posted on October 2, 2007 08:07:21 AM new
San Francisco is well known as being VERY liberal, VERY anti-military....and it's nancy pelosi's haven.
Oakland is very close to S.F.....and now they too are showing their DISRESPECT for our returning soldiers.
But these are the same LIARS who profess to 'support out troops'. This is just another example of how the liberal left shows they're all talk about their support....while their actions PROVE them to be just the opposite.
And this ISN'T the first time Oakland airport has treated our soldiers in this despicable manner either....they've done it before.
===================
Oakland Airport Outrage
Monday , October 01, 2007
By John Gibson
John Edwards always talks about "two Americas," but I don't think he's talking about these two Americas.
On a flight from Phoenix to San Antonio, a flight attendant came back to coach and quietly informed a young soldier returning from Iraq that a woman in first class wanted to switch seats with him. He went to the front — to the big seats and the hot lunch — and the first class lady came back to his bag-of-peanuts coach seat.
Passengers around her applauded and a few were moved to tears. Acknowledging the applause the first class lady said simply: "I did it because he deserves it."
Cut to the San Francisco Bay Area where soldiers and Marines returning to their home base in Hawaii stopped for a layover, but found they were not welcome in the passenger terminal.
This comes from noted neocon Michael Ledeen in the National Review, who reports receiving an e-mail from a Marine chaplain returning with troops from Iraq. The chaplain said when troops got to Oakland International Airport in Oakland, California — not far from San Francisco — the welcome mat was not out:
"On September 27, 204 Marines and soldiers who were returning from Iraq were not allowed into the passenger terminal at Oakland International Airport. Instead they had to deplane about 400 yards away from the terminal where the extra baggage trailers were located."
This was not a security measure. After going through super-tight security, checking for contraband, ammunition and explosives in Kuwait, the soldiers and Marines had been allowed in the terminal building in Germany and at JFK in New York. But on the far-left coast they were quarantined from civilians.
This smacks of the bad old days in the Bay Area when returning Vietnam vets were spat upon. Some high-ranking military person should make sure it never happens again. Our Iraq vets should be welcome anywhere and everywhere.
That's My Word.
Watch John Gibson weekdays at 5 p.m. ET on "The Big Story" and send your comments to: [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on October 2, 2007 08:32:49 AM new
IF this was true (third hand from a known neocon) is it as bad as slamming our female soldiers, calling them "he-men" who should be at home baking cookies.....like linduhKKK did ???? Talk about disrespect !
Isn't the "hiding" of the troops as bad as "hiding" the dead troops arriving in the US like bushit did???
posted on October 2, 2007 08:59:19 AM new
It's just more phony outrage put forth by far right bloggers - and eagerly picked up by the likes of others such as lindak who turn a blind eye to the way her government treats the returning vets, while she lusts daily for more war so more of her fellow Americans can spill their blood for a leader she worships.
posted on October 2, 2007 09:36:22 AM new
The government contracts non scheduled airlines to carry our military on the cheap. These carriers do not pay to use the terminals. Are you suggesting that these ternminals should make themselves available without being paid. Isn't that a form of socialism. You get what you pay for in this world.
posted on October 2, 2007 10:40:04 AM new
What Linda doesn't want you to know
According to press release issued Sunday by representatives at Oakland Airport, the fault in the mistreatment of the Marines falls with the ground handling company, responsible for taking care of the needs of passengers. Doing some investigating of my own, I was told that this company is named Hilltop Aviation, a tenant of Oakland Airport contracted from a chartered North American Airlines Flight. I was also told that unlike other military chartered flights earlier in the day, Hilltop bungled the communication process with Airport officials and ultimately came to the determination that they didn't meet TSA screening requirements, forcing a 3-hour lay-over because the passengers had weapons on board. Like earlier flights, they allege, had military personnel been TSA screened they would be brought to a public area where they could rest and meet with friends and family.
I remain a skeptic of this story because the original email contends that the passengers on board surpassed TSA requirements when they were screened by US Customs, removed the bolts from their firearms, and were given a re-boarding pass after they were allowed to stay in JFK's terminal.
The following are TSA screening requirements for military personnel:
You must declare all firearms to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.
