Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post - Mr. President, Washington DC is at Highest Alert for Imminent Attack- 45 minutes ago

Chewbacca · 05-13-2005, 11:14 PM

Interesting...

Editorial-The Louisville Courier-Journal

*****************

He's the commander

When a small private plane entered restricted Washington airspace Wednesday, the ensuing evacuations at the Capitol, White House and Supreme Court were no drill.

Indeed, they were conducted so hurriedly that some officials literally ran or jumped out of their shoes. The city was placed on the highest stage of alert. It's likely that a decision to shoot down the wayward plane was imminent.

It all turned out to be an innocent, though very serious, pilot error, and much of the emergency response was executed effectively.

We can all be thankful for that, of course, but a critical issue remains: Why didn't anyone tell President Bush?

The President, who was exercising on his mountain bike in a Maryland wildlife park, was not briefed until well after the crisis had passed.

Mr. Bush was not told of the incident until more than 50 minutes after two F-16 jets were scrambled to meet the intruder. He got the news more than 45 minutes after the evacuations began and the alert status was raised to red. In fact, he was clueless until after the small plane had landed.

The White House said the President was not informed because there was no danger to him and because emergency procedures do not require his personal authorization.

That is unacceptable. The President is in charge of the nation's security. If authorities believe the capital may be under attack, he must be told.

The President should demand that he be informed of such instances, and should assure Americans that next time he will be in the loop.

Anything else fails to meet minimum standards for presidential leadership

[ 05-13-2005, 11:26 PM: Message edited by: Chewbacca ]

05-13-2005, 11:14 PM	#1
Chewbacca Zartan Join Date: July 18, 2001 Location: America, On The Beautiful Earth Age: 50 Posts: 5,373	Interesting... Editorial-The Louisville Courier-Journal ***************** He's the commander When a small private plane entered restricted Washington airspace Wednesday, the ensuing evacuations at the Capitol, White House and Supreme Court were no drill. Indeed, they were conducted so hurriedly that some officials literally ran or jumped out of their shoes. The city was placed on the highest stage of alert. It's likely that a decision to shoot down the wayward plane was imminent. It all turned out to be an innocent, though very serious, pilot error, and much of the emergency response was executed effectively. We can all be thankful for that, of course, but a critical issue remains: Why didn't anyone tell President Bush? The President, who was exercising on his mountain bike in a Maryland wildlife park, was not briefed until well after the crisis had passed. Mr. Bush was not told of the incident until more than 50 minutes after two F-16 jets were scrambled to meet the intruder. He got the news more than 45 minutes after the evacuations began and the alert status was raised to red. In fact, he was clueless until after the small plane had landed. The White House said the President was not informed because there was no danger to him and because emergency procedures do not require his personal authorization. That is unacceptable. The President is in charge of the nation's security. If authorities believe the capital may be under attack, he must be told. The President should demand that he be informed of such instances, and should assure Americans that next time he will be in the loop. Anything else fails to meet minimum standards for presidential leadership [ 05-13-2005, 11:26 PM: Message edited by: Chewbacca ] __________________ Support Local Music and Record Stores! Got Liberty?