Obama calls 747 flyover 'a mistake'
WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Barack Obama Tuesday said Monday's low flyover of a Boeing 747 above the New York City skyline, which frightened workers and residents into evacuating buildings, had been a "mistake."
"It was a mistake," he told reporters. "It was something we found out about along with all of you. And it will not happen again."
The huge aircraft, which functions as Air Force One when the president is aboard, was taking part in a classified, government-sanctioned photo shoot, the Federal Aviation Administration told CNN.
"Last week, I approved a mission over New York. I take responsibility for that decision," said Louis Caldera, director of the White House Military Office. "While federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey, it's clear that the mission created confusion and disruption."
Witnesses reported seeing the plane circle over the Upper New York Bay near the Statue of Liberty before flying up the Hudson River. It was accompanied by two F-16s.
Two officials told CNN the White House Military Office was trying to update its file photos of Air Force One. The officials said the president was angry when he learned Monday afternoon about the flight, which sparked fear in the New York-New Jersey area.
'The president was furious about it," one of the officials told CNN.
The incident outraged many New Yorkers, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
"First thing is, I'm annoyed - furious is a better word - that I wasn't told," he said, calling the aviation administration's decision to withhold details about the flight "ridiculous" and "poor judgment."
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This was more than stupid, it was downright cruel. To think the officials would not know that it was shoving 911 down the throats of the New Yorkers was beyond stupid. With everything going on in the country right now someone should have had the decency to stop this totally unnecessary photo shoot.
It makes me sick to hear people on other blogs tell the New Yorkers to get over it and not to react. Put yourselves in their shoes before making belittling comments please. If we lose compassion for other people we have truly lost....
YOu should had know better
FIRE THE FOOL WHO DID THIS!!!!
Obama, The american people do not want your mistakes!
Get It?
Yep: not a great decision but how refreshing to see " Last week, I approved a mission over New York. I take responsibility for that decision," said Louis Caldera, director of the White House Military Office."
rather than the "mistakes were made" mantra of the previous administration.
They couldn't have picked a worse place for this stunt.
The FEAR that Bush instilled in us has stayed. If the hatred also remains then Bush wins, we are a sad people.
I'm sure BHO knew nothing about it! His motto seems to be: "Better to ask forgiveness than permission".
Let's not torture terrorists, only the minds of frightened Americans with presidential photo-ops.
You need to get the right picture for this story. The airplane shown in the picture is not one of those used as "Air Force One". This is easy to see, since it is not a 747.
I am of the thinking that the New York City flyover was NOT an event that was used as a simple photo opportunity but has much deeper interests. In view of the recent release of the so-called torture memos, I am convinced that this flyover, however conceived, is really a brilliant manner to reintroduce the country to a deeper investigation of 9/11. The process appears to be an innocent lapse of conscience and it releases Obama from the event and places it within the scope of a White House consul! We may also have a deep investigation of 9/11 which the Bush administration did not allow. Isn't the person who is to blame from this allowance of the flyover from NYC? Wouldn't he have been sensitive of the flyover itself? Bring on this investigation!
Why not just inform every one, not just the select few. The person responsible for this should have his head handed to him! Really stupidI
So let's review-NYC officials were informed ahead of the flight, but didn't pass it on. The flight did NOT violate and federal, state or municipal laws. So why is this news?
National Socialists test their people like this all the time. Make no mistake about it, this was a calculated test from Rahm and Barak that was not in the least bit about some stupid photo op.
Obama is quick to tell all our enemies how evil America is and to shake their hand as they wish our countrymen harm, he is equally as quick to terrorize Americans and to see just how much the media has them brainwashed and ignorant as he takes away their rights, freedoms and thier hard earned wealth.
And now lib responds with but bush.......(insert moveon programmed lib lie here)
Yes, but let's work together now so we can find a way to blame this on George Bush.
If Mr. Caldera is actually the one who approved this ideocy, then I agree with the many who call for his stepping down. Do not wait to be _told_ to step down, please.
Mr. Caldera, you had a mixed tenure as Sec of the Army. It was under your watch that Rumsfeld and company ran roughshod over the glorious General Shinseki. In fact, these civilians drummed our Army Chief of Staff out of the Army itself, and humiliated him further by deciding not to attend his retirement. All because Shinseki called for more troops than bargain-basement Rumsfeld-Wolfowitz-Cheny, that miility trust of the Republicans, just knew would be needed to take Iraq.
Mr. Caldera, you had the chance to be out front in presenting Shinseki's views to the Administration, but for some reason you decided to leave instead. If you left for good, moral reasons, please consider that same mindframe now. Leave for good, moral, common-sensical reasons.
Dems are still pushing the narative that Dick Cheney was behind this. Talk about paranoia!
Get over it New York ...
The Bush administration is the only one that ever authorized planes to be flown into buildings in their effort to start a war
Obamas in charge now ...
Wanna bet, Obama, it won't happen again?
It's amazing these same bed wetters weren't freaking out over the plane that landed in the Hudson. Cowards
Are all you sleeping sheep out there waking up yet? The FAA planned this (Chuck Schumer quote)? Do you think we're that stupid? Your puppet President and his administration are showing there acute incompetence on a daily basis now. Oh yeah, CNN we know your in the pocket of the Obamanation, couldn't you at least provide the correct pic of the offending aircraft? Everyone pls wake up and become proud Americans again and if you don't want to be a proud Americans' pls see your way to any border of your choice!