CNN

I thought it was kind of cute and cool to see Air Force One fly over Manhattan. Hey, Obama, you can fly it over Chicago anytime during Fourth of July....

Non libs (rational, good hearted decent people) can not help but to laugh at how the libs will forever blame Bush for everything and anything that happens to them or one of their lib masters till the end of time. Nice example they show their children, never take responsibility for your actions, just bring up someone else to divert attention away from your mistake, no wonder the worst people in this nation are all in the blue areas.

Also funny, notice that all idiotic lib hate goal post moving about Bush never is based on complete truth, it is laced in lies, distortion, and revisionist history. Take anyone from the right, even Coulter or Rush, every single one of them has a billion times more integrity than these hateful lib Obama-bots.

Obama could do anyting to the libs family, just mention Bush and it doesn't matter if little Johnny will never be seen again. The last time such people were so paraylized by an ideology was Nazi Germany. Ooops, too much truth here, I doubt this will be posted.

Francis Townsend is a hack. Making this news item blown out proportion. I live downtown and wasn't affected.

Get a real job like the rest of us Francis.

The city officials of NY were notified in advance that this was going to take place. Sounds like NY needs work on communicating with the public.
But instead we get the never ending whining of the right wingnuts.

Why don't the GOP hacks just put this behind them, not focus on the past, turn the page, it is time to move on?

Oh, almost forgot, that talk is reserved for senior members of their party are under scrutiny for the torture other human beings – – hypocrites!

Get over it, New York. If you lived in the Middle East, you'd have something to be afraid of... Every day and night. Not nearly as terrifying as what Wall Street did to the rest of the world. Tough up!

Why use NY for your photo backdrop,,,,,,,,,,since the officials of NY are to stupid to pass on the information to inform the citizens of NY, don't do your photo opts there anymore, come on out to Oklahoma we will appriciate it and not complain....

That is BO nation for you, they don't care what they do to the nation at all!

Anyone else notice that whenever the Obama administration does something monumentally stupid, CNN either locks the comments on the original story or pushes it to the bottom of the ticker? Then, they lead the ticker with comments from a member of the Bush administration regarding the incident so liberals can rant and rave about the last 8 years hoping that everyone will forget that this administration royally screwed up.

What's wrong CNN, Dick Cheney wasn't available for comment?

I do not think that what this White House Official did was criminal but it was incredibly stupid. I don't know if I would fire him but I do think that he should be made aware that he is walking on that “18 million cracked Hillary Clinton ceiling“.

I think the idea may not have been a bad idea if people had been made aware of the flight in advance so as not to cause a problem. If it appeared that there was going to be a problem then the site of the photo shoot should have been changed.

I think that if the Official in charged is to be admonished in anyway, it should be up to the President and I would accept his decision on the matter. Consider that this person does work for him and the decision to punish is his and not ours as the American Public.

It wasn't the brightest move to do what they did, but if there is anything we can say it is that the Bush regime should be an expert on it is criminal stupidity, so for once I guess they are right.

The incompetence of this administration is staggering! And we're only at the 100 day mark too.

It's not a felony, but it was really stupid. For those of you who think it was ok and up to the NY authoritities to dispel the chaos, you are truely clueless.

Whoever thought this would be acceptable is a moron. Especially those who feel it is ok after the fact.

Chelle "Oh right – cuz nothing Obama's team does it right…never ever ever…."
He does a great job at spending money!
Arnie "Water board” been safe for the last 8 years Arnie?
The poor comments made on the people of NYC- how can you be so insensitive- has 9/11 become of joke?
The lives that were lost that day- doesn't that mean anything- the fallen men and woman that died trying to save the victims of that tragic day- those of you around the world that stood in front of the TV screens all day long trying to find some answer to a senseless act.
How would you react to have the most traumatic experience of your life replayed only to find out afterwards it was a hoax.
Have we Americans become so insensitive to our neighbors and to ourselves?
We are Americans living in the greatest country in the world (why else would people die to come here)
We stand tuff and we stand together. WE are allowing parties to divide us as a nation-
UNITED WE STAND- DIVIDED WE FALL.
Unity is the key to stand firm in togetherness

Displaying on White House teleprompter this morning.
Message #1: "Fly by of Air Force One over NY was greeted by cheering crowds and I, the chosen one, take full credit for this display of American pride.

Message #2: "(Skip Message #1) Fly by of Air Force One over NY was greeted by mass fear and anger and I, the chosen one, had no idea of this incident and I am furious.

I say stone him and let those without sin which appearintly is the entire Bush administration through the first stone!

Since CNN is known to be in the center on all issues political, its quite interesting to see that the people who comment here are vastly in support of the new administration. I dont go to MSNBC or Fox News because they are both biased. But I got to say, if CNN represents the middle, this new administration has more support than we think. The President Obama haters are so heavily out numbered on here its not even funny. Take a look at the comments and see. For every one anti comment, there are at least 10 in favor comments. No wonder President Obama's approval rating is so high. Good job Mr President and happy 100 days !!!!

Initially, I didn't think it was all that bad. Then I thought what I'd have said had Bush been in office. The truth is that this was stupid, unnecessary, and insensitive. The president needs to fire whomever approved this.

Ah Obama lovers unite.... If the previous adminstration did this you would be calling for impeachment. Just more Duplicitous Democrat Doubletalk.

Hey if this adminstation is so "worried" about the "environment" why did they fly a nearly empty 747 around for a "picture"?

What is the Great Algore's position on this? He should be screaming about Carbon offsetting for this "photo op"

Its interesting to watch former Bush administration officials take pot shots at the Obama Administration considering that they were at the wheel on 9-11-2001 and played a large role in many of the problems that the Obama adminstration is now tasked with.

Yes, the decision to conduct a photo op in lowe Manhattan was a poor one. The decision to alert local agencies but not disclose to the public even worse. Should the official authorizing the photo op be fired? I don't know. I can go either way on that one. SHould the call for resignation come from member's on Bush's peanut gallery? Absolutely not.

It was incredibly stupid. Makes one shake one's head in wonder. Did they miss the news that planes flew into NYC buildings? Beyond that, please tell me why we need now, or why we needed in the past, photo ops of these planes/??

Obama said "it was a mistake, it won't happen again". Obama and this administration has been a mistake. Obama has used more 'teflon' in his first 100 days then 'Slick Willie' Clinton did in 8 years.

THIS administration does not make mistakes! I'm sure there was a good reason for this fly-over. Obama and God work in mysterious ways. You guys can't comprehend the benefit of what he does. It wasn't stupid, it was brilliant!!!

It is kind of funny having this type of outrage. No one here is giving president credits for admitting as an adult that it was a mistake. Now, when ex-president Bush was asked if he did any mistake during his presidency, he could not come up with one. And, we all know what the final results of such behavior were. l agree with what the person did was stupid, yet for people to be up in arm for this, l think is hypocrisy. Where were you people when we went to an unjust war, which cost us billions and thousands of life. l bet none of you raised your voice in dissent. Shame on us. CNN stop moderating my remarks forever.

Remember, all you neo-idiots out there, it is YOU who support the attitude that if a president does it, it is by definition not criminal.....so it should be but a small step for you to accept that if a president does it, it is by definition not stupid.

There is no question that this incident was: bad/stupid/unnecessary/you-choose-the-word......but it is downright hypocritical for a Bush administration official, of all people, to claim that he can now recognize criminal stupidity in the current administration, after IGNORING or even TAKING PART in the abject and continual stupidity coming out of the Bush admistration.

The amount of delusion and hypocrisy it takes to be a card carrying GOPer these day is just stunning.

NYPD officials and bureaucrats never told Mayor Bloomberg. Maybe the Federal Government was testing the NYPD, to see if it's loyalties were with the Federal Government or NY.

Sadly, I think this shows the attitude of most of the people who were not in NYC or DC on 9/11/2001... it's just a date that caused alot of inconvenience and nothing more.

While this wasn't the best move, it seems that there was a communication breakdown. The appropriate authorities were notified. How they chose to diseminate the information was on them. If they chose to not notify the general public, they must have had a reason (security concerns perhaps?). But that anyone from the bush misadministration would call it "felony stupid" is just pathetic on their part.

I agree it was the height of stupidity, but at least put the blame where it belongs. Good grief, this Obama, Republican bashing is way out of hand. How about the mayor of New York's underlings that didn't bother to tell Bloomberg about it? They were informed so they should share some of the blame here. Maybe some heads should roll both in the DOD and mayor's office.

I don't think it was that big a deal. You can clearly see it has a military escort. I guess people living in New York City are a bunch of pansies. They used to be tougher than that. When the Tube in London was bombed, people rode on it they very next day.

I don't know why the local media wasn't informed. For security reasons? For an empty plane?

As far as the fuel cost, please.... This is a drop in the bucket compared to how much is burned in a single day by our airlines.

What really gets me is the many Republicans singing the "poor pitiful us" tune day in and day out on this and other boards.. So ill treated by a cruel fate and a "brainless" electorate that elected someone other than their guy. So unfairly treated by the biased "liberal media." Blah, blah blah and bladee blah blah blah! This GOP brand of victimhood is nauseating in the extreme.

Townsend, get over yourself already.
Mistakes happened, don't you ever made any mistakes.
And since you were a former advisor for Bushes, you knew how's that take us!

My advise to you..either keep your opinion to yourself or leaves town!
you & yours Bush administrations is now a bad part of history, and it should stay that way!

As a New Yorker, Caldera should be Fired, the Folks that knew in New York and failed to tell Bloomberg should be Fired as well, this was Gross Negligence on the part of sensitivity!! Townsend should Shut Up also!! It has been 8yrs, I haven't gone to an AirPort, muchless to set foot on a plane.

