Obama: "Systemic Failure" Led To Alleged Terrorist Slipping Through

Obama: "Systemic Failure" Led To Alleged Terrorist Slipping Through

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Obama Administration
Posted on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 04:35:33 PM EST
Tags: (all tags)

Share This: Digg!

NYTimes:

President Obama on Tuesday blamed a “systemic failure” in the nation’s security apparatus for the attempted bombing of a passenger jet on Christmas Day and vowed to identify the problems and “deal with them immediately.” [. . .] Mr. Obama said a preliminary assessment already has made clear that there was a breakdown in the intelligence review system that did not properly identify the suspect as a dangerous extremist who should have been prevented from flying to the United States.

“A systemic failure has occurred and I consider that totally unacceptable,” Mr. Obama told reporters [. . .] The president said he has ordered government agencies to report back to him on Thursday about what happened and said he would “insist on accountability at every level,” although he did not elaborate.

The President's words are welcome.

Speaking for me only

< Controlling Costs On The Backs Of The Middle Class | Tuesday Late Afternoon Open Thread >

The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

Menu

Home | About | RSS
E-Mail | Comment Policy |
Search
Login

Make a new account

Existing Users

Username:
Password:
Creator and Principal Author
- Jeralyn E. Merritt
TL Alumni

Contribute To TalkLeft

Sections
Site Credits
- TalkLeft Graphics by C.L., Our Man in Hollywood (2006 - 2008)
- TalkLeft Header Graphic by Monk
- Powered by Scoop
Legal
- All Content Copyright ©2002-2024. Reprints only by permission from TalkLeft.com
- Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. TalkLeft does not give legal advice.
- TalkLeft is not responsible for and often disagrees with material posted in the comments section. Read at your own risk.
"The pump don't work 'cause the vandals took the handles"
© 1965 Bob Dylan

Obama: "Systemic Failure" Led To Alleged Terrorist Slipping Through | 104 comments (104 topical)

Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

Valid U.S. visa. No passport. (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by oculus on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 04:38:14 PM EST

Northwest/Delta should never have let him board the plan in Amsterdam.

he had a valid nigerian passport (5.00 / 2) (#55)
by Jeralyn on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:29:24 PM EST

Director General and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Dr Harold Demuren:

"The passenger did not check-in any baggage but was spotted with a shoulder bag and went through normal screening. His passport was scanned, his USA Visa was also scanned and the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) returned with no objection. He was allotted seat no 20B on the Lagos-Amsterdam leg and seat no 19A on the Amsterdam-Detroit leg."
Demuren said Abdulmutallab possessed a Machine Readable Passport (MRP) which is the old type of passport that and was issued on September 15, 2005 and was to expire September 14, 2010. His passport no is A3921640 and has a USA multiple entry visa issued in London on the 16th of June 2008 to expire 12th June 2010.
"The passenger presented himself for immigrations clearance with same passport (MRP) and it was scanned into the passenger registration system confirming that he went through normal standard security screening procedure", he stated.
Demuren further pointed out that the passenger also aviation security comprising the walk-through metal detector and baggage x-ray screening machine.
He eventually boarded after secondary screening by KLM officials and at the time of departure, he was confirmed on board with serial number 2 on the manifest.

Parent

: That would make this slightly less bad (none / 0) (#56)
by andgarden on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:31:26 PM EST

Parent

I have never heard (none / 0) (#7)
by andgarden on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 04:57:23 PM EST

of allowing a foreign national onto a U.S. bound flight without a passport (except for some Canadian flights).

Where did you see that he didn't have a passport?

Parent

Not even Americans without passports (5.00 / 3) (#18)
by Cream City on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:16:40 PM EST

can get on U.S.-bound flights! We were with friends on a trip, and the guy lost his passport, and he had to go through a lot to get a verification from the gummint to get back in -- and he's a respectable middle-aged guy, and this was only getting back in from Mexico.

That the Nigerian guy got through this way suggests corruption of the process or something else serious -- and a series of systemic failures, indeed.

Parent

In the old days you could get away with it (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by andgarden on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:20:26 PM EST

The INS/successor cannot prohibit American citizens from entering the country. Convincing the airline to let you on the plane is another matter. Usually you have to march to the U.S. Consulate and allow yourself to be subjected to the 3rd degree. Or you can just slip past for no apparent reason--like this guy did.

