(CNN) - President Barack Obama said Tuesday that a "mix of human and systemic human failure" allowed a terror suspect to board a U.S. airliner in the botched bombing attempt on Christmas Day.
In a brief statement to reporters during his vacation in Hawaii, Obama said information on the suspect should have been sufficient to alert authorities to prevent him from getting on the Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Detroit, Michigan.
"A systemic failure has occurred and I consider that totally unacceptable," Obama said, adding that the breakdown was "a mix of human and systemic failure."
From CNN Politics
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Richard Reid the "shoebomber" was tried in Federal Court, had a lawyer and is now doing life. So why is this Nigerian punk any different?
Karl Rove was on Fox to say that Bush did it differently, when they did it exactly the same – federal criminal prosecution.
Playing politics with terrorism is what republicans do.
And just think.....these are the best ununionized dummies with low wages and bad benefits money can buy.....according to Republican Jim DeMint...
Stars and ends with your appointment of Janet to take care of US and the border.
This latest terrorist event has NOTHING to do with the Bush adminstration and EVERYTHING to do with the Obama administration! Specifically, I think it's past time Napolitano changed her attention from "right wing" groups to Islamic terrorist groups! After all, these are the groups that are trying to blow up airplanes and commit other heinous crimes against Americans! I'd call for her immediate firing for incompetence, but I know that this President would just replace her with someone just as inept!
Starts and ends with your appointment of Janet to take care of the US and its citizens and borders.
I thought Obama said that getting rid of the Bush policies would make us safer.
Yet we have the Ft. Hood masacare and the failed airliner bombing in Detroit and active and growing terrorist organizations all over the world.
So when will the change from the Bush policies to the Obama policies start to make us safer? When will the terrorists stop wanting to kill us because Obama is president?
The biggest systemic failure was the one that brought Barack Hussien Obama to the White House. God help us all.
Blah Blah Blah.
Still going to be president until 2016.
Get used to it. No one will forget Repubs Economy, New Orleans, and IRAQ.
Nor will they forget the Repubs refusal to come up with any policy that helps Americans.
Same ol Same.
Nice underwear bomb. It was a firecracker. Wow scary.
I guess you will find it "totally unacceptable" when an airplane blows up the White House. I'm sure the terrorists would love to do that. I hope it doesn't hit your teleprompter or you won't know what to say after that.
NO Kidding. The Obama administration has ended the war on terror, is persecuting our intelligence agents that kept us safe after 9/11, prosecuting Navy Seals because a murdering terrorist says they hit him, spending hundreds of millions to give murdering terrorists Circus trials in NYC and a world stage, billions to bring more murdering terrorists to the heartland of the U.S. so they can have million dollar defense attorney's, and Obama's administration's first reaction to this was "The System Worked"! I think the American people by now should have a pretty good idea what's not working?
Not to mention a lack of readily available non-invasive puff technology to test for explosive residues. The politically correct approach to identifying threats does not work. None of the new measures implemented at the airports will do anything to make air travel any safer and will only increase the discomfort associated with flying.
Bush waited SIX days before commenting after Richard Reid, the shoebomber, failed in his attempt to blow up an airliner.
The Bush administration prosecuted Reid in Federal Court and Reid had a lawyer. Reid is doing life in supermax Federal prison.
OK, Obama haters, what's different with the Nigerian scumbucket?
The World Trade Center was on Bush's watch. The mailings of poison powder letters in America was on Bush's watch. The shoe bomber was on Bush's watch. The current airport security measures were implemented on Bush's watch. But somehow this is ALL Obama's fault! Playing politics will not make us safe.
I don't know.....it borders on how far do we go.....I mean I'm sure people realize that underwear can be used to hide things..we know secret police all over the world use that...but when it comes to publicly boarding a plane....what does it come down to..strip searches? I think putting some burely football players on each flight with ready fist would have a better outcome....but that is not very loving either, is it?
What to do?
janet is not qulified to run home land security ,,, her state was like a funnel for illegals and drugs ,, get rid of her now..
Obama fears and nightmares-–SEIU-George Soros-Islam-Terrorist and losing in 2012 after less than a year in office....underqualified to be in government-that be he.
Seems like these terrorist cowards keep coming up with tactics we are not ready for....We can not blame the President for this...no way, now how...nor do I blame Bush...They want us dead...plain and simple and by any means necessary. I hate war but I'm all for bombing them now and ending their miserable lives–God bless them!!
The screening policies were developed under the Bush administration and haven't changed, I don't see how people can blame this on Obama. Now if he doesn't change the outdated and useless Bush policies then we can talk,
Let's blame this on Bush, Obummie. That seems to have worked with all the idiots in this country for the first year. If you keep crying about your lot in life, you might be able to fool the American idiots another year or two. Of course, when you give hand outs to all the sorry bums they will drink your kool-aid and follow you off a cliff. I.Q tests and proof of paying taxes should be a requirement to vote.