I'm afraid I must agree. This was cruelty at an unimaginable level. Someone needs to be hosewhipped. PUBLICLY.

First off, the overwhelming majority of people saying "get a grip", "people are overreacting" or "it was just a plane" etc ARE NOT NEW YORKERS! On 9/11 they saw the planes crashing into the World Trade Center only on their TV screens, so it might as well have been a movie to them. It was no movie to us.

As New Yorkers we are sophisticated and savvy. You can't live in a fast paced and complex city like this and freak out over little things. A plane flying 1000 feet overhead is no little thing. 1000 feet is an altitude LOWER than many of our skyscrapers.

Although the Obama administration must take the heat for this, let's stop acting like morons. Anyone with even half a brain would know that neither George Bush nor Barack Obama had anything to do with this, so please cut all the partisan crap. This was something decided on by members of the Department of Defense. Every single decision does not get escalated to the president for him to weigh in on...that's why you have an entire department of people to make decisions.

That anyone would think this was a good idea is astounding in and of itself; that a committee would actually approve it beggars belief.
Francis Townsend hit the nail on the head when she described it "felony stupidity".

The plane didn't need to be flown over the grand canyon either. It is a complete waste of money. Just photoshop air force one into a great photo of new York or any other scenery. I can do it for $9.95 or less.

I hope people are getting their resumes in order, because there should be some job openings coming up in New York and DC.

Funny stuff, Paranoid and delusional, Whats the tif w/New York?We aren't waiting for 747s anymore, We are waiting for dirty bombs and bios.Lets all freak out at the drop of a hat cause you know that will help any situation come to a clear,concise, and favorable outcome.
To error is human and to do it constantly is Washington DC. America is getting short changed by all these groups of so called leaders who obviously have jokingly superior decision making skills. I move for a vote of no confidence not because I'm against the current administration,It is alot better than the previous,I'm against the status quo of the whole thing in general, If they had any kind of honor,imagination,or initiative among their ranks we would all be living the American dream instead of running because one of our own planes just happens to fly by. Whaaaa

I suppose you all would like to be notified of Air Force One's every move?
Did anyone think that this was kept under wraps because of the highly sensitive nature of the President's plane?
Honestly, I live in New York, and It would have taken me 5 seconds to realize that this was Air Force One, and that there was no threat. It would have been very exciting to see, I might add.
Even if you didn't realize that it was the President's plane, the fact that it was being closely tailed by an F-16 should be quite enough to make you feel at ease. Do these idiots honestly believe an F-16 is going to sit there and tail a terrorist hijacked plane while it slams into something? Of course not.
It is embarrassing to hear reports of people crying and running. Typical New Yorkers, though, only concerned about themselves and their feelings at any given moment.

Felony stupidity is ignoring reports entitled "Planes Likely To Be Used As Weapons" and then sitting with My Pet Goat in your lap on 9/11 instead of jumping up and handling it like a man.

... but who's counting?

The Defense Department is run by a Republican. I wouldn't doubt if it were purposeful to make Obama look bad at the 100 day. However, the WH sanctioned it, so this is what they get. They should have told the media so everyone would know that it was not an attack. I am a staunch suppporter of Obama but I think Caldera should be fired.

Felony Stupidity says Homeland Security Advisor to Bush? So, uh, what would you call letting THREE planes crash into buildings then? I would call it THREE THOUSAND TIMES WORSE! (Actually infinity, because ZERO people died when this plane flew low. Last time this guy was tested. This is the guy that allowed THREE LOW FLYING PLANES hit buildings, and a fourth would have it weren't for the brave CIVILIANS doing HIS job for him).

Pot.......Kettle.......Black

I don't know why anyone is amazed at this latest boneheaded stunt, read the 911 report, the only agency that seemed to have any credibility was the workers at the FAA(I exclude the management of the FAA), all other agencies with burecrates at the helm failed us. I am sure that any emergency will show us once again that only what we as individuals do ourselves will have any affect as to how we will come out of the situation. Nero fiddled while Rome burned....

Typical Obama. It's his office....and he leaves some staffer hanging out to dry for this stupidity. Take responsibility for your actions for once.

If this happened under President Bush, a prosecutor would already have been appointed by Dems in Congress and Jack Cafferty would have called for Bush's impeachment – again.

It was stupid and whoever thought it was a good idea should probably be omitted, but "felony stupidity?" This is like the pot calling the kettle black coming from an administration whose stupid blunders are legend. I'm thinking Terry Schiavo, Katrina, Sarah Palin, Abu Ghraib, Dick Cheney and his legacy of war and torture to name just a few...the reasons I am no longer a Republican.

To: anyone who brings up the 'mission accomplished'

The captain of the Navy ship had that banner put up. Bush was unaware.

CNN ran that story weeks ago.

Learn something.

ok all I am seeing is people still bashing the bush adm. ok he made alot of silly mistakes, what the story is about even before Townsend made coments is about the fly over. The people of New York were scared having flash backs. If you weren't there sure its not big deal but if you were there when the towers went down you MAY have been scared of the fly over. Obama may not have ordered the fly over sure, but it happened and he is in charge and he will and needs to take the blame just like bush did. bush may have gotten bad info or had a bad administration but like all of you you blame him so guess what Obama is in charge and people will blame him So get use to it!

I don't care who you voted for. I voted for Obama, but this shows gross neglegence on the part of the administration.

Either they allowed this to happen, which means they lack any connection with the people of New York and what a low flying plane means to them; or the didn't know it was happening, which show that a serious disconnect between Cabinet officials.

Either way, this situation is completely unacceptable.

Has anyone considered the fact that our government wasted many thousands of taxpayer dollars just to have a new picture of the stupid plane??? Regardless of your politics, this is a ridiculous waste of money! How much does it cost to fuel up the 747 and the F-16? How much are we paying the military folks who were flying those planes? This all adds up to a lot of wasted money for something that could have easily been created with Photoshop by someone who knows what they are doing!

All you Democrats... Just, Stop, and imagine what you would be typing if the Bush Administration had made this mistake...

I was going to type a few examples but this speaks for itself.

I love the way people justify stupidity in the obama administration by saying, "but Bush did this or that!" rather than admit their guy is all campaigning and no substance.

How many times have we heard this excuse already. It's getting old. Seems like at least 100 times which would make100 mistakes in his first 100 days.

No surprise there. when all you can do is photo ops and travel and read a teleprompter, (wasn't that hilarious how he stumbled when the teleprompter had problems yesterday! LOL!!!).

Flying a 747 at such a low level and being chased by a military jet over lower Manhattan! What in the world were they thinking! That was an inexcusable event at so many levels. It does seem that our Gov’t is being run by a bunch of teenagers!

i haven't watched tv in 4 days and i was in the dark on this until someone asked me about it yesterday.....something doesn't feel right here and someone needs to be fired. President Obama needs to fire some people for this stupidity...

People running in fear from an airplane. What's next, cowering in caves when there's a thunderstorm?

New Yorkers (and Americans in general) are turning into a nation of cowards.

Remember when Boston went into a panic over a bunch of artistically placed Lite-Brites?

At the very least the approver should have to perform cummunity service. They are obviously out-of-touch with the common people.

reading the outrage expressed in previous comments, even 'insane' is too mild of a word to describe this moronic act...EVERYONE responsible for this should be fired, poste haste...'authorities' were notified? WHAT ABOUT THE CITIZENS ON THE STREET? as a mere 'photo shoot' why not broadcast it several days before it happened...and...AND...another thing..if this was merely a photo shoot to update photos of the presidents Airplane...like the residents of NYC DON'T KNOW WHAT A 747 IS!!! DUH. its a big country and there were certainly other areas of the country where this photo shoot could have taken place..perhaps in Wyoming...or Midland Texas? wouldn't it be interesting to see Cheney or the moron head for cover!!!,

Well, of course the ObstructiPubs will be all over this flying over Manhattan story.

I think it was a stupid move. But it might have some positive consequences, such as

How well did New Yorkers respond to this "crisis?" Panic or did they have a PLAN? The best plan would be to insure that you have WALKING SHOES in your desk. Remember all those women walking for miles barefoot while carrying four-inch high heel shoes after 9/11 and the electrical blackout ?

How would the military have handled this plane if it hadn't been a posed military plan? Would the F-16's have been there in time?

townsend uses the word "felony"?????realy?

Now a true "felony" would probably be better used in the same sentance as Stephen A. Cambone.... Did you read the declasified copies under the FOIA of Rumsfield to Stephen Cambone on the afternoon of 9-11-2001, or the notes that used to be "top-secret" concerning the cover -up of Iraq war plans on 9-11 ?????????
.....................................WOW.........................................................................
After reading all this..................ms. townsend.......where you also involved?..............if so...................this is realy jail type info...............if the congressional committee looks into all this........the wrist cuffs may be jingling.

Total over reaction by supposed adults acting like 8 year olds.

I live in Dallas, do you think we all duck when a car backfires?

Get a grip NYers your supposed to be tough, remember?

This was just stupid no matter how you spin it. It was a stupid idea to do it in the first place, and stupid of NYC not to notify the citizens, and the comments from both the Obama haters and the Obama worshipers are stupid. The President had nothing to do with this. And 'Felony Stupidity' is a bit over the top. I think the botched handling of Katrina was Felony Stupidity, but agree that Caldera should be let go.

I'm sure we've all made stupid decisions at one time or another but this just has to be one of the most idiotic ever! Stupid to do this...stupid to waste money this way...and even more stupid to fail to notify people who would have been in a position to say "NO! This is stupid!"

Even more stupid than "Mission Accomplished!" I'm not surprise at the President's anger.

to: "Photo ops is the Democratic central platform"

"mission accomplished."

yeah, good luck with that comment...