This piece of news is deeply, deeply, disturbing.

Parent

: People who have to work on a holiday, (5.00 / 1) (#54)
by Inspector Gadget on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:27:46 PM EST

or the Eve of Christmas and New Years, are typically not working very hard or smart. He easily could have decided to take advantage of that possibility, and, last week, he was right.
Poor refugee, it's the holidays...let's give him a break...mankind, you know.
I have to say, reading that quote where Obama said he was going to insist on something harsh reminded me of the stern insistence he's given to our congress to bring the people jobs, an economy and access to quality, affordable healthcare.

Parent

LAT: (none / 0) (#9)
by oculus on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:04:47 PM EST

link

Parent

Unreal (5.00 / 1) (#11)
by andgarden on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:08:54 PM EST

Airlines get fined for screwups like this. I mean, it's just a no-brainer.

I assume he must have had some kind of travel document. As far as I am aware, U.S. visas are typically not issued as loose forms.

If he didn't have some kind of passport or passport equivalent, I'd start asking questions about who's doing to screening at Schiphol. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but this has a stench of not good things.

Parent

Apparently the airline "bought" he (none / 0) (#13)
by oculus on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:11:33 PM EST

was a refugee. I heard on NPR yesterday a teacher and some classmates from the private school the suspect attended in Nigeria. Perfect "public school" British English.

Parent

Who believed him? (5.00 / 2) (#15)
by andgarden on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:14:28 PM EST

because that person needs to be fired--yesterday.

Parent

Refugees... (none / 0) (#21)
by kdog on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:21:19 PM EST

are screwed now...that sucks.

The world sucks sometimes...how so few can screw things up for so many.

Parent

Since when can refugees (5.00 / 2) (#23)
by andgarden on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:22:58 PM EST

just show up to an airport without any travel documents and just get on a plane?

If they could, I was unaware.

Parent

: Certainly ain't easy... (none / 0) (#33)
by kdog on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:37:56 PM EST

but it happens...googled it up and people sneak on planes once in awhile.

Parent

Refugees, drug users, convicted (5.00 / 1) (#27)
by oculus on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:24:18 PM EST

drug dealers--with whom do you not sympathize?

Parent

I try to sympathize with everybody (5.00 / 1) (#39)
by kdog on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:52:55 PM EST

but its hard work to do so for some more others...the three you mention are cakewalks compared to molesters, rapists, volent whackjobs, politicians, agents, officers, informants, prosecutors...you get my drift.

Who can't sympathize with a refugee? That's cold.

But I hear you...these days on a plane ya can't mess around...time to cut the bullsh*t and just get the bomb sniffing thingies.

Parent

You mean the dogs (none / 0) (#42)
by MKS on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:00:33 PM EST

Personally, I think dogs make law enforcement look friendlier.

Parent

And I'm sure many would prefer (5.00 / 1) (#45)
by nycstray on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:06:22 PM EST

a sniff down to a pat down or body scan. I know I would. And from what I've seen of working dogs, they are very efficient, all business.

Think of all the dogs we could have trained in the past 8 yrs with all that money we've been throwing around under the name of "Homeland Security".

Parent

bomb sniffing dogs, that is (none / 0) (#47)
by MKS on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:07:29 PM EST

The crowd control dogs have a history....of being misused.

The bomb sniffers always look cool to me....and their handlers generally field questions from regular folks....We've got one that can sniff out leftovers in the freezer everytime.

Parent

: My mutt can follow a pizza (none / 0) (#49)
by nycstray on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:09:50 PM EST

scent to the building it went in, lol!~

Parent

Not at all friendly if you're... (none / 0) (#51)
by kdog on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:12:32 PM EST

passing through security checkpoints with a sack on ya, one doesn't know what man's best friend has been trained to sniff out.

Parent

: Well, if they're after contraband (none / 0) (#52)
by MKS on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:15:50 PM EST

pizza, I've just the dog for ya--ask nystray....

Parent

No way... (none / 0) (#14)
by kdog on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:12:52 PM EST

that kid pulled this off alone, whatever went down.

