Doing what we do best

Matt Lauer's interview with President George W. Bush revealed something to the public that was previously known only to White House staff, members of the military and the media: Jet Blue had live in-flight satellite television available on its aircraft before Air Force One did. This deficiency became a national security issue on the day of 9/11, when Air Force One was forced to gather over-the-air television news in snippets, while aloft, as it moved from television market to television market. There was no more important a day for the leader of the free world to be watching television. When I covered the White House and flew regularly on Air Force One, I remember the on-board tradition when we landed somewhere: The crew would switch on a local station, which would come to life on all the on-board TV monitors (glass-front in those days, even though flat screens existed) and we would watch local news coverage of our landing...while we were seated on the plane. We literally had the sensation of feeling the wheels touch the runway while watching the same thing happen -- outside ourselves -- live. I always blamed the lack of up-to-date passenger cabin technology on the glacial way the military can sometimes move -- the regulations and requisitions -- and since military vehicles often lack the creature comforts of their civilian counterparts, Air Force One equaled that same dynamic writ large. We always thought it was strange that the seats only reclined a small bit, and there were no seat-back pockets -- two differences we always blamed on the aircraft having been designed and requisitioned by the Air Force. Don't get me wrong: It's the best ride out there...it was an honor each time I boarded, and an experience I never dreamed I'd have. But we now know, thanks to a new book by President Bush, that on a very important day in our nation's history: The need to know exceeded the technology on board.

We hope you can join us tonight.


Discuss this post

Brian, great insight regarding Air Force One. These types of stories really make you think twice. It's a sad commentary to think the most powerful man in the free world doesn't have the latest technologies at his disposal. My guess is though, the in-flight food service is a bit better on Air Force One than Jet Blue! Love your broadcast. Keep up the great work!

    Reply#1 - Tue Nov 9, 2010 6:15 PM EST

    The story regarding the so called missile . . . don’t like hearing story’s like that, aren’t all the flights taking off from the airports able to be tracked by the control tower?

    Brings to mind something that happened here in the city when the Upper West Side would all of the sudden be taken over by the smell of something like maple syrup, I think they finally said that the smell was traced to a factory in NJ or something, I myself for some reason don’t put too much faith in that one, why all the sudden would the smell just make it’s way to the Upper West Side?

    Brian, I’m sure you remember about 4 or 5 year ago, one morning in either Nov. or Dec. the smell of gas, like someone let the pilot light on a stove go out, hit the Rockefeller Center area, when I got off the subway that morning the smell was down in the station, so I thought it was from all the shops that are located underground, until I got inside the office, the smell was just as strong, even a certain shock jock who’s studio is across the street from you even ended is live show early that day because of it! That was really scary because you couldn’t go outside to get fresh air because the gas smell was even stronger outside! a definitive answer to that was never found either. They need to dig just a bit deeper to find out just what’s going on.

      Reply#2 - Tue Nov 9, 2010 6:52 PM EST

      AND THE HITS JUST KEEP ON COMING!! Bush is really a piece of work and the truth isn't part of him at all. Matt did a great job in the interview asking the real questions. Bush was more up set about Kanye West's comment then the people begging for help in Katrina. We learned Barbara Bush traumatized Bush as a teenager by showing him her dead fetus in a jar, clears up why he's mentally ill. Stating he would illegally invaded Iraq again even knowing their were no WMD's is sick. But the slap in the face to the Republican voters is his comment that he really lied saying he support John McCain and really would vote for Obama. We're learning how lies are common and the truth is rare. Brian rent the movie Do the Right Thing and you'll understand why Bush Family love Oprah and disgard other blacks. Like Rand Paul the other wealthy nut said he believes in discrimination but would allow Tiger Woods to play golf.

      I had a neighbor who admitted he was racist and I kept my distance. One day the NCAA had a young kid from North Carolina name Michael Jordan. While in the company of my neighbor I asked what he thought of this young kid. He said he looked like a good player. But he added he would have him arrested if he come near his home as most of these black kids are trouble. Well I moved and one day went back to visit the area and the friends I did have there. It was funny as the man was gardening and I said hello. We talked sports and I asked him about that super star kid Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls. His wife showed me his Chicago team shirt and cap of you betcha AirJordon and we talked about his magic flying act and how long he could hang in the air. Funny how time changes and opinions change as once MJ was just a black kid and now he was a young man to admire. Life's lessons with time, as for me it's continuing learning and not judging.

      It seems even the Foreign officials are now speaking out about their years with Bush and his actions. Look for more to come and it wont be pretty but all he needs is the money sales from his book. Even a President with no friends or respect needs money. It seems the Saudi's pulled out of giving money to the GW Library.

