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5:25PM Obama: 'Systemic Failure' Resulted In Terror Plot
This Morning: "Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano's initial assessment of the Christmas Day airliner attack -- that "the system worked" -- doesn't quite match the absurdity of "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job." But only because she quickly took it back." The System Needs Fixing - Eugene Robinson, Washington Post
A person on a watch list is allowed to fly to the U.S. After purchasing a one way ticket with cash in Africa with no luggage and then tries to blow up a plane. The guy's own father warned the US Embassy about his son terrorism beliefs. The British bared him from coming into their county because he lied about attending a school that did not exist and yet he comes this close to executing a mini 9/11. The point of keeping a terrorist list is to use the list (sounds like a Seinfeld episode). Somebody in Homeland Security has got to take a hit for this.
"We want to know why various government agencies didn't connect the dots before Sept. 11, such as warnings from FBI offices in Minnesota and Arizona about suspicious student pilots." Kristen Breitweiser 911 widow testifying before the 911 commission 9/11 Chair: Attack Was Preventable
After Eight Years, Terrorists Still Fly - Clark Kent Ervin, New York Times * We Keep Lying to Ourselves About Islam - Ralph Peters, New York Post * It's the Incompetence, Stupid - Rich Lowry, New York Post * Can Crist Survive Conservative Uprising in Florida? - Tim Padgett, Time * A Murderous Ideology Tolerated For Too Long - The Telegraph * Al Qaeda's Clear Message - Wall Street Journal * Abdulmutallab: "More Like Me" Coming To US ABC *** Explosive could have blown hole in plane (Wash Post) *** In Katrina’s Aftermath, Still Struggle a Struggle to Help - New York Times *** Many Question 'System Worked' Comment - Jennifer Loven, Assoc. Press
True News First Again - Yesterday "There is something very unnerving about spin doctors and terrorism. Arizona's former governor, Homeland Security Secretary is well tested on her ability to spin and double talk. Maybe a corrupt cop like Bernie Kerik would have done a better job keeping us safer?" (TN) Today's Daily News "I hate to admit it, but President George W. Bush was right to appoint a cop to head homeland security. He just picked the wrong one when he chose Bernard Kerik, who is also a crook. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is not fit for position, recent events prove (Daly DN)
Smile
Terrorism On Planet Janet (NYP Ed) *** It's the incompetence, stupid *** Flipping Janet forced to concede security flopped *** Homeland insecurity: Secretary Janet Napolitano just doesn't get it ***PHOTO: Singed remains of terrorist's underwear bomb ***Air bomber's shorts fuse *** U.S. Struggles Anew to Ensure Safety as Gaps Are Revealed *** More Pilot Discretion on Security Measures *** 'Absolute chaos' at nyc airports Innocent fliers: TSA has gone plane insane *** Ex-Gitmo goons did it! Freed Qaeda creeps hatched undie-cover plan to blow up Christmas jet *** Terror scare spurs push for full-body scanners *** Playing Politics With National Security - Joan Walsh, Salon *** TSA Needs More Tools - Washington Post *** In-Flight Regulations To Be Determined By Pilot, AP Says *** GOP Holds Up TSA Chief *** Freed Gitmo Detainees Behind Attack *** Abdulmutallab’s Lonely Online Posts *** Key security agencies lack permanent leaders *** Confusion fills skies after attempted bombing *** Iran limits movements of an opposition leader *** King: Try Nigerian Bomber in Military Court
*** Record of loneliness, privilege (Wash Post) *** Yemen says may harbor up to 300 Qaeda suspectsReuters *** Hikind: Racial Profiling 'Makes Sense' In War On Terror *** Flight 253 passenger: Sharp-dressed man aided terror suspect Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab onto plane without passport (MLive.com exclusive) *** U.S. Intel Lapses Helped Abdulmutallab CBS News Exclusive: CIA Had Info on Person of Interest Dubbed "The Nigerian" in August But Officials Failed to Connect Dots (CBS News)
Beyond the Whispers Basil Plays the Race Card said Cuomo's challenge to Carl McCall left a "sour taste" in the minds of African-American voters Gov. Paterson's dad warns Cuomo *** Static over gov's cops *** Poll: Missteps, recession hurdles to Paterson's 2010 election
6000 less cops since 2001 Expect more police presence on subways, streets, says police commish Raymond Kelly * City's crime rate drops despite shrinking police force (SI Advance)
Is the UFT losing juice? A sign of change in Albany? Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson backs boosting charters to get federal aid *** Sampson Envisions New Look, Same Leaders *** Sen. Sampson rings in the new year *** No. 3: Senate coup creates chaos (TU) Hard to become worse . . . we hope Worst. Albany. Year. Ever. That's what N.Y. got from its elected officials *** Bill Hammond says 2009 was "God-awful," and that the "b-team" of New York's leaders made things worse
Before the Mayoral Election Bloomberg Calls for Free Crosstown Buses - City Room Blog (NYT) ***Mayor Bloomberg mulls making snail-like crosstown buses free (DN) *** BLOOMBERG: FREE CROSSTOWN BUS SERVICE FOR ALL - NYPOST.com After the Election Night Bus Cuts Leave Riders Scrambling
Albany's Pay to Play Collection Agency As the new legislative session starts it time for incumbents most who are never challenged to raise money and the lobbyist working for special interests to buy their votes. To bad there is no dysfunctionalism when it comes to raising money, only in governing the state competently Old Habits Die Hard * Schneiderman Raises, With DiNapoli * Tell Congress: Make Fair Elections a Priority in 2010 Washington/Wall Street The Cash Committee: How Wall Street Wins On The Hill
Election 2010 Fifteen GOP county chairs urged Erie County Executive Chris Collins to get into the governor's race *** "No one ever got knocked out when they were standing outside the ring," said Paterson on any would-be opponents who have yet to announce their candidacies *** Poll: Missteps, recession hurdles to Paterson's 2010 election *** DC37 endorsed KirstenGillibrand Gillibrand.
