Monday morning I received a message via twitter from a friend of mine that read:
martyjonRT: On phone with customer in NY (Manhattan)-Building being evacuated due to a plane???Thats all he said and then he had to go….
Buildings on both sides of the Hudson River were being evacuated on fears that another 9/11 type attack was under way. Americans had been told that if a plane was unresponsive and in unauthorized air space, it would be shot down. Now a Boeing 747, being followed closely by an F-16 fighter jet, made numerous passes over Manhattan near the Statue of Liberty and Ground Zero. New Yorkers flooded the streets, many speaking into cell phones to loved ones. Some buildings ordered evacuations. Convinced of a terrorist attack, New Yorkers walked north along the West Side Highway, just as they had done on September 11, 2001. Widespread panic overtook New York City.
What was it that caused panic throughout Manhatten? A ”photo op” requested by the White House.
The White House had decided that it needed to update their photo files of publicity shots of Air Force One. In an email sent from the FAA to officials in New York’s city hall, a description of the “flying photo op” is outlined as well as instructions that the information “only be shared with persons with a need to know.” The email specifies that this information “shall not be released to the public.”
Wow… By giving the public advance notice the White House could have eliminated fear and panic in the streets of New York! Instead, for reasons only the people within the Obama Administration know for sure, the “mission” was kept secret. Reportedly President Obama is very upset by this and has expressed his displeasure to Louis Caldera, the head of the White House Military Office, who has claimed responsibility.
President Obama’s anger doesn’t cut it. This irresponsible act carried out on orders from the White House shows an insensitvity the likes of which hasn’t been seen in years. If this same act had been carried out by another administration, Democrat or Republican, there would be hell to pay. Clearly, if Mr. Caldera is in fact the man responsible for the fly over, then he must be fired. This administration is one that campaigned on being more in touch with the feelings of average Americans. The feelings of New Yorkers were clearly ignored for the sake of nice pictures.
Even if you put aside the fear New Yorkers felt yesterday, is this really something that needed to be done in the middle of an economic crises? Just two weeks ago, President Obama asked his cabinet to look at their budgets as he moves to cut unnecessary government programs. Suddenly, publicity stills of Air Force One in front of the Statue of Liberty are necessary? Not to mention, reportedly a similar exercise was planned for Washington D.C. either May 5 or 6, the other city rocked by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. How much do these publicity photos cost the American public?
Finally, why was a flying photo op kept secret? Why were authorities in New York reportedly told not to inform the public. It would have been one thing if the email had failed to give instructions on how to inform the public, but why specifically state the public is not to be told? It makes no sense!
What else is the Obama Administration keeping from the American public?
