White House: Failed plane attack an attempted act of terrorism(Obama told 3 HOURS AFTER PLANE LANDS)

Washington Post ^ | December 25, 2009 | Scott Butterworth and Spencer S. Hsu

[Brytani]

A White House official said the incident was an attempted act of terrorism. The FBI is investigating and President Obama, celebrating Christmas in Hawaii, was told of the incident about three hours after the plane landed, officials said.

Obama has told White House officials that all appropriate measures be taken to increase security for air travel, a spokesman said. Nevertheless, officials said, they are not prepared to raise the terrorism alert level, currently at orange -- or the second-highest of five levels -- for domestic and international air travel.

[Brytani]

There was a poster on this thread who said their local media had not even carried the report of the attack - they didn’t learn of it until logging onto FR. (my apologies for not remembering who it was).

Glad to see your local paper not even covered the story but called it terrorism...

[cyn]

I was, too, VERY glad... it was a test, and the Times-Union passed it (this one, anyway!)

I’m not sure if CNN was as early as foxnews was (didn’t check yesterday), but this morning at least CNN was covering it from every angle.

My concern is also still with the “misbehaving” passengers, as were on flights 227 and 297 recently.

[Brytani]

I wrote the WaPo Ombudsman and asked why they removed the report without explanation within minutes of this thread going up and other sites covering the delay.

I also asked if there was any contact from the administration asking them or pressuring them to remove the report.

I doubt they will answer my question but if they do, I’m sure it will be a convenient excuse exonerating Obama and the admin for everything.

I’ve thought about filing a FOIA on the White House requesting any and all communication from them (including the Hawaii contingent) to the WaPo or other media outlets.

I can say with 100% certainty that they will either ignore the request or deny it using national security as an excuse.

[Brytani]

I’ve heard speculation, given Obama’s recent weight loss and gaunt appearance that he’s either sick and hiding a severe illness or is back to using drugs.

While all Presidents age during their terms rarely is are the changes so quick or drastic; except for Lincoln and those were extraordinary circumstances with both the Civil War and the loss of his son.

With all the vacations Zero has taken since entering office and his numerous weekly golf games, the guy should appear completely refreshed.

[cyn]

Interesting, I just saw your post — appreciate you documenting this, because it is TOTALLY off the WaPo site now — well done!:

“For archival purposes - The Washington Post has removed their report Obama was not notified for 3 hours after the plane landed. (Please Excuse the length)

Some Google cached reports of the 3 hour time delay reported by numerous media, blogs and sites. .... “

[Brytani]

All good questions that need answers too.

Who in the media though, with access to the President, will be willing to ask them?

They’re too busy covering for their release of damaging information that Zero was MIA for over 3 hours during a terrorist attack.

[Brytani]

I didn’t check CNN last night and should have.

Drudge, Huff Post, Politico, WaPo, Detroit Times, Twitter and many other media outlets had the report, though some have redacted the info.

I’ll see if I can find a cached version of cnn’s original reporting to see if they carried the delay report.

[firebrand]

They are emboldened by the planned NYC civilian trial for terrorists. Nothing telegraphs our pussy-footed attitude toward terrorism more than this.

[Nepeta]

I’ve heard speculation, given Obama’s recent weight loss and gaunt appearance that he’s either sick and hiding a severe illness or is back to using drugs.

The severity of presidential illness has been masked before (Wilson) and extensive drug use (largely prescription at the time, but now less than wonderful-Kennedy, for his back and other issues)are not unheard of in the White House. Given Obama's admission of heavy drug use in high school and college, I would not be shocked if he is using again.

Can anyone think of statements he has made condemning drug use for anyone who wants to make something of themselves? I cannot think of him ever saying anything like that, which is unfortunate because he could be a powerful, positive role model for kids. I have the impression that he still does not think his drug usage was a big deal.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

I wasn't using hyperbole when I said a bomb or missile would have to violate the laws of physics.

That's pretty detailed information and I hadn't seen it, but I didn't trust the Clinton approved report, just like filegate and Vince Foster etc. And I'm not real confident about Wikipedia, since anyone can edit it.

However, I have nothing better than conspiracy theory, and so I'm not likely to argue the issue.

I do know that short of a pressure fed atomizing nozzle with an ignitor (like an oil furnace) or superheated vapors with the correct oxygen ratio, you would play hell getting K1 to explode.

[Brytani]

GOT IT!!!

CNN was reporting Obama was informed well after the attack/landing!!!

Obama monitoring Delta flight firecracker situation Reuters December 25, 2009: 06:02 PM ET

KAILUA, Hawaii (Reuters) - U.S, President Barack Obama, who is on vacation in Hawaii, was "actively monitoring" the situation with a Delta flight on which a man reportedly set off firecrackers, the White House said Friday.

A man reportedly set off firecrackers on Delta Flight 253 that was carrying 278 passengers to Detroit from Amsterdam.

"The president was notified of the incident this morning between 9:00 and 9:30 Hawaii time by the president's military aide," White House spokesman Bill Burton said in a statement.

Obama monitoring Delta flight firecracker situation

The plane landed 12:01 EST in Detroit (established) Zero was notified 9-9:30am Hawaii Time. There was at minimum a 3 hour delay, this will be hard to defend since the White House sent out a press release admitting the delay.

Informed immediately my rear end. Once again the likely suspects in the media are covering for Obama's incompetence.

[Brytani]

Good question - whoever answers for Obama can’t run this nation any better than Zero.

[Brytani]

The White House sent out a press release yesterday saying Zero was informed at 9:00-9:30am Hawaii Time. They’ve admitted the delay themselves.

I’ve got to find that press release, for the archives if nothing else.

[Nepeta]

CNN .... KAILUA, Hawaii (Reuters) - U.S, President Barack Obama, who is on vacation in Hawaii, was "actively monitoring" the situation

I suspect that "actively monitoring" translates to "one of the tvs has been switched to CNN".

[Nepeta]

It would be nice to know who is flushing us down the drain. Obama is an annoying figure, but too inept to deserve the focus for the entire blame.

[Brytani]

Here’s the full statement, reported by the TPM

Earlier, Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton made the following announcement about the incident:

The President was notified of the incident this morning between 9:00 and 9:30 Hawaii time by the President’s military aide. The President subsequently convened a secure conference call with John Brennan, his Homeland Security and Counter-terrorism Adviser, and Denis McDonough, NSS Chief of Staff. He asked to arrange a subsequent secure call and in that call instructed that all appropriate measures be taken to increase security for air travel. The President is actively monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates. There is currently no change to his schedule.

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/white-house-believes-nw-incident-an-attempted-act-of-terrorism.php

[Brytani]

Interesting, the FAA says the plane landed at 11:51am Est. while the airline claims the plane landed at 12:01pm Est.

Not only do we have missing 2-3 hours from Obama, they can’t get the planes landing time coordinated....

[Brytani]

Thank You

[Brytani]

Any idea Roaddog what he could possible have been carrying and how he got it through security?

(Roaddog - resident explosive expert :-))

[Brytani]

As soon as I learned they were scrubbing the report I started saving everything I could find.

Turns out, I really didn’t need to - the White House put out a press statement admitting Obama was not told until well after the plane landed.

Glad we have it in the archives though and I do intend to hold the media’s feet to the fire over their blatant covering for Obama.