And did they spend $357,000 for ONE photo? Where are the others?
1. Classic Friday screwup coverup release.
Definitely.
2. I don’t think that is a real photo—way too high, looks photoshopped.
This doesn't agree with what you about just ONE photo. There are clearly lots more, much scarier photos; they simply picked the most harmless-looking one. Why would they need to Photoshop it?
Also, it's not way too high, think about it: in real life the statue from foundation to base is 300 ft tall, and the plane is several times shorter than it (65 ft
according to AF). In the picture they occupy roughly the same amount of vertical space. Don't see anything suspicious here. Especially since the Administration is clearly simply sitting on lots more pictures of the plane close to NYC buildings.
3. I don’t believe the idea originated with the guy who just got thrown under the bus from the WH Military office.
Read the report — no one is saying this guy originated the idea.
Why photoshop? I think the real photos are much lower, I think they either chose a photo flying high or photoshopped the plane in very high. From the video I saw, the plane looked quite low. Also besides scale, I dunno maybe shaddowing off—I live in a flight path for ORD & planes just look different IMHO.
Maybe really tinfoil hat, but I am not even sure photo op was the reason for the flyover.