. If all they wanted was a photo op it sure seems easier and probably cheaper to do it like holy wood does it…. green screen.
But keeping it secret… this is pure idiocy.
This thoughtless event in NYC will serve as yet another example of how the media will cover for Obama...
conservativemusician Monday, April 27th at 11:36PM EDT (link)He won’t be blamed for this because he’s the One after all. While the economy is sinking by the day and we are losing more and more of our freedoms each day, these bunch of dolts decide that they need a photo op AT GROUND ZERO!!! GROUND ZERO!!! WTH!!! I am beyond livid watching this.
Each day, I wonder how things can get any more outrageous with this bunch of thoughtless, arrogant, and incompetent jerks in charge of our national security…and then something like this happens. It is truly incomprehensible…and how Obama still has any public support is a mystery to me.
When I saw the people scared in various videos
Common_Cents Monday, April 27th at 11:42PM EDT (link)I wanted to punch some idiot responsible for this into next week.
To say that Obama didn’t know about it? The freakin AF1 or 2? There is no way he didn’t know about it.
“Never interrupt your enemy when he’s making a mistake.” Napoleon - Well, unless he is ruining your country! Common Cents
A cult of personality arises when a country’s leader uses mass media to create a heroic public image, often through unquestioning flattery and praise.[1] Cults of personality are often found in dictatorships.
I Agree - Obama Knew
IJB Tuesday, April 28th at 12:48AM EDT (link)In fact, I bet he ordered it.
Caldera is just the ‘fall guy’.
Hard to describe just how stupid, arrogant and brain dead this stunt was.
USNJIMRET Monday, April 27th at 11:52PM EDT (link)Unfortunately, for all of us, I seriously doubt that it will be the biggest, or last, stupid.
Why?
Michael DeWeese Monday, April 27th at 11:59PM EDT (link)I don’t understand the hubub. Dear Leader ZerO declared the War on Terror over. Everyone is safe now. No one needs to panic at the sight of a low flying plane, nor at an unattended package at a large public gathering place, nor at truck speeding towards government buildings. Relax, take it easy. Life is great. Didn’t you all get the MSM delivered memo?
Brain Dead Republican
You're right, Robert Gibbs did a stand up job calming everyone down...give him credit
$peciallist Tuesday, April 28th at 12:03AM EDT (link)lol
Michael DeWeese Tuesday, April 28th at 12:48AM EDT (link)It’s been so long since I’ve seen that movie. Always a laugh. Obama as Frankfurter?
Brain Dead Republican
So true
Husker Tuesday, April 28th at 4:11AM EDT (link)Michael, you have the best sigfile evah
peg_c Tuesday, April 28th at 8:03AM EDT (link)I have to share it with everyone I know.
Government cannot be the solution when government is the problem.
If
Pomme Tuesday, April 28th at 12:20AM EDT (link)we only got payed every time some Obama appointee did something stupid. Then we wouldn’t have to worry about the economy!
I’m livid!
And to have to have people get angry about something in the first place before they realize it is a bad idea?? Really??
“Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views” William F Buckley Jr.
The TRUTH about the NY flyover...
mbecker908 Tuesday, April 28th at 12:22AM EDT (link)From the Confederate Yankee:
If only that were true...!! -nt
peg_c Tuesday, April 28th at 8:04AM EDT (link)Government cannot be the solution when government is the problem.
Here's the test of the media
civil_truth Tuesday, April 28th at 12:38AM EDT (link)Will SNL and the late night talk shows runs skits on this, or will the MSM enforce a blanket of silence.
If this doesn’t generate some satire, then we know beyond doubt that in the eyes of the MSM. political humor = skewering Republicans.
You know dang well they would have ridiculed Bush for weeks or longer if this had happened on his watch.
And Rightly So!
to his credit
dave_in_atl Tuesday, April 28th at 12:50AM EDT (link)John Stewart was all over this one tonight.
Caldera Was a CA Dem Pol
IJB Tuesday, April 28th at 12:41AM EDT (link)I know of this guy.
