City Says It Can't Afford Security for Presidential,VP Visits(EvansvilleIN

[Robbien]

After being "used like a pair of work gloves" by the Secret Service, Evansville no longer can afford to provide security for presidential and vice presidential visits, the city attorney said. Evansville City Attorney David Jones also criticized the Secret Service for refusing to provide evidence, testimony and witnesses to help defend the city against a lawsuit brought by environmental activist following a 2002 arrest outside a fund-raiser featuring Vice President Dick Cheney.

A federal judge ruled Thursday the city must pay undetermined damages to the activist for violating his free speech rights. "This is not fair," Jones told the Evansville Courier and Press for a story published Saturday. "We've been used like a pair of work gloves, and when we were no longer handy, we were just discarded."

Jones said the Secret Service planned security for the private event at which city police arrested activist John Blair for violating a no-protest zone.

Evansville Police Chief Brad Hill said the Secret Service's security plan for Cheney's visit required the Police Department to use both on-duty and off-duty officers. Hill said no tally was made of the cost involved, but called it the "largest security effort" undertaken in his 23 years on the force.

http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=3103281

[rodeodance]

1. used is right on. I would think other cities would get smart also!

[katinmn]

2. Oh, Goody!

[intheflow]

3. Bwaaaahaaahaaaa!

The backlash is beginning! :evilgrin:

[katinmn]

5. And they deserve everything coming their way

[gratuitous]

4. Used like a pair of work gloves, were ye?

I was thinking "ten dollar hooker" myself, but if the work glove simile helps you retain a modicum of self respect, Mr. Jones, then by all means use it.

One wonders if the mind of the wily Hoosier will make the connection between the shabby treatment their city has received and the corrupt administration that inflicted that treatment on them, but I have a great deal of respect for the cognitively dissonant abilities of Republicans to cast far and wide for "responsibility" for their problems when the true source of their misery is right in front of their nose.

[havocmom]

6. Dimson in Tucson today, and schools there are cutting back on principals

Smaller schools are now sharing principals. This budget adjustment after the move to cut kindergarten hours and to get teachers to work a few days on a 'voluntary basis' (meaning: agree to work without pay a few days per year) was not accepted by those involved.

Class size too big, buildings in sad shape, cuts in curriculum, cuts in after school programs, cuts in Parks & Rec budget, cuts in bus service combined with rising fares, not enough police/fire dept personnel,cuts in garbage pickup, the list goes on. The city is more than broke.

Yet they have to come up with $$ for police and city road crews to re-route traffic and protect the man who fronts for the world's most dangerous terrorist organization.

When he wants to go and play act at being a leader in front of a hand picked, loyalty oath taking crowd, cities on his itinerary should demand a deposit to defray security costs be made prior to the visit. No $$, no manpower. Let the SS take it all on and let the bastard take his chances in traffic just like everybody else.

No child left behind in the effort to steal from America.

[riverwalker]

7. ha ha ha ha

Our "beloved leader" needs so much security from his adoring throngs of "supporters" that cities can't afford to have him visit.

[applegrove]

8. Way to go!! Why should states pay for Bush visits when their state

budgets have been purposely decimated?

[xxqqqzme]

9. my old hometown...

I'm certain it is all rethugs now...when I was growing up there, my cousin was mayor - considered the 'black sheep' of the family cuz he was a Democrat!