With the current Administration it’s all “about me” so the they could have photo shopped it but hey it’s “me” blow some more tax dollars.

Step 1. Determine what the problem was.

Step 2. If possible, find a way to blame Bush.

Step 3. If you can't blame Bush, blame Bush anyway.

Step 4. Go to Step 1.

Stop pointing the finger elsewhere to divert attention from what the Obama staff did wrong. What part of flying a plane, without warning, low over New York after what happened to the Towers sounds like a good idea? Doing that for a photo-op is beyond irresponsible and insensitive. It felt almost like a threat. Perhaps it is just Obama's almost complete lack of experience and poor staff picks.

I am upset that we are burning all that fuel over NYC and increasing our carbon footprint.

Obama fan cheat sheet:

Was it something bad? The Great Obama could not have possibly known about it. And it might have been caused by racism.

Was it anything good? Obama was personally responsible and can take all the credit. All praise to Obama.

And this was decided by the same government that wants to manage our health care and banks?

This has to be one of the greatest waste of taxpayer dollars that I've ever heard. Not only did it create a media firestorm, but for what purpose? A photo-op? I'm sure any graphic artist could use Adobe Photshop to create any special effect the White House would desire for Air Force One. Grand Canyon, New York, Effel Tower, Big Ben, Sydney Opera House, consider it done.

Why did they need to fly the plane over NYC? This phot could have been done on the computer.

Funny. It looks like two can play at the accuser game.

Perhaps if the previous administration had worked toward calmness and healing instead of constantly fanning the flames of fear and anger, this would be the non-event, non-issue it deserves to be.

Maybe not the greatest judgement ever displayed but not felony stupidity. This is the president's plane-it would be bad to advertise a low fly by, such that every America hating jerk would try to blind the pilot with laser pointers or take potshots at the plane. Worse yet, how about those shoulder mounted grenades etc? Weren't we all concerned of one blowing TWA flight 800 out of the air??

Also to those who say it should be photoshopped-when the picture would be released, the same folks would say "well if the white house photoshops a pic of Air-Force one in front of Lady Liberty, what else will they cover up?"

There were plenty of good reasons NOT to notify the public of this event.

Am i reading all of these posts correctly?

"Yeah, that move was dumb and stupid"
"But Bush and dumber and stupider!!!"

Real mature... I feel like I'm at a middle school dance

What's the problem? From what I have been reading on many past posts there is nothing to worry about ever terrorism from the skies, it was all the Bush Administration fostering FEAR, why so scared now? Can't have it both ways....

As usual, CNN deletes my comments. I guess they don't want the opinion of any Conservative, save for those that make the Right side look like a bunch of retards. Meanwhile the Left is completely free to say anything they want.

Thanks for the biased journalism and the biased forum filters, CNN. I can't wait for the Obama Administration to turn on you and censor you into Oblivion.

Yes it was a bad decision but what does she have to say about an administration she was a integral part of that approved TORTURE..........Shut up, you had your chance to right a wrong and speak up and you did not.................

Obviously the Obama administration was testing New Yorkers with this little experiment. Yes, they sure have forgotten about 9/11 when it comes to voting but when they see a plane flying low, they once again remember.

Imagine if Bush did this, I mean compare the reaction of the media and all the libs with Obama doing this and think about if Bush did it. If you ever vote Democrat after that or even remotely put a little bit of integrity into your mind when a lib is barking its commands at you, then you should seek professional help.

First, I don't blame "Obama"! so get over it!!!!!!!!! What I am so sick & tired of is the one who "screws up royally" says..."I take full responsibility for this". Well fine.......I am glad you do, so what is the consequence for your actions. Nothing!!!! Louis Caldera, who took full responsibility SHOULD BE FIRED......Obama, please get rid of all the "stupids" surrounding you.

I can only say "Mission Accomplished". I'm not really sure there is anybody left in the old Bush administration that can actually speak with any voice of credibility after what this country has been put through in the last 8 years. This woman, whoever she is, really needs to find another job, one she is better suited for.

"Sacred ground" is a stupid answer in itself. The real reason for not allowing such a flight is that this would alarm a great many people in Manhattan. At the very least prior warnings should have been up in the city and Mayor Bloomberg should have been told.

It's easy to figure out. Of course they thought of alerting the public about this photo op. They chose not to because it would jeopardize the aircraft by announcing where it would be at a specific time.

It takes a genius to come up with a plan of flying a jet at that low altitude over NYC for a photo-op. What is CG for these days? No wonder President Obama is furious.

With the present economic and environmental situation to waste tons of jet fuel for a photo opportunity is not acceptable. Not to mention the strange choice of location. Obama would understand this clearly.

I think someone is trying to embarrass the new President, perhaps covertly. They should get bto the bottom of this quickly.

being a bush aid was felony stupidity...........

What's with the name calling??? Are they so lacking in social graces that they can't make an opposing statement that dosen't sound like 3rd graders on a playground???

I for one am sick and tired of holding New Yorkers' hand. It's time to put on your Big Girl and Big Boy panties and show some grit. Do they all sleet with nite lights and Teddy Bears? As a country we are truly trying to do everthing to see that 9/11 dosen't happen again.

So stop whinning and join the rest of the nation all of you , Republicians, NY citizens, NY Senators, NY Mayor, and NY Representatives!!!!

Oh, one more comment to the Republicans. Any deaths reported due to this flyover incident? Anyone report a heart attack, even? If not, then we have to go back to the Iraqi War which you want to justify by saying Saddam Hussein killed thousands of his people who disagreed with him, so we had to take the guy out. Warlords in Africa have been killing millions of their people, since forever, so why aren't we over there starting wars. These guys use machetes. We could have easily overtaken African tyrrants, but, Bush didn't care about those people. He only cared about Iraqis?? Does "oil" make sense to anyone out there?

Funny, had it been F-16s there would have not been an uproar. Instead they're upset because Air Force One, one of the most recognizable aircraft in the world flew too low? Puhlease...

You know, when the feds notified the NY authorities about the plans for this photo op, did they mention "hey, that might not be a good idea, it could scare a lot of folks who where there on 9/11″? And to you folks who think that the President knows of EVERY activity that goes on at the White House, you're delusional. Y'all were saying that the President doesn't know every detail when Reagan's staff was selling arms to an enemy of the state to circumvent Congress, so how is it different now?

This was a mistake plain and simple. Even though he did alert a few officials, it was insensive and the people of New York deserved an apology. Having said that, how many of us would be out of a job if we were fired for making a mistake? She needs to calm down and stop trying to make everything a political issue. And just as a side note, one can only assume that "fella from Chicago"and "Kathy" pray their daily prayers to Obama since they insist on calling him the holy one and messiah. I on the other pray my prayers to Jesus. President Obama is my president, not my God......we Americans pray for him; not to him. Your ignorance is appalling.

Why would anyone expect anything BUT stupidity from this administration?

This was very stupid. I wish the guy would resign. But, he is certainly learning a lesson he won't soon forget.

Ms. Townsend, mmm, Worked in Bush White House. Sure you should call for all responsible job, or maybe we aught to "Torture" them first. That's more your speed.

Given what went on the past eight years, isn't this a case of "The pot calling the Kettle black"? (No racial intent) Bush made mistakes, everyone makes mistakes. A few people scared, which "SUCKS" to say the least, let's get over it.

By the way weren't a White House lawyer, mmm, Torture???

You know, when the feds notified the NY authorities about the plans for this photo op, did they mention "hey, that might not be a good idea, it could scare a lot of folks who where there on 9/11"? And to you foks who think that the President knows of EVERY activity that goes on at the White House, you're delusional. Y'all were saying that the President doesn't know every detail when Reagan's staff was selling arms to an enemy of the state to circumvent Congress, so how is it different now?

I am a Dem but this was stupid. I two hours from NYC and lost friends on 9/11. The guy from NM has no clue therefore no credibility. New Yorkers are the most resilient but yesterday's display was irresponsible, insensitive, moronic, idiotic and so on. The more I see of this administration and what it does or doesnt do scares me that I made the wrong pull on election day. I cant help but think all we did was elect a rock star and his roadies. I hope stuff like this and empty cabinet positions arent just the beginning of something worst for me and my kids.

Looking good – speaking good – photo ops - television shows – [ress conferences - negative ads - radio addresses – overseas junkets – this is the hallmark signature of the Oblamo Administration – Tax, borrow, and spend the nation into oblivion.

Long live Comrade Obama and the Socialist States of America

Relax and chill people. They accomplished what they intended, made you scared. The media which is influenced by the government continues to hammer down upon us all the negative's and not the positive. Look at the terror going on in other countries, we don't have those problems here thanks to the Bush Admin. Did anything happen? Then drop it and move on to more important issues like homelessness in the United States or something.

Agreed that someone used bad judgment, but the former security person is using equally bad judgment in her wording. Get a life, lady!

I think the fly by and photo op was a great idea, but poorly planned. Air Force One and the Statue of Liberty would make a very patriotic photo. Add in some air force jets, and it's the spirit of America. However, New Yorkers should have been advised. This should have been promoted in a positive way, and people would have enjoyed watching it....felt that tinge of patriotism.

They freak over this, but have no reaction to real threats from the Bushies like torture, financial incompetence, doing away with Constitutional rights for all Americans, especially minorities, on and on and on. Get a life. How long will New Yorkers play out the victim role for 9/11? It's over. Relax and pay attention to today's REAL threats! Don't give "enemies" the satisfaction of reacting!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED..........now that was something stupid!
people need to get over themselves and stop whining about everything and anything that the democratic party does.
the republicans are making fools of themselves and i am sure the world around us is laughing at the stupidity of their ignorant actions on everything the president does or says.
the republican party will never become a leadership party as long as this nonsense continues.
republicans lost the election ,it is time they realized this and shut up!!