Is anyone surprised that he’s another CA fruitcake?!
Pure Genius PR .....
rcov092 Tuesday, April 28th at 1:52AM EDT (link)burn 7000 gallons of fuel (cost for fuel alone, $21,000), dump 70 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, scare a million people, all for a photo op for the zerO. I swear you could not find these widespread a level of incompetence in the Soviet Marxist regime. But then the clown in charge was first an “educator” and second served on the board of Indymac (epic epic epic bank #fail).
I thought these people were computer geniuses? They never heard of Photoshopping?
“Not One Red Dime for the NRSC or NRCC till they stop trying to elect liberals”
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I could care less if New York was scared ****less.
Tbone Tuesday, April 28th at 1:19AM EDT (link)The people voted for this lunacy, New York particularly. Folks, it is going to take not only this type of buffoonery but a lot of real people dying to wake up the 15% of voters in the middle that decide these elections. I hope that there were Obama voters running down the street peeing their pants. Good enough for them.
What, you think the morons running the government and the one who voted for them are going to catch a clue BEFORE something really bad happens? Get real.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
Tbone, you are right
peg_c Tuesday, April 28th at 8:06AM EDT (link)The thing is, this first 100 days has gone a LONG way toward turning the mindless middle away from this utter cretin in the WH.
Government cannot be the solution when government is the problem.
This was the hight of idiocy, but...
nonsequitur Tuesday, April 28th at 11:40AM EDT (link)… I’d have to sharply disagree if you are somehow suggesting these people deserved to be scared because they voted for Obama. Not only is it just as intellectually vapid as suggesting that Bush voters deserve to be scared by the financial crisis, its just mean spirited.
Its clear that you do not live in New York or D.C., but let me tell you something about the fear and pain that day caused.
Imagine waking up one morning seeing the place of work for your loved ones up in flames, not knowing if you are about to watch them die live on CNN. Not to mention those who were actually in the towers or the Pentagon as it happened.
For those who were deeply affected by that day, (PTSD has been diagnosed in many survivors and first responders), to be put through these events would be similar to someone dressing up as a Vietcong and kicking down my uncle’s door in the middle of the night.
This is “photo-op” is more shameful than most of the “shameful” things that were pushed against the Bush administration. Furthermore, it is truly the most deplorable example of governmental detachment from reality that I have seen in quite a while.
But for you to suggest it was somehow deserved because of political affiliation, I am deeply offended.
Veritas Lux Mea
Well, perhaps let me rephrase
E Pluribus Unum Tuesday, April 28th at 11:56AM EDT (link)The people of NYC voted overwhelmingly for a guy who has pledged firmly to make them considerably less safe from terrorist attacks. They endured 9/11. lost loved ones, and still voted in the Obamistas.
That makes them fools - huge, epic fools. This little stunt by the Obamistas is something that would never - could never - have been done by a Repub administration.
Those of us who did not vote for the marxist ingenue tool who cares not one whit for our national safety - we are entitled to a bit of cynicism here.
Don’t like it? Tough. We endured your side’s smarmy, crap-eating grins, when Abu Graib was splashed on headlines for weeks upon weeks upon weeks; when WMD’s were not found, only the evidence left behind; when the Bush daughters misbehaved; when the body count of our soilders was high; when movies came out depicting GWB being assassinated.
It sure was funny then, wasn’t it? So, sorry, no quarter.
Carthago delenda est
Do your conservative t-shirt shopping at EPU Gear. Save the conservative muse, save the world.
Not my side...
nonsequitur Tuesday, April 28th at 12:28PM EDT (link)… and I resent the implication, but regardless:
I wasn’t aware that there were two countries here? Sad day when one half of the country enjoys the suffering of the other, regardless of which way the political winds blow.
Yes, there might have been some bias in media coverage concerning the events you listed, but lets set that aside for the moment.
Why? Because this has nothing to do with criticising Obama for this travesty. I applaud such criticisms. Personally, I find the whole incident to be the pinnacle of irresponsibility, and people should be held accountable.
