by Diane B.
Member since:
March 3, 2008

White House apologizes for low-flying plane

April 28, 2009 12:38 AM UTC (Updated: April 28, 2009 12:41 AM UTC)
views: 0 | comments: 24

Quote from article~~

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A White House official apologized Monday after a low-flying Boeing 747 spotted above the Manhattan skyline frightened workers and residents into evacuating buildings.


Witnesses reported seeing the plane circle over the Upper New York Bay near the Statue of Liberty.

The huge aircraft, which functions as Air Force One when the president is aboard, was taking part in a classified, government-sanctioned photo shoot, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

"Last week, I approved a mission over New York. I take responsibility for that decision," said Louis Caldera, director of the White House Military Office. "While federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey, it's clear that the mission created confusion and disruption."


Read the rest of the article here.

Comments: 24

Diane B. Apr 28, 2009, 12:38am UTC
I would ask "What were they thinking?" but apparently they weren't!
Larry H. Apr 28, 2009, 12:41am UTC
I cab see why it would be scarey after 911. I would be shook up too...
Renee S. Apr 28, 2009, 12:43am UTC
I heard about this on the news tonight.
Jo N. Apr 28, 2009, 12:44am UTC
I hadn't heard about this.
Mooch -. Apr 28, 2009, 1:15am UTC
I think the public could have been more informed, but hey when is the government known for informing the public.
Mooch
norene t. Apr 28, 2009, 1:47am UTC
SO stupid
Lera M. Apr 28, 2009, 3:29am UTC
It was indeed very insensitive and ..... stupid!
Christopher B. Apr 28, 2009, 9:11am UTC
This is another example of the ineptness at all levels of the administration. From what I heard from the news local authorities were not notified; the Mayor of New York certainly wasn’t notified and in the other direction the White House seemed clueless as well.
Bob Cronley Apr 28, 2009, 10:17am UTC
Maybe the mission shouldn't have been classified. If the people knew what was going on, there wouldn't have been such a panic. If I saw a low flying airliner being monitored by fighter planes over a big city, I would think that it could only be a bad sign.
DesertDarlene L. Apr 28, 2009, 10:28am UTC
So, what was the purpose of doing this anyway?
Ariel K. Apr 28, 2009, 10:31am UTC
Doesn't look too terrible to me. Nothing wrong with pictures.
John S. (arizona) Apr 28, 2009, 10:57am UTC
I think it was a pretty dumb move too after 9/11. Why did it have to be NY City? I don't think they thought it through very well... sheesh. I wonder how many people there got the snot scared out of them....?
DIANE D. Apr 28, 2009, 11:36am UTC
?????????WoW~
Sue B.© The Sting IS Worse Than the Buzz Apr 28, 2009, 12:08pm UTC
I've heard conflicting stories on the photo op. One was that someone on Obama's staff failed to inform Bloomberg's office, and then there's the other one that claims that Bloomberg's office was notified, but the message didn't make it to Bloomberg. Who knows?
Sue B.© The Sting IS Worse Than the Buzz Apr 28, 2009, 12:11pm UTC
Well, John, they wanted the backdrop to be the Statue of Liberty, and we all know how important backdrops are to this administration. Of course, Obama was livid, they say.
J F. Apr 28, 2009, 1:39pm UTC
Lack of communication is no excuse for what happened. That was awful.
Lera M. Apr 29, 2009, 4:24am UTC
Yeah, well I just read where this stunt is gonna cost the tax payers $328,835.00!
John S. (arizona) Apr 29, 2009, 10:00am UTC
They knew they would cause a panic and did it anyway... jerks.

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/air.force.one.2.996457.html
Sue B.© The Sting IS Worse Than the Buzz Apr 29, 2009, 10:08am UTC
I saw that on the news, Lera. At this point, what's another mere $3M, though?
Bob Cronley Apr 29, 2009, 1:49pm UTC
Someone on FaceBook said, "Haven't they ever heard of PhotoShop?"
Kimber L. Apr 29, 2009, 4:12pm UTC
This was crap he should be fired
Erinn K. May 8, 2009, 10:09pm UTC
=)
Glitter Generator - http://www.glittertextgraphics.com
Meagan T. Jun 3, 2009, 10:31pm UTC

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