President Obama Says His Administration ‘Will Not Rest’ After AttemptedTerror Attack
EmailABC News’ Yunji de Nies reports: Breaking his silence on the attempted attack on Flight 253, President Barack Obama struck a tone of reassurance and vigilance, vowing that his administration “will not rest until we find all who were involved and hold them accountable.” “The American people should be assured that we are doing everything in our power to keep you and your family safe and secure during this busy holiday season,” the president said. Mr. Obama, who is on vacation in his home state of Hawaii, has been criticized for waiting several days before addressing the public on the alleged attempted terrorist attack. The White House says the president has been receiving regular updates as new information comes in and holding secure conference calls regularly on the matter. Mr. Obama said just today he spoke with Attorney General Eric Holder, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and counterterrorism and homeland security adviser, John Brennan. He laid out the actions he has taken so far: immediately calling for increased security for air travelers, and ordering reviews of both watch-listing and airport screening policies. The president said he also has instructed his national security teams to keep pressure on those who would attack the United States. “We do not yet have all the answers about this latest attempt, but those who would slaughter innocent men, women and children must know that the United States will more — do more than simply strengthen our defenses,” the president said. “We will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, to dismantle and defeat the violent extremists who threaten us, whether they are from Afghanistan or Pakistan, Yemen or Somalia, or anywhere where they are plotting attacks against the U.S. homeland.” The president also praised the “quick and heroic actions” of the passengers and crew, who subdued the suspect, 23-year old Umar Faruk Abdulmutallab. Toward the end of his short statement, Mr. Obama condemned the recent violence and protests in Iran, saying that the United States stands with those seeking universal rights, and calling for the immediate release of political prisoners. “What’s taking place within Iran is not about the United States or any other country. It’s about the Iranian people and their aspirations for justice and a better life for themselves. And the decision of Iran’s leaders to govern through fear and tyranny will not succeed in making those aspirations go away,” he said. “As I said in Oslo, it’s telling when governments fear the aspirations of their own people more than the power of any other nation.”
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“It’s telling when a government fears the aspirations of its own people”.
Yeah, like Obama fears the Tea Party and elderly mobsters–or even the progressives in his own party.
I bet he wishes they would go away.
Posted by: kyle | December 28, 2009, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm
A lackluster appearance at best, an annoyed man who’s been dragged away from the beach to talk about something he’d rather not talk about. That’s probably why he failed to use the correct description: “attempted man-caused disaster.”
Incidentally, how many times per minutes on average does his head move from right to left to right to left to right? Can’t we taxpayers pop for a third teleprompter right in the middle, just to add a little variety?
Posted by: Bob | December 28, 2009, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
But absolutely no tough interrogations are allowed.
Obama will do everything but that.
Skin grafts, a lawyer yes.
But no tough treatment.
Posted by: larry | December 28, 2009, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm
Good job Mr. President, now lets get back to the release of more of those Gitmo detainee’s
Posted by: bdaman | December 28, 2009, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
His adminisdtration will not rest…
Golf at 4:00PM
Posted by: ollie | December 28, 2009, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm
Wait, I thought the guy in custody acted alone and the claim of responsibility from Al-Q was BS. Didn’t the White House just say that? My gosh…looks like we’re on our own, folks.
Posted by: jennifert7 | December 28, 2009, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm
Well, Mr. President, you said you wouldn’t rest until America was back to work again.
Guess what: I need a job.
Posted by: Live! From DC! It's Sat Night! | December 28, 2009, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm
Bob, I didn’t think it was lackluster or that he seemed annoyed. To me, its a matter-of-fact understated approach– firm, confident, calm. Different strokes for different folks with different perspectives, I guess.
Kyle, speculation on who he wants to go away seems really silly to me– he’s never indicated he wants any American to “go away.” And I’m sure he doesn’t “fear” the tea partiers. He may wish some people here would simply grow up (and do their jobs–see Congress!), although I may be projecting that onto him as I sure wouldn’t blame him if that were the case.
Posted by: progressive mama | December 28, 2009, 5:08 pm 5:08 pm
wait..isn’t he resting right now in Hawaii?
Posted by: mjishernameo | December 28, 2009, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
Yeah, sure. Right after he gets done with his vacation.
Posted by: jennifert7 | December 28, 2009, 5:12 pm 5:12 pm
The last time there was a security breach, we had 9-11. That was a breach by the Bush presidency. Obama this Obama that… all this stems from bad world policy from the last eight years. Let Obama’s presidency pass the four year test, and then hold your opinion. Many of you want him to fail, which is sad and detrimental to this country.