However, self styled pundits should put down their red or blue tinted glasses and see the human element here. Criticise Obama all you want, and don’t ever think that I am defending any government official. That aside, don’t for one moment forget that these news stories are more than just a political game. Regardless of who “wins” this media cycle, people were still traumatised in ways I cannot describe with words.
That’s funny? Not at all. Did I find the Iraq War funny? Or the deaths of soldiers funny? Not in the slightest.
So no, I don’t like it. I didn’t like when the bodies in Fallujia were turned into political talking points either. My position is clear and consistent. Separate the political and the human. Keep the grief and pain far clear of the finger pointing. I think we can all agree this was a terrible idea. Shame on the entire administration. Let the victims here be what they are, victims.
Political choice should not be our defining characteristic. We are Americans first, lest we forget. This whole incident has helped me empathise, not just sympathise, with the families of fallen soldiers who watch their loved ones paraded around as political tools. Perhaps in that shared grief there can be common ground.
I understand the satisfaction “I told you so” rhetoric can provide, but leave the people out of it. Its easy to paint a picture of a liberal New York, but a 35-65 split city wide still means 2.8 million conservatives. But I suppose they were more the victim than the other 5.2 million.
Veritas Lux Mea
"But I suppose they were more the victim than the other 5.2 million."
Tbone Tuesday, April 28th at 12:38PM EDT (link)Absolutely. You reap what you sow and Liberals have sown death from the Gulags, to the Killing Fields of SE Asia to the abortion mills in your neighborhood.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
You sound familar...
nonsequitur Tuesday, April 28th at 1:13PM EDT (link)… is your name Rev. Wright? The best part about belonging to neither party is you can call the wackos when you see them.
As for the double posts below, I’ll try to keep some semblance of order in this thread and respond to them here.
Don’t you dare lecture me on who lost more that day. I won’t degrade the memories of the ones I loved to compare their deaths against your losses. I hoped to avoid the subject of the personal all together. It sickens me you champion your personal tragedies.
Who knows how many people Obama will “get killed”. Most likely his body count will be somewhere around the same as Bush. Who knows.
As for your instance that nothing can be done to protect American citizens, and your thinly concealed glee at the prospect of Americans dying under Obama’s watch, I call that un-American. And not in some bleeding heart liberal, “you can’t talk bad about Him!” way either.
In the very real sense that taking pleasure in the fear of fellow American’s, while hoping for their death, is a quality shared by 19 people with box cutters.
To be frank, where has morality gone? Since when are the people expendable pawns in the machine of American politics? Obama’s policies might fail, and its more than fine to hope for that. Its patriotic. But how can you sleep at night hoping for the death of your fellow man?
What I’m advocating here is not radical. This was a terrible travesty. People should be punished. Obama and his administration should be held accountable, not the victims.
What separates you and those who called Vietnam Veterans baby killers? I’ll say the same thing you to as I would to them: Your anger should be directed at those who make the decisions, not the ones who suffer because of them.
Veritas Lux Mea
You're breakin' my heart squish.
Tbone Tuesday, April 28th at 2:11PM EDT (link)That people will die because of Obama is not something I take glee in. It is just a fact, get used to it.
Oh, and exactly who died because of Bush?
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
why would someone be involved
mom2oneson Tuesday, April 28th at 12:54PM EDT (link)in politics except for the human element? That is what this is all about. You can’t seperate the two the decisions that are made dictate a lot of things in people’s lives.
I am pleased you are offended and I couldn't give a crap
Tbone Tuesday, April 28th at 12:34PM EDT (link)about your sensitivities. And don’t lecture me about the pain of that day, I personally lost a great deal, doubtlessly far more than you, so go pee up a rope.
Obama is going to get a lot of people killed. Get ready for it and get used to the concept because it is going to happen. There is absolutely nothing that can be done to prevent it.
You may note the uptick in bombings in Iraq. Why do you suppose that is?