The firearm must be unloaded.
The firearm must be in a hard-sided container.
The container must be locked.
We recommend that you provide the key or combination to the security officer if he or she needs to open the container. You should remain present during screening to take the key back after the container is cleared. If you are not present and the security officer must open the container, we or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact you. If we can't contact you, the container will not be placed on the plane. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft.
You must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
You can't use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard).
You may carry the ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as you pack it as described above.
You can't bring black powder or percussion caps used with black-powder type firearms in either your carry-on or checked baggage.
So I called Niko Melendez, the West Coast Spokesperson for TSA, to inquire on whether the Marines met these reporting requirements. He denied TSA's involvement and yelled at me the following in a fit of rage:
You better get your facts straight, we had nothing to do with this! TSA doesn't screen chartered flights!
In fact, TSA is the primary enforcer of all passenger screening.
In a phone call with a representative at LAX, I was told that per federal requirements all flights coming in and out of Los Angeles have to comply to screening by TSA officials.
So if its not the TSA, not the Oakland Airport, then who is it? Hilltop Aviation? It just seems to easy to me to blame a small handling company for stranding 200 passengers when the Oakland Airport contradictorily states that Port Authority and TSA officials made the final determination that they were not worthy to enter the terminal.
Someone should ultimately take the responsibility for this incident. It's morally abhorrent to leave out Marines 400 yards away from the terminal and prohibit them from receiving civilized treatment (getting refreshments, going to the bathroom, and meeting with family).
Let's see what Hilltop Aviation has to say.
"In my experience, those who do not like you fall into two categories: the stupid, and the envious. - John Wilmot, the Second Earl of Rochester
posted on October 2, 2007 10:46:27 AM new
Just goes to show you how the right really thinks of our troops. They get their panties in a bunch over a select group of soldiers not being allowed into the terminal after coming home from Iraq, but they do not care that the troops serving in Iraq do not have the proper equipment. They do not care that the troops that have duty ending injuries are sent run down treatment facilities like Walter Reed. This is how the right supports the troops.
"In my experience, those who do not like you fall into two categories: the stupid, and the envious. - John Wilmot, the Second Earl of Rochester
posted on October 2, 2007 10:50:51 AM new
Here is the response from the Oakland Airport
Thank you so much for sharing with me the information you had regarding the incident at the airport. As you know sometimes the way things appear initially regarding an incident turn out to be different after looking into the details. We checked into this once you had called me and raised your public relations concern, so again thank you. Here is the background information I have about the incident as well as the procedures and policies that affected decision-making that day.
In the case of North American Airlines Flight #1777, a military charter flight that arrived at OAK on Thursday, September 27, aircraft parking and passenger service arrangements were coordinated and approved in advance between the ground handling company and Airside Operations. The airport received information that the passengers were not TSA-screened
at their originating airport and that weapons were on-board the aircraft. Together with our security partners, the airport made a decision to park this aircraft at a remote location on the tarmac. It is the responsibility of the charter airline that its operation is compliant with TSA screening requirements.
Upon landing and parking at OAK, the pilot-in-command advised the ground handling company that the parking and passenger handling provisions did not meet expectations. Upon learning this, Airside Operations and Aviation Security worked with the ground handling company and other law enforcement partners to coordinate a plan that was satisfactory to the pilot and passengers, and which was compliant with all airport safety and security standards.
Oakland International Airport (OAK) makes customer service a priority for all its passengers, whether they are traveling on commercial, military or general aviation aircraft. Charter airlines operating at OAK can choose to contract with a number of ground handling companies. Ground handlers coordinate flight services such as passenger handling, and aircraft fueling, cleaning and catering. It is the responsibility of ground handling companies to communicate aircraft and passenger operational needs to OAK’s Airside Operations Office in advance so that special accommodations can be coordinated to ensure that all airport operational, safety and security concerns are addressed.
The scheduled arrival and departure time of the flight is set by the aircraft operator. Time is needed to refuel the aircraft, perform maintenance inspections, refresh the catering, and give passengers time to stretch to break-up long travel periods. An analysis of the incident and prior correspondence between OAK’s Airside Operations and the ground handler determined that the airport did not receive clear communication in advance from the charter airline that was hired by the military.
