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Scare the cityfolk, get tossed under the bus.

By The Armorer on May 10, 2009 | | Comments (11)
VC-25 operated by the US Air Force under charter to Sad Clown Enterprises, Inc.
A VC-25, operated by the US Air Force under charter to Sad Clown Enterprises, Inc, is shown flying over the Statue of Liberty, prior to turning final to fly low over Manhattan to terrify the locals for a photo-op that they told everyone to tell no one about.

A broken old-time clock is right twice a day.  So it is with me.

As I suspected two weeks ago, Louis Caldera has dutifully thrown himself under the bus, resigned his office, taking one for his boss (and if someone had to go for this, Caldera was the one).  Would we had more senior people, during the time of Abu Ghraib and pre-Surge, who would have taken themselves out of the fight.

I see that Fuzzybear Lioness (and others) have a different take on the subject in the post above this one.

I guess I want to know why it matters so much that it be something other than it is?

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11 Comments

By Cricket on May 10, 2009 1:49 PM
I guess it matters simply because in terms of ethics and wasting taxpayer's money, this would definitely be over the top for me.  Not only that, the denial about it...too transparent.  He should have said:  "I was briefed about AF1 and was assured that staff would make the appropriate notifications.  They did not."
 
By Chris Taylor on May 10, 2009 2:34 PM
I don't see it as a waste of money.  VC-25 and F-16 pilots have to remain current and mission-qualified for a wide array of possibilities.  I don't think it is outrageous to combine MQT/CT training with a PR exercise that was 3 months in the offing.  The outrageous part is the FAA deciding that municipal authorities could not spread the word.

Then it's compounded by cancelling a subsequent mission over DC, and only releasing one photo, while the public has already paid for the batch.  The proper response to a communication failure isn't to never fly that kind of op again, it's to correct the communication problems and continue with the mission.
 
By Grumpy on May 10, 2009 6:30 PM
There are many parts to this issue, first,  Who was the individual who made the [REDACTED] individuals who told the local officials to keep their mouth shut have done untold damage to the American trust.
 
By Cricket on May 10, 2009 9:39 PM
Sorry... my response was to John's question and I think he was asking about the AF1 flight and tying them together.  If I read it wrong, I apologize.
 
By FbL on May 10, 2009 10:32 PM
...only releasing one photo, while the public has already paid for the batch.

Exactly.  Why did they do that?  They're not being anything close to rational. 
 
By John of Argghhh! on May 11, 2009 6:11 AM
Perhaps, Fuzzy, the other photos show panicked crowds fleeing in the streets....?
 
By Grumpy on May 11, 2009 10:44 AM
@Cricket, there are many thing about this incident which make *no* sense. There are quite a few planes in the "Executive Fleet". This was, by their own admission, not an AF1 flight. It is only AF1, when POTUS is aboard. Each one of the aircraft in the "Executive Fleet" are sent to an FAA Facility for testing. I live within their flight pattern. Feeling a little confused? Well, welcome to the rest of us mere mortals!

@The Armorer, if or when you get a chance, can you tell me, Is there something in The US Constitution, US Code, UCMJ or Military Doctrine stating, "Thou *shall not* use common sense? I figure you would have a better chance than I, on answering this question.

The only alternative is a quote by my Dad, "Common sense ain't all that common."

To all, have a *great* week,
Grumpy
 
By emdfl on May 12, 2009 9:55 AM
The one photo that was released has been binged as being a shot made by the pilot of one of the chase planes.
 
By Cricket on May 14, 2009 12:04 AM
Good helk.  Is that Emmet Kelly on the tail?
 
By John of Argghhh! on May 14, 2009 6:21 AM
"...under charter to Sad Clown Enterprises, Inc, "
 
By Cricket on May 14, 2009 7:17 AM
Bwahahaha!