Inside City Hall Cy-onara, Morgy pals Vance to replace veteran DA staff *** Mayor OKs 'Bell' street *Mike renames Bell street but doesn't revisit shoot ** Judge Says Transit Cases Cannot Be Heard in Secret *** Parents and teachers work to keep Bronx high school open*** Parts of Hudson River 'Castle' Walls Collapse *** Bloomberg To Swear In Council GOP *** Saving Barron's Chair Rev. Al Sharpton and others are organizing a protest *** Bloomberg's Bonuses *** De Blasio's Inauguration Day *** Bloomberg Smaller Margin, Same Bonuses *** The Margin Was Small, But the Bonuses Are Not *** Vance to appoint Spitzer aide to be top secretary
New York Economic Melt Down 'Ragtime' set to close Sunday on B'way *** A Localized Breakdown of Joblessness in New York *** The Economy Is Down, But So Is Murder *** A Bitter Holiday for Pedicabs *** DiNapoli: State is ‘down to petty cash’
More City News Park 'row' in Queens *More Controversy Over Condos In Parks** Ellis Island’s First Immigrant *** Times Square Alliance Carries Out “Air Worthiness Test” *** Times Square Visitors Shred Away Bad Memories, Broken Promises *** City Reaches Out To Homeless On Cold Day
White House Obama Seeks to Reassure U.S. After Bombing Attempt *Obama On Attack: US Should Remain Vigilant, But Confident Video** Flipping Janet forced to concede security flopped *** Top Intelligence Officials Feuding, White House Steps In *** Standing with the people: Obama puts America on Iranians' side against the mullahs *** Handling Problems the Obama Way - Carol Lee, Politico *** Obama's Jimmy Carter Problem - Leslie Gelb, The Daily Beast *** CNN/Opinion Research Poll – December 16-20 – African-American Views of Obama, Race Relations *** White House Hopes to Soothe Liberals’ Angst *** Yemeni link to airline plot complicates Gitmo plan Washington Post
Congress Expanding Health Coverage and Shoring Up Medicare: Is It Double-Counting? *** Fast Trains Lead Amtrak List of Needs *** Middle Class Will Take Big Hit From HC Tax - Bob Herbert, New York Time *** Lieberman Pays No Price For Treachery - DeWayne Wickham, USA Today *** This Week Roundtable on 2010 Elections *** Three members of New York's congressional delegation are over 70, but show no signs of slowing down *** Financial Sector Ups Lobbying Effort over New Regulation Plan - USA Today *** Making Job Creation a Priority - Christina Romer, San Francisco Chronicle *** Foundation for Better Health Care - Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, NH Union Leade
Congress Pay to Play Meeks not so blessed *** Rep. Meeks enjoyed six vacations thanks to con artist *** Will the Meeks Not Inherit the Earth? *** The Breathtaking ‘Rep. Pete Sessions & Ponzi Scheme Guy Friendship Emails’ Non-Denial Denial *** Did Political Donations Land Ponzi Suspect Entry into Fla. Bid? - St. Pete Times *** Radanovich to retire (The Hill) *** Stark Faces Ethics Probe *** Sen. Dodd, D-Conn., slashed aviation security funding for pet constituency*** Queens Rep. Tied To Ponzi Schemer — And Hugo Chavez?
