Bush, 9/11 and the nuclear football

Let me get this straight:

Bush and Cheney (hooked at the hips) told the 9/11 Commission that Bush gave Cheney the authority to order planes to be shot down.

Cheney says he gave the order, but pilots didn't follow that order.
Condoleezza Rice NOW verifies that the phone call between Bush and Cheney took place.
No staff notes mention such a call.

The administration also claims that communications broke down that morning, and the pResident couldn't even get a cell phone to work.

So... who was on the line with George W. in that famous (Available to you and your family for $150! Suitable for framing!) Air Force One photo?

Pizza Hut?

Run long, George W.!

What about that stuff inside the nuclear football?

You know, the one that made the papers when you carried it into the Vatican recently for your little chat with the Pope?

The Football
Link

[Note: I copied and pasted this (error for error) from the website.]

It follows the President where ever he goes and is never more that a few steps from his side. It is carried by a military officer who must undergo the nation's most rigorous security background check - the "Yankee White". It contains a secure SATCOM radio and handset, the nuclear launch codes known as the "Gold Codes" and the President's Decision Book - the nuclear playbook that the President would rely on if he would ever have to decide to use nuclear weapons. Its real name is unknown but it is popularly known as "the football".

The concept of the football came about in the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis. President Kennedy was concerned that some Soviet commander in Cuba might launch their missiles without authorization from Moscow. After the crisis, Kennedy ordered a review of the U.S. Nuclear Command and Control system. The result was the highly classified National security Action Memorandum that created the football.

The White House Communications Agency which oversees the military unit in charge of the Football, was created with personnel from sections of the Defense communications Agency, composed of units fo the Defense Communications Operations Unit (responsible for communications and emergency power engineering) and the Defense Communications Support Unit. To work in these units, a candidate must pas a special seucirty investigation, called "Yankee White." The criteria include U.S. citizenship, unqeustionable loyalty , and an absloute absense of any foreign influence over the individual, his family, or "persons to whom the individual is closely linked." The aide who carries the Football come from the four military branches and are ranked Lt.Colonel, naval Comander, or Marine Major. They must be knowledgeable about all aspects fo the overall SIOP, as well as the various options available to the President for implimenting the war plan.

If you absolutely have to see the words "secure telephone" next to "The Nuclear Football," here you go: Link

White House Communications Agency (WHCA)
Link

DISA-WHCA (Defense Information Systems Agency/ White House Comunications Agency)

* Washington, DC
* (202) 757-5530
* DSN: 284-2000 ext. 5530

Mission:

To provide premier communication systems that enables the President to lead the nation effectively.

The White House Communications Agency (WHCA), originally known as the White House Signal Detachment (WHSD), was officially formed by the War Department on 25 March 1942 during the Roosevelt Administration. The detachment was activated under the Military District of Washington to provide normal and emergency communications requirements in support of the President of the United States.

Functions:

* WHCA provides telecommunications and related support to the President, Vice President, White House Senior Staff, National Security Council, U.S. Secret Service and others as directed by the White House Military Office.

* This support includes non-secure voice, secure voice, record communications, audiovisual services, automated data processing support and photographic and drafting services both in Washington, D.C. and trip sites worldwide.

Something about this whole story really smells!

If passengers and crew members aboard those doomed flights could phone home with no problems, why couldn't the pResident?