Posted by: anonymous | December 28, 2009, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm
Obama also said he wouldn’t rest until every American had a job.
Why is he on vacation in Hawaii?
Posted by: glasater | December 28, 2009, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm
Charged with attempting to destroy and aircraft????
Are you friggin kidding me???
This is what we get when we treat terrorists as civilian criminals…Now here come the appeals..the court appointed attny, all paid for by us. Also I hear he may need skin grafts.
Lord, what have we done with this boy in the office. We need a grown up.
Posted by: mjishernameo | December 28, 2009, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
“Obama also said he wouldn’t rest until every American had a job.
Why is he on vacation in Hawaii?”
I thought the same thing. There is an awful lot of “not resting” going on but not much else getting done.
And, Bob, you are brilliant. They need to mount a teleprompter on the camera directly in front of President Obama so we can get some relief from the tennis match going on every time he speaks.
Posted by: The Audacity of Copenhagen | December 28, 2009, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm
There are going to be serious bags under his eyes.
Posted by: Huh | December 28, 2009, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm
“The American people should be assured that we are doing everything in our power to keep you and your family safe and secure during this busy holiday season,” the president said.
Did he make this statement before or after his golf game?
Posted by: sarainitaly | December 28, 2009, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm
The terrorist is now lawyered up and we have to give him the same rights as a US citizen.Welcome to Obamaland.
Posted by: bobmac | December 28, 2009, 6:48 pm 6:48 pm
“The American people should be assured that we are doing everything in our power to keep you and your family safe and secure during this busy holiday season,” the president said.”
Is he?
Is he really???
Posted by: ceeLeelee | December 28, 2009, 7:01 pm 7:01 pm
Can the brilliant orator complete one sentence without looking down at his notes.
He was about as passionate and convincing as cardboard cutout Obama.
Maybe one day Obama will actually look directly at his audience.
He was in such a hurry to get out of there I thought he was going to run off the stage.
Posted by: mick | December 28, 2009, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm
Nice try but I don’t think Obama was able to convince the public that the bomber acted alone.
An isolated event. The same thing he said about Ft Hood.
Obama wants to downplay how bad this is, probably to make himself look better.
Maybe he can’t admit AlQaeda hates him like they hated Bush–and they still want to kill Americans as much as they ever did.
Posted by: cal | December 28, 2009, 7:14 pm 7:14 pm
“The American people should be assured that we are doing everything in our power to keep you and your family safe and secure during this busy holiday season,” the president said.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Well, that’s reassuring. If this is what they’re doing to keep us safe during “this busy holiday season” I can hardly wait to see what happens after this week when this holiday season is over. Nuts.
Posted by: jennifert7 | December 28, 2009, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm
More empty words from the empty suit.
Posted by: Michelle | December 28, 2009, 7:24 pm 7:24 pm
“We will not rest until we find all who were involved and hold them accountable,” Obama said.
______________________________________
Sure doesn’t sound like he’s blaming it on a lone bomber.
Posted by: tierra | December 28, 2009, 7:34 pm 7:34 pm
AWFUL performance–tepid, lackluster – and he said “an isolated extremist” – SO THAT’S BEEN PROVEN?
and then of course, back to the golf course -
there is nobody in charge – no grown ups – gibbs? napolitano? obama? this is unbelievable that these people are in charge of our country – we are on our own folks- buckle up and hunker down – this is not going to be pretty
Posted by: ted | December 28, 2009, 7:37 pm 7:37 pm
Posted by: ted | Dec 28, 2009 7:37:35 PM
Oh Ted, quite your posturing.
The reaction of this administration has been basically the same as the last – perhaps faster given the new security restrictions that were immediately instituted and are already in place for flights coming into the United States. It is causing hours of delays – but stricter measures were immediately deployed.
Did you miss that?
This was one individual carrying out an isolated act – this was not the nation under attack like it was on 9/11.
Posted by: tierra | December 28, 2009, 7:51 pm 7:51 pm
“This was one individual carrying out an isolated act”
Are you familiar with a little outfit called Al-Qaeda?..
Posted by: tjp612 | December 28, 2009, 7:55 pm 7:55 pm
Barry’s response upon asking when he was going to make a statement regarding this terrorist event:
“Can’t I just eat my pineapple?”
Posted by: tjp612 | December 28, 2009, 7:57 pm 7:57 pm
BTW – Now that healthcare “reform” is behind them, the Senate is now working on drafting legislation to respond to nuclear threat in Iran.