I am out of town starting tomorrow for a convention. If you have any further inquiries about this incident and the way it was handled, Rosemary Barnes who is part of our Public Affairs team would be happy to speak with you. You may also call Joanne Holloway, the acting manager of the Port’s Community and Customer Relations Department.
Kindest regards,
Marilyn Sandifur
Port Spokesperson
Port of Oakland
"In my experience, those who do not like you fall into two categories: the stupid, and the envious. - John Wilmot, the Second Earl of Rochester
posted on October 2, 2007 03:46:57 PM new
LOL....they ALWAYS have some excuse when they treat our troops in such disrespectful ways.
This is the SECOND time it's happened...NOT the first.
AND they were NOT treated in this manner at their other airport layovers/stops. ONLY at the Oakland terminal.
And IF our troops can't be TRUSTED to get off the plane - buy food, stretch their legs before their last stop, etc...then somethings VERY wrong with the decision makers {READ RADICAL LIBERALS] at Oakland airport.
These are the men and women that are fighting in a war FOR AMERICA. They deserve a LOT more RESPECT than this.
Only numb-nuts would think they couldn't be trusted in an airport terminal.
But then....that's pretty much how I see all liberals.....their wacko nut-cases who continue to show their DISDAIN for our troops, every chance they're given.
======================
Michelle Malkin
What happened to our troops in Oakland
By Michelle Malkin • September 30, 2007 10:58 AM
Two days ago, an e-mail about the rude treatment of Marines and soldiers returning from Iraq started making the rounds on the Internet. The brother of one of the mistreated troops who described the incident at Oakland Airport works on the Hill. The brother forwarded his family member’s e-mail around. The e-mail is real, contrary to the Daily Kos nut who dismissed it as “fake” without any evidence whatsoever (can you say p-r-o-j-e-c-t-i-o-n). I contacted the Navy chaplain who serves with the Marines to verify the e-mail on Friday. He confirmed.
In short: “On September 27th 204 Marines and soldiers who were returning from Iraq were not allowed into the passenger terminal at Oakland International Airport. Instead they had to deplane about 400 yards away from the terminal where the extra baggage trailers were located. This was the last scheduled stop for fuel and food prior to flying to Hawaii where both were based. The trip started in Kuwait on September 26th with a rigorous search of checked and carry on baggage by US Customs. All baggage was x-rayed with a ‘backscatter’ machine AND each bag was completely emptied and hand searched. After being searched, checked bags were marked and immediately placed in a secure container. Carry on bags were then x rayed again to ensure no contraband items were taken on the plane. While waiting for the bus to the airport, all personnel were in quarantined in a fenced area and were not allowed to leave.”
Nevertheless, Oakland forbade them from entering its terminal. According to the Marine, a Lieutenant who served in Afghanistan with the same unit in 2006 noted that Oakland had treated troops the same way before. He “was almost arrested by the TSA for getting belligerent about them not letting the Marines into the terminal,” despite more rigorous screening prior to landing in Oakland. Both JFK airport and in Germany had no problem with the Marines entering their terminals.
I have also obtained the Port of Oakland’s response about the incident to Captain David Epstein of the Reserve Officers Association. The Port official blames a lack of “clear communication” from the charter airline hired by the military. In other words: it’s the troops’ fault:
Thank you so much for sharing with me the information you had regarding the incident at the airport. As you know sometimes the way things appear initially regarding an incident turn out to be different after looking into the details. We checked into this once you had called me and raised your public relations concern, so again thank you. Here is the background information I have about the incident as well as the procedures and policies that affected decision-making that day.
In the case of North American Airlines Flight #1777, a military charter flight that arrived at OAK on Thursday, September 27, aircraft parking and passenger service arrangements were coordinated and approved in advance between the ground handling company and Airside Operations. The airport received information that the passengers were not TSA-screened
at their originating airport and that weapons were on-board the aircraft.
Together with our security partners, the airport made a decision to park this aircraft at a remote location on the tarmac. It is the responsibility of the charter airline that its operation is compliant with TSA screening requirements.