I live right outside of DC – work close to the Pentagon and we have had photo ops with large planes and fighters, just like in NY. Now, it was annonced on TV and the newspaper that it would happen, but I am sure not everybody saw it, and I don't think anybody got frantic. We looked up and admired the planes.

Photoshop guys, Photoshop!

It's a bird; it's a plane, it's a Presidential plane. What's the big deal? People were made so scared while Dick Cheney and Bush were in office that they react to a fly by like the end of time came without being informed.

Anyone looking up would have known it's one of the planes used by the President. How in God's name would a terrorist get hold of that plane is beyond me. Too much fear and making a mountain out of a mole hill.

And for all of you left-wing extremists, what we have here is equal opportunity stupidity.

At least our current President both admits and learns from his mistakes. Isn't all this phony outrage over every excuse they can find, from right, getting a little tiring? They don't care about America, just that they are not in power anymore.

just how much money and wasted jet fuel did this photo op cost, sending an empty Air Force One plane up for a picture

Speaking of "felony stupidity", how about that war Bush and Chaney started to protect us from weapons of mass distruction that didn't exist? This is by their own admission, which they think sounds less culpable than the truth, which is that they lied. If stupidity really were a felony, the entire Bush White House would be serving hard time.

What's the problem Republicans? I don't see any problem. Get over it. The headline should read Again the GOP brings up something stupid to stir up negativity in the current administration.

Thank GOD a former Bush official was here to tell us how the White House screwed up. If any administration was expert at "felony stupidity", it would be Bush's. Look, Bushies, you're done. Go away. We don't need you to tell us this was stupid. We know it was stupid. Tremendously stupid. But someone from YOUR administration coming out to tell us that it was stupid only serves to remind us that your boss was the KING OF STUPID.

Oh i love the defenders of Obama's administration. Im sure if this were done on Bush's watch they would be screaming for his head on a platter. Oh wait they already do.

Whoever cooked this up or allowed it is not competent to command military assets. Sack them. As high as it goes. This is not a game. Many folks were injured yesterday evacuating waterfront buildings in NYC and Jersey City.

And to those who ask why it wasn't publicized by NYC – please have a few facts before expressing an opinion – Obama's man ordered secrecy.

And of course, once again....the all-powerful Obama claims he knew nothing about this. But this is what you get when you elect an amateur community organizer into office.

If this is felony stupidity, what do you call homeland security's handling of Katrina?

This is not a political thing, it is merely a stupid, and reckless descision. It needs to be reported, discussed, corrected and if in the end it tells us something about the current administration, we need to know...

The FAA once again using very poor judgment (like not demanding reinforced cockpit doors on commercial passengers jets years and years before 9/11/01 because it cost too much money to the airlines? How much did the destruction of the World Trade Centers cost this country? Answer that one, FAA!

Obama needs to fire this guy Caldera. I seriously suspect his judgment in not making this fly-over public in NYC, not even notifying the Mayor? Government bureacracy at its worst. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I am sure our President would never have approved of this stunt had he been informed about it beforehand. The man has much more common sense than this blunder exhibited.

Bush and Cheney committed a felony act by fraudulently sending our brave troops to war....That's worst than stupidity....It's criminal...The fallout happened in NY because appropriate officials neglecting to prepare the public. Shut the hell up about the President....If stupidity were a crime we'd all be in jail......Enough of the labeling and finger pointing...And Hannity is becoming more idiotic each day...

The topic is about the photo-op mishap for Air-Force One...how then is it that so many of you keep bringing up Bush and his administration? To all of the Dimocrats out there, Bush is no longer President...let it go. I know you all hate him more than anyone else in history, but this is not a healthy habit you have. Stop bashing Bush and start being critical of the current administration. I know that will be difficult since Obambi can do no wrong (Heck, they could have flown that plane into a building and you guys would have stuck up for him). Please, for the love of God...stop with Bush. You guys sound so ridiculous.

Every time Fran Townsend opens her mouth, she's guilty of felony stupidity.

Bush and Cheney are the felons – let's not forget that.

This is just more stupidity from the Oblamo Administration – incompetence is their signature – blame the other guy is their mantra – Tax, borrow, and spend is their rallying cry.

Obama's people are spending taxpayer money like drunken sailors.
Felony stupid -- how about just stupid and incompetent.

You people are obviously not new yorkers. If you had 9/11 happen in your city and saw the misery it brought, you would feel the same way those people did. They thought they were under attack again. Whoever was involved in this should lose their jobs. Don't make this a partisan event. It was a terribly wrong thing to do.

I'd call the World Trade Center a crime scene that hasn't been fully investigated more then sacred ground. Sacred connotates something religious occuring there. Which didn't. But flying a commercial jet like that in the area without notice luckily didn't cause wide spread panic. Who ever called that play is an idiot.

ever heard of photo shop?

Question: How fast can you dumb New York City liberals run? Good practice for the next 911 as you now have Obama...more concerned about rights of terrorists than your sfaety

who cares? If Obama sneezes the Republicans call him names and make a show of it. Hello we are in the middle of a health emergency can we please talk about that! Or maybe something Republicans don't want to talk about like those pesky torture memos. hmmmmm.....

Yes, like we should listen to anything a "former Bush aide" has to say. You guys did an excellent job the last eight year. Shut up and go away!

Whom ever ordered this flight plan should be quickly delt with by the military, so that we can focus back on the more important issue of bringing the Bush/ Cheney group to trial.

it was a mistake. He asked for forgiveness. Lets not be too quick to be critical. Nobody is without fault.

Guilty as charged! What a bunch of boneheads!

A former Bush employee saying someone isn't fit to serve is so right, that someone being herself along with the rest of the Bush administration.

I don't think President Obama knew about this fly over, but it does show how poor his staff is with the vetting process before they hire another staff member. There have been too many poor hires in the past 100 days.

Of all the awful things Bush did, this is what this nitwit is mad about? I agree it was a dumb idea, but seriously, it's over with. Move on.

Obama needs to get his circus in order...

Absurd over-reaction...

Why can't there be a reaction from democrats that doesn't always have to go back and blame Bush for something? Didn't your mother teach you two wrongs don't make a right? Either consider this flyover a stupid idea or not but let's quit with the yes it might have been wrong BUT Bush.. or it might have been wrong BUT Cheney.... I thought Obama wanted you moving forward into the future. Have you tuned him out already too? You certainly don't practice what he preaches.

It was just dumb.

Dude should be let go.

could have PHOTO-SHOPPED this and saved a TON of money ... and anxiety.

This so much worse and stupid than invading a sovereign nation without the slightest bit of provocation! Oh wait ... no it's not!

even when a totally stupid thing like flying the presidents plane over nyc happens, the obama lover always seem to go back to anything and everything the is bush. i think all of you people are ignorant fools and when i read your rants i wonder if you people are that ignorant in real life or just on blogs. was doing a low fly by a bad idea, YES. was it bushes fault, NO. are there already existing pictures of this, YES. are obama and bush lover ignorant *sses, YES. all of you people need to get a job and get offline.

Dear Obama,

YOU and Air Force ONE can fly over my HOUSE anytime. I would love to take a picture of Air Force One. Itd' be an HONOR.

Exactly, someone with this level of responsibility that leaves his brain at home should find a new job.

The Bush White House hardly has the right to call anyone stupid! History will be the judge of both administrations and so far, the Bush Administration is not looking to hot.

Let me get this straight. Low flying aircraft over NY is a "felony".
Lying about weapons of mass destruction that gets 10's of thousands killed....not.

How dramatic a "felony stupidity". Wonder if the GOP idea factory thought up that catch phrase. Let's just concentrate on the feloneous acts by the Bush administration that could land them in prison for war crimes and torture.

Did anyone get bombed or were showered with bullets? If not, I dont care if Obama flies over, under or around a bridge. Did he fall from the sky and landed in your backyarnd? If not, WHO CARES!! There are more dangerous things.

Aside from the crass insensitivity of flying over Lower Manhattan. Consider also the cost of flying AF-1. Reportedly $68K per hour. Can't this money be better spent elsewhere? It may not seem like a lot of money to the Federal Government. But, that's an annual salary for a lot of Americans. Americans that help to fund this type of irresponsible stupidity.

Caldera should show good judgment and resign before the President shows his good judgment and FIRES HIM!

I don't believe Obama could manage a McDonald's.
Total lack of any experience, but we're to follow him
blindly out of the wilderness!

Why does Obama want to terrify us?

I tend to think a felony is invading Iraq for no reason other than to "get revenge" for Daddy...for royally messing up on Katrina, especially in the cases of the good folks in the 9th Ward....ask them, they'll tell you...or how about letting Dick Cheney run the country from a secret bunker? Karl Rove. Now there is a felony.

Need I go on?

Stupid yes, but not anywhere near as stupid as GW Bush snoozing in the White House when real terrorists slammed into the WTC, or when a real hurricane devastated an American city, or when Wall St went hog wild with no supervision.

let's put things in perspective here shall we?

I can understand the anxiety about a plane flying low over Manhatten, however for Ms. Townsend to call for the firing of a Official is quite appalling!!!

Considering that back 2003 or 04 a military plane that was out on manovers decided to shoot into a civilian elementary school, thank goodness it was on a weekend when there were no one there. But I never heard a peep on that from the Rightwing Puppy Kickers!

Pot calling the Kettle Black again!

It was really poor judgement.

But, had they used photo manipulation with Photoshop or any other application, the Republicans would be shrieking about dishonesty.

The hate Obama crowd, aka the righteous few, will spin a birthday party for one of the Obama children into something sinister. If you doubt that think of how the "fist bump" between Michele and Barack was turned into a signal for sleeper cells. That's why only the conservative base pays any attention to the conservative base.