Much better to “reform” healthcare now to make sure healthcare is “available” to most 4 years from now than deal with a regime that will most likely (if unchecked) have a nuclear weapon in the next 1-2 years.
This administration and the Democrat-led Congress really has their priorities straight: Party and ideology first, country and national security second.
Posted by: tjp612 | December 28, 2009, 8:02 pm 8:02 pm
Much better to “reform” healthcare now to make sure healthcare is “available” to most 4 years from now than deal with a regime that will most likely (if unchecked) have a nuclear weapon in the next 1-2 years.
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North Korea tested nuclear weapons on Bush’s watch. Tested nuclear weapons!
We’re no where near that yet with Iran. Give it a rest – or be honest and fair. Your agenda is obvious and weak.
Posted by: tierra | December 28, 2009, 8:05 pm 8:05 pm
“We’re no where near that yet with Iran. Give it a rest – or be honest and fair. Your agenda is obvious and weak.”
Really? Do you even know what is going on in Iran???
The ignorance/detachment from reality is staggering.
Posted by: tjp612 | December 28, 2009, 8:08 pm 8:08 pm
===”We will not rest until we find all who were involved and hold them accountable,” Obama said.===
Now excuse him while he gets back to his golf game.
Posted by: Axey | December 28, 2009, 8:20 pm 8:20 pm
“One thing I’d like to point out: The system worked.”
Janet Incompetano 12/27/09
Posted by: tjp612 | December 28, 2009, 8:24 pm 8:24 pm
Do you even know what is going on in Iran???
__________________________________
Yes, I know that even as North Korea tested its first nuclear weapon on Bush’s watch, Iran also developed a secret nuclear facility on Bush’s watch – and that it was exposed under Obama.
Posted by: tierra | December 28, 2009, 8:26 pm 8:26 pm
Isn’t this exactly what Bush said? Geesh, can we get some new material.
Posted by: Mario | December 28, 2009, 8:34 pm 8:34 pm
Obama does not connect.
No reassurance no empathy just mechanically reading notes.
I wonder sometimes if Obama even knows the content of what he has just read.
Playing a part, reading a script.
It’s all very cold.
I miss Bush’s sincerity.
Posted by: millie | December 28, 2009, 8:34 pm 8:34 pm
It all sounds very Bushy to me….
Posted by: dave | December 28, 2009, 8:38 pm 8:38 pm
How’s everyone feeling about the federal government running healthcare?
I’m sure it will be much better than how this incident was handled…. (/s)
If the government can’t put a hold on the underwear bomber’s American visa when his father tells the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria weeks ago his son has most likely been radicalized…If Janet Incompetano truly believes “the system worked”…If the Iranians continue to defy Obama’s ever-moving “deadlines” while he chooses to instead focus on healthcare “reform”….how can any of us believe the federal government will run healthcare efficiently and cost effectively?
Posted by: tjp612 | December 28, 2009, 8:43 pm 8:43 pm
“…and that it was exposed under Obama.”
And yet, he does nothing. The Iranians are laughing at this weak president as they watch his deadlines move by…
Posted by: tjp612 | December 28, 2009, 8:45 pm 8:45 pm
Do you even know what is going on in Iran???
__________________________________
Yes, I know that even as North Korea tested its first nuclear weapon on Bush’s watch, Iran also developed a secret nuclear facility on Bush’s watch – and that it was exposed under Obama.
Imagine what the right wingers would be doing if Obama had allowed North Korea testing its first nuclear weapon.
If Obama had been Bush, they would have branded Bush a traitor. Same with the secret nuclear facility in Iran – Bush, an incompetent traitor!
etc, etc, etc.
Posted by: tierra | December 28, 2009, 8:51 pm 8:51 pm
Posted by: tierra | Dec 28, 2009 8:51:38 PM
pssst…George Bush is no longer the president….it’s Obama’s job and responsibility now and for the next 3 years…
Posted by: tjp612 | December 28, 2009, 9:15 pm 9:15 pm
Obama looked annoyed today.
He’s happy when he can enjoy the perks of being a celebrity president.
Annoyed when he can’t delegate and actually has to handle something himself–even if it was just a five-minute speech.
Posted by: larry | December 28, 2009, 9:21 pm 9:21 pm
Obama looks like he is running out of steam. His words are empty and do not convince me that he fully understands that the war is a religious one with Islamic terrorists. There is nothing isolated about the 3 Islamic incidents this year except our government failed to protect our citizens because they were too busy being PC.
