Black Military Pride, Obama Style

I just discovered that the NYC fly-by of Air Force One that still has a lot of people freaked had some interesting details heretofore unknown and not discussed. Spook86 gives some details with an eye towards how this was not an exercise in economy. I see it as I bet Obama sees it, as an opportunity to show off a part of American history black Americans are particularly fond of.

Air Force sources have confirmed that the F-16s that escorted the VC-25 over Manhattan are assigned to the Alabama Air National Guard, not the D.C. Guard as the AP (and other media outlets) originally reported. The Alabama guard has painted some of its Vipers in a distinctive "red tail" paint scheme, honoring the legendary Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. One of the fighters observed over Manhattan had the same markings.

There is a characteristic way that old black men I have known say 'uhm hmm', that tells you 'I told you so' without saying a word. And so there are no words to counter such expressions. This is more than a fist bump. You can bet that the Lemming Press will brook no dissent.

But just in case you aren't impressed with such sentiments, the additional cost of flying that F-16 up from Alabama was an extra hundred grand or so. A mere pittance by any government standard. So let's see if the black military pride angle gets played up or down.

I happen to think it's cool and clever, but he should have been in front of it and let everybody in NYC know. You can't show off and keep secrets at the same time. What? Is he ashamed?