Enough of the Nonsense & Secrecy, Mr. President: Journalist Michelle Malkin Files ‘Freedom of Information Act’ Requests for Public Records on NYC Flyover
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on May 6, 2009
By Vicki McClure Davidson * Frugal Café Blog Zone
I’ve been an avid reader of journalist/political commentator Michelle Malkin for ages. She’s articulate, timely, and usually laugh-out-loud funny.
Today, Malkin’s not so funny. She’s dead serious.
Malkin wants to see the transparency of Barack Obama, as he had promised. Total transparency was his mantra, and it would be the guiding light of his administration, an era of disclosure for the American people never before honored by any other president (or, so he claimed). Myriad times during Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and during his presidency he promised ethical actions and transparency in the “Age of Obama.”
But it’s now clear those were just empty words. The decision by the White House to conceal information about the New York City flyover using Air Force One, including all photographs taken during the photo op flyover, has prompted Malkin to do the right thing: ask for disclosure of information that the American public has every right to know. Taxpayer dollars paid for the flyover, taxpayers in NYC were unnecessarily frightened to their very cores by the non-disclosed flyover of two fighter jets and Air Force One.
So, Malkin has filed requests for release of that information, per the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
Here is a portion of her Creators Syndicate article addressing this.
The selective transparency of Barack Obama
By Michelle Malkin | Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2009Sunlight is for suckers. The New York Post reported on Tuesday that the White House will not release the $328,835 snapshots taken of the president’s Boeing VC-25A that buzzed lower Manhattan. The entire world has seen news and amateur photos and videos of the incident. But if President Obama has his way, taxpayers won’t be able to see the flyover photos they paid for with their own money.
This will make for an interesting response to my Freedom of Information Act requests. After the bizarre mission caused distress and panic among countless New York City residents who were intentionally left in the dark about the photo-op stunt, I filed two public records requests with the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Joint Staff FOIA Requester Service Center. The first one requests any and all communication — including e-mail and other public records and including any and all correspondence between the White House Military Office, Department of Defense, and other agencies — related to the planned federal aerial mission over New York City on April 27, 2009. Specifically, I requested all public records related to and including the flight manifests, and related to the origin of the request for the mission. The second filing requests any and all photos taken during the planned federal aerial mission approved by the White House Military Office.
Read Malkin’s entire article: Obama’s transparency policy: Don’t let the sunshine in
UPDATE
Malkin has posted an update this afternoon to her original post… this is also important for you to read: Flip-flop: White House to release “a photo” of Scare Force One flyover
On Malkin’s site, commenter av8tr said:
“I’ve watched CNN,” Gibbs said at the time, noting the considerable coverage from amateur footage. “I didn’t notice a lack of archival material from that flight.” What does that even mean? That they flew by New York City as a favor to amateur photographers?
This guy Gibbs is a real smartass. I bet that mouth of his got him in some trouble more than a few times. What a jerk.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has not been tremendously forthcoming with reporters on the Air Force One debacle. He has either evaded questions or claimed lack of knowledge. This isn’t the first time Gibbs has been “less than transparent” with reporters when it comes to tough questions about Pres. Obama, as evidenced in the videos embedded here.
WH Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Evades Jake Tapper’s Questions On Transparency
Obama’s Robert Gibbs Accuses Sean Hannity of Being anti-Semetic When Hannity Asks about Obama’s Association with Ayres
Classy WH Spokesman Robert Gibbs Attacks FOX News Reporter For Asking Tough Question
A snippet from Popgun’s World, asking the question that so many of us are asking:
I’d say the current administration has a bit of a problem with priorities. Say it again – issue photos that will endanger U.S. citizens and embarrass our United States of America – but don’t issue photos that might embarrass Barack Obama?
Another thought-intriguing comment, posted by capitalist piglet on May 5, 2009 on Hot Air:
The day the AFO story originally broke, a local talkshow host’s wife called into her husband’s show. If I remember her history correctly, she is quite connected in politics and worked for one administration or another – not at a high-profile level or anything, but she’s not a “civilian” like one of us.
Her comment about this story was that it sounded like a political event, a fundraiser.
If that’s what it turned out to be, it would explain a lot.
