This is Transparency in Government?

"The White House is refusing to release the controversial photos of Air Force One flying over the Manhattan skyline last week that triggered panic among New Yorkers and an internal review in the Obama administration.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that there was no need to release them.

"I've watched CNN," he said, noting the considerable coverage from amateur footage. "I didn't notice a lack of archival material from that flight." [link]

Now this I find strange. WE the taxpayers shell out $328K [source] for this unique photo-op and probably several heart attacks, strokes, stress related illnesses, etc... in the New York metro area. Don't you think that we should be allowed to see these wonderful pictures. Maybe the White House could even blow them up as posters and sell them to tourists, wouldn't that be a wonderful way to generate money for the government? Instead of taking it by force let the people pay to own such a wonderful piece of history.

For my part I think I will request the photos via a FOIA request. Here is how you can request them to.