This administration is one goof after another. Stupid and wasteful. Think about all the wasteful things we never hear about. This was just one of many blatant idiotic things our government does for absolutely no good purpose.

yawn. yet another overblown non-issue from republicans. I can't wait until tomorrow when they get outraged over the president's choice of tie or what the White House serves for dinner (they've already been outraged by that once, though, when the WH served a nice steak one night). And, they wonder why they're slipping into obscurity.

It has been reported that the President did NOT know about this, and I believe heads will roll. I am a New Yorker and was only a few miles away on 9/11. I understand the fear. But I also believe the President when he says he never knew and never approved this. He has taken responsibility for every issue, there is no reason to avoid this.

Coming from a loyal Bushie, wow

Feloney Stupidity? Francis Townsend needs to look back on her years with the Bush administration. She and her counterparts are guilty of far worse things than a low flying plane. Let's start with telling americans to have enough plastic wrap for the windows in the homes to keep chemical weapons out. The list of stupid mistakes from the Bush years is endless.

FIrst of all, doesn't "former Bush official" = "felony stupidity"? Anyone involved in that administration needs to disappear from public speaking.

Secondly...yeah, someone needs to get fired over this one. Whoever made that decision is an idiot.

Hey guys "don't keep an eye on the extended hand of this Whitehouse, watch the hand behind the back". We are in for deep trouble w/these cohorts and their Chicago buds.
Jane J
Nevada

You know ... I really, really, really don't care about this. A stupid decision in hindsight–yes. But not something that was worth even a fraction of the hot air spewed out about it.

I agree that Obama should not be blamed, however.....there seems to be a lot of apologizing going on in his administration. Even HE feels the need to apologize. That's what his whole trip was about just recently. Apologize to the world for America. We're a bunch of losers. I would like to see him get rid of the dead weight and pull in some people who know what they are doing. I'd start with a social secretary to advise him on protocol and then continue on with some financial people who actually know what they are doing.

It was a bad decision not to inform the public about this stunt but
To the GOP here is your another distraction, go ahead and put out critics and call for Obama impeachment on anything.
You guys crack me up every day.

Why are Republicans incapable of (justified) criticism regarding the flyover without turning the poor judgment into an act of near treason by the Obama administration?

Indeed, Limbaugh the bully is their anointed leader.

I do not think very many people think this was a good idea. But why do we have to hear from this Bush Lady?

The difference between the Bush and Obama administrations:

In the Bush administration, when a jet flies over lower Manhattan thousands of people die.

In the Obama administration, when a jet flies over lower Manhattan some extreme partisan Republicans get their underwear in a bunch.

It was stupid... and it was ridiculous. But for anyone in the Bush administration to make these comments is even more ridiculous. Bush's entire administration is mired in felony and stupidity, from his dumb speeches to his lack of action during Katrina. How did New Orleans feel when they saw Air Force One flying overhead, with a President not doing anything to help them?

Not to justify the error of unintentionally scaring New Yorkers, in order to get a photo-op, but how does that compare to intentionally scaring the nation, time and time again for politically motivated purposes? The past eight years we were told that if the Bush/Cheney administration was challenged or even questioned, our national security would be in jeopardy. Critics were accused of putting our nation at risk of another terrorist attack. We were told that violation of our civil liberties were a necessary price to pay in the "war on terror". We saw heightened security "codes" prior to elections. It is necessary to put yesterday's mistaken fly-over in perspective.

The entire administration will do anything for a photo op!!! I think they all spend too much time trying to be seen and too little time dealing with real issues. I for one have seen enough of the whole crew. No more photo ops... PLEASE!!!

Wow – The right wing nutjobs are out in force here. C'mon, it's not like Obama started a war based on lies and incompetence or wiped out our economy...

Incredibly irresponsible, yes...but 'felony stupid?" Uh, that would be the Bush administration. Quick making a big deal out of nothing. Sheesh!

The experience of Obama is showing to the high heavens from day one. A novice at a time like this will give us debt to our great great grandhcildren. Good teleprompter reader "yes", stupid when it comes to economy and other matters.
Jack Carlson
WA

It was just another diversionary tactic this administration is very capable of creating. Everybody was starting to close in on Pelosi (who is clearly suffering from Alzheimer's), so they had to do something, anything, to get the heat off of her. I think Obama watched the Trade Center fall on TV with his friends in a cave in Afghanistan. Pretty soon, we will have to start apologizing to the Muslims for 9/11.

Well, the previous administration has a pretty good view of what constitutes a felony, that is for sure!

Can't beleive people are bringing in torture into this. At least Bush tortured terrorist not New Yorkers

Yes, it was stupid but honestly people are overreacting. But there are more important things to worry about. Like the economy, and the validated reports of support for torture.

What do you expect from an administration that shows no critical thinking skills? Intelligence?

If she doesn't look like a prototype GOPer mannequin, then I don't know what would.

But George W. Bush sending U.S. troops to war in Iraq over "weapons of mass destruction" with NO CREDIBLE EVIDENCE was NOT feloniously stupid??? I recommend Ms. Townsend prioritize her concerns based on actual outcomes. Wait, that would require reason and logic. Nevermind . . .

Profoundly stupid. How in the world could anyone have thought that this was a good idea?

I've no idea if Obama new or not. I suspect not, but that really doesn't matter. When people say "White House" decision, they think Obama, rightly or wrongly. As such, he has he duty to either ask Louis Caldera for his resignation or, if Caldera doesn't tender his resignation, fire him.

This is just another attempt by the looser GOP to take a shot at Obama. The Republicians ought to get a clue: noone is listening to you; you are yesterday's news; get off the air waves and take a hunting trip with Dick Cheney.

Total over reaction

Agreed. Caldera should be fired for this incident. And if anyone knows "felony stupid" it's a former Bush aide.

A government plane loaded with foreign fuel, purchased with money borrowed from China, and then used to terrorize New Yorkers = fiscal responsibility.

Give me a break! Mr. Caldera should have known of the potential for opposition to this. Yes, notify the authorities, and FOLLOW UP on that notification! The people that were notified also have some culability in this manner. The ultimate responsibility, however, falls upon the shoulders of Mr. Louis Caldera, he is no longer employed by the US government.

Of course President Obama didn't know about this. Rahm did, and he is the liitle jerk that is seriously guiding Barrack Obama to a single term.

Notwithstanding the poor judgement of the White House official - A NYC deputy police commissioner knew about it in advance, but the department did not alert the mayor's office? Makes you really wonder about the city's ability to communicate with itself in a real emergency!!

I must say that the flying of a jumbo jet over Manhattan shows not only gross insensitivity to the survivors of September 11th, it also betrays a serious tone of indifference on what happened in Manhattan when jets last flew overhead.

Of course, this shouldn't surprise anyone. The Obama administration has made it plain that they don't believe terrorism really exists. They think terrorists are just misunderstood random criminals who should be given an audience, not hunted down like the rabid animals they truly are.

Leave it to a former Bush advisor to describe to us what a "felony" is.

I wouldnt be saying that word too loudly if I were him, or any other former Bush appointee/friend/hanger-on/whatever....

If any administration was expert at "felony stupidity", it would be the Bushies.

The President of the United States does not deal with the organization of photo sessions. This was the idea of some PR person not too bright and totally devoid of empathy. You find people like that in every organization.

It is also somewhat unethical of some republicans to try to exploit this type of incident.

The State of NY and the City of NYC are notified in advance, yet its the WH fault for ...not... notifying the people?.... How does that make any sense? It was stupid, but the blame lies in NYC not the WH.

Either way, the GOP will pounce on anything. Doesn't matter what the new president does, they are against it.

My definition of felony stupidity is anybody who is afraid of Air Force One.

If Bush was in office when this happened, you liberals would be pitching a fit!

This was stupid and a HUGE waste of money!

The White House authorized this; and they tell us they care about saving money; give me break!

And don't tell me that the great one didn't know about this; pls give me more credit than that.

Well if anyone knows about felony stupidity, it would certainly be a former Bush official.

No, "felony stupidity" would be something like starting up a war without justification, based on lies to the American people. Now that's stupidity people really DO need to serve some time for.

Or maybe "felony stupidity" would be something like torturing prisoners at Gitmo to say that Al Quida and Iraq were connected - to match the lies told to the American people.

Anybody connected with the Bush administration should lay low these days because you really ARE guilty of "felony stupidity" - or worse!

Ever heard of PhotoShop?

Sadly in this country, stupidity is not a crime and it is often encouraged or celebrated

I don't think that we should blame Barrak Obama for this stupid flight, but we should investigate who made the decision and why and think about firing that individual.

It was a dumb mistake yes, and at best a bad-press mishap. But I think everyone is overreacting here. No one got hurt. It's surely not a just cause for the overdramatic responses by some people. Are people just looking for ways to criticize the Obama administration?

In the immortal words of Dick Cheney, "So?".

Ahh the bittersweet taste of republican hate. It's lovely on toasted rye! Yeah it was pretty silly, but hey, lets just jump on the "blame Obama because he knew all about it, Hell it was his idea!" boat. You people should have to take a test before you post on public forums.

Man, this is almost as dumb as landing on a warship with a "Mission Accomplished" banner.

FIRE THE S.O.B......How DARE he/she put US through this panic
mode.......again! If he/she isn't smart enough to "think things through", WE DON'T NEED THEM MAKING ANY DECISIONS. PERIOD!

Ummm ... folks .. the LAST time a 747 or the like was flying low over the city ... the plane had to ditch in the Hudson .... and the time before that, a small private plane crashed into an apartment building ... and lest we forget ... It was a couple of 737 or 747's that brought the Twin Towers down on 9-11-01.