Upon landing and parking at OAK, the pilot-in-command advised the ground handling company that the parking and passenger handling provisions did not meet expectations. Upon learning this, Airside Operations and Aviation Security worked with the ground handling company and other law enforcement partners to coordinate a plan that was satisfactory to the pilot and passengers, and which was compliant with all airport safety and security standards.
Oakland International Airport (OAK) makes customer service a priority for all its passengers, whether they are traveling on commercial, military or general aviation aircraft. Charter airlines operating at OAK can choose to contract with a number of ground handling companies. Ground handlers coordinate flight services such as passenger handling, and aircraft fueling, cleaning and catering. It is the responsibility of ground handling companies to communicate aircraft and passenger operational needs to OAK’s Airside Operations Office in advance so that special accommodations can be coordinated to ensure that all airport operational, safety and security concerns are addressed.
The scheduled arrival and departure time of the flight is set by the aircraft operator. Time is needed to refuel the aircraft, perform maintenance inspections, refresh the catering, and give passengers time to stretch to break-up long travel periods. An analysis of the incident and prior correspondence between OAK’s Airside Operations and the ground handler determined that the airport did not receive clear communication in advance from the charter airline that was hired by the military.
I am out of town starting tomorrow for a convention. If you have any further inquiries about this incident and the way it was handled, Rosemary Barnes who is part of our Public Affairs team would be happy to speak with you. You may also call Joanne Holloway, the acting manager of the Port’s Community and Customer Relations Department.
Kindest regards,
Marilyn Sandifur
Port Spokesperson
Port of Oakland
“The airport did not receive clear communication” is not a satisfactory explanation. The bottom line is that Oakland officials made the final decision (”the airport made a decision to park this aircraft at a remote location on the tarmac”). The Port of Oakland’s p.r. flacks have passed the buck and seem to believe they can blow off this incident without bothering to apologize to the troops who felt mistreated and without pledging to ensure that the troops are received properly the next time they touch down at that airport.
Big mistake from a region of the country that already has a bad, longstanding rep as anti-military.
All fair-minded observers should agree: The troops deserve better.
***
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
Ann Coulter
[ edited by Linda_K on Oct 2, 2007 03:54 PM ]
posted on October 3, 2007 07:36:53 AM new
In the end after serving a tour of duty in Iraq, I am sure the soldiers are just grateful to be back home. The soldiers got to stretch and eat while waiting for their plane to leave. It is only the neocons making a huge deal out of nothing.
If the Republicans in Congress are so offended by this, maybe they should start passing a resolution saying how this is a travesty and how they respect the troops. It seems like the only thing the Republicans are good at lately are passing useless resolutions in Congress that don't mean diddly.
"In my experience, those who do not like you fall into two categories: the stupid, and the envious. - John Wilmot, the Second Earl of Rochester
posted on October 3, 2007 07:56:33 AM new
WHAT GALL!!!!
YOU, ld, speaking FOR OUR TROOPS????
You don't deserve to lick the bottom of their boots....let alone speak for them.
THEY have spoken out at feeling INSULTED. That's who we troop supporters listen to, not anti-military idiots like you.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
Ann Coulter
[ edited by Linda_K on Oct 3, 2007 07:58 AM ]
[ edited by Linda_K on Oct 3, 2007 07:58 AM ]
posted on October 3, 2007 08:12:22 AM new
linduh called our female soldiers "he-men" who should be home baking cookies and now acts like it's the LIBERALS who are showing our troops disrespect.
NO, LINDUHKKK showed total disrespect for our troops .....
posted on October 3, 2007 11:49:49 AM newYou don't deserve to lick the bottom of their boots....let alone speak for them.
Trying to block free speech Linda. You know the same free speech that you keep saying every one should have. The same free speech that gives Limpbra the right to call decorated veterans "phony soldiers".
I think I hit a nerve with you Linda. I bet if you ask any of those 204 soldiers where they would rather be - on the tarmac at the Oakland airport or in Iraq, they would be on the tarmac in Oakland.
If you dont like what I said, that is to freakin bad. Why don't you go petition your congressmen to have a resolution drawn up saying you and the rest of the Republican party disagrees with my right to free speech.
"In my experience, those who do not like you fall into two categories: the stupid, and the envious. - John Wilmot, the Second Earl of Rochester
