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Is there one single adult with common sense in this administration (“Air Heads in DC Terrorize City,” April 28)?
These morons burn untold amounts of air-polluting jet fuel to fly at a low altitude, scaring the pants off of thousands of New Yorkers.
Instead, they should have given a few existing photos to a bright kid with Photoshop software, and they could have had their new photo in an hour for 50 bucks.
David Bodine
Shelton, Conn.
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As I stepped onto my terrace last Monday morning, I saw a 747 coming straight for me, followed by an F-16.
I am a 1993 WTC bombing survivor, and I am also a 9/11 family member. To tell you that I was frightened would be an understatement. I was so scared I grabbed my 5-month-old son and ran for the door.
Some poor guy in the DOD is taking the fall for this, when it is obvious that it was born out of the arrogance of this president and his administration.
I am beyond livid.
Leanne Shay
Staten Island
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I am in the military, with 18 years of service. I had just returned from overseas when 9/11 happened. After 9/11, a lot changed, including new measures to keep the president safe.
I can understand how an aircraft, flying around at low levels in New York City, could scare a few people. But, being military-minded, if I were a terrorist and the news said “Tomorrow, Air Force One will fly over New York,” I might take that as an opportunity to throw mud in the eye of “the infidel.”
The fact that President Obama didn’t announce the flight should not get this kind of backlash.
If it were any other aircraft, I would agree that it was a dumb thing to do. But sometimes the safety of the president is more important than your personal opinion.
Carl Louk
Valdosta, Okla.
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It seems that this administration has truly forgotten the horrors of 9/11.
First, it looks to prosecute the very people who protected this country after the calculated slaughter of innocent Americans. It questions the judgment of those who did their best in the worst of situations.
Now, this administration recreates the same horrific terrorist scenario at the same tragic location for a photo op.
Can Obama justify spending $40,000 per hour for a presidential marketing tool in such dire economic times?
Let’s see if the media continue to follow this story, or if it is forgotten just like 9/11.
Jerry Gatto
Scarsdale
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Obama’s White House apparently believes its own spin minimizing the War on Terror, and must have thought that the public also bought its agenda.
The decision to fly a very large plane so close to downtown Manhattan suggests this. Clearly, the reaction of thousands to this stunt says something quite different.
Gene Sullivan
Manhattan
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Have the clowns in the most tech-savvy administration in history never heard of Photoshop?
Glen Nelson
Locust Valley
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If this letter puts me on the Homeland Security watchlist, then so be it. Pardon my outrage, but what was the White House thinking?
Last month there was a slew of tea parties protesting unrestrained government spending.
What did it cost taxpayers to take pictures of Air Force One for the White House Web site? And how much value did taxpayers get for these pictures?
No matter what Obama says, he is still not in touch with the average American after his first 100 days in office. Taxpayers need to stand up and voice their anger over wasteful government spending.
Jim Glaab
Elmsford
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Of course it was a photo op. By the time it’s all over, we’ll find out that Obama’s reign was all just one big photo op.
At least, in this one, Obama wasn’t shaking the hand of a tyrant who hates us.
Mike Reynolds
Tarrytown