PERILOUS JOURNEY PLANE-LY PROVES PREZ HAS RIGHT STUFF

New York Post ^ | 11/28/03 | DEBORAH ORIN

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

What exactly was so hazardous about this trip?

Are you aware of what happens when the President normally flies anywhere? Are you aware of the military support aircraft, personnel, planning, etc.? That is the beauty of this whole thing.

You see, there is no way that the usual aircraft could have been used. It had to have been a normal commercial aircraft with the markings of a major airline. The aircraft had to have been given identification (both marked and electronic) to allow for clearance through the airspace of countries that would have loved to have reported a secret flight taking place. No fighter aircraft, etc. could be anywhere near it as it would give away what was going on.

The absolute genius of this whole plan is beyond the pale. More than likely, the president flew in a normal-looking commercial aircraft along normal flight paths over some not-so-friendly countries (probably right over Syria). The boost in morale is almost immeasurable. The psychological effect of this on the enemy is also beyond calculation. George W. Bush as established himself as one of the great and daring leaders of all time.

When the details of this finally emerge (probably years from now), the amazing execution of a genius plan to put our president in one of the most dangerous places in the world that he could have tread is going to be awe-inspiring and everyone with any sense knows it. The only comparable thing to it would be for Osama Bin Laden to visit some mosque in Detroit and the story be released after the fact. Have a nice day.

[pizzalady]

Hey, Thanks for the great shot of GWB.

I truly believe that by applauding our President, we are also applauding our equally great military men who are willing to die for our country. Seeing the smiles on their faces when they saw the President brought tears to my eyes.

I am just an old lady, but on 9/11, I would have signed up to defend our country and it's unique freedom and liberty. We are not perfect, but we are the best in the world.
Even when we do not have a man we can respect in office, we as a nation are still the best.

[cyncooper]

But it will be a lot harder for anyone to mock Bush's trip to Iraq with his plane blacked-out for fear Saddam's thugs would try to bring it down - just as they nearly brought down a DHL cargo plane last weekend.

And David Gregory on MSNBC has been reporting that as the plane made this landing in total darkness, GWB was right up front--with the pilots.

Man!

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I think Saddam and his henchmen also got the message LOUD and CLEAR.

Good for Bush.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

In thinking of the Kennedy assassination, and how deeply and profoundly it affected our nation, if an accident or tragedy would bring down GWBush during his presidency, our nation would be impacted much more broadly than in 1963. In times of war, we look to our president to lead us through the peril and into a brighter future. His protection is paramount, in my opinion.

That being said, I believe he did the right thing in going to Baghdad when he did. The troops needed to hear his words, and the Iraqi Governing Council needed to look into his eyes, to learn that America is in Iraq for the long haul. This was a visual display of his commitment, and very welcomed.

[papertyger]

For someone so enamoured of flowery prose, I find it hard to believe you miss the irony of the President's trip. Haven't you ever heard of Anwar Sadat? Do you think the cunning and boldness involved in making such a trip is lost on people who attach meaning to our shuttle going down over Palestine, Texas?

By your question you show you either don't understand, or would seek to impugn the physical courage of the number one target of the Moslem world walking right into their midsts. The radicals have sought to make this a Crusade from the start. If it is, President Bush metaphorically put Iraq on its back with his sword to their throat, and he's now offering them a hand back up.

If that isn't praiseworthy, what is?

[dvwjr]

Originally posted by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin:

You see, there is no way that the usual aircraft could have been used. It had to have been a normal commercial aircraft with the markings of a major airline. The aircraft had to have been given identification (both marked and electronic) to allow for clearance through the airspace of countries that would have loved to have reported a secret flight taking place. No fighter aircraft, etc. could be anywhere near it as it would give away what was going on.

The absolute genius of this whole plan is beyond the pale. More than likely, the president flew in a normal-looking commercial aircraft along normal flight paths over some not-so-friendly countries (probably right over Syria)...

You have to get out of your own personal fantasy-land and join the rest of us here in reality. The 'usual aircraft' were used (the two Boeing VC-25s) nominally designated as 'Air Force One' when the President is onboard. It did have a fighter escort. It did fly over countries who might have been interested in it mission. It did not fly over Syria. IT was not a 'normal-looking commercial aircraft'. Free Republic has had dozens of threads with the actual information and you spin your private mental fantasies online as a valuable contribution to FR? You might find out that a British commercial jet had its pilot spot the blue-and-white Air Force One on the way to Baghdad and radioed over to see if he could confirm what he thought he saw...

Read this complete Free Republic thread Amazing Bush Secret Kept With Iraq Visit and you will have all the information you need. You really don't have to wait for 'year from now' to find out most of the details.

dvwjr

[KC_Conspirator]

I will give Hillary credit for one thing though - she ate her food with the troops like she enjoyed it. I remember John Kerry going to a Philly Steak sandwich joint and he looked like he was holding a bomb while talking to some union guys.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Okay...just an idea. If it were indeed done the other way, it was an incredible risk. You could simply write, "You're wrong, it was done the usual way." No personal attacks needed.

[Grassontop]

I wish someone would invent a pill that would make demoncrats disappear!

President Bush gave our troops a morale booster and any right thinking American would be very proud! Grassontop

[VOA]

He's always had the 'Right Stuff'.

(imperfect rendition of dialogue from "The Right Stuff")

(Scene: an ambulance speeds towards the smoking hulk of the test model of the jet Chuck Yeager had just flown to an altitude record, without prior announcement)

(both driver and passenger strain their eyes across the desert floor, scanning the wreckage
of a very expensive jet)
Ambulance Driver: Sir, is that a man?

(finally the passenger barely makes out a battered, limping Chuck Yeager resolutely
trudging in the direction of the ambulance)

Passenger:You're DAMNED RIGHT THAT'S A MAN!

(thanks for indulging me...that scene just always comes to mind when I've seen
a true beau geste, especially from a government official!)

[VOA]

maybe already mentioned...
being in a tent, not a hardened structure, in a zone where the Baathist Butt-Boys
more than occassionally use mortars to blow up structures.

Heck, even just hitting a tent simply full of soldiers with one or two poorly-aimed mortar
shells would have been something that wouldn't have been too shocking for that area.

Dubya wasn't out "in the sh-t", dodging bullets like Rambo.
But he also wasn't spending time being pleasured in The Oval Office.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

His visit under the same level of peril and danger tens of thousands of others make to go there, and even a similar level many encounter everyday in their life or duties. To play it up as if he is the Sun King deigned to endeavor the danger eating at the table in front of us ... that is and can be too much. And dangerous for the same reason men and women called for Wahington to be King, that we might by such over-lauding, create a King.

Nobody is trying to create a king. Have you heard one person suggest such an absurd notion?

People are simply expressing their admiration that the man who leads this nation - the one man the enemy would no doubt rather murder than anyone else on this planet - had the guts to stand side-by-side with our men and women in uniform for the solitary purpose of thanking them and lifting their spirits. He could have been safely home at his own ranch, but he chose to go into the belly of the beast instead.

Please, just let us feel good about this one.

[Travis Bickel/Marine Inspector]

Definite possibility.