In the wake of Friday's attempted terrorist attack on Flight 253 there have been statements and reports from a wide variety of sources. Various government officials have let us know the suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, appeared in US intelligence reports. Another government official said Abdulmutallab's father went to the US embassy in Abuja, Nigeria with concerns about his son. Federal officials have announced a new layer of restrictions to hopefully improve safety. Members of Congress are talking about a potential probe into how the incident occurred. The Justice Department has charged that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab with willfully attempted to destroy or wreck an aircraft. And of course witnesses to the event have been telling reporters what actually happened on the plane. But one voice is missing from it all.

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President Obama, on his Hawaiian holiday vacation, has made no public statement about this attempted act of terrorism. But Deputy White House Press Secretary Bill Burton did release a statement which read, "The President was notified of the incident this morning between 9:00 and 9:30 Hawaii time by the President's military aide. The President subsequently convened a secure conference call with John Brennan, his Homeland Security and Counter-terrorism Adviser, and Denis McDonough, NSS Chief of Staff. He asked to arrange a subsequent secure call and in that call instructed that all appropriate measures be taken to increase security for air travel. The President is actively monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates. There is currently no change to his schedule." (source)

Perhaps we should be grateful he sent one of his aides out to tell us he's aware of the situation. I understand the investigation is in its early stages and it would be inappropriate for the president to make any grand pronouncements. But he certainly could take a few moments to make a statement to the American people. Let us know in his own words and his own voice that he is on the job even while in his tropical paradise. Assure all the other Americans who are traveling during this holiday season that appropriate steps are being taken; that he actually cares about what happened.

Why the presidential silence; especially from a president who is known for speaking (and speaking and speaking)? Could this be, like the recent terrorist attack at Fort Hood, something the administration wants to downplay for fear that the American people may suddenly remember we are a nation at war? Could adding his voice to the coverage undermine the fake urgency Mr. Obama and his cronies have created with regard to health care reform and climate change?

Hey Mr. President, at least give the passengers of Flight 253 one of your famous shout outs.