Scare Force One

Yesterday the Air Force took advantage of a beautiful Spring day over New York City and conducted a "Photo Op" mission over the city. Good idea, but not a great idea!

There's an old saying among the military planning community. "Prior proper planning prevents poor performance." The Air Force executed the mission flawlessly. The VC-25, commonly referred to as Air Force One (only when the President is on board), with it's F-16 in trail flew gracefully over the city; The Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty providing a magnificent backdrop.

Only one small problem. HAVE WE ALL FORGOTTEN 9/11! No, I was not there that day but I can only imagine the memories and fears the scene of a giant 747 flying at low altitude over the city with a fighter jet in chase must have invoked.

There is no doubt in my mind that this mission was meticulously planned in advance by the 89th Airlift Wing (They are the AF unit responsible for Presidential Airlift). Why didn't someone involved in the mission planning recognize that this might cause fear and panic among the citizens of NYC? Where was common sense? I don't enjoy criticising my former Service, but this was just poor planning and a break down in leadership. Someone in the chain-of-command should have asked the question and applied a little common sense thinking to this process.

Making The List

If you hold any on the following political and/or moral positions, congratulations you've made the list:

• Believe in the right to bear arms
• Believe that all life is precious and worth saving
• Believe that the federal government has become too big and obtrusive in our life's
• Believe that our current president is taking this nation down a path toward socialism and financial ruin

I could go on, but hopefully you get the point. The Obama administration is trying to intimidate those who hold opposing political views and suggest that they may be more prone to recruitment into radical "right wing extremist groups." Hog wash! The first amendment guarantees our right to free speech and the ability to voice our disagreement with the government. Suggesting that doing so makes one an extremist and a potential threat to the nation is absurd. Keep voicing your opinions, write your congressman, demand that your federal, state and local government officials be held accountable. Don't let some bureaucrat in the Department of Homeland Security intimidate you into keeping quite!

If it Looks Like a Duck....

There's an old adage that goes, "if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, then it's a duck."

You be the judge. Looks like a bow to me. The White House Spin Doctors said it was a two handed handshake. BS. Would you buy a used car from this Administration? Look at the picture closely. There is no eye contact. The King is looking down at Obama, and Obama has his head bowed.

How about it America, are you proud of your President now?