May 7th, 2009
Photo oops
Despite earning the fury of President Obama, Mayor Bloomberg and the citizenry of New York, the White House plans to release a photo from the Air Force One flyover that took place last week. The photo op took place after White House Military Office Director Louis Caldera authorized a misson to fly Air Force One (a Boeing 747) and two accompanying fighter jets over lower Manhattan in order to update the file photo of Air Force One.
As if flying a 747 at low altitude over Manhattan wasn’t a bad enough idea already, the Military Office took it that extra mile by not informing Mayor Bloomberg or the citizens of New York of their plan.
The result: panicked New Yorkers evacuated buildings, jammed emergency phone lines and otherwise freaked out over a sight that was regrettably reminiscent of 9-11.
It’s been reported that the photo op cost the taxpayers $328,835, although Air Force officials stated that “the hours would have been flown regardless, and the expenses would have been accrued on a different mission.”
Er… huh?
The excuse as to the expenditure seems to raise more questions than it answers, most notably whether Air Force one is like a horse that has to be ridden to keep it happy and in shape.
In any case, since the photo apparently cost the taxpayers over $300K perhaps it’s only fitting that the White House will release it for our enjoyment. Although, given the amount of coverage of the incident, we’re not exactly lacking for photos or video.
The biggest question of all, of course, is why the White House Military Office didn’t look into a $100 program called Photoshop. Not only can it prevent widespread panic in the streets of New York from a secretive and ill-advised low-altitude flyover, it also saves on gas. And that’s just good for the environment.
Louis Caldera has taken full responsibility and apologized for the incident, and it is he who now wins a Fantasy T-Wearer Award with the “It Seemed Like a Good Idea…” sweatshirt, at right.
Wear it wisely, sir.
“We found out about it when you did”. Who’s we? The President doesn’t know where his plane is? There is a huge amount of protocal evwery time air force one is moved and the President (or at least very close staff) has to be aware of its location at all time.
Photoshop could do a better and cheaper job and any fool could predict the panic created. Perhaps it was just top create some panic, like the swine flu. It seems the more panic there is, the more people turn to the Government to trade freedoms for assistance. Also,while everyone is focusing on such things, they’re not paying attention to more trillions being handed out.
The airplane doesn’t belong to the President, it belongs to the Air Force.
” the expenses would have been accrued on a different mission.”
Er… huh?
The excuse as to the expenditure seems to raise more questions than it answers, most notably whether Air Force one is like a horse that has to be ridden to keep it happy and in shape.”
I recall a report that the Air Force did tell the FAA, Police , Mayor’s office etc. but that it was people within those offices that chose not to pass the word.
Crew training – Duh!
1st story was “training mission”… when that didn’t “fly”… they said it was a “photo op”… when people asked to see the photos they said no. Then they relented and released the glare photo that would have earned a “C” at best in any photog class… If it was really a photo shoot they would have hundreds of photos… my theory… it was no photo shoot… it was a flying Lincoln Bedroom for big campaign donors… so now the question is… Let’s see the rest of the photos and the flight manifest… who was on AF1 when it took this joy ride over NYC?
This just in… you too can RIDE AIR FORCE ONE! (Donation Required) Make checks payable to “Re-Elect Obama 2012″…
http://www.cafepress.com/rideairforceone
Pssst. If anybody asks… just tell them you’re on a “photo op”.
Why is every acting like this was a mistake? Clearly it was yet another calculated false flag operation and fear tactic aimed to keep citizens on edge, in fear, distracted and subservient. Same thing as the unfound swine flu hype.