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December 29, 2009
4 Days Later Obama Finally Speaks 5 Minutes And Obama Calls Flight 253 Attacker "Isolated Extremist"
Obama Remarks On Failed Northwest Flight 253 Attack - 12/28/09 ( FOUR DAYS LATER)
Transcript of Obama remarks on airline security and terror watch lists
I wanted to take just a few minutes to update the American people on the attempted terrorist attack that occurred on Christmas Day and the steps we're taking to ensure the safety and security of the country.
The investigation's ongoing. And I spoke again this morning with Attorney General Eric Holder, the secretary of homeland security, Janet Napolitano, and my counterterrorism and homeland security adviser, John Brennan. I asked them to keep -- continue monitoring the situation to keep the American people and members of Congress informed.
Here's what we know so far: On Christmas Day, Northwest Airlines Flight 253 was en route from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Detroit. As the plane made its final approach to Detroit Metropolitan Airport, a passenger allegedly tried to ignite an explosive device on his body, setting off a fire.
Thanks to the quick and heroic actions of passengers and crew, the suspect was immediately subdued, the fire was put out, and the plane landed safely. The suspect is now in custody and has been charged with attempting to destroy an aircraft.
A full investigation has been launched into this attempted act of terrorism, and we will not rest until we find all who were involved and hold them accountable.
Now, this was a serious reminder of the dangers that we face and the nature of those who threaten our homeland. Had the suspect succeeded in bringing down that plane, it could have killed nearly 300 passengers and crew, innocent civilians preparing to celebrate the holidays with their families and friends.
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.
Since I was first notified of this incident, I've ordered the following actions to be taken to protect the American people and to secure air travel.
First, I directed that we take immediate steps to ensure the safety of the traveling public. We made sure that all flights still in the air were secure and could land safely. We immediately enhanced screening and security procedures for all flights, domestic and international. We added federal air marshals to flights entering and leaving the United States. And we're working closely in this country, federal, state and local law enforcement, with our international partners.
Second, I've ordered two important reviews, because it's absolutely critical that we learn from this incident and take the necessary measures to prevent future acts of terrorism.
The first review involves our watch list system, which our government has had in place for many years to identify known and suspected terrorists so that we can prevent their entry into the United States. Apparently the suspect in the Christmas incident was in this system, but not on a watch list, such as the so-called no-fly list. So I have ordered a thorough review, not only of how information related to the subject was handled, but of the overall watch list system and how it can be strengthened.
The second review will examine all screening policies, technologies and procedures related to air travel. We need to determine just how the suspect was able to bring dangerous explosives aboard an aircraft and what additional steps we can take to thwart future attacks.
Third, I've directed my national security team to keep up the pressure on those who would attack our country. 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. 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.
Finally, the American people should remain vigilant, but also be confident. Those plotting against us seek not only to undermine our security, but also the open society and the values that we cherish as Americans. This incident, like several that have preceded it, demonstrates that an alert and courageous citizenry are far more resilient than an isolated extremist.
As a nation, we will do everything in our power to protect our country. As Americans, we will never give in to fear or division. We will be guided by our hopes, our unity, and our deeply held values. That's who we are as Americans; that's what our brave men and women in uniform are standing up for as they spend the holidays in harm's way. And we will continue to do everything that we can to keep America safe in the new year and beyond.
Before I leave, let me also briefly address the events that have taken place over the last few days in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States joins with the international community in strongly condemning the violent and unjust suppression of innocent Iranian citizens, which has apparently resulted in detentions, injuries, and even death.
For months, the Iranian people have sought nothing more than to exercise their universal rights. Each time they have done so, they have been met with the iron fist of brutality, even on solemn occasions and holy days. And each time that has happened, the world has watched with deep admiration for the courage and the conviction of the Iranian people who are part of Iran's great and enduring civilization.
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.
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.
Along with all free nations, the United States stands with those who seek their universal rights. We call upon the Iranian government to abide by the international obligations that it has to respect the rights of its own people.
We call for the immediate release of all who have been unjustly detained within Iran. We will continue to bear witness to the extraordinary events that are taking place there. And I'm confident that history will be on the side of those who seek justice.
