posted on June 19, 2002 08:09:54 PM new
The White House was evacuated tonight about 20 minutes after Bush returned from a meeting. U.S. warplanes were scrambled and some personnel were asked to leave. Dubya did not leave as he apparently hid in a "panic room". A Cessna aircraft had entered restricted airspace but apparently it was just a case of a lost pilot.
posted on June 20, 2002 11:26:40 AM new
Reporters this morning was asking at the press conference if the press corps was more important than the President since they were evacuated before he was.
posted on June 20, 2002 01:16:57 PM new
clarksville- They were NOT evacuated before he was. Contrary to what was reported earlier, he was never even told about the evacuation and apparently never noticed the White House was empty!
posted on June 20, 2002 02:11:00 PM new
It now turns out that the scrambled fighter jets did not react quickly enough to avert the plane if it was indeed a danger. What's up with that?
posted on June 20, 2002 05:14:44 PM new
These little planes used to enter restricted space frequently, especially before the terrorist attack. Even an occasional commercial airliner would stray off course.
I have a friend with a newly acquired pilots license who accidentally or on purpose flew a helicopter into the restricted space in DC (before 9/11) Other than a radio message, nothing happened.
It may be necessary to extend the restricted area beyond 15 miles.
posted on June 20, 2002 05:42:14 PM new
Of course if they start running a big SAM up your rear end when you go over the line people will become very careful. But it is lousy PR.
Maybe they should move the White House instead of the airport. Be a lot cheaper and DC is too hot and humid in the summer anyway.
Set it up out west with a big zone around it and keep all the pesky reporters and demonstrators away too!
Maybe even keep it secret - A "This place does not exist." like area 51 - then Cheney could visit from his bunker more often.
posted on June 20, 2002 06:44:20 PM new
Now then it may come as a surprise to you all that the reason they call them scrambled jets is not that the pilots are alwyas out makin bacin but in fact they wear these baseball caps with yellow things on the brim called scrambled eggs.
