Spring Break
Our View - Just plane stupid
Editorial Board
Issue date: 4/28/09 Section: Opinion
Looks like swine flu is not the only thing causing panic these days.
On Monday, unsuspecting New Yorkers were greeted with an unpleasant surprise as a low-flying backup to Air Force One circled the Statue of Liberty, escorted by two F-16 fighter jets.
The flight, scheduled to give Air Force photographers an opportunity to take photographs of the plane in front of several historical monuments, prompted a good share of panic, and caused the evacuation of several Manhattan buildings, according to the Associated Press.
New York Mayor Michael Blumberg was furious and said that his administration was never notified that there would be a flight. He later called it "insensitive" for Air Force officials to fly so closely to the Sept. 11 site.
The FAA claims that it did attempt to notify Blumberg, but that the message, which somehow made it to the New York Police Department, got lost along the way.
Either way, Louis Calderra, White House military office director, later apologized for the failure to communicate with local officials and for the confusion that failure caused.
The Collegian editorial board appreciates this sentiment, but we think that another apology is owed.
Given the backdrop of the Sept. 11 attacks, we can't imagine why it would be deemed appropriate to fly planes so close to Ground Zero without first notifying the public.
Administration officials should have anticipated the panic caused, and should have taken adequate steps to prevent it.
Hopefully, U.S. officials will be more cautious next time they decide to spend tax dollars taking pictures.
On Monday, unsuspecting New Yorkers were greeted with an unpleasant surprise as a low-flying backup to Air Force One circled the Statue of Liberty, escorted by two F-16 fighter jets.
The flight, scheduled to give Air Force photographers an opportunity to take photographs of the plane in front of several historical monuments, prompted a good share of panic, and caused the evacuation of several Manhattan buildings, according to the Associated Press.
New York Mayor Michael Blumberg was furious and said that his administration was never notified that there would be a flight. He later called it "insensitive" for Air Force officials to fly so closely to the Sept. 11 site.
The FAA claims that it did attempt to notify Blumberg, but that the message, which somehow made it to the New York Police Department, got lost along the way.
Either way, Louis Calderra, White House military office director, later apologized for the failure to communicate with local officials and for the confusion that failure caused.
The Collegian editorial board appreciates this sentiment, but we think that another apology is owed.
Given the backdrop of the Sept. 11 attacks, we can't imagine why it would be deemed appropriate to fly planes so close to Ground Zero without first notifying the public.
Administration officials should have anticipated the panic caused, and should have taken adequate steps to prevent it.
Hopefully, U.S. officials will be more cautious next time they decide to spend tax dollars taking pictures.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Byah
posted 4/28/09 @ 1:23 PM MST
haven't they heard of photo shop? lol fail!
Carried Away
posted 4/29/09 @ 4:15 PM MST
Nobody said fear was intelligent...doesn't mean we have to cater to fear, however.
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