Thank you very much, everybody. And Happy New Year.
Spotting the absurd disconnect of Obama's response to the Northwest Airlines bomber........
Obama, speaking today: "We will not rest until we find all who were involved and hold them accountable."
TEEING OFF: A half-hour after President Obama vowed to catch the terrorists behind a plot to blow up a plane on Christmas, he arrived at 10:40 a.m. at the Luana Hills Country Club, where a golf course winds through a rain forest, the pool reports.
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Wild Thing's comment........
"isolated extremist" .........To call this attempted terrorist attack an “isolated extremist” OMG This jerk is going to get a lot of innocent people killed. I doubt it will even register with his monumental ego.
Al Qaeda has already claimed credit for the attack and promises that there are others in Yemen waiting for their chance.
The way the Obamination sees it, 9/11 was an isolated event; Ft. Hood was an isolated event; the terrorist attack at the Little Rock Recruiting office, the USS Cole, the Marine barracks, the Shoe Bomber was an isolated event etc. , now this guy is an isolated event. I guess a total event would be the multiple bombings in America .... but then he'd say they were all isolated events .....unless they all happened simultaneously.
Between Muslim Obama's statement and Napolitano saying,”The system worked”......... PRAY for our country and our troops.
Obama's "I" and "me" Me' count:
I = 12
We/we’re = 22
terror/terrorism = 5
Muslim = a big fat ZERO
These counts include nobama’s excuses for the terrorist attack and his whining about the protestors in Iran.
Posted by Wild Thing at December 29, 2009 04:55 AM
Comments
"Isolated Extremist"? Sounds suspiciously like: "Damn there was no right-wing plot. Rahm go start making one up."
One little thing that's just bugging the hell out of me; since when does a President make an adress without a tie? Is the no-tie look the new presidential thing? Or, was he just dressing like the whole thing was an annoyance to him?
The "man" is an absolute disgrace. IMHO he's a card carrying member of Al-Queda not only working to undermine national security and sovereignty but also to discredit the Office of the President of the United States.
Oh looky here while the issue of sovereignty is still in my head:
Posted by: JohnE PFC U.S. Army at December 29, 2009 06:05 AM
This is NOT an isolated incident! Is he really that inept? Come on, they've been attacking us over and over again all year long and since 1979. They blame us for the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and the crusades of over one thousand years ago, since we are descendants of those who kicked their Islamic butts back then. They are constantly in a state of war with somebody. It really makes it hard to believe that Islam and Judaism came from two half brothers. (same dad, different moms).
It just goes to show you, Obamanation has no experience with this and it's not a learn as you go along thing when you're the President. You have to have it and he don't.
Posted by: Lynn at December 29, 2009 08:09 AM
I agree. That being said he wasted no time leaving the golf course to rush back to his vacation rental for a friends son who got not seriously injured in a surfboard accident. He is a sad excuse for just about anything other than a POS.
Posted by: Bob A at December 29, 2009 08:25 AM
He forgot to add: When the man's own father warns us of his son's intentions and to not allow him into our nation, we'll listen in the future.
He made sure he didn't want to link this to Islam although al qaeda is claiming responsibility.
Posted by: BobF at December 29, 2009 09:31 AM
Our Sec. of State is strangely absent from this whole fiasco. Apparently she see's the s*** hitting the fan and doesn't want any on her. Yemen is a terrorist hotspot. From what I can tell, it's just as lawless as Somalia. But the knee-jerk reaction from DHS is childish control over the passengers in flight. They haven't got a clue.
Posted by: Jim at December 29, 2009 09:46 AM
I love the fact that he recites a litany of actions he ordered, "since he was first notified".
Does that mean that he began taking action 3 hours after the fact? Do you mean that no one in the Government or specifically DHS has a series os steps already planned out and listed in the case of such an incidents? Do they all just sit around wringing their hands waiting for the Anointed One to make a decision? Of course not. Once again he is making it sound as if he is in complete control of the situation. It's all about ME!
