And the Bush-Bashing Will begin in 5,...4,...3,...

"The system worked as it should have -- which is why it failed."

Officials: Protocol Followed, but System Failed to Prevent Terror Attempt

FOXNews.com

With a full-fledged review under way, top agencies are making immediate changes that suggest the system in place to flag suspected terrorists is fundamentally flawed -- even though officials say they followed procedure before a suspect armed with explosives boarded a Detroit-bound flight.

That appears to be the answer emerging from top agencies like the State Department in the aftermath of the failed Christmas Day airplane bombing, as officials explain how suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was able to clear security while armed with explosives and then board a flight bound for Detroit.

President Obama, who is meeting with agency heads Tuesday afternoon, said as much last week when he declared "systemic failure" allowed Abdulmutallab to board the plane bound for Detroit from Nigeria by way of Amsterdam. Other officials have since acknowledged that the system probably needs some adjustment.

"Systemic failure means that individuals probably weren't at fault, but that the systems that were put in place were not adequate to the task," said David Gordon, former director of policy planning at the State Department.

Obama was meeting Tuesday with top officials including Napolitano, Attorney General Eric Holder, CIA Director Leon Panetta, FBI Director Robert Mueller and counterterrorism adviser John "Oh, you mean THAT Nigerian!" Brennan.