Reply #31: Even an ex-president's visit is a major event

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

You've got to divert resources that would better be used elsewhere. This includes the command staff. Although this is a military base, the recent atrocity has demonstrated that even in such a tightly controlled environment it's possible for one determined individual to wreak havoc.

When W. chose to do his photo-op (most likely to rehabilitate his image -- he loved playing the Commander-in-Chief role on military bases, where by regulation no one could disagree with him) he sucked military and civilian security personnel away from performing their primary duties.

He could have done a fly-over (like Katrina) and used a photo of him looking thoughtfully out the aircraft (like Katrina) with an appropriate caption lauding his concern for the victims (like Katrina).

Hell, he could have gotten that photo without even leaving the ground.