Mission accomplished: Friday dump does the trick
Late on Friday, the White House dumped Scare Force One staffer Louis Caldera and released a scant “review” of the stunt photo-op flyover that wrought havoc in New York City. The dump seems to have accomplished its mission. By Saturday night, the president was instantly comfortable joking about it in front of starstruck journalists who should have seen the lack of disclosure as no laughing matter.
Snickered the president at the White House Correspondents Dinner:
Now Sasha and Malia aren’t here tonight because they’re grounded. You can’t just take Air Force One on a joy ride to Manhattan. (Laughter.) I don’t care whose kids you are. (Laughter.) We’ve been setting some ground rules here. They’re starting to get a little carried away.
All just fun and games in Washington. Remember when Obama said he was “furious” about the debacle? Not “furious” enough to restrain himself from making light of the incident in front of tittering Beltway/Hollywood glitterati.
Outside the Beltway, more serious thoughts prevail. Victor Massad writes at The American Thinker today about the visual subtext of the Statue of Liberty fly-by photo:
One image alone was released from the expensive photo op that terrified New Yorkers last month. Out of God only knows how many images taken during the mission, only one was chosen. It speaks powerfully to the American public — in symbolic language.
The ominous and imposing aircraft dominates the scene in such a way that, in gestalt parlance, no one could mistake the figure for the ground. The figure is an aircraft that serves as Air Force One, representing the Messianic omnipotence of the Obama presidency. Below it, part of the background — a small and less relevant thing in comparison to the aircraft — stands the Statue of Liberty, representing the individual freedoms that Americans have come to treasure and enjoy.
The message and its purpose could not be clearer: we must reset our priorities. Now that the democracy is at last headed by this magnificent and elegant man, we must put the federal government and its needs ahead of our paltry individual freedoms. Of what value, after all, is the property Americans have spent their lifetimes to acquire, or one’s right to defend oneself with a firearm, or even the privilege of living in an upwardly mobile society that used to be the envy of the rest of the world, in comparison to the Leader’s magnificently powerful icon, glistening like a phoenix in the sun?
And if you missed Debra Burlingame’s piece on the utter unseriousness of Obama with regard to the Gitmo detainees, read it as 9/11 Families for a Safe and Strong America — with supporting links and video — here.
Thankfully, not everyone treats national security as a joke.
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Categories: Scare Force One
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Friday dump or any other day, press corpse would oblige him whatever he wants to. They will even eat the trash and describe how tasty that was.
The “official photo” they release looks like it was taken by one of the pilots from one of the F-16 escort planes with a cheap digital camera.
I watched a few videos of this over the weekend and not once did I see another plane except the 747 and 2 F-16. Now F-16 are single seat planes, so if this was suppose to be an official photo op, then where is the plane with the photographer in it and where are the professional photographs?
I am starting to believe this was not a photo op, but joy ride for supporters and I hope the media demands the passenger manifest be released.
That sucker’s in the process of being scrubbed.
There are 2 seater variants of the F16. But anyway. It probably is more than they arer sayin. it usualy is.
And we paid $360,000 for a single photo?
Typical for the Beltway, spending all that money and getting so little.
It would be nice to know what happens to Caldera in his role of sacrificial lamb. Any way we can track how long he receives federal check/benefits? What Obama supporter will hire him to keep his mouth shut?
sounds like a case for Jake Tapper!
Believing that this was a basic photo-op is like believing in the Easter Bunny. Images that have been released are of exceedingly poor quality. If anything, the only photo-op this was is of the evidence that the plane flew at such and such a date, time, location as proof that whoever on it was indeed there.
BTW compare the ONES predicted unemployment with reality. OT i know.
Deeply disturbing. And still the press, for the most part, is fawning and drooling away.
God bless you Ms. Malkin, for your courage and intelligence. Thank you so much for all you do.
I am still waiting for the passenger manifest from the fly-over.
When will that be released?
WHEN PIGS FLY
An awful lot of pigs have been flying on Air Force One lately.
I’m still waiting for the leaker to come forward!
Big money awaits and a flight out of the country!
This is the feeling I get from the one, the only, photo released…
someone is remembering the path of a previous, infamous & fateful flight into Manhattan on a gorgeous September morning. Reliving it as they gaze at that photo.
It positively gives me the creeps to see it.
“Lookie ‘Chelle, I can do it too!”
Great story about the 9/11 and Cole families, and their experiences with THE ONE.
To him, they were nothing more than a PR issue, a bump in the road that needed to be smoothed out before getting on with his plans. An exercise in crass, cynical manipulation.
What an amazing contrast between the way W dealt with this group of people, and with the families of fallen troops.
Ditto. Perhaps the person(s) were reliving it by being part of the photo, if you know what I mean.
the joke in the white house continues to prove he has no leadership qualities. what an inept piece of human waste he is.
Obama’s simulated jihad.
The real jihad has been on Life, Marriage, Constitution, Taxes, Free Market Capitalism…etc.
For Sale:
Large Rural parcels, Several large urban Centers, thousands of miles of coastal areas.