Parent

I'm thinking he bribed someone (5.00 / 2) (#17)
by andgarden on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:15:11 PM EST

Parent

Or... (none / 0) (#24)
by kdog on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:23:15 PM EST

as simple as a kind soul at the airport taking pity on a refugee and now his/her goose is cooked.

Parent

As well it should be (5.00 / 2) (#26)
by andgarden on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:24:12 PM EST

Parent

He did look young and harmless (none / 0) (#40)
by MKS on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:53:11 PM EST

But one-way ticket in cash and no passport--and pacing in Amsterdam....How could someone miss that?

Parent

: I'm kinda surprised our computers (none / 0) (#44)
by nycstray on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:03:00 PM EST

aren't hardwired with warnings and matches to lists these days. They had the Visa with his name on it. When punched in at the airport, you would think it would red flag . . .
You forgot, no checked luggage and just one (meets requirements!) carry on . . . .

Parent
: RT ticket. Cash. (none / 0) (#80)
by oculus on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 10:57:27 PM EST

Parent

I was just talking to my husband (none / 0) (#64)
by Militarytracy on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 07:41:42 PM EST

He puts this incident squarely on the Netherlands and what they term "their security processes", he says they still refuse to admit and deal with their own Muslim Extremist problems. Says that is most likely why he chose to go through the Netherlands to get onto one of our flights.

Parent

airport security (none / 0) (#74)
by mollypitcher on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 08:40:37 PM EST

I flew out of that airport years ago--maybe late 80's or early 90's--and it was patrolled by uniformed guys with guns. Maybe following an incident involving the Israeli airline elsewhere in Europe?

Parent

: I flew in and out of there in the early (none / 0) (#75)
by Inspector Gadget on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 09:09:10 PM EST

'80s. My recollection is that it was notorious for purse snatching. Other than that, nothing stands out as unique or over-patrolled on the security end. In fact, they could have used more to protect people's travel money :)

Parent
: He said this is recent (none / 0) (#76)
by Militarytracy on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 09:11:03 PM EST

since 9/11. They won't comply with our asked for measures or our watch lists, they don't even want to respond to our needed response to possible terrorism. I still don't know how the word wasn't passed along about this kid, but if it was passed along to Amsterdam it may have been ignored by them.

Parent

My spouse flew through there (none / 0) (#79)
by Cream City on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 10:10:57 PM EST

less than a year ago (as we both did several years ago), and he says it was just as tough as ever. If it has changed a lot at the Amsterdam airport in just recent months, then why? Otherwise, sorry, blaming this on the Netherlands doesn't compute. It is a free and open society in some ways, but -- with its history -- not when it comes to terrorism, as it is trying to crack down hard on that.

The spouse was connecting flights there and had to go through the complete security check again, every bag for everyone in their group -- a Catholic university group, including clerics -- was checked, etc.

Parent

Amsterdam (none / 0) (#92)
by sumac on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 12:29:54 AM EST

My husband and I had a connecting flight through that airport in October and we, too, had to go through security to get on the US-bound flight. We did not leave the airport (as this was a connecting flight) and we went through a more rigorous security check there than we had in Spain.

Parent

He did not say that they did (none / 0) (#96)
by Militarytracy on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 07:28:27 AM EST

not have security, nor did he say that they are a bad society. He said that they have been reluctant to comply with certain policies we have requested in the past since 9/11. And he said that in his opinion that could also have had something to do with Amsterdam being chosen as the entry point.

Parent

Or (none / 0) (#100)
by Cream City on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 08:15:28 AM EST

"He puts this incident squarely on the Netherlands and what they term "their security processes.'"

Parent

He does (none / 0) (#101)
by Militarytracy on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 08:23:53 AM EST

He said that they have very weak security procedures for international flights and he said that he does put this failure squarely on them. That is not saying they are a bad society, perhaps a negligent one in this area.

Parent

: They have stepped up to the plate (none / 0) (#102)
by Inspector Gadget on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 09:50:22 AM EST

and are now promising to be exceptionally diligent in processing passengers onto US bound flights.