        Reply#3 - Tue Nov 9, 2010 7:27 PM EST

        Good Evening Mr.Williams, Another fine broadcast this evening. Learning that Air Force One did not have satellite television before September 11th shows how it became a big security issue for the President to gain information. Gathering information from local television stations after landing in a particular city takes time and if it had been installed on the aircraft the information would not have been in snippets. Technology that needed to be installed far sooner than later. I agree with you it is quite an honor to be able to fly aboard Air Force One. It must have been incredible.

        Now on to the broadcast. First of all the report about the mysterious thing seen in the skies over the Pacific. It certainly looked like a missile streaming across the sky into the clouds, yet the officials say it was not the case. Nothing was reported in the skies which was unusual so one would hope it was just a jumbo jet as one official stated. Yet, they cannot be totally sure. Hopefully, it was not a threat of any kind.

        The report by Mr Lewis about the standed Carnival Cruise ship the Splendor told of a real challenge to bring the ship back to port. The conditions sound uncomfortable with no power and running water, but at least food is going to be flown to the ship along with other neccessities to help the passengers. At least they have the restrooms working now. Hopefully, the return to port will come soon.

        The "Back to Basics" Series report by Kristan Welker this evening showed how this community of women are cutting back on their clothes shopping and helping others. It is great what these women are doing with not spending so much time shopping and more time for more productive things. And saving alot of money too.

        Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to You and to All!

        Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna,Lori,Cary and Matt!

        Be Well Always!

        Stay Extra,Extra Safe and Well Richard!

        Take Extra Good Care Richard and Crew!

        XOXO

        Lisa

          Reply#4 - Tue Nov 9, 2010 7:35 PM EST

          Jackie, you are not Dr. Carl Jung, so I think you are out of line in saying former President Bush is

          "mentally ill", and I am calling you on it. You are most disrespectful of this great former president .

          Snap out of it!!! I wonder about you after this outrageous comment,. President Obama's mother was

          such a wonderful woman, and it must have been wonderful for him to acccept this award on her behalf.

          President Obama's mother was such a very pretty woman and it must have been wonderful for him to

          When Coach Pitino came to Louisville and his airplane landed, my former manager at G.E. said it

          was like the Coming of Christ. And I associate airplanes with this most significant event. Pres. Bush's

          as well.

          Have a nice evening, all!!!

          Phyllis

          Excuse errors which I tried to correct but no luck with some.

          accept the award on her behalf.

            Reply#5 - Tue Nov 9, 2010 7:53 PM EST

            Phyllis respect your opinion but please read the following comment by Psychoanalyst Justin Frank;

            "You don't save a fetus in a jar -- you just don't do that," Frank said. "I would consider that to be the behavior of an extremely depressed person. Probably also extremely angry... because I think she's saying -- essentially -- that she has had to suffer".

            Say what you will and no I'm not a doctor but it clearly is sick to show a child your dead fetus in a jar and can tramatize a child for life. We see so much advising us of not allowing kids to view it because of the trama effect.

            As for your other comments of my disrespect well my daughter had so many fellow soldiers who died based on the lies. I have attended to many funnerals for young military men/woman and with only God's blessings and the prayers by all on this blog site along with the NBC staff did my daughter come home safe. She did have to see a doctor for the trama received why serving our nation.

            As to my thoughts of President Obama well the results aren't in yet but I keep an eye on him. I campaigned and voted for Hillary Clinton. Color didn't come to mine but I felt she was best for the job. Obama is learning but he's open to discussion and even my opinion. I get a daily briefing as to his schdule because yes I want to know. I knew about the torture in Iraq/Gitmo as it was emailed by a soldier before it hit the airwaves. Peaches had to buy her own bullet proof vest because Rummy used the money else where. I have pictures of the children Peaches met in Afghanistan as she and her troops set up a drive for coats/warm clothes for the families. Bush might be your hero but sorry he's not mine. I look for honesty and loyality to the American people in a President. I cried and sent help to those begging for help during Katrina as President Bush was in California campaigning in Los Angeles. NBC had full coverage of the Katrina Storm and the victims as Brian and his staff got to the State. I watched Brian live broadcast as the LA media reported Bush's fundraiser at the same time. I have lived to see the greatest of my country and what I thought was the worse. We are as great as our leaders. The worse so far was watching live President Kennedy's trip to Dallas and watching him slump down and the screen go black. A President like all of us should earn respect and not be given it for the title that they hold. If a title is what is only needed for respect well many people have been convicted for crimes but held titles. I wasn't raised to look at a title but I look for character and action behind words. I was taught that and I taught my kids the same thing. I don't respect George W. Bush but I'll leave it to God to judge him.