I meant to say..."we are NOW seeing the plans and maneuvers over several years coming to fruition!"
Funny, why did he speak again...it seems like he always has to do a second take! Maybe after listing to Fox and hearing what you should have done? Think about it...how many times has he had to redo?
In 40 years of watching politics I have never seen an administration with so many kneekumpoops! This would be comical if it weren't so scary!!
"A systemic failure has occurred and I consider that totally unacceptable"........Well guess what Mr. President so does the rest of America. Never had something like this occur in the seven years following 9-11. This is the most inept administration I've seen in years and there's been some pretty inept administration in the past.
I would like to remind everyone posting here that the 9/11 Commission (a bi-partisan group) made many recommendations to strengthen our security, specifically in regard to ports of entry (which includes airlines).
I would like to further remind you that the Bush Administration did not implement most of the suggestions.
It's obvious that Obama is covering up for the Republican party which is just delighted with a common -but unfortunate- human failure.
Get a grip and forget about our paranoia of fear !.
Gerry at Edmonton,Can.
Yeah there were failures; like the failures of the American people to realize they elected a complete baffoon like you. Tool.
is that he has no interest in terrorism or national security........if it has nothing to do with his socialist agenda, he views it as a nuisance.
ever closing Gitmo.......several Yeminis were released from Gitmo only to return to Yemen and take up arms against us again.......how stupid can we be?????
Appeasement, apologies and throwing money haven't worked have they Barry. That only works on the dope smokers and unions in this country. Don't blame it on Bush and Cheney. Try accepting some responsibility instead of acting like a democrat.
Blame someone else again Obama. We can always count on you to do that. Even though Bush kept us safe after 9/11, Obama tells us over and over again we were really not safer, we were actually less safe because of the Bush post 9/11 policies. Obama promised we would really be safer under his policies. So in a short period of time we get the Ft. Hood terrorist attack and the attack of a airliner in Detroit. How are we now safer under Obama? But Obama won't admit he has thus far failed to keep us safer than we were under Bush, he just finds someone or something else to blame.
Bush took Yemen off the terrorist watch list months before he left office. It's not Obamas fault....Blame it on Bush for this happening....As 9/11 was Bush's fault ......The repubs need to get their facts straight.
"Systemic Failure".... just another word for government ineptitude. Government employees have no concept of what a real job is, and don't take it seriously....they only care about their next paycheck. You will REALLY see "systemic failure" when so-called Health Care is implemented. Run by the same inept bureaucrats......
How about the fact that by treating him as a criminal you have made it so he gives no intel on the operation that got him to carry this out? He lawyers up. He is a terrorist and they had declared war on us in 98. I know the left says he has rights but when they do get it right and cause a devistating attack , the left will cry we more neeeded to be done to prevent it. He is a enemy combatant. Treat him as such.
This administration is a joke.
I still haven't heard what McCain would have done differently that would have prevented this guy from sneaking a bomb onto the plane. Anyone? Anyone? Didn't think so. It is not logical to say that Obama's policies led to this attack. As far as I can tell, there's not much daylight between Obama's terrorism policies and the Republicans'.
BO's bland response to this latest terrorist attack can only be explained by the fact he can't blame Bush.
America, what's happening to us! Even though this incident happened, divine intervention prevailed! I know everyone wants to blame someone, but I hope all of you at least thanked GOD for controlling this event. Even if you profess to not believe in HIM, some of us do. With that said, if each of us who do believe would pray more and realize that HE is real and offer up thanksgivings instead of looking at all the negativeness and pointing fingers. None of us know what really happened in this situation, but we were protected. And now that we are aware of the problem, now we can get it right!!! Stop complaining and start praying!!!!! GOD is real!!!
Obama is so clueless about terrorism. He just cares about his popularity around the world vs. the American people. This man isn't qualified to lead period.
Because of Bush the Obama administration is slacking off on being strong on homeland security. The family reported the son as being a danger in August of 2009 and nothing was done by homeland security to keep him from flying.
This is Obama's fault. He should have realized that the current TSA structure the was formulated under Bush needed a cold hard look BEFORE it failed. Obama didn't do that. After the president's speech the difference between the president and Bush is plainly clear. Obama come the the people, explains what happend, what went right, but more importantly shows what went wrong. He has no fear of the issues. He takes the lessons learned from them and make changes. Bush spent his time lying to the people or attempting to blame anyone else he could.
Republicans please, please, stop playing politics with our national security! The electorate are intelligent enough to appreciate what is going on.