Formerly known as “The United States of America”
But once you purchase and the check clears, you can call it whatever you like.
Also includes apporximately 310 Million people totally subservient and ready for the newspeak directives.
Happy Bidding!!!
For Sale:
One guy who thinks he can be president.
No bid will be considered too low.
Winning bidder must claim, possess and remove prize within 24 hours of purchase.
Happy Bidding!!!
Sonofdy is right. The F-16B and F-16D are two seat variants.
But I do question the quality of the photos too, as theoretically an actual photographer would have been in the back seat and they would have retouched the shot before release. At least a competent photgrapher would have.
Yeah, I do know what you mean. That’s truly the only conclusion I can draw from any photograph taken on purpose of an aircraft from that angle.
*retches*
A perfect summation of the photo and, apparently, the direction and values of this administration.
We’ve got to STOP referring to the union thug assembly of Democrats as a political party. They are not.
They are a Mafia. Pure and simple, an organized crime gang organized by criminals. It may be cathartic to fume and point fingers at something so stupid as this White House ScareOne bovine scatology, but they continue to misdirect your attention onto their seeming incompetence and away from really truly recognizing that the Democratic Party is an assembly of the worst criminals in his nation, and they are a MAFIA.
It’s very clear in injured hindsight that the reason the Kennedy family went after the Sicilian – Italian mafia with a vengeance was to eliminate competition. The reason we have the kind of infuriatingly stupid Presidential politics we do is because of the Kennedy family bringing all their Hollywood film industry PR and marketing skills to bear on myth-making and image creation. It’s also where the real and lasting damage has been done … Papa Joe infiltrating the Executive Branch with mafia technique and the very idea that a political party can act like a mafia in the highest branches of federal government and get away with it.
Quit going on about a staged phony photo-op joyride for contributors and get on to the real business of putting away this criminal gang of political overlords forever.
What have we sunk to as a nation?
I agree with you that the more benign “incompetence” label is less threatening than the scenario you describe. However, a joyride for 9/11 sympathizers is a manifestation of the enormity of unprecedented evil that has overtaken the White House (despite what libs say).
It is impossible to defeat the enemy if we aren’t allowed to describe his actions.
This incident is far from over. Let’s see what the FOIA requests provide.
This one smells.
I can’t turn on the TV, radio or my computer without having Obama’s face or voice blaring out at me. It’s just creepy. The guy is never ever in the background. I’m wondering when it will be a requirement to have him, his picture or his likeness present in every movie and TV show. Is every sporting event going to begin with a message from fearless leader before the national anthem?
Sooner or later, his popularity will fall. It will be interesting to see what kind of hysteria that will trigger. Is that when Team Obama plans on releasing the “director’s cut” version of the Obama movie? You know, the one with the disconnected sex scenes that have nothing to do with the plot?
Actually THE ONE was telling the truth for a change or at least deflecting his feeling of guilt for taking the kids out for a spin around Manhattan in his new plaything then getting caught in the blowback.
Daddy pleeeeezzz take us for a ride!!!
That’s just the times you noticed. Imagine all the subliminal images hidden in the lot.
Yes and the 100 FS, which flew the escort mission, has one out of 30 aircraft in its inventory.
http://www.f-16.net/aircraft-database/F-16/aircraft-assignments-active/unit/USAF%20100%20FS/
Has anyone looked at the close up of the F-16 in the photos to determine if this one was a F-16D? I bet it was not.
Bread and circuses.
Why would I not be surprised if we found out that this was at least partially true.
Michelle,
This is pure speculation and you may have already seen it, but it makes about as much sense as any other reason they have put out for this stunt.
http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=10429
***
I will never again see a large aircraft in flight without thinking of their use as murder weapons in the 9/11/2001 attacks. The horror of that day is always in my mind.
***
The photo of AF1 over the Statue of Liberty is a perfect visual metaphor of the Messiah’s (PBUH) attack on our Country, Values, Constitution, and Liberty. Call it the 10X 9/11/01 photo. The damage to our U.S.A. will be ten times worse than the terrorist attacks did after the damage to our country is completed by his policies.
***
John Bibb
***
Excellent observations,BlackFlag55.
I was told that on Fox News they showed various photos of Air Force One flying over the pyramids and cavorting with prehistoric pteradactycls, as well as other photos created with photoshop. All for just $50.
As for Obama’s joke concerning the incident, this shows his arrogance, immaturity and total disregard/cluelessness for national security. I see it also as a “fudge-you” to the New Yorkers.
Funny, the press is silent on the assessments of various European leaders concerning Obama’s cluelessness.
I heard a funny one-liner on my way to work this morning that fits this thread re: the White House Correspondents. It was on the Mike Gallagher Show. There was a guest host and I’m sorry I don’t remember his name.
“I’m sure Obama is glad his annual physical is over. During his colonoscopy they removed two benign polyps and the White House Press Corp.”
ta-DOW!
After 9/11, flights resumed normal operations at the airport near the ski area of Vail, CO. The airport re-opened, and soon the flights started coming in again for holiday-goers. The airport parallels I-70. You can’t really notice the airport just glancing out of the window driving by.