              Reply#6 - Tue Nov 9, 2010 8:39 PM EST

              Jackie, the bottom line is that you think former President George W. Bush is "mentally ill" and you

              will it leave it to God to judge him. "Well done, good and faithful Servant" is what this

              great man will hear." That's what I believe. Phyllis

                #6.1 - Tue Nov 9, 2010 10:36 PM EST
                Reply

                Off topic

                Brian just watched the evening news and please don't wear a square printed tie with a pin strip suit it's so bad not good. Try a solid color tie with pin strip suit ok.

                  Reply#7 - Tue Nov 9, 2010 10:04 PM EST

                  Brian, I saw Matt's interview with former Pres. Bush which was very interesting though brief. In this morning's

                  Louisville Courier Journal Bush's memoir says McConnell sought troop cut, but Bush told him that he would

                  "set troop levels to achieve victory in Iraq, not victory at the polls." It just came to me that Mitch's nickname

                  was Howdy Doody, affectionately or disparaging I do not know Also another article in the newspaper was

                  that his book confirms Israeli strike targeted Syrian nuclear site. I have always believe and said so

                  that the weapons of mass destruction were later moved to Syria. Have a nice day. Phyllis

                    Reply#8 - Wed Nov 10, 2010 10:26 AM EST

                    Have you noticed that they're charging these wannabe bombers like the last one in New York with using (attempting to) WMDs? Seems kind of ironic after the way the progressive traitors shaped their narrative just to get at Bush and regain power. Hey they needed the money, cough cough bailouts bailouts

                      #8.1 - Wed Nov 10, 2010 5:37 PM EST
                      Reply

                      Brian: How interesting! In a severe crise (911), Air Force1 had model T technolgy aboard the aircraft gathering bits and pieces about the situation at ground zero, while Jet Blue ( a civilian enterprise) contained state of the art technolgy. That technolgy, had it been aboard the president's plane would have speedily conveyed important and significant information to the president and his staff. This revelation was withheld from the American people. Had it ben known, there probably would have been an uproar from the entire media network. I assume, that by now Air Force 1 is now equipped with the proper devices which are necessary to convey information during a major threat toward the U.S. Lets hope so. Thanks for relaying that information on your blog. That is a disturbing bit of news! I'll catch you on tonight's broadcast.

                        Reply#9 - Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:02 PM EST

                        Brian, I was checking Astronomy Picture of the Day as I frequently do Might the mystery missile

                        be Venus Rising before the sun? I will leave the answer to the experts Just a thought. Phyllis

                          Reply#10 - Thu Nov 11, 2010 9:05 AM EST

                          Brian: I watched with interest that cllip on the unknown object in the Southern California sky. This is surely a military coverup. For one thing, if you direct your attention to the top of the contrail, you will see a very bright light. That light is burning fuel which was ignited at lift off. I've never seen that kind if flash within a contrail of an aircraft; however this flash does occur at the tail of a rocket or missle. This event is analogous to the roswell incident in New Mexico. Though the event was not as dramatic, a military coverup was instituted after a UFO crashed in the New Mexico desert. For those readers who are to young to remember the incident, some background information iis necessary. Some witnesses described the downed object as a alien spacecraft. The military confirmed it was a weather baloon. The U.S.Air force published a study entitled Project Blue Book. In their final analysis the air force determined there was no evidence of alien spacecraft, including the Roswell incident. This was a deliberate cover up by the military, and was based on the fact, that if people learned the truth, panic would ensue.

                          The military, and some civilions have concluded, the object that was taped from a helicopter was nothing more than a aircraft. The problem is, the military claims they have no idea what type of aircraft it was. Sound familiar? In all likelyhood, it was either a missle launched from a West Coast military base, or launched from a ship or submarine in the Pacific. Did we launch it or not? That is the lingering question. I'm not tring to sound off like this was some sci-fi episode because it wasn't. The public needs to know the truth because believe it or not "The Truth is out there!"By the way, the military has stated that the issue is over. If you believe that statement, do some research. I'll catch you on tonight's broadcast.

                            Reply#11 - Thu Nov 11, 2010 12:17 PM EST

                            Brian, Venus is the morning star which ushers in the new age. Of interest perhaps Venera 3

                            (from the USSR) ws the first man made aircraft to reach Venus. The Soviet AIRcraft was launched on

                            November 16 (1993--cannot read my own printing) Anyway, interesting the month is November.Phyllis

                              Reply#12 - Thu Nov 11, 2010 3:38 PM EST

                              PS Brian, Venus is the morning star which ushers in the light of New Jerusalem as well. Hope you

                              had a good weekend, Phyllis

                                Reply#13 - Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:04 PM EST
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