Parent
: He does, based on being there (none / 0) (#107)
by Cream City on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 08:11:09 PM EST

and being treated differently than my spouse and many others in his group? When was your spouse there?

Parent

Then he should replace Napolitano (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by Cream City on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 04:49:28 PM EST

who did such a heckuva job, Janet, in saying the exact opposite.

They may be considering it (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 04:50:30 PM EST

Parent

Media yesterday on Obama's presser (5.00 / 4) (#12)
by Cream City on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:10:55 PM EST

did seem to suggest that he was pretty ticked about having to get off the golf course to correct the mess that Napolitano made with her defense of the indefensible and her unwillingness to admit that fixes are needed.

It once again made the administration look like it is lacking the coordination in governing that was a hallmark of Obama when campaigning. And who in heck advised him that he didn't need to say anything for days, and why did he go along with it? Did he miss the mess for Bush when he circled in Air Force One for hours after 9/11 instead of getting in front of the cameras sooner? And Obama was not in the potential danger that was there for Bush with the attack on Washington, D.C.

Parent

Obama's Advisors Are Awful (5.00 / 2) (#72)
by norris morris on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 08:06:19 PM EST

Obama's gut instincts are sadly lacking as he follows the kind of atrocious advice he's getting from team Axelrod, et al.

It's an embarrassment.

Parent

Yeah those instincts (none / 0) (#86)
by Socraticsilence on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 11:27:47 PM EST

sure do stink, what with him rising to the presidency against incredible odds and all, You know whose instincts were also horrible-- Clinton and Reagan- those guys couldn't read the electorate to save their (political) lives.

Parent

: rising against incredile odds? (5.00 / 2) (#94)
by cawaltz on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 02:34:18 AM EST

The Dems could have run a ham sandwich against whoever the Republicans decided to run and it would have won.....As for the primary don't even get me started

Parent

Yet, he said he happily left the golf course (none / 0) (#73)
by Inspector Gadget on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 08:23:04 PM EST

did seem to suggest that he was pretty ticked about having to get off the golf course to correct the mess that Napolitano made with her defense of the indefensible and her unwillingness to admit that fixes are needed.

to get his friend back to the mansion when his son fell and cut his chin.

;)

Parent

She initially sd. systems worked (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by oculus on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 04:52:50 PM EST

as they should have. Later sd. she was miscontrued and, in fact, systems didn't work as they should have.

Parent

: Exactly. (none / 0) (#10)
by Cream City on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:06:04 PM EST

Parent
: When I saw her on the Sunday shows (none / 0) (#29)
by ruffian on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:26:42 PM EST

I noticed she was careful to say that the systems worked after it was noticed he was trying to do something on the plane. I thought it was a ridiculous needle to try to thread, and trying to be 'reassuring' that everything was really just fine because, hey, after he failed in blowing up the plane, we caught him! Just stupid. Jake Tapper in particular was openly sarcastic about that approach.
Does this warrant firing? To me, not if she is really doing a bang-up job otherwise...but it is hard to find evidence of that.

Parent

With whom? (5.00 / 1) (#16)
by oculus on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:14:28 PM EST

Parent

Words are welcome. But, politically, (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by oculus on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 04:57:09 PM EST

shouldn't the Pres. be in the WH after the Christmas Day terrorist event? Yes, I know he has a young family and always goes to Hawaii for Christmas.

I don't know if he needed to drop everything (5.00 / 4) (#19)
by tigercourse on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:18:07 PM EST

to come back, but her certainly should have spoken up before yesterday afternoon.

Parent

He also addressed the incident (none / 0) (#22)
by oculus on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:22:25 PM EST

on Monday, but not on camera. link

Parent

He really should have been out on video (5.00 / 1) (#28)
by tigercourse on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:24:30 PM EST

in less then 24 hours with a simple "This will not stand, American will endure, etc." statement. I could write it in about 5 minutes.

Parent

Because of a failed attack? (none / 0) (#32)
by Steve M on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:36:36 PM EST

Dude, this wasn't exactly the space shuttle disaster. "America will endure"?

Parent

Yes, I think the President can spare a (5.00 / 1) (#41)
by tigercourse on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:58:05 PM EST

hole or two to make a statement about a just by luck failed attack.

