WASHINGTON — This is no time for the return of Professor Obama.
Responding to the attempted terror attack on an American plane in US skies, Obama took a break from the sandy beaches and golf links of Hawaii to make his first remarks about the simple thwarting of what were supposed to be the highest security procedures.
It was three days late and Obama mailed it in.
Unaided by his trusty TelePrompTers, the president read through his statement like a schoolkid dutifully treading through his book report.
“Here is what we know so far: On Christmas Day, Northwest Airlines Flight 253 was en route from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Detroit,” he said in those monotone stanzas.
“As the plane made its final approach to Detroit Metropolitan Airport, a passenger allegedly tried to ignite an explosive device on his body, setting off a fire.”
Allegedly? This is not a courtroom, Mr. President. Or a law school.
You are the leader of the greatest beacon of hope in a world filled with unyielding and mindless evil.
Where is your passion?
It’s not like he had to come out and say something like wanting the guy “dead or alive.”
But something? Anything?
As disappointing as Obama’s dearth of vigor is, truly alarming is what he said a little later as he complimented the fine Americans and great passengers from other countries who stepped in and, once again, picked up where the government had colossally failed.
“This incident demonstrates that an alert and courageous citizenry are far more resilient than an isolated extremist,” Obama said.
Again, this was a prepared statement that he appeared to read word for word from a sheet of paper.
This was not a slip of the tongue.
An “isolated extremist?”
Amid all of the current confusion over how Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab got on to a flight bound for America despite ample warning that he was planning to attack the country, one thing is clear right now: the so-called “isolated extremist” was working for al Qaeda — a worldwide terror group.
No matter what kind of vacation Obama finds himself on right now, al Qaeda remains fully at war with America. And will remain so until every last one of them is killed.
It was almost like Obama yesterday really would have rather been surfing.