Hey John Pfc. The reason he isn't wearing a tie, is subtle reminder that "he IS on vacation", and even though he is he Is taking time out to tend to our safety. We shoud all be grateful. NOT
Posted by: Sean at December 29, 2009 10:53 AM
This man is dangerous to us! HE should be on a watch list! He has fueled the fires here in our homeland. Can we just move him out of the way and put him on a small island without a boat? We WILL work around him to keep ourselves safe. Pathetic!!
Posted by: jan at December 29, 2009 11:09 AM
Yep. The One was notified and HE took these actions to further protect the American public. Whoops, HE forgot his tie. Oh yeah, that's right. Since HE is so cool ties and jackets are not worn by the elite at the White House. And how thoughtful of HIM to never mention the words muslim or islamist. No sense in frightening us of certain people.
Posted by: TomR at December 29, 2009 12:28 PM
Jan, that's a good idea. Some island far out on the Aleutian Chain would be perfect.
Posted by: Jim at December 29, 2009 02:15 PM
The kindest thing I can say aboout the CinC (Commie in Charge) is that he is a worthless, bottom feeding piece of shit.
Posted by: Eddie (Enemy of the State) at December 29, 2009 03:06 PM
The leftest bloggers are trying to say the bomber used only an incendiary device not a bomb and this shouldn't be taken seriously.
Hell last I heard this was PETN one of the strongest explosives made and the 80 grams he had would have destroyed the whole plane, since he was sitting over a fuel tank.
These cretins will lie or anything else to protect this POS from the truth. The truth is we are not safer than we were for eight years.
Posted by: Mark at December 29, 2009 03:31 PM
From my post today: Obama vows to use power to thwart terrorists
Not to stir the pot, BUT, when 9-11 occurred, there was about 3 hours that passed between the attacks and the 1st statements by George W. Bush. The Libbers called Bush the most pathetic and ineffective president ever, because it took him 3 hours to make his initial address to the nation.
If that 3 hour delay, caused mostly by the Secret Service moving the POTUS to a secure location, Barksdale AFB, made George W. Bush a terrible leader, what, exactly, does a 3 day delay on the part of Barack Hussein Obama say about him, his leadership and his love of this nation? Especially when that 3 days of silence was when he was on vacation in Hawaii?
It’s pretty obvious where the Obama priorities lie I believe.
Posted by: TexasFred at December 29, 2009 03:32 PM
"4 Days Later Obama Finally Speaks 5 Minutes And Obama Calls Flight 253 Attacker "Isolated Extremist"" (WT)
WT, Obama is "only" three days late. (12/25/09: Failed terrorist attack, 12/28/09: Obama´s speech in HI.)
Obama on Islamic Terrorism, and War on Terror: We don´t use these offensive words, e.g. the Obama administration doesn´t want to fight Islamic Terrorism. (His actions since 1/20/09 clearly shows that.)
Posted by: Anon at December 29, 2009 04:41 PM
Ah, just like those nineteen isolated extremists who attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on 9/11. No pattern there. We must've brought in on ourselves. Islamophobia, you know.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 29, 2009 07:09 PM
This is par for the course and the only par that Obama is capable of. "Isolated incident" and he still failed to connect terror to Islam. A complete fool or a closet muslim.
Posted by: Ron Russell at December 29, 2009 08:52 PM
Obama is treason 24/7/365.
Impeach Obama
Posted by: Anon at December 29, 2009 10:55 PM
John E, thanks for the link.
TexasFred, thanks for your link to your post.
Anon, oops, your right. I counted the day it
happened making it 4 when it should have been 3.
Thanks Anon.
To everyone thank you sooooo much!!!!
Posted by: Wild Thing at December 29, 2009 11:39 PM
Mmmmmmmmmmm......an islolated event, huh? How many 'isolated' events do we need before taking this heidious religion SERIOUSLY!!
London
Madrid
Belsan
Moscow
Nigeria
Bali
and that is just the tip of the rotten iceberg!
Obama is going to be the death of America and everyone with half a brain in the West knows it.
Posted by: Lynette in Australia at December 30, 2009 02:45 AM