It is being reported that the group taking responsibility are some of the terrorists the US released to Yemen and that broke out and got away. We recently released more terrorists to this country and have many more we plan to release. So when does sanity take over and this administration realize that terrorists remain terrorists and that releasing them is putting us all in danger unnecessarily.
Posted by: Susan | December 28, 2009, 9:26 pm 9:26 pm
pssst…George Bush is no longer the president….it’s Obama’s job and responsibility now and for the next 3 years…
_________________________________
Yes, but the point is Bush botched the job on security as North Korea tested its first nuclear weapon and Iran developed secret nuclear facilities. Obama has certainly done no worse and the comparison is valid.
Posted by: tierra | December 28, 2009, 9:35 pm 9:35 pm
It is being reported that the group taking responsibility are some of the terrorists the US released to Yemen and that broke out and got away.
__________________________________
Those terrorist being report as being released from Guantanamo were released in 2007 – on Bush and Cheney’s watch, not Obama.
Posted by: tierra | December 28, 2009, 9:37 pm 9:37 pm
“Those terrorist being report as being released from Guantanamo were released in 2007 – on Bush and Cheney’s watch, not Obama.”
Wasn’t right then, isn’t right now. Keep Gitmo in operation.
“Yes, but the point is Bush botched the job on security as North Korea tested its first nuclear weapon and Iran developed secret nuclear facilities. Obama has certainly done no worse and the comparison is valid.”
No, tierra, the comparison is not valid. You make the assumption that ALL of us who criticize Obama supported Bush in everything he did/did not do. This simply is not true. Which is one reason why the “Bush Did It!” excuse does not hold water (another, more valid reason is because Obama campaigned for and was elected to the job – who among us gets to blame our predecessor when filling a new job, especially one year into the job?).
BTW – Since you seem to be unaware of any history that does not have Bush associated with it, the N. Korean nuclear program ramped up during the Clinton administration.
Posted by: tjp612 | December 28, 2009, 9:55 pm 9:55 pm
To me, its a matter-of-fact understated approach– firm, confident, calm.
Posted by: progressive mama | Dec 28, 2009 5:08:09 PM
If you like emotionally detached, you’ll be impressed.
Posted by: Big Bahdda Boom | December 28, 2009, 9:58 pm 9:58 pm
You make the assumption that ALL of us who criticize Obama supported Bush in everything he did/did not do.
__________________________________
No such assumption is made. A comparison is made between what happened under the last Republican president and what is happening under the current Democratic president. The comparison is completely legitimate.
Posted by: tierra | December 28, 2009, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm
Obama = Bush
Put that in your pipe and smoke it Tierra!
Posted by: Mario | December 28, 2009, 10:51 pm 10:51 pm
tierra, the thing is they both do the same thing
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Not at all, I was pointing out North Korean tested its first nuclear weapon on George Bush’s watch, and that Iran developed a secret nuclear facility on Bush’s watch as well.
Primarily I was pointing these things out because the Republican right wing types on this blog were attacking the current President for weakness against foreign threats – the comparison is valid.
Posted by: tierra | December 28, 2009, 11:01 pm 11:01 pm
Isn’t ironic how Obama said “We will not rest” and then went golfing again:-)
Posted by: Keisha | December 28, 2009, 11:06 pm 11:06 pm
“but those who would slaughter innocent men, women and children”
Mmm let’s see, those who die from US drone attacks, bombs and by the expression of absolute authority. But that’s okay, because they’re not US men, women and children so that’s the difference. Slaughter 10′s of 1000′s of them, occupy and destroy their countries and jail them indefinitely without charge and yet wonder why they decide to join extremist groups. Roll on the ever spiralling military budget and endless war!!! Hell at this rate Al Qaeda will be ‘found’ by US ‘intelligence’ to be in every country on earth lol. In fact I’m struggling to remember a single year since WWII that the US wasn’t bombing, invading or occupying some country…
Didn’t someone tell the chickenhawks in Washington that the Cold War ended 20 years ago lol.
Posted by: carey18 | December 29, 2009, 12:27 am 12:27 am
To me, its a matter-of-fact understated approach– firm, confident, calm.
Posted by: progressive mama | Dec 28, 2009 5:08:09 PM
If you like emotionally detached, you’ll be impressed.
Posted by: Big Bahdda Boom | Dec 28, 2009 9:58:41 PM
—-
I take it you said this as a joke or snark, but I think you’re on to something as I do much, much prefer that. More cool, calm, even-keeled, zen, confident. After all, I already have my own daddy– and a dear husband.