Good luck, Michelle. This will likely be an uphill battle. We know you’ll keep us informed about its developments. Lord knows the mainstream media won’t.
More worthwhile reading on this:
Mcnorman’s Weblog: White House to Release ONE Picture of Scare Force One Fly Over
Hot Air: Video: Scare Force One pics to remain classified
Popgun’s World: Transparency in Obama’s Government
Frugal Café Blog Zone: Obama Refuses to Release Photos from ‘Secret’ NYC Flyover That Terrified New Yorkers… ‘Era of Transparency’ Gets Murky and Holy Spendthrift, Batman! NYC Air Force One Flyover Cost Taxpayers $328,835!
Nice Deb: Video: CNN On The Air Force One Photos
Peace and Freedom Promises: The Truth Is: Team Obama and The National Media Have To Grow Up Fast
Public Secrets: But it’s OK when Obama does it
Jeffrey Jena, Big Hollywood: Air Force One, Flaps Up!
Conservative Thoughts and Profundity: 100 Days of Reckless Photo-Op Hubris
Radio Vice Online: Air Force One in Manhattan – Carbon pollution winner? Update: How much did this cost?
From The Pen: Finger in Scare Force One Photos Prompts Obama Middle Finger
Fire Andrea Mitchell!: An Obama Administration “Photo Op” scares the sh*t out of New Yorkers, brings back the nightmares of 9/11! – Update 5/5/09 – photos of this now “classified by the White House”? BRILLIANT!
Northern Thoughts And Reflections: The Man Without A Clue; President freaks out city for photo op
Jim Blazsik: Terror in New York – Obama will not release photo op pictures
Steven Crowder, Big Hollywood: Lonewolf Diaries: Time to Body Check Obama
Another Rovian Conspiracy: The Stupid. It Hurts!
Political Crave: Obama: Taking The Responsibility To Give Blame
Dick Morris: Obama’s Leap to Socialism
Vets On The Watch: Let The Sun Shine, Let The Sun Shine In
fiery dog: Obamas Join Mile-High Club
About the author
Great post !
I read Michelle earlier.
She is a pit bull.
We’ll see what happens with her request.
I was listening to Glenn Beck this morning and his guest suggested that we convene a constitutional convention to rescind the 16th amendment.
The one that gives congress the right to tax our butts off.
Although it probably would never happen, he may be on to something.
Even the threat of eliminating their power over us (unlimited influx of money) might get their attention.
With the outrage against the government that exists now, and the July 4th demonstrations fast approaching, we can at least start to take our country back, and send a message to the politicians.
The quote goes ” We’re mad as hell and we’re not gonna take it anymore!”
In 2010 we have the opportunity to change the playing field in congress, i.e; reverse the majorities.
If we can do that, we might be able to impeach this bastard, and start over.
There is so much happening behind the scenes with this administration at such a high rate of speed, it should scare the hell out of anybody with a brain.
Great points made here, AFVET. I particularly like the rescinding of the 16th amendment. You’re right, it may not go anywhere, but if no one attempts it, then it DEFINITELY won’t go anywhere. The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step…
Thumbs up on your cinema quotation from the brilliant film Network. I think I have that movie on VHS somewhere… seems appropriate to dig it out and watch it again. Peter Finch rocked in that.
God bless, and let not your heart be troubled.
I don’t know at this point what it takes to convene a constitutional convention.
I will try to get that information, at least for my own knowledge on the issue.
If I find a good link, I’ll put it here.
That would be terrific. I’m sure a lot of readers would appreciate that.
A note to readers of this blog…
listen to your favorite music, LOUD.
otherwise the information you absorb from this site and many others could make your head explode.
The music will keep you, you.
Wondering what has happened to Michelle’s request under FOI for these records. Just watched a documentary on Air Force One….. when the President is on Board the plane is then officially Air Force One…… someone actually says “We are now Air Force One”.
It surely means there is a documented record of every time this event occurs….with a manifest of those on board.
If Obama wasn’t on a joy ride that day ….. and he allowed someone else to ‘borrow’ the plane for a fun trip, would not that put the Presidency in jeopardy as back-up plane? This seems very serious to me, not just a joke as the stellar Robert Gibbs makes out in his sarcastic, demeaning response. Never seen such a poor representative of a President….indicates the wise choices of Obama.