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
I am pleased you are offended and I couldn't give a crap
Tbone Tuesday, April 28th at 12:34PM EDT (link)about your sensitivities. And don’t lecture me about the pain of that day, I personally lost a great deal, doubtlessly far more than you, so go pee up a rope.
Obama is going to get a lot of people killed. Get ready for it and get used to the concept because it is going to happen. There is absolutely nothing that can be done to prevent it.
You may note the uptick in bombings in Iraq. Why do you suppose that is?
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
Glad you're offended! The mindless fools that live
Achance Tuesday, April 28th at 12:41PM EDT (link)in the Blue States gave us this nightmare, so I really don’t much care what happens there.
In Vino Veritas
It's a Santa Claus Assassination Moment
MacAoidh Tuesday, April 28th at 1:23AM EDT (link)I posted on this thing at my blog:
http://www.thehayride.com/2009/04/obamas-santa-claus-assassination-moment.html
More of the lack of understanding of consequences
Erick Brockway Tuesday, April 28th at 1:28AM EDT (link)Actions have consequences, and this Administration seems clueless to consider them. Scary when that kind of bunch is in charge of so many security functions.
Note to lefties;
“Don’t be afraid to see what you see.”
Ronald Reagan
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Check all the youtubes!....Holy Crap...heads should roll!
$peciallist Tuesday, April 28th at 1:39AM EDT (link)Does anyone really believe
Rapunzel46 Tuesday, April 28th at 1:45AM EDT (link)Obama was angry about this? My money is on them gathering in the Oval Office and laughing their rears off about this, they don’t care that they scared these people, they won’t even care if a nuke goes off as long as it doesn’t hit them.
I don't think Obama's team is THAT incompetent
scarlos Tuesday, April 28th at 3:04AM EDT (link)I mean seriously, planning to do this in New York and Washington DC cannot possibly be just a dumb mistake. Obama might have his head in the clouds when it comes to common sense, but Rhambo isn’t that stupid. And the decision to not tell anybody about a “PHOTO OP” makes me suspect ulterior motives here.
Perhaps Obama was simply testing the immediate public reaction to another 9-11 style scenario. I’m not sure what he would gain from it, but it makes more sense to me than the notion that the group that gave us the Obama doublespeak suddenly lost all foresight.
How can anyone be surprised when an ideology that regards wealth as a cardinal sin cannot produce it?
A liberal is a person who thinks there is no problem that cannot be solved by consolidating more power in their own hands
Been mulling over this all day...
Pomme Tuesday, April 28th at 3:48AM EDT (link)and it came to me!
This was economic stimulus! Just think of all the money that will go into the pockets of therapists!!
That, or a distraction: “Don’t look at that pandemic Swine flu while we have no Health Department head, did you see what that guy did for a PHOTO OP?”
“Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views” William F Buckley Jr.
All these distractions
Michael DeWeese Tuesday, April 28th at 5:44AM EDT (link)I am seriously starting to wonder what he has that is so important and that he doesn’t want us to notice it.
Brain Dead Republican
The really weird thing is I was re-watching "United 93"
peg_c Tuesday, April 28th at 8:12AM EDT (link)at home on my day off WHEN THIS HAPPENED, as God is my witness! I like to watch it at least once a year to refresh memories that these hideous anti-Americans in the WH and the Democrats are working as hard as they can to make us forget.
We were in NYC on 9/11, as some may know. The utter arrogance, callousness or cluelessness (or all 3) that led to this is simply breathtaking. Still cannot decide if he is THAT stupid, THAT callous or THAT intent on terrorizing us for the entire term. And they wonder why we are going ballistic?
Also, shame forever on that F-16 pilot. I mean it. He should resign now.
Government cannot be the solution when government is the problem.
stupid.
dancingnancie3 Tuesday, April 28th at 7:19PM EDT (link)What a stupid mistake. I agree with the first poster… why didn’t they just buy Photoshop instead? Really Obama, come on now.? Anyway, here’s a video I found showing how different news outlets are reporting the story. It’s interesting to see the difference in perspectives:
http://www.newsy.com/videos/flyover_triggers_9_11_flashback/