Pres. Obama knows how to identify problems, speak truthfully and intelligently, accept responsibility and implement pragmatic solutions. I am very confident of his leadership for our nation in this challenging 21st century. I am very proud my two daughters were able to cast their first votes for Obama in 2008, and will again in 2012.
And as the WH made sure to point out a couple of days ago, a system inherited from Bush. Never pass up the opportunity to blame someone else, that's the mark of a true leader!
Rosa, b'ham al,
If the policies Bush implemented were'nt adequate, why has Obama waited over a year to address them?
Remember, he's the great multi-tasker who rates himself an A.
President Obama, is doing EXACTLY WHAT HE PROMISED.
The Federal Employee's WORK FOR US! And he knows WE DESERVE ANSWERS!
Quit blaming Bush, Mr. President!
The Obama administration is one incompetent and useless bunch, including their leader...
If I were in Obama's shoes, I'd be firing the people who were supposed to be acting on this information. As for Napolitano, I'm sure she's very much focused on Islamic radicals. Democrats and liberals do actually realize the danger they pose, you know.
When is the US going to realize that the CIA isn't working? How many mistakes is the government going to let happen before we realize that the system is seriously failing us? Shore up people – shore up.
OK which is it "the system worked", "the system failed", "we will investagate" or "systemic failure".
Can you say "totally incompetency".
So, Hussein, what are you going to do about it, since SOMETHING SHOULD HAVE BEEN done BEFORE the attempt. Like NOT lettting him in THIS country and ON a plane!!
I want to know if the defendant has volunteered any information regarding who trained and equipped him how he was recruited, where they are now and is there another attack imminent. Oh yeah they read him his miranda rights and got him a lawyer so he gets comfy clothes and nice food to eat while we get no information that might stop future attacks.
When the Republicans pointed this out earlier you all jumped on them about how they hate America and CNN said they went on the attack. Now that President Obama says it, you all blame Bush. Nice way to intelligently debate the issues. At some point you really are going to have to let Bush go. It is really getting old to hear you guys whine about Bush. He's gone, you guys are in charge and have been since 2006.
What a honest wonderful President!! he did come beating his chest! he admitted there was a human error! Bravo mr President for using your brains than your muscles!!. Im sure you will protect and defend America better than Cheney and his clonies!!!
I guess with Obama, the "buck" doesn't stop at the top. He is weak and the terrorists know it. That is why they are striking now. Any of you libs a little ticked off that in the last couple days, the words coming out of Obama's mouth sound more like Bush? LOL ROFL
The president has done nothing to strengthen our national security and to assure the CIA they can do their job right and will be backed up!
Now he is complaining about the failure!
"The Audacity of No-Op!"
Obama is in way over his head. The terrorists know it, and they are starting to take advantage of it.
Gotta blame someone dont you Obama, becaus it is you who has made this country less safe.
This is a weak , late and inadequate response. It is disappointing, delayed ,lifeless. It indicates a President who is completely controlled by polls. There can be no half-baked compromises on terror or with terrorists. Obama's response does not even mention the hero who disarmed the bomber. The time for politically correct chatter is over.
Very poor.
Not to mention that it is fine to gate crash POTUS state dinners. What is next?Wake up!
PATHETIC HYPOCRITICAL REPUBLICANS
When 9-11 occurred, all Americans came together in one voice. Nearly 3,000 people were killed. It was not like Bush had some special charm; but the nation came together because that is how family acts when outsiders attack.
However, when an incompetent jerk from half-way around the world burns his 'private parts' off while trying to kill Americans, it is shocking to watch pathetic hypocritical Republicans attempt to attack the President instead of coming together as the Democrats and Independents did on 9-11.
Of course Republithugs think this is Obama's fault–they think cold weather and achy joints are his fault too.
The fact is there was a systematic failure here–the CIA was warned, but it didn't go further than that. That's the CIA's fault, not Obama's–however, he's owning up to and acknowledging that a problem occurred, and directing his administration to fix it. That's way more disclosure than Bush ever would have done.
Same article
"mix of human and systemic human failure"
and
"a mix of human and systemic failure."
Those "systemic" failures are god awful aren't they Barry?
My recommendation , Mr. President, is that you start to act like a leader and President.
Go after the terrorists before they come after us. If you sit on your hands they will definitely come after us and next time the bomb may just detonate.
1. Keep GITMO open.
2. Reinstitute "harsh" interrogation methods.
3. Allow the CIA use of "foreign" locales at which the CIA can sweat these wad wastes and get as much information as possible.
4. Ensure our intelligence and law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to help us get the terrorist BEFORE the terrorist gets us.
Oh yes, and, either Yemen cracks down or we do it for them.
The SYSTEMIC FAILURE was electing Obama..
Janet Napalinto., is a POLITICAL HACK..She drove the state into bankruptcy and let every illegal in that she could..
