Obama: NYC Flyover 'Was a Mistake'

(NEWSER) - The release of an “Air Farce One” image is a calculated move by a White House that hopes to brainwash citizens with “the Messianic omnipotence of the Obama presidency,” Victor J. Massad writes on American Thinker. With the Statue of Liberty confined to the lower background, “the Leader’s magnificently powerful icon, glistening like a phoenix in the sun” reminds us that “we must put the federal government and its needs ahead of our paltry individual freedoms.” More»

(NEWSER) - Robert Gates has apologized for the Air Force One photo op debacle over New York last week, the Los Angeles Times reports. “We deeply regret the anxiety and alarm that resulted from this mission,” the defense secretary wrote in a letter posted on the website of John McCain, who has called the flyover an "Air Farce One photo op." Meanwhile, the incident has cost the head of the White House Military Office, who OK'd it, his job, the New York Times reports. More»

(NEWSER) - At least one news organization may file a Freedom of Information Act request, demanding the manifest for Monday’s Air Force One flight over New York, according to the American Spectator’s anonymous “Prowler”—who relays suspicions that civilians or a high-level administration official was on board. “This is a bigger deal than the White House is letting on, and there are some nervous people there,” an anonymous insider says. More»

Air Force One backup planes flies low around Statue of Liberty

(NEWSER) - A photo op by the Defense Department caused buildings in lower Manhattan and New Jersey to be evacuated this morning, the New York Times reports. A backup for Air Force One flew low over Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty accompanied by two fighter jets. The deployment was coordinated with the city, the Pentagon said, but the low-flying plane brought back terrifying Sept. 11 memories. More»

Cessna strays too close as Obama heads to LAX

(NEWSER) - What were they smoking? A four-seater Cessna plane hauling marijuana yesterday strayed into restricted airspace designed to protect President Obama, who was flying on Marine One; the small plane was intercepted by fighter jets. The incident occurred as the president was traveling in the helicopter from Orange County to Los Angeles International Airport, reports the Los Angeles Times . Authorities attempted repeatedly to contact the Cessna 182. When the pilot failed to respond, two F-16s forced the aircraft to land nearby at Long Beach Airport, where it was met by law enforcement. More»