Parent

let's be fair (5.00 / 3) (#43)
by CST on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:01:13 PM EST

to the person who tackled the guy.

That's not luck, that's awesome.

Parent

: Amen CST... (5.00 / 1) (#53)
by kdog on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:16:32 PM EST

those are security measures everybody can appreciate.

Parent

Well (5.00 / 1) (#48)
by Steve M on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:08:58 PM EST

I'm pretty sure he did, in fact, make a statement. But I disagree that the occasion called for a big production or soaring rhetoric or any of that stuff.

Parent

: He didn't need soar rhetoric (5.00 / 2) (#50)
by nycstray on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:11:18 PM EST

basically what he's already said, but sooner.

Parent

The idea was to not give (none / 0) (#35)
by MKS on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:46:53 PM EST

al Qaeda what it wants--a terrorized American public. But that can be taken too far too....

Parent

Young family or not, Obama's two week (5.00 / 4) (#25)
by hairspray on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:23:49 PM EST

vacation in a 9 million dollar enclave when the nation is in the worse shape it has been in for decades is showing either a tin ear or incredible arrogance. My belief is that if Obama had displayed some compassionate symbolism at this time, he would have bumped up his negatives a whole lot. Many people are dismayed at the "loss of hope" and would welcome his appearance of feeling their pain. The media made much of Bill's use of this phrase, but he demonstrated it over and over and that is why even after the impeachment debacle, Bill's approval rating was well over 60%. After sendig another 30,000 troups into harm's way, the least he could have done was gone to the troops. His kids could have a good Christmas at the WH.

Parent

it's Christmas... (none / 0) (#30)
by CST on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:35:58 PM EST

and he went "home" for the holidays.

Of all the things that would p*ss me off about this event, the fact that he was on Vacation for the holidays BEFORE anything happened, doesn't even come close.

As to whether it was good to have stayed... I don't know. It certainly isn't good optics. But I do have a hard time treating this like Katrina or 9/11 or any other catastrophic event where something bad was actually accomplished.

I will say it's pretty bad politics.

Parent

Even GWB gave up his Thanksgivings (5.00 / 2) (#61)
by Inspector Gadget on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:53:28 PM EST

to visit the troops in Iraq.

Obama's only been on the job for 11 months, and he's already taken two red carpet lengthy vacations. We're the ones paying for the secret service, and the locations he selects have to foot the bill for all the local security and protections.

Even the ultra wealthy folks in Medina, WA were ticked off when GWB made two campaign visits there in a short a period of time because of what it cost them....and he only stayed a couple of hours each time.

Parent

: Yeah in the runup to elections (none / 0) (#82)
by Socraticsilence on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 11:15:54 PM EST

Contrast that with the month leading up to 9-11 or the aftermath of Katrina (you know events where people actually died) and get back to me.

Parent

Err! (none / 0) (#59)
by hairspray on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:44:21 PM EST

Oaklahoma City bombing come to mind?

Parent

Nothing happened (none / 0) (#62)
by Inspector Gadget on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:59:36 PM EST

I can't imagine dropping everything for this failed effort. He's handled this particular situation as well as anyone would have.

Although, I agree with every other reason why his decadent holiday (when was the Martha's Vineyard get-away?) is an aggravation.

Parent

: To be clear: I never said that (none / 0) (#105)
by hairspray on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 12:51:23 PM EST

Obama needed to drop his vacation over this security lapse. What I said was that the horrible shape our country is in should have signaled to Obama the need to provide symbolic (if nothing else) gestures during this holiday season. And I suggested a trip to the troops as a real high priority or at least some visits to soup kitchens, etc. When the citizens see the posh diggs the prez and his clan rented, including several other mcmansions for friends and family, many probably thought this was calous. I know I did.

Parent

True, but people liked Bill (none / 0) (#37)
by MKS on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:50:28 PM EST

because the economy was booming....

Obama is from Hawaii--he has been going home for the holidays and vacations for years....it is not as if he chose to go to someplace new because it was posh....

Parent

Apologists! (5.00 / 1) (#58)
by hairspray on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:41:24 PM EST

what does going home got to do with visiting the troops when you send another 30,000 to a corrupt quagmire like Afghanistan? Puleeeze!

