So George Bush Jr. got an entire army to protect him when he

[Rex]

went anywhere - yet people are allowed to carry weapons close to Obama? Am I the only one who sees the train wreck coming?

[CitizenPatriot]

1. the synthetic cowboy was also a coward

a liar, and a wimp.

remember, he was a draft dodger.

I agree that these gun-toting nut cases should be kept far away from the POTUS, but you know, we can't compare * to him on any level. * was just such a fucking loser.

[Rex]

2. It just makes me wonder if the SS believes Obama is worth saving.

They sure did worry about * and Cheney.

[CitizenPatriot]

9. from what I hear

they take their jobs very seriously. I'm sure that Obama is trying to downplay all of this bullshit, but that behind the scenes, it's a different story.

I really doubt that they put the shrub ahead of Obama. I think the Republicans are wimps and make a big deal out of everything because they're scared to death of any dissent.

I don't blame you for feeling that way, though...I sure worry about him.

[dflprincess]

19. Even if the SS wanted to arrest the guy it's not impossible Obama told them no

Let's face it, if they did arrest the jerk the wingnuts (with their pals in the media) would all be screaming that Obama was stifling both the 1st and 2nd Amendments (never mind those "free speech zones" Bush had).

I would hope that not only will snipers not take their sites off anyone who pulls this, but that there are agents very near to them in the crowd as well - perhaps dressed to blend in with the crowd so that avoids any wails of "intimidation" from the Reich in Exile.

[CrispyQ]

10. You can't spell coward without a W.

;)

[dflprincess]

18. +1

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

3. I wonder that too

:shrug:

I don't remember anybody around Clinton packing... different times...

[Rex]

4. It just kinda freaks me out.

Maybe that is it...sign of the times...but still. It won't keep me from sleeping, but it comes close.

[Horse with no Name]

5. Doesn't make sense to me at all

But by letting multiple armed citizens in to see the President, it will sure make it difficult to prove where the assassination bullet came from and they won't even have to invent "magic bullet theories".

[Jim Sagle]

6. Police/SS conduct here is a BLATANT wink and a nod - an open invitation to kill him.

Especially so considering the draconian preventive measures taken against protesters in the w years.

[Rex]

7. I remember reading how racist the SS was during the W years.

Things that make ya go hmmm...

[RufusTFirefly]

8. Read "JFK and the Unspeakable"

Despite what people say, Obama's no JFK, but there are eerie similarities regarding the SS's attitude toward protecting his safety.

[Octafish]

13. Abraham Bolden, first African American SS on White House detail, said SS HATED JFK.

President Kennedy personally invited Bolden to serve in the White House SS detail. Bolden left after three months because of the open racism of his "colleagues" and, most of all, his concerns for the President's safety were blown off by his superiors. After the assassination, he approached the Warren Commission with his concerns. Belin blew him off. A short time later Bolden was framed on corruption charges.

I havene't read it, but Bolden also has written a memoir, portions of which can be read online: The Echo from Dealey Plaza.

PS: I was thinking of Douglass's outstanding book when I first saw this thread. The guy's a genius and a Patriot. So's Bolden.

[Gabi Hayes]

30. Belin...one of the worst of the worst. My sister went to U of Iowa law school when

he lived in Iowa City. got to know him slightly, and said he was one of the biggest ASSHOLES she's ever met in her life, this having nothing to do with his being one of the chief architects of the JFK assassination coverup.

and that reminds me of one of my favorite little bits of 'history,' nicely summed up at wiki:

As he lay in a coma in his final days, his friends would whisper conspiracy theories about the JFK assassination into his ear to confirm his unconsciousness by his unprecedented lack of response.

he was a notorious cheapskate, rotten tipper

[CatWoman]

26. I just ordered that book

basesd on your recommendation :)

[RufusTFirefly]

28. Oh good. I hope you like it

It's certainly one of the best books I've read in the last year or so. And I read a lot.

[CrispyQ]

11. You couldn't even wear an anti-bush shirt to his rallies.

Personally, I don't want to live in a society where everyone is armed - especially our society, where so many people are pissed off.

[southernyankeebelle]

12. I totally agree with you. It is a train wreck coming. When someone

tries to hurt Obama watch the republicans come out crying there are crazies out there. Just like they did with Kennedy. The republicans have no morales.

[chicago legal pro]

14. Obama has the exact same "army" protecting him as Bush and Clinton did.

Get serious.

[Octafish]

16. Serious as a heart attack.

The Secret Service stopped running the crowd through the metal detectors in Dallas, of all places.

