Shall We Fly? (Updated x2)
[Guest post by DRJ]
Just 9 days after 9/11, President George Bush told Americans: “I ask you to live your lives and hug your children.” He was criticized for it, even by Republicans, but it was good advice. America could not afford — either economically or from a security standpoint — to be cowed by 9/11.
I’ve been thinking about what President Barack Obama will tell America following the Flight 253 terrorist attack, especially since the British and Abdulmutallab say there may be more attacks. The Obama administration is reportedly debating what his response should be.
Initially, I assumed the Administration’s concern was for potential jihadi listeners but they may also be conflicted about what to tell Americans. Should Obama tell Americans to “live your lives” — that is, to keep flying as if nothing happened? Anything else could decimate an already damaged airline industry, but doing so will make Obama sound even more like Bush.
We’ll know soon. ABC News reports Obama will address the terrorist attack today. I wonder if he will also explain why the British put Abdulmutallab on an official watch list and refused his visa, but the Americans did not?
— DRJ
UPDATE: ABC News’ report on Obama’s remarks. Video is here.
UPDATE 2 — The restrictions on passenger movements announced 2 days ago have apparently been eased — probably because someone realized the restrictions weren’t helping.
The important thing is that Abdulmutallab has access to affordable taxpayer-subsidized health care.
There may also be some national security concerns.
happyfeet (71f55e) — 12/28/2009 @ 11:37 amhappy gets the star for the “chuckle of the day”.
AD - RtR/OS! (191d21) — 12/28/2009 @ 11:44 amThe important thing is that Abdulmutallab has access to affordable taxpayer-subsidized health care.
Not to mention availability to the most expensive legal representation know to mankind from the dole also.
TC (0b9ca4) — 12/28/2009 @ 12:05 pmo will either dither or vote “present”. He has great experience at both.
Jim (582155) — 12/28/2009 @ 12:06 pmOh and hell no, quit flying till the airlines figure out who you will not get on a plane with!
I’m sure that will cause a massive backlash against many, expect the racial slurs to flow freely.
TC (0b9ca4) — 12/28/2009 @ 12:10 pmThe Flying Imans must be laughing their asses off as well.
Dmac (a964d5) — 12/28/2009 @ 12:34 pmI updated the post with a link to ABC’s report on Obama’s remarks.
DRJ (84a0c3) — 12/28/2009 @ 1:29 pmI also updated the post regarding easing of recent security restrictions.
DRJ (84a0c3) — 12/28/2009 @ 2:10 pm[…] of Vigilance Another Black Conservative: The Shoe Bomber 2.0 Patterico’s Pontifications: Shall We Fly? (Updated x2) and UK Times: Abdulmutallab is a 9/11 Defender (Updated) and Identifying Airline Security Threats […]
Obama’s on Vacation, So Iranian Civilian Deaths & Terrorist Airplane Attacks Will Just Have to Wait (video) « Frugal Café Blog Zone (a66042) — 12/28/2009 @ 3:25 pmEvery muslim should be viewed as a potential terrorist. If that offends, you know what you can do.
At least Mumbai-style attacks will be restricted to liberal enclaves.
iconoclast (4b5de4) — 12/28/2009 @ 10:42 pmi’m not planning on flying anywhere until the economy improves, so i won’t be flying anytime soon.
i figure about 2014, when President Palin has had a chance to get things at least partially fixed….
redc1c4 posing as dailyrocks posing as redc1c4 (fb8750) — 12/28/2009 @ 10:53 pm