People ... the folks of NYC have been repeatedly terrified by aircraft in their air space and if a BONEHEADED move by the junior Rangers in the White House scares the daylights out of them ... I'm going to cut New Yorkers just a little slack.

And the junior Rangers in the White House??? Uh .. not so much!

Why did we need to have this photo taken in the first place. Stupid on two counts..........The President does not need to surround himself with poor decision makers......This is not an overreaction. We are adults, but even adults should be considerate of others......

planes fly low all the time over downtown jacksonville, even military planes with weapons....i look up, but i dont freak out, and i know the same history as everyone else... i dont know, i guess i just dont get it. people can feel however they want to, but i think the GOP wants to make this a bigger deal than it really is... now that trend is going to send me into a panic.. that whenever things go bad , we can be sure that republicans will be there to magnify any situation... ugh.. i can feel my heart racing now........

oh get over it... WHO CARES?

Reading all these comments sadden me no end. First Obama I am sure knew nothing about this since it falls under normal white house operations and the president does no approve everything that goes on.

Second I saw the second plane hit the WTC. I watched both buildings fall, move on yes... forget never. Two aircraft paralized one the greatest cities on this earth on that faithful day. There is no way I will ever ignore an aircraft flying so low near NYC ever again. So to all those who say it was nothing you know not what you speak.

Third Caldera had better be fired. Give me a picture of the plane and using any number of photo programs I could put it anywhere in the world! In the current ecomonic crisis and drive to reduce depenency on oil he approves the use of thousands of pounds of fuel to get a picture to update a web page?!!!! Old fashioned Wastington waste at its worst.

Remove those responsible. Not a big deal. Not nearly as big a deal as a ruthless dictator killing and starving his poeple. Luckily Bush had the perserverance to remove Saddam from power. Thank you for your service President Bush.

If anybody needs to point fingers...they need to point to the direction in which the request came from. It was not Caldera's idea...he approved a request. So was this a request by the White House PR group? To this president image is everything. Was this a photo-op for the president to be seen "guarding the sky" over New York? Sounds like that Obama arrogance to me. Style or substance. It's just unbelievable that no one knew how much panic this would cause people.

Republicans live to be afraid.They are natural born fear mongers.

This is a perfect example of why Republicans are getting little or no respect these days. There the Repubs sit at the ready to pounce on every misstep the Democrats make, no matter how trite. While this is an example of where a lighter "sentence" would suffice, oh no - someone of the out-of-power party just smolders until they perceive a chance to bloody their opponents. So what is their gain? Nothing, except the bitterness just continues to grow until it reaches the point of no return. And one more bitter comment and that will be IT!

I agree this incident showed Caldera's bad judgment, but please let's not fetishize lower Manhattan as some sort of holy ground. It's still a bustling urban commercial center.

Just shows the Obama admin doesnt understand 9/11. Heck that is just as bonehead as "Mission Accomplished".

Well, if anyone were an expert on felonies and stupidity, it would have to be one of the employees of the former administration.

Get a grip. This was not the president's fault and he will adress this lapse in judgement accordingly. It is amazing what repubs want to complain about after 8 years of what surely has been 'felony stupidity'.

How amazingly stupid and irresponsible of all parties involved! Not to mention the Tax payers $$ to fly all of these aircraft for a photo Shoot- Man we should be pissed off! I guess the government hasn't heard of PHOTOSHOP to update file pictures of the plane? How about saving the over 100K in gas and expenses, all of the panic it caused and the impact on the environment to burn all that gas by taking a static picture of the freaking plane and then having someone photoshop it over the NY skyline! Freaking idiots!
Uhhh... class action lawsuit?

Over 4000 of our military killed in an illegal war and all our money used to rebuild THAT country when our own country was going down the tubes – that's how you spell FELONY STUPID.

Typical conservative – ignore all the war crimes perpetrated by George Bush and then get hysterical when an underling in the Obama Administration does something stupid but with much less long-term damage.

So, this wasn't the best moment for the Obama staff, but the local authorities were notified, weren't they? Then they were told by the FAA to NOT tell anyone. What kind of terminal stupidity is that? In what possible twisted logic would it seem like it was not a good idea to let the locals know about a big plane flying over their city?

A few phone calls, and the whole problem would have been averted. Someone should lose their job at the FAA.

This was a stupid thing to do.Caldera probably should leave the post. Its one thing to make a honest, but harmless mistake, it is quit another have a presidential plane fly right over Manhattan causing terror in the process.

And just because she was apart of the Bush Administration that doesn't mean she herself is stupid. Stretches in logic don't help in the defense of the person who permitted this.

It's ridiculous for our government to waste money on something like this. It's probably for some TV ad promoting liberalism. Take it out of B.O.'s salary.

Sorry. No leftover from the Bush days gets to call the present administration "supid." Those are the rules.

And if anybody's an expert on both stupidity and felonies, it's Bush's old cronies.

I have an idea! Lets care about something stupid like this while we ignore the actual problems in the world!

Thomas, it might have just been an airplane as you say but you get to help pay for the stupid flyover that could have been done on a computer screen. Enjoy your government.

It was totally stupid, no question about it.

But the difference in Obama and Bush is that the Obama White House immediately came out and apologized for the screw up. Bush belongs to that crowd of entitled upper crusters who think that they should never apologize for anything directly because it would make them look weak .... so they just say something amorphous like "if anyone was offended, we are sorry", or "it is possible that we might do things differently the next time."

The complains about the poor judgement used by the Department of Deefense over NYC, while legitimate, pale in comparison to the many, many other things we as Americans should be outraged about. A hemorrhage of borrowed billions for the invasion and occupation of Iraq, the thousands of Americans dead there, the wretched state of employment in America, illegal immigration, our honor in the eyes of the world, and the economic downturn are all so much more important than this low-flying plane incident.

When compared to these issues, the flyover yesterday (which the President's office wasn't responsible for) just seems needlessly contrary. It presents as opportunistic, partisan quibbling.

Awww....Poor Americans. Scared of everything now. What a way to live.

Give the Democrats a break, they are the party of ignorance. This is what you have to expect from this administration for the next four years.

America voted for this, you are getting what you deserve.

Maybe it's because I'm not a New Yorker, but I don't see what the fuss is about.

I agree that it was stupid. But please, I don't care to know what the Bush people think or do not think at this point ! They have done far worse. Like .... waterboarding ???

"And, frankly, as I would say as a former prosecutor, I would call this felony stupidity,"

Felony stupid? A former Bush adminstration aide? I would not even say that word out loud if I had anything to do with the former president.

There is no doubt this "photo op" idea should have been handled better than it was; but burnt pots should not go around calling steaming kettles black.

Anything that the Obama Camp does seems to be up for scrutiny. I dont live in NYC, so I will not speak to their sensitivites. However; what I want to know, is where were all you loud mouths, when Bush was running this country straight into the ground? I think while thousands have lost their lives in a created war by Bush, that his former cabinet would be REALLY QUIET about "felony stupidity".

I know the families of those lost in Iraq, LOVE those Mission Accomplish photos of Former President Bush.

Broadcasting the fear of those people only fuels what the terrorists were trying to accomplish on 9/11. Do you think the terrorist groups show videos of their own people running for their lives? I doubt it. I agree the flight should have never happened, but I also believe this story should have never happened either. It's time for journalists to focus on the many STRENGTHS of the United States, not it's weaknesses.

well, it's stupid for the officials to fly air force one over NY to get a photo.
Have they heard of Photoshop?
Fly it over some airport, take a picture and photoshop the picture over NY picture. Done.
It's stupid official that is burning our money for stupid things.
that's why we own chinese trillions.
I can do this picture from existing picture from google pictures alone
in an hour.
Now that just show you how stupid is government officials and how low is their IT skills!!!
does not matter republician or democrates... they rule over bunch of retards.

Now that I think about it, this could have been such a great opportunity and a confidence and morale booster and source of pride for New Yorkers had it been properly communicated and treated as a special event. Too bad it was botched. I'm sorry for those who were terrified by it, but it is not Obama's fault.

But for some one from the former Bush Administration calling what happened a "Felony Stupid" move, shouldn't be so quick to talk. The Justice Department has a few words they want to talk to them about authorizing illegal torture practices. Then there's that stint with Hurricane Katrina, the War in Iraq, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Abu Graib, the list goes on.

Republicans calling the someone Felony Stupid – and what would you call illegal torture practices. Repubicans are so so quick and cricizing and thing President Obama do and I wish President Obama wasn't so soft on the Repubicans and bring crimical charges aganist the Bush err.

Was this dumb yes..........But a Bush official saying this is a felony yet they invade Iraq, send our soldiers to jail for following their orders and that is OK..............These Bushies all need to SHUT UP

I think someone forgot that something happened back in 2001. A very pre-9/11 mentality.

[...] If there's one thing former Bush advisors know, it's "felony stupidity". [...]

So much for Obama and his saving tax payers. Flys around in Air Force 1 for no good reason, $$. Allows stupid flyovers to occur over NY, $$. His spending... Priceless. Our savings....0.

Oh really? And what would you call an unlawful invasion of a sovereign nation who posed absolutely no threat to anyone, created instability and a political vacuum filled by jihadists and terror elements, tortured captives in violation of international law, and allowed unfettered capitalism to run rampant to ultimately destroy our economy? All Bush cronies should shut the hell up before we decide to seek justice and throw the lot of you in jail.

Crass insensitivity and felony stupidity are rather conservative statements representing one of the most ridiculous acts ever. Watch the home videos of people running scared and read about those New Yorkers traumatized by the actual event, running down flights of stairs from high rises in absolute fear.
The person or persons responsible for this bit of stupidity at the very least should be fired.