Details details... Man jokes about Bush - 3 years in Prison. Man with gun threatens Obama - No Problem..

That's nothing compared to this: Secret Service protection ordered to stand-down at Love Field.



Click to see the video from Nov. 22, 1963..

Details details... Henry J. Rybka was the Secret Service agent who asked "Why?"

Sorry to get pedantic. Welcome to DU, chicago legal pro!

[chicago legal pro]

17. I read the article you linked about the guy with the gun

The author said the secret service was "cutting corners" with Obama but it offered absolutely no details. The secret service denied the claims. In absence of evidence I will not believe that assertion.

[Octafish]

20. The original source was the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Read all about it:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3192181

"Absence of evidence." LOL.

[chicago legal pro]

24. The link is expired.

You are referring to an event back in February, 2008 when Obama wasn't even the nominee. Also the people making the charge were, of course, anonymous as usual. The campaign probably made the decision to lighten up on the security so that people could fill up the event hall. How the secret service handles non-nominee candidates and how they handle the President are two different matters.

[Octafish]

25. Obama was still a candidate under Secret Service protection.

First off: I'm so sorry! The link to the original Fort Worth Star Telegram article has changed. It's now available by subscription. I have the original article in my files, it you'd like a copy PM me.

FWIW: The press in Northern Ireland still makes available the gist of the story and names names:

Secret Service order Dallas police to stop screening for weapons at Obama rally

By Gary Fennelly
Friday, 22 February 2008

The US Secret Service ordered Dallas police to stop screening for weapons at a campaign rally for Barack Obama, according to reports in a Texas newspaper.

Police were told to stop checking people for weapons at the front gates of the Reunion Arena over an hour before the Democratic presidential hopeful appeared on stage on Wednesday, according to a report in Texas newspaper the Star Telegram.

Officers handling security were reportedly ordered to put down metal detectors and to stop checking bags and purses. Several Dallas police officers said they believed it was a lapse in security.

Chief T W Lawrence, head of the Dallas Police's homeland security and special operations divisions, said that while the crowd appeared " friendly" he was still surprised by the great number of people who had entered the building without any checks.

"Doors opened to the public at 10 a.m., and for the first hour security officers scanned each person who came in and checked their belongings. Then, about 11 a.m., an order came down to allow the people in without being checked," the paper reported.

CONTINUED...

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/us-election/secret-service-order-dallas-police-to-stop-screening-for-weapons-at-obama-rally-13379450.html#ixzz0OVEL0OO7

Most importantly, from that video from Love Field in my post above, one can see the Secret Service stood down for President Kennedy.

[Jennicut]

27. There were issues with security during the inauguration and when

VP Biden went to throw out the first pitch at the Orioles game as well. Once again, lack of screening for weapons.

"The Secret Service has increasingly cut corners after it was absorbed by the new Homeland Security Department under Mr Bush. Kessler said that when Mr Biden threw the first pitch at the first Baltimore Orioles game of the 2009 season, the Secret Service did not screen any of the more than 40,000 fans, stunning his agents and the local Secret Service field office."http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/5967942/Barack-Obama-faces-30-death-threats-a-day-stretching-US-Secret-Service.html

About the inauguration:

"More than a dozen counter-sniper teams were stationed along the inauguration parade route on Pennsylvania Avenue and the criminal records of employees and hotel guests in nearby buildings were scrutinized.

Despite all this, there were glaring loopholes in the security. Kessler describes how more than 100 VIPs and major campaign donors were screened by metal detectors but then walked along a public pavement before boarding "secure" buses and were not checked again.
" http://www.skeeterbitesreport.com/2009/08/secret-service-streched-to-limit-by.html

Both claims are from Ronald Kessler, author of "In the President's Secret Service". I am not sure how accurate some of his claims are but there were witnesses during the security loopholes at the inauguration. Just seems so incredibly disturbing to me. I think both the President and VP are in danger if there is a lack of resources and it seems strange that there was never this issue with Bush and Cheney when they were in office.

[chicago legal pro]

29. Thanks for the info.

However I still suspect the order went to the secret service from the campaign to let people in so they could get the event started.

[Rex]

22. It is troubling that he lacks the security W was afforded is all I am saying.

:hi:

[Rex]

23. Dupe

[Edweird]

15. * is a chickenshit little prick. Obama is playing it cool.

To get heavy handed preemptively plays into their game.

[mitchum]

21. Civil war ahead...whether we want it or not