(though I have met Obama and he’s very warm in person, so I don’t see it as remote, just more leader like than the overly emotive guys and gals.)
Posted by: progressive mama | December 29, 2009, 1:12 am 1:12 am
Posted by: carey18
when americans do it, it’s acceptable
when americans torture, it’s not torture
re; If you like emotionally detached, you’ll be impressed.
Posted by: Big Bahdda Boom
don’t agree with your characterization,..but, actually I’ll take ‘ emotionally detached’ as opposed to frantic, emotional, and choosing options by ‘your gut’, mouthing off about how superior you are
___________________________________
and having God whisper instructions to you in the washroom . .. we don’t need any more of that nonsense.
Posted by: tierra | December 29, 2009, 3:37 am 3:37 am
millie – you gotta be kidding me – Bush’s sincerity??!!! LMAO Bush and Cheney were never sincere. They lied and schemed behind their backs. Bush was Cheney’s robot – a village idiot
Posted by: Bob | December 29, 2009, 8:21 am 8:21 am
Oh, the irony of being on vacation in Hawaii and using the well worn and useless phrase, “…will not rest”
Just an observation ~ Most of Obama’s speeches use the first person singular “I”. He switches to the plural “We” when he’s in trouble.
Posted by: The Audacity of Copenhagen | December 29, 2009, 9:58 am 9:58 am
We will not rest, not watch me drive this ball toward the green.
Seriously, this is not what I expected out of Obama. I feel let down.
Posted by: Jordan | December 29, 2009, 11:25 am 11:25 am
I did not vote for Obama, nor do I agree with him on many issues but I do hope and pray he succeeds, just because he is our president and is representing my country. That being said, those of you defending the President in that video – take another look. Pretend it’s someone whom you wouldn’t defend, no matter what. That video showed a man who really did not want to be bothered with this but had to. That did not show a “cool, calm, even-keeled, zen, confident.” man, nor “firm, confident, calm”. Look at his body language, look at his face. He was not happy about being there and it wasn’t because he was emotionally upset about what happened. I wish he would have put a little more effort into APPEARING concerned, whether he was or not.
Posted by: Rican | December 29, 2009, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm
Oh, the irony of being on vacation in Hawaii and using the well worn and useless phrase, “…will not rest”
Posted by: The Audacity of Copenhagen | Dec 29, 2009 9:58:15 AM
I smell a Saturday Night Live skit coming!
Posted by: Live! From DC! It's Sat Night! | December 29, 2009, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm
“don’t agree with your characterization,..but, actually I’ll take ‘ emotionally detached’ ”
“I do much, much prefer that. More cool, calm, even-keeled, zen, confident”
Narcissistic personality disorder:
Although most individuals have some narcissistic traits, high levels of narcissism can manifest themselves as a pathological form as narcissistic personality disorder, whereby the patient overestimates his or her abilities and has an excessive need for admiration and affirmation. – wikipedia
Posted by: Live! From DC! It's Sat Night! | December 29, 2009, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm
Breaking his silence on the attempted attack on Flight 253, President Barack Obama struck a tone of reassurance and vigilance, vowing that his administration “will not rest until we find all who were involved and hold them accountable.”
I guess this means that the
Obama Administration has been “resting”
for the past twelve months!
When is this president going to learn
that his ridiculous foreign policy of
Blah, Blah, Blah Does Not Work!
Teddy Roosevelt had it right:
“Walk softly but Carry a Big Stick”!
Get out the Stick, Mr President!
Our enemies are Not Listening!
Posted by: reaganfan | December 29, 2009, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
Posted by: Live! From DC! It’s Sat Night!
now everyone on the right has suddenly become a psychiatrist, funny…. altho’ this meme has been circulated before, new material please
last time I checked the ‘right’ thought it was ‘expert’ on economics, military strategy, suni/shia reactions, climate change, tax policy,
what’s your reference say about Presidents who speak to invisible beings late at night to ‘plan’ wars, and pretend to be cowboys
Posted by: PO'd | December 29, 2009, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
President Obama Says His Administration ‘Will Not Rest’ After Attempted Terror Attack…… But make sure you wake me up immediately if the Nobel Committee calls!
Posted by: pauldia | December 29, 2009, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm
what’s your reference say about Presidents who speak to invisible beings late at night to ‘plan’ wars, and pretend to be cowboys
_______________________________
Hah! Too funny if it weren’t actually true. Scary.
Posted by: tierra | December 29, 2009, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm
He went golfing right after he made those remarks, so don’t tell me he’s not resting.
Posted by: BigSky | December 30, 2009, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm