President Orders Reviews in Wake of Flt. 253 Incident
EmailWhite House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told me the president has ordered two “look-back reviews” of the government’s actions leading up to the Christmas day terrorist incident on board Northwest Flight 253.
One review will address watch-listing procedures and whether the government did everything it could with the information it had.
Gibbs said second review will examine the government’s detection capabilities to answer “the very real question about how somebody with something as dangerous as PETN could have gotten onto a plane in Amsterdam.”
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano acknowledged that DHS is “going backwards to see what happened and when, who knew what and when.”
The man accused in the bombing attempt was known to government officials before the attack and his name was even on a watch list.
The man’s father had recently reported his concerns about his son’s radical beliefs to the U.S. Embassy in Lagos. What the government did with that information is a question Napolitano could not answer when I interviewed her this morning on “This Week.”
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According to Janet Napolitano/DHS the system worked.
So why do anything?
The new politically correct DHS/FBI under Obama have missed red flags with Ft Hood, Detroit flight, and allowed gatecrashers into the WH.
What an idiotic thing to say–the system worked. A terrorist brought a bomb on a plane bound for Detroit.
The explosive device didn’t work and brave passengers prevented a catastrophic fire.
Posted by: hank | December 27, 2009, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm
Jake did a great job interviewing people who did not want to answer his questions on ABC this morning! The worst was Napolitano. She was absolutely scary. She justifiably praised the passengers and crew for stepping up–but continually and unbelievably repeated that the system worked as it should since the plane ended up safe. She would not acknowledge that the guy with known terrorist ties should never have been allowed on a plane, or have a valid US visa especially after his own Dad ratted him out at the embassy. (The watch list is sooooo long, she whined.) She never acknowledged that the only thing that truly saved the plane and passengers from tragedy was the malfunction of the detonator itself. Both she and Gibbs were disgusting in their lakadaisical philosophizing.
Posted by: Hibiscus | December 27, 2009, 12:52 pm 12:52 pm
The thing to do is not prosecute folks that tackle these so-called terrorists on the planes. People are taking care of business for themselves and that is refreshing.
Posted by: Huh | December 27, 2009, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm
Wait this Napolitano chick called me a terrorist since I supported Ron Paul. She also said returning veterans should be scrutinized. She is loving life because all of these so-called terrorists give her justification for her position and ample funding.
Posted by: Huh | December 27, 2009, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm
I can see Holder prosecuting the guy that tackled the terrorist–charging him with a hate crime.
Holder, Obama, the whole bunch of them
are inviting terrorist attacks.
Posted by: kyle | December 27, 2009, 1:12 pm 1:12 pm
God help us all.
Obama’s reckless spending is destroying America economically.
Homeland Security and FBI are more worried about being PC, more worried about Palin and Tea Party crowd than terrorist.
Posted by: ollie | December 27, 2009, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm
Our president is very good at “ordering reviews.” Problem is we never hear anything else on those “reviews.” (party crashers, Ft. Hood, NASA post-shuttle plans, NYC plane flyover, cyber-security, government secrecy, salmonella outbreak, faith-based groups, federal contracting system, auto emission standards, Bush signing statements, Afghanistan prisoner policy, workplace immigration raids)Maybe a review of reviewing policy is in order.
Posted by: Max | December 27, 2009, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm
kyle-They kill us because we have been killing them. Google Carter Doctrine, Operation Ajax, etc. Basically we have been exploiting them for cheap oil for more than 50 years. They are a bit upset with such things, rightfully so. Sure the trial will be a circus and may invite more terrorism. My hope is that this guy is articulate enough to point out our hypocrisies with regards to our foreign policies. Stay tuned.
Posted by: Huh | December 27, 2009, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
I’ve heard on several news channels this morning that the problem was with procedures which have been in place for years and which may have to be changed.
Apparently the reviews are having results already.
I’m sure any problems will be handled quickly and competently.
I’m very happy that the problem was with Mr. Bush’s administration so we don’t have to worry about any deficiencies in the current White House.
Posted by: tj | December 27, 2009, 1:53 pm 1:53 pm
No Drama Obama is just trying to play it cool, thankful that he can hide out in Hawaii and not explain a second terror attack on his watch.
Just bring out the cardboard cutout of Obama and put it in front of the cameras.
It will be just as effective and connected.
Ask the horrified passengers if they think the “sysyem worked.”
Flames were as high as the seats, smoke filled the cabin, alarms went off while that nut yelled about Afghanistan.
Obama once again, just doesn’t get it.
Posted by: millie | December 27, 2009, 2:00 pm 2:00 pm
Obama once again, just doesn’t get it.
Posted by: millie
and you do?
Posted by: XX | December 27, 2009, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
Whatever happened with the Fort Hood investigation?
Is it still too politically incorrect to say Nadal was an Islamic terrorist?
Posted by: The Audacity of Copenhagen | December 27, 2009, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm
Napolitano must be hanging with
VP Joe Biden too much if she thinks the
“system” worked.
Yes it did work for the terrorist who
was able to go undetected until he
tried to detonate his explosive device!
Fortunately for the passengers and crew
he was incompetent and failed.
Ditto for the Obama Administration.
Unfortunately we have to wait three
more years to vote them out!
Posted by: reaganfan | December 27, 2009, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
Today is the 27th, right?
On the DHS Homeland Security Advisory System it states:
“Check the Threat Level” link goes to…
Current Threat Level
December 26, 2009
The United States government’s national threat level is Elevated, or Yellow.
For all domestic and international flights, the U.S. threat level is High, or Orange.
It is not being kept up to date even though the threat level is “High, or Orange”.
Posted by: The Audacity of Copenhagen | December 27, 2009, 3:37 pm 3:37 pm
Whatever happened with the Fort Hood investigation?
___________________________________
They found out Nadal was in the army for years and giving presentations on George Bush’s watch about how Muslims in the military should be given ‘conscientious objector’ status from fighting against Islam – and that the Bush administration failed to detect and did nothing about it. A failure.
Posted by: tierra | December 27, 2009, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm
Janet says don’t worry about this sort of thing . The passengers handled it .
Posted by: nat turner | December 27, 2009, 4:02 pm 4:02 pm
Janet says don’t worry about this sort of thing . The passengers handled it .
_____________________________________
This is the second failed detonation of this type of material that was ‘handled’ by passengers.
People will remember the ‘shoe bomber’ who made it through security and attempted the same thing – on the Bush watch AFTER 9/11.
Posted by: tierra | December 27, 2009, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
Anything less than firing Janet is pointless.She has no idea what she is doing; I can tell you that employees in DHS that I have spoken to have very real concerns about her competence and dedication to the job.One told me that she “phones it in”-the second level people are good but she rarely acts on their recommendations.
Posted by: Nephron | December 27, 2009, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
“I can tell you that employees in DHS that I have spoken to have very real concerns about her competence and dedication to the job.”
Posted by: Nephron | Dec 27, 2009 4:13:29 PM
___________________________________
It’s obvious to me you – Nephron – should be running the show as far as homeland security goes.
Posted by: tierra | December 27, 2009, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm
Where is our President? Not one word from this guy to the American people regarding this 2nd attack on his watch. His reaction to the Ft. Hood masacre was disgraceful and now this. OMG! I cannot believe this guy! He is a joke. I guess he just cannot find the time to interupt his work outs in Hawaii. It is so obvious that this man has NO concern for the security of this country. Wake up America. This man is dangerous to the safety and future of this country.
Posted by: Tammy | December 27, 2009, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
tierra,I have no business running a cabinet level department.But when DHS personnel tell me of their concerns one wonders about the current head.Her comments today only confirm what has previously been told to me.
Posted by: Nephron | December 27, 2009, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm
But when DHS personnel tell me of their concerns one wonders about the current head.
_________________________________
If you’re talking to anybody even remotely important in DHS, and they’re dumb enough to be gossiping about the Secretary to someone who spreads rumours on a news blog – very suspect and untrustworthy behavior. I don’t believe a word of it.
Posted by: tierra | December 27, 2009, 6:40 pm 6:40 pm
It is so obvious that this man has NO concern for the security of this country.
______________________________
You’ve got to be kidding. Is there a conscious brain left on the Republican right?
Posted by: tierra | December 27, 2009, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm
I can sum it up in a few words…
Who ever took the call from the terrorists father..the one where dad said his son is bent on killing Americans and will be en route to said country soon…that call. Who ever took that call needs to be interviewed. And depending upon the information, some heads should roll.
Not a dime, not a congressional hearing, not a new government agency needed.
Just a few questions, then fire those responsible.
And Barry, you need to pack your bags and be presidential.
Posted by: mjishernameo | December 27, 2009, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm
Everybody working in DHS is important-our very lives depend on their success in attempting to protect the citizens of this nation.The concern is there- and the statements of the current Secretary today have confirmed to me what those concerns are.
Posted by: Nephron | December 27, 2009, 6:49 pm 6:49 pm
Nephron
If you’re talking to anybody even remotely important in DHS, and they’re dumb enough to be gossiping about the Secretary to someone who spreads rumours on a news blog – very suspect and untrustworthy behavior. I don’t believe a word of it.
Posted by: tierra | December 27, 2009, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm
Janet says don’t worry about this sort of thing . The passengers handled it .
_____________________________________
This is the second failed detonation of this type of material that was ‘handled’ by passengers.
People will remember the ‘shoe bomber’ who made it through security and attempted the same thing – on the BUSH watch AFTER 9/11.
Tom Ridge was in charge at that point.
Posted by: tierra | December 27, 2009, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm
And how many years ago was the shoe bomber incident? Have you flown in the last 5 years? I always wear loafers when I fly because of the wise actions of Tom Ridge, who instituted strong measures to prevent a repeat,which never happened during the Bush administration.
Posted by: Nephron | December 27, 2009, 8:05 pm 8:05 pm
And how many years ago was the shoe bomber incident?
_______________________________
Hey, these things have happened before and they may well happen again.
Whatever measures Ridge put in place were not enough – he obviously didn’t put in place screening measures that could detect this type of explosive; otherwise the incident would not have happened.
“The Transportation Security Administration has been adding other machines, which use millimeter waves or low-level X-rays, to find explosives. There are 40 millimeter wave machines at 19 airports, and the TSA is buying 150 new X-ray units, the agency said on its Web site.”
Posted by: tierra | December 27, 2009, 8:18 pm 8:18 pm
Janet has been Secretary for almost a year- It is her responsibility, not Tom Ridge.Stop making excuses for her inability to do the job.
Posted by: Nephron | December 27, 2009, 9:09 pm 9:09 pm
Janet has been Secretary for almost a year- It is her responsibility, not Tom Ridge.
____________________________________
On the other hand, Tom Ridge had YEARS to put in safeguards to insure these types of explosives could not be brought on planes – he obviously failed, didn’t he?
Posted by: tierra | December 27, 2009, 9:14 pm 9:14 pm
Apparently the threat changes. Apparently Janet is not aware of that.She has refused to make changes as the threat has changed( also a DHS complaint).
Posted by: Nephron | December 27, 2009, 9:43 pm 9:43 pm
Apparently the threat changes. Apparently Janet is not aware of that.She has refused to make changes as the threat has changed.
___________________________________
No change at all – this was the same explosive Tom Ridge saw used in the December 2001 attack. He had years to put in safeguards to ensure this type of explosive couldn’t be carried onto planes – he obviously failed didn’t he?
Posted by: tierra | December 27, 2009, 9:53 pm 9:53 pm
This man is dangerous to the safety and future of this country.
Posted by: Tammy
if Obama receives a PDB saying there will be an attack and ignores it, you might have a valid point,
until then, your description only fits a previous administration run by a cowboy named ‘W’.
Posted by: XX | December 28, 2009, 12:34 am 12:34 am
re: ‘the wise actions of Tom Ridge
Posted by: Nephron
have you ever see the interviews where Ridge speaks about the alerts being politically motivated? btw: do you still have your duct tape and plastic sheeting?
Posted by: XX | December 28, 2009, 8:36 am 8:36 am
Doesn’t a review mean that the administration needs more educations? Surely the experts that they won’t listen to don’t know anything.
Posted by: TX_MBell | December 28, 2009, 1:10 pm 1:10 pm
In lieu of the recent reactions to the terrorist plot on Flight 253, as you know, many international air passengers flying into the United States will face added costs that logically go hand-in-hand with additional screenings.
However, I find it very interesting to point out that for Cargo, DHS announced that it will push back its proposed 100% Cargo Screening for two years to 2014. DHS cited logistical challenges as well as a shortage of DHS manpower. It was well publicized that many in the European Trade community denounced 100% Cargo Screening when it was proposed. In addition, there was both domestic and international concern of who would pick up the tab for the implementation, at as estimated $8 million per trade lade or $16.8 billion worldwide. IES: The Software Solution for the Future of Freight. Serving Customs Brokers, NVOCCs, Freight Forwarders and more. In addition, there was a concern that this cost would affect the entire industry, from the manufacturer, to the consolidator, to the carrier, the ports, customs broker, freight forwarder, warehousing and distribution, to the importers and ultimately, the consumer.
Although it is does appear valid that 100% Cargo Screening would be an enormous undertaking, I believe that there should be some sort of plan in place right now for cargo screening. For example, as a direct result of the recent incident aboard Flight 253, there was an immediate (and assumedly costly) implementation of additional security messages for air passengers flying into the US.
A plan should be in place for cargo not just for security reasons, but also for the enormous potential for additional costs for any added security measures. If the tab for cargo screening has been pegged at 16.8 billion, imagine the cost if these same security measured were applied as a result of a crisis. If implementation is not feasible, then a solid plan should be in place. IES Ltd. ISF Leader. Software for Freight Forwarders, NVOCCs, Customs Brokers and More.
Posted by: Rstorey | December 28, 2009, 2:12 pm 2:12 pm