Does anyone one of you OB supporter know how much it cost to fly just the Air Force One in 2004 it was $57,000.00 an hour. Now that was in2004. I do blam Ob he new about it also why should we have to cut back and Goverment keeps on spending. OB is going to St Louis
Wednesday for a Town Hall I thought he already won. It's only been three months God Pray for all of us and more for the babies our President has no problem killing

Looks like Obama might be telling America that get ready! My friends are coming to town!

To all the morons blaming Obama for this, it will probably take you 4 years just like the Republicans in congress to get over the fact that there is a black family in the whitehouse. This is what it all boils down to. I am not racist but the fact that Obama is in the whitehouse is upsetting so many of you. Maybe therapy may help.

Taking out the POTUS's Jet and having a Ferris Buler moment .... priceless

I agree, it was ridiculously stupid, but not nearly as stupid as torture and Iraq!

I think these people are over reacting.

It was just an airplane.

I could understand someone being concerned, perhaps even nervious. But going into a panic because an airplane?

What a pathetic way to live your lives. Get a grip on yourselves. Just seeing an airplane flying low over a city (and it was not all THAT low) should not cause you to panic.

Are we not adults?

I have little doubt that everyone involved including President Obama knew of this and for some unknown reason did not think this would be a bid deal. It demonstrates poor judgement and a total lack of insensitivity to those in the New York area. Someone needs to be fired for this.

Why panic people and waste money for a picture. They should have just used Photoshop.

Funny how Bloomberg, a former Dem now mascerading as a GOPer, claims that even though someone in his office was informed ahead of time, he wasn't told and word didn't get out or around to the public so that nobody panicked…

Reality check: if they had informed the public, people would have left their buildings so they could watch and this would have gone off as a neat little diversion from work. Instead, the failure to alert people, despite knowing it was coming, is what turned it into a scare.

If you believe that the holy one didn't know I'd like to sell you some ocean front property in Kansas. And for the person that is complaining about poor Obama getting treated so bad and that Bush didn't. They must not of watched TV for the last 8 years. Obama will never keep this country safe because he's a coward. He was never in the military to even know what wars are like.

Not only was this incredibly stupid but also very expensive. Scared the heck out of New Yorkers and cost the taxpayers a pile of money. Someone should be out of a job.

Fear not. Obama has expressed his love for terrorists and his concern for their safety. What about yours???

While I agree with Townsend that this decision wasn't the best anyone's ever made, I don't think Mr. Caldera should completely shoulder the blame, as the local authorities never bothered to alert local media of the impending photo shoot. Furthermore, this whole tirade screams of opportunism. Mr. Townsend and his ilk salivate at the opportunity to exascerbate outrage at any perceived lapse in judgement by this administration. If the new dog digs a hole in the South Lawn, then it's the OBAMA administration who's guilty of defacing park grounds. I'm over it already.

This plan was not well thought out, and I understand why people in New York were upset, but to call it "felony stupidity" is beyond a joke. Felony stupidity would be ordering White House attorneys to legally justify torture because a special investigator was getting too close to the truth in the Plame investigation. Felony stupidity would be telling Brownie he was doing a heck of a job when people were dying in New Orleans. Felony stupidity would be lying to the American people in order to gain support for a war that has drained our economy, and our credibility in the world. Felony stupidity would be electing Bush the second time.

If I had been a member of the Bush administration, I would not say the word felony out loud.

Not to say this photo op was not a dumb thing to do, but does anyone except the most rabid Republican really believe that Obama was involved in the decision. Maybe the President has more important things on his desk.

Funny how Bloomberg, a former Dem now mascerading as a GOPer, claims that even though someone in his office was informed ahead of time, he wasn't told and word didn't get out or around to the public so that nobody panicked...

Haven't they heard of Photoshop?

So Obama is outraged. Is it the same way he was outraged about the AIG bonuses once the public found out even though he had already known about it.

Terrorists are laughing at how afraid we still are about a plane flying over Manhattan. Even if it was not handled perfectly –get a grip people, and stop giving them exactly what they want. Acknowledging my discomfort at seeing the footage of the low-flying plane that landed in the river, and acknowlegding that I am not a New Yorker and did not personally go through the experience of 9/11, it gives me some sense of victory and comfort to see the President's plane flying over the area.

Stupid, yes... felony, no way... its a double-edge sword. Its no different than not broadcasting to the masses a particular route the president might take to a speaking engagement or other photo-op, they did right by alerting the authorities, it was up to them at that point to answer the calls that came in and dispel the hysteria. I understand the sensitivity of low flying planes around NY skyline, but come on, if America was that traumatized, someone with the name Barak Hussein Obama could never have been elected POTUS just seven short years after 9/11!?! The man is a political novice, of course there are going to be mistakes... presuming that if we play nice the rest of the world will act in kind, for example... but if flying a presidential plane around NY is worst thing his advisors convince him is the ok to do, then maybe things aren't going to be that bad. Little mistakes like this remind us he is after all human, not a demigod or the Second Coming! Juvenile mistake... a haircut on the runway-type mistake. Signing over our kids to the UN, now that would be something to get all riled up about. If I was him though I would be ticked at the person that thought this might be a good idea in the first place. Let's wait to see the finished product before we get mad, and just how much did this thirty minute fly-by cost the taxpayers?!? Break out the Lipton!

Townsend is over-reacting BIG time. I can see why New Yorkers are upset, but not why Townsend feels the need to blow this out of proportion and suggest that Caldera step down.

again the obama administration shows us their arogrance when it comes to security for the USA. and if this was the bush administration that did this there would be accusations flying all over cnn/msnbc about how stupid this was...good thing it only cost us about 100,000 for gas and another 50-60,000 for lost wages/productivity but that is ok we can afford this

It was a blunder guys! The guy responsible for it actually held himself totally accountable (now that's a refreshing concept!) and apologized for it. He took full responsibility.

However, being a New Yorker, I would say that if anybody screwed up BIG TIME it was the city of New York! Caldera notified every authority in the state that he needed to notify. NY should have taken the 'ball' and notified it's citizens. I would think the office of Mayor B. should've made that call.

By the way Townsend, after the beautiful way you guys handled Katrina, I'd shut up about using the word 'felony'.

if a plane scares the whole city and people start demanding apologies for taking a picture, then the terrorist have really won. We are so terrified that ordinary mundane tasks now take on a sinister tone. We are at war and this obsession over this picture taking exercise makes us look weak and foolish. How do you win a war? divide and conquer. Wake up people we are already divided.

Incredibly poor judgement and he has probably not paid his income taxes either....he absolutely is qualified to be a Democrat.

Felony stupidity is invading Iraq under false pretenses.

Wow! This touched a nerve from the Liberal Left. Darn, somebody in the Messiah's administration did something stupid; right behind the Dems who passed the stimulus bill leaving our children's children in debt, accelerated the war in Afghanistan, released CIA memos that has compromised our agents lives across the world and kissed up to enemies who have sworn to murder Americans whenever they have the chance. In hindsight, maybe the above stunt wasn't all that bad.

I can tell you this: Blood is going to run heavily in the White House after this episode, more so since it come at President Obama's 100 day milestone. The last thing he needs right now is something gievously stupid to happen right now.

But for some one from the former Bush Administration calling what happened a "Felony Stupid" move, shouldn't be so quick to talk. The Justice Department has a few words they want to talk to them about authorizing illegal torture practices. Then there's that stint with Hurricane Katrina, the War in Iraq, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Abu Graib, the list goes on.

I voted for Obama and support him in his efforts. However, Louis Caldera, the Director of the White House Military Office, should be FIRED for this STUPID stunt.

I don't blame the people of NY for being in an uproar over this and he should not be in a position that would allow him to make decisions like this.

I am an Obama supporter, and yes, I agree, this was a big mistake. But anyone who tries to paint Obama and his entire administration on the basis of this one incident is simply showing that they are just looking for excuses to not support this President.

Mistakes get made in every administration. The question is, will that administration admit their mistakes, learn from them, and work to prevent them in the future. This one is already doing that with this incident. I cannot say the same happened in the last administration.

So, none of the elites in our government knew that the White House was using Manhatten for a photo-op for a low-flying presidential plane? That's a real tight ship they run in DC these days.

We already knew this to be true, but this puts a stamp on the fact that certain people in the government have little empathy for those that experienced the horrors of 9/11.

I see, if it was a success Obama is a hero, but since it wasn't, we don't blame Obama for this or any other blunder/mistake. When will people wake up he is not God.

Anyone else find it funny when this administration screws up, they cry "Bush's fault."

News Flash, Bush is not president anymore. So Obama should stop campaigning and start working.

Yeah, it was stupid, but if there is any "felony stupidity" accusations going around, just look at the Bush administration. What would you rather have, a screw up like post Katrina or a fly over.

I find it incomprehensible that the DOD staged this event. I'm sorry that the people of New York had to re-live what was the worst event in many of their lives. Why the secrecy, did the government think that people wouldn't notice a 747 sweeping through their city? With all the media gushing about the president's first 100 days, I can't help but think that this was an attempt to have a "hip" photo taken by the most "arrogant" president I can ever remember. I am "sorry" for him, residents of New York.

While it was insensitive, the FAA and Department of Defense let numerous people know, including the office of the governor. I feel like it was partly their responsibility to pass on the information to New York City officials and then the public.

Yes, a blunder, but really? Does it need this much attention? Seems slightly trivial to me.

If this is a felony.How about telling the truth about 9-11 or all the things your former boss in the name of patriotism.. may be that qualifies for a trip to the Hague!!

if anyone would know what felony stupidity was, it's someone who worked in the bush administration ! that was 8 years of felony stupidity. i wonder if he mentioned the words felony stupidity to bush and cheney when they wanted to start a trillion dollar war in a country that had not attacked us. i wonder if he mentioned felony stupidity when that same bush administration doctored the truth to make a case for invading iraq.. i wonder if he mentioned felony stupidity as the republican congress and bush continued to deregulate and lose complete oversight over the banking industry, leading us to the greatest financial disaster since the great depression. my guess is, Townsend was guilty of felony stupidity for NOT seeing the disaster the bush administration was while he was working in it...