We were driving east bound on I-70, going past the airport on the right, and there was an out-of-state car going by in the same direction – I saw where they had noticed the large passenger jet approaching the air field — they were freaking out! It looks very ominous if you don’t know the jet is making a safe landing. Their actions showed the fear in their eyes – they looked at us, and pointed, and looked like they were screaming. As we passed them, they saw it touch down, but that terror moment was brought back to them in full passion.
I can only imagine the fear and panic of those in NYC on this joy-ride the other day.
I believe that came from our guest host for today, Doug Powers.
Obama is either frighteningly stupid or frighteningly methodical.
Yes, +1 nailed!
RC #40
I don’t know where it originated, I just know I heard it on the radio this morning.
Debra Burlingame:
And critics wonder what it is that leads many US citizens, and not all of them down-the-line conservative or even Republican, to question the level of sincerity and commitment Democrats hold in dealing w/ America’s enemies and keeping us safe.
I think someone needs to ask again, who was in the plane?
Speaking of dump, I wonder if a close up of the released photo will show that Afro Farco Uno is actually dumping it’s toilets sumps as it flies over Liberty…it’s a message that the Obama Administration is trying to hide, but in reality has put in effect…dumping American freedoms, in the name of change and hope.
The One is changing a government by, and for the people, into a dictatorship, using the power of the press, money, and stupid electorate to accomplish it…unchallenged, except by Fox News, and some great conservative radio hosts.
The One hopes he can pull it off, before the general public gets wise to it. Lies, obfuscations, and distractions are the rules of the day.
The Bible speaks to people like Obama. His time is coming.
Pro 16:18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
On May 11th, 2009 at 10:15 am, jangar said:
Indeed.
It is no longer just an “Assault Hope”, it is now an “Assault Reality”.
We, and everything we hold dear, are under assault on a daily basis.
puhiawa said:
I think someone needs to ask again, who was in the plane?
Many truths are told in jest – Sasha and Malia were on the plane with the mother-in-law just like Obama “joked” about.
On May 11th, 2009 at 10:28 am, BlackFlag55 said:
Very interesting comment.
The way I see it, there are two primary political mob families…those aligned with the Russian communists, and those aligned with the Chinese communists.
There is a third family, the Islamofascists, but they have aligned themselves with the Russian communists.
When the USSR fell, the Clintons aligned themselves with the Chinese communists. There have been many clues to that alignment over the years.
Obama represents the Russian Communists and the Islamofascists. Think “57 states” of the OIC.
The Democratic primary battle between Hillary and Obama was about which communist family (Chinese or Russian) would rule the party and the country.
There is still mob warfare going on behind the scenes.
We may think there are problems in the Republican party, but there are even bigger problems in the Democrat[ic Socialist] Party.
The ubiquitous “Max Headroom” of our day just made another announcement introducing his “voluntary” new health care plan. The government is going to enter the market to compete against the private health care companies.
Sounds like the Fannie/Freddie plan that worked so well for the mortgage industry.
Not defending Obama, the press, the white house staff or anybody else here, but for those of you who keep bringing up that the F-16 is a single seat fighter you’re ignoring/forgeting/unaware of the F-16B and F-16D. They are both 2-seaters used for training.
We gotta stop these cowboy politics where people shoot their mouth off. The words from a Presidents mouth matter. They didn’t like it when GW did it and they shouldn’t allow O to do it either.
But they won’t. Double standard. No credibility.
Obama is coming to Phx on Wed to address the grad class at ASU so I intend to go by the Airport and take my own pictures of AF One. I have a much better camera that these yokels are trying to pass off as “professional”.
I think it was “photoshopped” anyway!!
Hey! Today, Obama was going to give the finger to NYC again but the FAA stopped him.
Yeah, don’t you LUV the KUCIC?
Don’t forget that the US Parks and Rec is about ready to take the farmers land in Pennsylvania (all 2200 acres of it) through imminent domain for flight 93. It will become a national park and monument. Just in time for the 10th anniversary.
I have no proble with recon-training flights. I notice, the Navy did not threaten officials to keep their flight Secret.
I used to live in Marquette,MI. A SAC base, K.I. Sawyer, was in nearby Gwinn. I remember vividly, the sound of freedom coming from an entire wing of B-52′s taking off at full throttle over Marquette, on drills during the 1960′s. Talk about rattling your windows. I thought it was great.
yep, nothing like a crescent facing Mecca to make us truly feel the love of Islam.
sarc
So, was this just a joke after all? Or was this another smoke screen (a diversion or our attention)that worked?
The whole incident is head-shakingly stupid, and Obama’s attempt at humor to downplay the event is pretty lame. The reason he’ll be successful at sweeping it away is the same reason he can joke to the press, “All you voted for me.” Yup, the end of journalistic integrity is a real knee-slapper, ain’t it?
I suspect if a Republican were as clueless and arrogant as Urkel to have done this where thousands of New Yorkers are scared spitless and running from their offices, the media would have been tracking down those people for weeks on end to describe their horror on the evening news.
…but since it’s Obama, the Drive-By media laugh instead.