Parent

: Now this (none / 0) (#84)
by Socraticsilence on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 11:23:14 PM EST

is how you do sarcasm!

Parent

The picture (5.00 / 3) (#95)
by Ga6thDem on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 07:12:22 AM EST

presented by the news was pretty ugly: Obama frolicking on the beach while a terrorist attempted to blow up an airplane.

Actually spending $4000 a night to stay in HI when the country has double digit unemploymentment isn't too politically smart either.

Parent

I'm cool with him staying on vacation (none / 0) (#97)
by Militarytracy on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 07:34:52 AM EST

This wasn't that kind of emergency for me. They are out there whether I like it or not.

Parent

She was saying what she was told to say (5.00 / 1) (#8)
by jimakaPPJ on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 04:58:20 PM EST

But I agree she should be replaced... Along with whoever dropped the ball on the Father's warning.

I agree. (5.00 / 1) (#31)
by robotalk on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:36:03 PM EST

Not everything Obama does is wrong and this is not.

Now to all the other systemic failures . . . .

Amen to that... (5.00 / 1) (#34)
by kdog on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:40:52 PM EST

other systemic failures require urgent attention.

Parent

Not Showing Up (none / 0) (#69)
by norris morris on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 07:51:16 PM EST

Why did it take 72 hours for an appropriate response from our president?

Brownie, er, Napolitano was sent out to tell us all was fine in a robotic totally unconvincing stone faced little speech.

We all know she embarrassingly had to come out and say the opposite.

Napolitano has none of the leadership skills or experience for this enormously responsible job that requires skills she didn't develop as a small State Gov. of Arizona.

So it actually took 72 hours for Obama to let us know this was serious and a failure that will be looked into? He finally dained to speak, but what is this robotic political appointment with no grasp of her job?

So another incompetent robot ala Brownie is shoved out in front to shill for the President during a calamity while Mr. President is on vacation.

Sound familiar?

Parent

: Wait (none / 0) (#85)
by Socraticsilence on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 11:24:56 PM EST

This attack killed nearly a thousand and destroyed an Iconic American City-- huh, I thought it just resulted in a neutered terrorist.

Parent

The storage of cargo and baggae is problem (5.00 / 1) (#60)
by Saul on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:47:38 PM EST

Shown on tv that tons of boxes of regular mail plus commercial cargo are put on regular commercial flights along with the passenger baggage and none of it is screened. The only thing screened are the passenger baggage. The exploitation of this vulnerability is just mind boggling.

: Just a matter of imagination and time. (5.00 / 2) (#67)
by oldpro on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 07:49:21 PM EST

Parent
: That's very scary (none / 0) (#99)
by Militarytracy on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 07:46:44 AM EST

The last puppy I shipped had to go to quarantine for awhile too before the flight. I guess in case he had a bomb in him :) I don't look down on them for doing what needs to be done, but what you point out does seem to be a major vulnerability.

Parent

Well, he was already in emergency mode (5.00 / 1) (#65)
by Inspector Gadget on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 07:45:43 PM EST

having raced off the golf course to wisk his friend to his son's side after falling during this group vacation and requiring a few stitches in his chin.

I guess Bush's DHS isn't very good (5.00 / 1) (#70)
by FreakyBeaky on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 07:57:03 PM EST

Fix it.

Not a moment too soon. . . (none / 0) (#1)
by andgarden on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 04:36:33 PM EST

Some one ought (none / 0) (#36)
by Salo on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:50:27 PM EST

To quietly ask the British to get out of the War on Terror. It's just stirring up a hornets nest of Islamists having the British committed to the fighting.

: At least (none / 0) (#104)
by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 11:31:08 AM EST

the Brits are competent enough to deny this clown a visa.

Parent

Need more info/followup on 2nd man (none / 0) (#38)
by oldpro on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 05:52:08 PM EST

report...

"American lawyer Kurt Haskell, who was standing in line with his wife Lori on Christmas morning at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, said Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was with a man aged about 50 of Indian appearance in an expensive suit talking with a ticket agent.

