"I'll take 'STUPID' for $1000, Alex"

Jet flyover in lower Manhattan sets off panic
By ULA ILNYTZKY and SARA KUGLER, Associated Press
27 Apr 2009
NEW YORK – One of the president's official planes and a supersonic fighter jet zoomed past the lower Manhattan skyline in a flash just as the work day was beginning Monday. Within minutes, startled financial workers streamed out of their offices, fearing a nightmarish replay of Sept. 11.
...
The director of the White House military office, Louis Caldera, took the blame a few hours later. The airliner was a 747 that is called Air Force One when used by the president.

"Last week, I approved a mission over New York. I take responsibility for that decision," Caldera said. "While federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey, it's clear that the mission created confusion and disruption. I apologize and take responsibility for any distress that flight caused."
...
The FAA notified the New York Police Department of the flyover, telling them photos of the Air Force One jet would be taken about 1,500 feet above the Statue of Liberty around 10 a.m. Monday. It had a classified footnote that said "information in this document shall not be released to the public or the media."
[emphasis added]

Back in the good-old-days, taking responsibility for something meant something.
Like... hmmm... maybe Caldera oughta RESIGN!

Likewise the FAA administrator who decided,
"information in this document shall not be released to the public or the media."

Stupidity really ought to be grounds for termination.

At some point, apologies just don't cut it.
And at some point, "taking responsibility" oughta mean something!!!
(Isn't this one of the reasons we elected Obama?)