The loser went through airport screening in Amsterdam, not the US. How is this Obama's fault. Stupid Republicans
His dithering at the start of this and the ineptness of Napolitano have put Obama behind the eight ball on this. He talks a good game about accountability and what is 'unacceptbale', but that is just to appease the people. His Homeland Security 'Tsar' needs to be replaced. She has lost the confidence of the American people after claiming the system worked in preventing a successful attack....!
Obama can yap all he wants, but the fact of the matter is the buck stops with him. The systemic failure is his administration. Maybe Dick Cheney was on to something when he criticized Obama about this very thing happening. Obama needs to spend less time in front of the cameras and more time behind his desk taking care of business instead of flapping his tongue.
I fail to understand why Obama is so critized for this mishap. As far as he knew, the NATO countries covered their own airport securities, the "offender" entered a plane within the jurisdiction of a foreign country. That is not Obama's fault, it is still the fault of the regime of G. W. Bush and the party which claims to know it all. That happens to be the same party that thinks good international relations aren't necessary for the USA Hello?
Bush is to blame.....he took Yemen off the terrorist watch list before he left office......Hello.....wake up
PLEASE resign Obama---go and find a community to organize.
The first attack on the towers, the embassy attacks, the US Cole attack--all under Clinton.
The Clinton Admin left many of the terrorists escape-–those who were responsible for 9/11.
Watch the documentary "The Events Leading Up to 9/11'.
Obama, Napolitano, Holder, etc.---are placing US citizens and our country at increased risk for another terrorist attack.
We already had one terrorist attack under Obama's watch--Fort Hood--what is next????
Who actually wins with this constant divide and vitriole? The Dems? NO. The Republicans? NO. The American people? NO. The terrorists? YES.
I believe we need to get back to the basic fact that there is good and evil in the world - and it is NOT ameliorated by psychotherapy or "turning the other cheek." It is ONLY effective when we collectively say, "WE
Maybe he President can do what his Secretary of DHS did and say "this is what we inherited from the former administration" She has been Secretary almost a year and needs to take responsibility for the breakdown. This President should pay more attention to the threat to our country and not on pushing / "pep talking" better known as forcing our elected officials into voting for a health care bill. More threats to our nation have taken place since Obama took office since 2001. The terrorist think we are not strong or united thanks to this administration.... When will this stop maybe we can blame Bush until Obama is out in 2012
Speaking of Richard Reid, that the Obama lemmings like to trot out, how come we didn't hear about him from the MSM, or the lemmings, this summer, when Obama quietly overturned the strict curbs on his restriction, and now allows him to associate and pray with other terrorist inmates, and allows him access to news media and renew old pen pals? Could it be that they knew the public would be outraged if they knew how much Obama plans to coddle the jihadist Muslem terrorists, and they wanted to protect the idocy of Obama and his administration?
Typical Republicans, looking for any chance to use the politics of blame and fear with regards to terrorism. It's almost like they're hoping for it. Of course none would admit it but strap those guys to a lie detector and we'd see just how sleazy some of them really are. It's not like Obama went all out to dismantle the Bush solution to airport security. What is in place now is largely what Bush had created. If Republicans took two seconds to think they'd realize that Bush had almost the whole of his presidency to get it right with airport security. That's right you shameful Republicans, after September 11th and Richard Reid you still weren't able to get it right. Once again the Democrats are left to clean up the Republican mess.
It is time to change from the Bush system to a new and better system that works together. Pres. Obama needs to review it and fix it. God was with us this time so thats not let our guard down. And why would the CIA allow this to happen are they still working for THE CONSERVATIVES/REPUBLICANS AND BUSH AND CHENNEY?They did say they want the Pres. to fail. Just think about that.
It's a shame that Obama relied on the policies that were put in place under Bush to counter terrorism. After all, Bush only had 7 1/2 years to get this right.
So if Bush messed this up too, what did he do right?
By the way, wasn't it Obama, since Napolitano is his hand picked appointee, who put the TSA's security plans on the internet for ll the world, terrorists included, to see? Stupidity by Obama in the highest form.
I just dont get why this is anyones fault but this administration and the DHS Secretary should quit. If you are someones boss for like 90 days you can rate them well rate her as minimally successful and FIRE her but then you might want to wait till after tax day so you can find another one who doesnt pay tax
What's so terrible about being strip searched?
Would you rather be blown to bits to protect your modesty?
i dont trust obama. he talks to much. hes an educated man. he talked his way in. bought a ticket to the top. even fooled the kennedys. fancy talk. i believe he will be the fall of this country.
I bet the interegators are playing patty cake with him right now trying to get information out of him. This administration is worst than the last one. But I'm glad to see obama take breaks in between golf rounds to brief the US about the terror attack. At least he admits that he messed up, big time.