Political Parties The Tyranny of the Majority Party - Fred Barnes, Wall Street Journal *** The GOP's Disdain for the American People - Mitchell Bard, Huffington Post
Wall Street To Inhibit Inflation, Fed Offers to Set Up Interest-Bearing Deposits *** Betting Against All of UsThe unsavory and dangerous practice of financial firms betting against their clients needs to be thoroughly investigated. *** Fannie, Freddie Stock Prices Soar On Announcement Of Government's Blank Check Support *** WSJ: One Year Later, How Derivatives Reform Has Failed *** Housing Rebound Weaker Than Expected, Home Prices Down 7.3 % Over Last Year *** Many Jobless Don’t Qualify for Cobra - Wall Steet Journal ($) *** Is Government Taking Over the Economy? - Noam Scheiber, New Republic *** Prepare for a Keynesian Hangover - Benn Steil, Wall Street Journal *** MOVE YOUR MONEY from big banks to community banks
Wall Street Pay to Play JPMorgan Sues Former Executive Accused of $2.8 Million Theft *** Twins Charged in $2 Million Stock Scam in New York City
Environment Emissions Disclosure as a Business Virtue *** Carp and the LakesThe only sure way to stop invasive carp from wiping out the ecosystem of the Great Lakes is to close the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (NYT Ed) *** Unworkable options for drill wastewater *** Proposed Waste Management Station Clears Legal Hurdle *** It will be nearly impossible to get rid of water used to hydrofrack in the Southern Tier *** Drilling Wastewater Disposal Options in New York Report Have Problems of Their Own
International Tehran accuses West of fomenting violence in Iran *** The Tipping Point in Iran - Abbas Milani, Wall Street Journal *** Iran’s War on Its PeopleIranians have a right to demand their basic freedoms and that their government is committed to protecting, not killing, its citizens (NYT Ed) *** Is This Iran's Berlin Wall Moment? *** China Executes Briton Despite Appeals for Mercy *** Nigeria: At Least 35 Dead in Islamic Sect Violence *** N. Korea Holding American Citizen *** Putin: Russia to develop offensive weapons to keep balance with U.S. *** Iran accuses UK of meddling Aljazeera.net *** Western counter-terrorism help 'not enough for Yemen' BBC News *** Japanese leader stirs concerns *** Report: Iran seeking to smuggle raw uraniumAP ***Israeli Court Rules Against Segregated Road *** Will Iran Uprising Become a Revolution? - Michael Binyon, Times of London
National At State Level, Health Lobby Fights Change *Health Lobby Works the State Houses** In Katrina’s Aftermath, Still a Struggle to Help *** Can Crist Survive Conservative Uprising in Florida? - Tim Padgett, Time
Top Tens Top Ten Most Inspiring Stories Of The 2000s *** In Memoriam Of Pedestrians, Cyclists Killed In 2009 *** Decade in review: 20 most viral videos we couldn't stop watching *** 2009 In Review: Twitter, Touchscreens Dominate Tech World *** 2009 In Review: Obama Scores Highs, Lows During First Year In Office *Ten Lies Wall St. Told Us in '09** The year in Staten Island images *** Most watched videos on SILive.com in 2009 *2009's Worst Sex Scenes ** Top Ten Naughty New York Politicians of the Decade *** Reason.tv: Worst. Decade. Ever *** Top 10 Social Media Top 10 Lists of 2009
Media and New TechBroadcasters Battling for Cable Fees *** Free TV In Trouble, Fox Threatens To Leave Time Warner Cable *** Viewers biggest losers in Fox-Time Warner fight *** Terror scare spurs push for full-body scanners *** 3-D technology may be coming soon to your TV *** The Sidney Awards IIIt is time to highlight another batch of the best magazine essays of the year and hope the winners do not become corrupted by fame (Brooks NYT) ***
Google's AdMob Deal CriticizedBusinessWeek *** Broadcasters' woes could spell the end of free TV *** Bad news for news CNN down 30%, MSNBC down 12% Fox up 7% *** Reporters group hits NBC for flight *** Checkbook Journalism: A User's Guide (Gawker) *** Amazon e-book sales overtake print for first time *** Anchors change, ratings stay the same: Brian Williams tops Diane Sawyer in her first week *** RTDNA blasts checkbook journalism and scolds CNN... *** Fox News' 2009 Ratings Records: Network Sees Best Year Ever *** Dying MGM Taking Bids Struggling studio could be picked up by Time Warner *** Journalists' Group Slams NBC for Flying Boy Home from Brazil
Page 6 Brooke Mueller tells cops Charlie Sheen threatened her with a knife *** Stocks of Nike, AT&T drop after Tiger scandal *Tiger Woods' mistress scandal costs shareholders of sponsors like Nike, Gatorade $12 billion *** Peter Orszag to Wed ABC News Reporter *** TMZ Admits It Was Duped by a Photo *** 'Brazil boy' yet to call pop Dad *** Bristol Palin Wants Full Custody