With all due respect to those who lost friends and family (of whom I am a member), NYC needs to get over itself.

The appropriate agencies were notified by the WH, and the Mayor has only himself to blame for not having in place the further notifications that would have been appropriate. This was a, internal NYC problem, not a WH problem.

Who cares what a former Bush Administration employee thinks this was an administration that invaded IRAQ who had nothing to do with 9/11....look at the thousands that lost their lives because of GW so don't lecture anyone about anything.....

Stupid... yes! But let's get over it. Planes fly low all the time, all over this country. This photo-op is no where near the "Stupidity" level of Bush's flight deck photo-op of "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED". At least this photo-op didn't tie up precious military resources or cost the tax payers a ton of money like Bush did. GET OVER IT!!!!

As a former Bush aide I'm sure she was exposed to PLENTY of felony stupid stuff up close and personal in the past admin.

She's irrelevant. Who cares what she thinks.

Communication break-down between people that received the notices and their bosses – NYC needs to let someone go for withholding that info from the Mayor and the citizens.

If stupid decisions are felonies, the entire Bush administration is going away for life.

i agree that Caldera should be fired. talk about a "bad call".

OTOH...someone from the Bush admin calling out "felony stupidity"? pot, meet kettle.

Yes it was dumb but Bush and his people were stupid every day . And Townsend should shut up already. She is only good for one thing and we could guess what that is.

I was standing on Vessey Street directly under Tower 1 on 9/11 while it was burning and then saw the second plane slam into the second tower. I thought I was going to die. I know the fear the people felt standing in lower Manhattan yesterday – No one is making a "ridiculously big deal" about this – it was a more than a stupid mistake and Caldera should step down.

Oh, yeah, and Bush was really a bastion of intellectual superiority.

As an Obama supporter I agree this was in poor taste and not thought through. That being said I also know that it was not approved directly by the POTUS and was a poor decision made by an appointee

Why Blame President Obama you Lemmings He had Nothing to do with it and the Former Bush Aide just got done working for the Most Corrupt law Breaking Administration In History so SHUT IT!

Yes, it was stupid, but the FAA and even NYPD knew about it. Had they bothered to inform the public, then all would be fine.

But to blame Obama...come on, grow up you republican idiots.

Also, people need to stop looking at the previous admins screw-ups in an attempt to justify new and unrelated screw-ups in the Obama admin. Own it. I have been on earth a long time and I can clearly tell you that NO one has taken my steps for me, I have taken every one my self. So own it.

So, if it does cost taxpayers $50,000 an hour to operate this jet do people really think Obama and his staff care? It's not money out of their pocket, it's money out of ours.

And, how is this earth friendly Obama and Gore? Nothing like leaving your carbon footprint once again on something that's just a waste!

"Felony stupidity" is the best wrap-up I've read yet for the entire Bush/Cheney eight year long fiasco that America will take decades to recover from.

Did I miss something? The State of New York and the City of New York were notified well in advance and they did not let the people of Manhattan know and somehow it is the Whitehouse's fault????? Why aren't the former Bushies coming down on the Governor's office and Mayor's office TOO??????? Oh right – cuz nothing Obama's team does it right...never ever ever....

Any former Bush official who dares to criticize anything are felony stupid. Read Jack,s commentary. Your country is in its current serious decline because of Townsend and all other Bush officials. The entire period of the Bush era was criminal. Torturers are in no position to criticize anything. CNN has far too many ex Bush officials on its payroll has shifted to the right and is complicit in the bush administrations criminality by giving people like Townsend a platform.

Thank you Commenters for pointing out the total lack of news to this story, the complete overreaction of New Yorkers, the laughable attempt by the "Right" to make an issue of this, and the discrepancy between the response of this administration and what would likely have been the response of he previous administration. That CNN would even talk to Francis Townsend about this...well, I guess her words WERE good for a laugh.

Whoever authorized this should be fired. I no longer work in NY, but I did on 9/11. Anytime I hear a plane, I find myself double checking the plane. I can only imagine what the people in Lower Manhattan thought.

Felony stupidity, thy name is GW Bush

The fact that Caldera apparently did not even consider that this would distress New Yorkers is evidence of his unfitness for his role. He should be given a few days to resign, and if he does not he should be fired.

I voted for the POTUS and am an Independent and I am LIVID about it becuase of the waste in tax dollars at a time when many are struggling. They can photoshop for pennies and everyone would understand why. The second part of my frustration is with the New York government not informing the Public. But if the admin had addressed the Root Cause WASTEFULL SPENDING, the the second would be non existant. TAKE HEED President Obama, take heed! You are going to have to stay on your admin 24/7

And the conservative are felony stupidity!! Every little thing Obama administration does is criticized, stripped apart and diagnosed. It was a photo op. It is not the first time and not the last time. So, stop crying conservatives and here's your bottle!! LOL. Too bad Bush did not get this type of treatment and maybe our country would not be in the toilet!!

stupid for the plane photo op

stupid for the whole 8 years

Obama is mad for the cameras. Let's all blame the Bush administration.

Some folks don't know how to think outside the box. There are a million attractive locations to photo shot Air Force One with F-16s in formation. Besides, what's wrong with the current photo of Air Force One flying over Mt. Rushmore? Did the Presidential aircraft fleet get new airplanes? Geesh...what a waste of fuel and money. Not to mention upsetting the american public for someone's stupdity.

Not suprising that Obama is p–sed then, eh? Of course, let's not let an opportunity go by to try to twist everything into something he can be blamed anbd criticized for, right GOPers? Honestly, if you guys had a clue, you'd not continue to take every opportunity yo think you see to turn something into a massive ordeal...you look like morons trumping this up into something it's not.

former bush aide calls out "felony stupidity?"
hysterical! i hope he was referring to the past eight years

If Bush's people are calling this a felonious decision and event, which I somewhat agree with, how about charging deserved felonies to all of Bush's cronies for all of the illegal (and immoral) decisions and events they made and did? Scaring an entire city that was scarred by the 9/11 events? Yes, jail-worthy. Starting a war of choice, and torturing people (regardless of guilt or innocence) is certainly a lot more jail-worthy.

How ignorant. What else are we in for?

Wow, what a stupid stunt. You would think they would have put the word out about the fly over. I guess Obama and his sheep still don't believe 9/11 really happened.

Caldera should resign or be fired.

And this Bush toady should step away from the TV cameras and await the subpoena for her own felonious stupidity and criminality.

Well it could be worse, someone could have started a war under false pretenses.

If Obama's administration spits on the pavement it will be a big deal. It was insensitive and stupid. They apologized now get over it.

Yes, the boys at 1600 Pennsylvania just aren't very bright, popular but just not bright.

And they are going to do what to improve the economy?

The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight, Part Deux.

Just another distraction by the GOP. 911 happen almost 8 yrs. ago. time to move on or the terrorist have already won. the GOP wants to continue using 911 to fear people into choosing their party. The party of fear/hate/obstructionism. We the people need to stand up and say no to the GOP and to the terrorist: we will not be afraid and allow a plane flying over NYC to make us fearful anymore. It is time to move on or get help if you are still fearful whenever a plane flays over NYC.

I admit, the "photo op" was a very bad on several fronts, but for Townshend to call this "felony stupidity" is a blunder in it's own right. Let's see...response to Katrina (remember "W"'s photo op...from Air Force One?), the fighter jet landing on the aircraft (Mission Accomplished!), the traveling tractor trailers full of ice that never made it to the Katrina vicitims? Here's one... how about the temporary homes that no one could live in because of the chemcal fumes.

I think Townsend should shut his mouth. His department committed a number of "felony stupidity" acts on their watch. Some of which there will be congressional hearing for, eh, Mr. Townsend?

Yeah it was retardedly dumb, but seriously, the Republicans are making a ridiculously big deal out of this.

LOL! Pot, meet Kettle.

Considering that Townshend worked for the most incomptent and corrupt administration in history, she should probably just keep her trap shut.

Planes fly over New York under Obama and everybody lives. Planes fly over New York under Bush 3 thousand plus die.

Thanks Obama for keeping us safe!

I agree this was STUPID, the person whose idea this was should be fired.

Who cares what a former-Bushie thinks??

By the way, it was a Defense Department SANCTIONED photo op!

Obama is just mad because neither him nor his "seal" was visable in the pictures. Can't have a photo op without Obama's mug in it now can we?

Of course the city of New York should have notified the public. After all the state and the city were notified and they are the ones who didn't let the public know it was going to happen. Of course it was stupid.

Nobody know 'criminally stupid' like a Bush administrator.

I think this was more than sheer stupidity. This was some as yet unknown political stunt that didn't work out the way it was supposed to. This will reach the highest echelons. I would even bet that Obama was aware of it beforehand and gave his consent.

I call for special prosecutors to investigate this major blunder. It costs American Taxpayers $50,000 an hour for this jet to be operated. Then there was the lost productivity, since buildings were evacuated. Next time, photo shop in the Statue of Liberty!

New Yorkers have not forgotten the day they watched 2998 Americans murdered in front of their very eyes. It seems the liberals have.

How careless and irresponsible.

How much money did this updated photo cost? How much time and fuel was expended on something that can be done with photoshop on any PC? That is the criminal stupidity.

This is very disturbing.

I am a Republican, but I don't blame President Obama on this one. I am glad that he was mad about this. I can see why New Yorkers would fear a low flying plane. The person who did this is STUPID.