Mr Haskell claims that the second man told the ticket agent Abdulmutallab was from Sudan and did not have a passport. The ticket agent then referred the men to her manager down the hall, and Mr Haskell did not see the suspect against (sic) until after the failed bombing attempt. "

uk telegraph...and, I heard/saw Mr. Haskell interviewed last night. He seemed very credible. More to this story....

take his report with a grain of salt (5.00 / 1) (#57)
by Jeralyn on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:33:18 PM EST

the dutch are investigating it. He did have a passport. The guy is probably not lying, but may well be mistaken. He may have been with a guy in a suit, who may have been an accomplice, but by all official accounts from the Netherlands and Nigeria, he had a passport and it went through the machine.

This guy sounds like an Annie Jacobsen to me.

Parent

: I take every report with a grain of salt (5.00 / 2) (#66)
by oldpro on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 07:47:28 PM EST

but until I know more, I won't assume he's a publicity hound nutcase like Annie. And, unlike most people, I didn't believe W's SOS's report to the UN on WOMD either.
Born skeptic.

Parent

Absolutely (none / 0) (#46)
by andgarden on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 06:06:50 PM EST

They need to find this guy ASAP. I hope and pray that the Dutch police are up to it.

Parent

Props to the Pres (none / 0) (#77)
by Pacific John on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 09:28:08 PM EST

This is the first time I can remember that I applaud one of his decisions.

It's a breath of fresh air that he's calling this what it is, a systematic failure. I'm really rooting for him to follow through.

Aw, man (none / 0) (#78)
by Pacific John on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 09:32:44 PM EST

You just harshed my mellow.

: Not even our resident Hope Enforcers.... (5.00 / 1) (#106)
by lambert on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 01:16:59 PM EST

... have an answer for this one.

Parent

Before she was governor she was (none / 0) (#81)
by oculus on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 11:01:26 PM EST

state Attorney General.

And before that (none / 0) (#88)
by Steve M on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 11:54:22 PM EST

she was U.S. Attorney and played a role in investigating the Oklahoma City bombing.

Parent

: that's what her bio says (none / 0) (#90)
by Jeralyn on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 12:27:18 AM EST

I don't remember her doing anything. Maybe it was in relation to Michael Fortier who lived in AZ.
This sounds more like what she did as USA (from her white house bio)

1993-1998 - U.S. Attorney for District of Arizona, appointed by President Bill Clinton. As U.S. Attorney, she supervised the prosecution of more than 6,000 immigration cases.

Parent

that comment was deleted for (none / 0) (#89)
by Jeralyn on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 12:21:51 AM EST

containing profanity

Parent

Major terrorist attack (none / 0) (#83)
by Socraticsilence on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 11:19:16 PM EST

I repeat no one died- this was Shoe Bomber 2.0-- it could have been horrible but wasn't due to incompetence-- you sound like those who spun the White Supremascists arrested in Denver last year as Failed Assassins behind the worst attack on a canidate and/or President since Hinckley.

Arizona's a small state? (none / 0) (#87)
by Socraticsilence on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 11:31:19 PM EST

Since when its 14th in population and growing rapidly.

: it has (none / 0) (#91)
by Jeralyn on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 12:29:32 AM EST

6.5 million people out of 304 million in the U.S. I'd call it small in size and in political and social import.

Parent
: Perhaps not small population-wise (none / 0) (#93)
by Inspector Gadget on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 01:21:11 AM EST

But, routinely earns dumbest state.

Parent

Al Qaeda (none / 0) (#98)
by bob h on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 07:38:25 AM EST

are presumably smart enough to know that our public discourse is so idiotic, our country so full of demagogues, and our politics so fragile that a successful aircraft attack could well upend us, returning to power their natural long-term allies-The Republicans.

major terrorist attack (none / 0) (#103)
by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 11:26:43 AM EST

Waiting 72 hours to respond to a major terrorist attack on hundreds of Amricans is boneheaded.

This whitehouse chooses to call this the action of an "isolated extremist." They have yet to acknowledge (that I have seen) that this is a terrorist attack at all.

That choice of words indicates that Obama still can't recognize that AQ is at war with us. Pretending otherwise is laughably stupid.

Obama: "Systemic Failure" Led To Alleged Terrorist Slipping Through | 104 comments (104 topical)

Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment