Secret Service investigating removal of three from Bush visit

[ima_sinnic]

DENVER -- The U.S. Secret Service on Monday said it was investigating the claims of three people who said they were removed from President Bush's town hall meeting on Social Security last week after being singled out because of a bumper sticker on their car.

The three said they had obtained tickets through the office of Rep. Bob Beauprez, R-Colo., had passed through security and were preparing to take their seats when they were approached by what they thought was a Secret Service agent who asked them to leave.

One woman, Karen Bauer, 38, a marketing coordinator from Denver, said the agent put his hand on her elbow and steered her away from her seat and toward an exit.

"The Secret Service had nothing to do with that," said Lon Garner, special agent in charge of the Secret Service district office in Denver. "We are very sensitive to the First Amendment and general assembly rights as protected by the Constitution." . . .

http://www.kctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3136534

there are some very interesting and disturbing details in the rest of the story. are the SS now going to act in this jackboot manner and then pretend they were being impersonated? or were they in fact being impersonated?

[napi21]

1. I'd bet it wasn't the SS.

My guess is that ShrubCo employs his own "travel team" whose job is to protect him from opposing views of any kind. Dose the SS know about them? Sure. But I suspect they've been told to leave them alone! The job of the SS on Presidential detail is to protect the life of the President. He is their boss though, and if he says he wants this travel team to shield him, that's his right to do so.

It's the American People who should be pissed off at Shrub about this, not at the SS.

[etherealtruth]

4. I'm inclined to agree with you n/t

[Mika]

15. Blackwater, Steeles, or Custer Battles?

:shrug:

[KansDem]

25. Another word for "travel team"...

Goons.

[carnie_sf]

72. I was thinking brownshirts n/t

[snippy]

30. It probably was Bush's man date, Jeff Gannon. n/t

[lala_rawraw]

47. Well if the SS

Would stop looking for Paris Hilton's stolen info online, then perhaps they would notice not only this, but also hookergate.

It may have not been the SS (and how I hate those two letters together), but they are responsible and should act in accordance with their responsibility. Good god, does no one know what to do anymore?

[Kindigger]

2. Black lists...

I wonder if my car is on a "black list"? :freak:

[0007]

11. I believe they have most all out spoken individuals pinned down

from automobiles to the Internet to public meetings.

[punpirate]

3. Impersonation is a red herring....

Policy has been throughout the Bush administration to restrict Bush speaking events to supporters. They don't monitor local party officials, but they still "advise" them, and the local police, on "security."

This is mere minutae in the parsing of the language of security.

Experience strongly suggests that the SS has been instructed in the avoidance of the appearance of dissent, at all levels (particularly what the media might see as dissent), with regard to Bush's speaking engagements.

The SS can bitch that they aren't involved, but they run all aspects of security for Bush. They run the show, even if they won't admit it.

[Ganja Ninja]

8. Exactly! It doesn't matter who told them to leave.

Whether it was the secret service or Bush's Mom. It's the fact that it's a constant with this phony president. If you want to be in the Bush crowd you have to drink the Bush Koo-laid. People who have their own opinions are not allowed a voice of any kind.

[Griffy]

39. ACTUALLY..I'd like to know if bush hires a seperate group...

Or just abusing the SS.... Maybe they were self appointed freeps.. that watched the parkinglot and followed them in and led them out. Who knows.. we never will.. not till we got bush in a headlock!

[Boo Boo]

29. Agreed. I remember back in the early

days of the first term when the Free Speech Zones(tm) made their big debut, a local police officer, when asked why certain people weren't being allowed to stand along the President's motorcade route, said that the Secret Service had told him what to do.

It was basically a case of the SS coming in, organizing everything, telling local law enforcement where to position, etc. People with anti-Bush signs or whatever were kept away, and the SS was the entity that was responsible for carrying out that policy.

The interesting thing about the case I'm talking about was that when protesters complained about unequal treatment, the cop decided he agreed and refused to order them to move. That was pre-9/11 though.

So for the SS to proclaim their sensitivity to assembly/speech issues is a crock. Even before 9/11 they were doing whatever the Bushies told them too, regardless. The whole idea of Free Speech Zones is an affront to the very things this country is supposed to stand for, and was a clear indicator of what kind of man GWB really is.

If the SS was going to stand up for these values, they missed their chance a long time ago.

[hippywife]

42. When Cheney came here to Tulsa to support

Coburn at a fundraising dinner last October we were on the sidewalk in front of the hotel and across the street protesting. The SS tried to have those on the sidewalk in front of the hotel removed. They refused to go stating that they were on public property and well within their right to be there. To their credit, the Tulsa police agreed with the protestors and they got to remain where they were. The SS stomped off not happy in the least that they didn't get to bully anybody that day.

[TankLV]

69. Same happened in Buffalo.

Gotta love those patriots!

[RaleighNCDUer]

70. Their job is protection of the (p)resident.

I can see SS#1 talking into his cuff "Goon 1 and Goon 2 are escorting a civilian out. Watch for a disturbance," but if there is no disturbance they'd have no reason to interfere.

[katinmn]

5. Secret Service is investigating? LOL.

That's rich.

[0007]

12. Like the thief investigating himself.!

[katinmn]

14. Can you picture the news conference?

Secret Service announces White House gave the order to look for anti-* signage and eject anyone sporting an impeach * bumper sticker or wearing a Dem or Kerry t-shirt.

Riiight.

They really take us all for fools.

[democrank]

6. This is really beyond the beyond.

Of course the hard core nutjobs watching these carefully staged events on their television are probably cheering over the 100% Bush "support" they can see before their very eyes. It`s sickening...and scary.

[Bozita]

7. Could riding in a car bearing an "anti" bumper sticker lead to "no-fly" ..

... list?

[katinmn]

10. I've wondered that.

Having several anti-* bumper stickers, being active in anti-war activities, posting on DU, writing LTTEs against * policies, makes me wonder when it all will catch up with me.

My daughter and I are flying on Saturday and I hope we don't experience any problems. Would not be surprised.

[havocmom]

24. My daughter flew at Christmas time & it was the first time she wasn't

hasseled by security. She was kinds disappointed cuz, with the help of a friend, had been practicing how she was gonna react when pulled out of line for extensive scrutiny, like has happened every time she flew since 9-11-01.

Lots of bumper sticker, DU memeber, goes to the local portests, worked for her local DEM party during the campaign. I really half expected he to not make it here at Christmas ;)

[snippy]

9. Karl Rove put it best: "It’s like being at a Nazi rally." n/t

[salin]

13. Guess the SS is "protecting" the president

from himself... and his temper and churlishness when he is confronted with folks who do not fawn and swoon at his every move...

[meganmonkey]

16. I wonder if my 'Bush is a Punk-Ass Chump' sticker would keep me out of

events like that....or would it be the 'How Many Lives Per Gallon?' one?!

:silly:

[electricmonk]

32. I have that sticker on my car too

:hi:

The Chump one that is, along with a More Trees Less Bush, a DU one and my Kerry/Edwards sticker.

[meganmonkey]

33. Hah! I love the More Trees one, too!

:hi:

[rocktivity]

17. If the SS isn't involved, it should be easy for them to find out who IS

if they had nothing to do with it. After all, that's their job.

If someone is impersonating SS agents, they should certainly be looking into it. And if these mysterious escorters can't be identified (surely they have tapes of the event), then they REALLY have a problem!

:headbang:
rocknation

[LevelB]

18. I would hope that the Secret Service

is trained and motivated to do their job properly, free of bias.

Maybe not, but I can hope.

We have faux news, reporters, maybe we have faux security as well.

I wonder what would have happened if those being ejected had asked for some ID.

B.

[DrZeeLit]

19. If the SS is so great at security how could anyone "fake" being SS??

Wouldn't they "see" everything happening in a crowd?
Why not pounce on the persons who are evicting others?
There must have been some disturbance, even minor.
Where, or where, were the Secret Service or security guys?

Mmmmmmmm?



My bullshit detector flipped over to the danger zone.

[quaoar]

20. Time for people to stand up to these thugs

What would the thugs do if people refused to leave? Whip out Tasers?

[ima_sinnic]

23. yes, that is excellent. passive resistance would make a big scene

[chomskysright]

74. CODE PINK ladies did just that during the innauguration....

the SS tried to drag one of the more determined ones off, away from her chair, and she wrapped her arms around it and refused to mov...

[scarletlib]

21. don't forget Memphis

business received calls from someone claiming to be with the secret service asking people not to post anti-bush literature in their windows while gw was in town.

this happens too too often not to be coordinated by someone. my guess is it is not the secret service but a secret operation out of either rove's office or repug headquarters office to quell any potential opposition to the boy king.

[msmcghee]

22. Perhaps some creative person . .

. . should attend the next Bamboozle-palooza event with a couple of dozen choice anti-Bush bumper stickers and "donate" them to various bumpers in the parking lot - especially any Lincoln Towncars.

[Straight Shooter]

28. Not a good idea.

I would hate it if someone were to put a pro-bush bumper sticker on my car, which is what I think you mean by "donate."

How about, instead, a little flyer on their windshield which expresses the reasons why Social Security needs to be protected, and which lists bush's other cons against our citizenry? Not that those who drink the Koolaid would read it, anyway :(

[CAcyclist]

46. Could make them magnets

easily removed - no harm done to car

[Straight Shooter]

65. True.

If you want to go to that expense ;)

[KansDem]

26. Whaddabout, Agent Mike?

Is this standard operating procedure for the Secret Service?

[indepat]

27. We can be very thankful those in charge are very sensitive to the First

Amendment and general assembly rights as protected by the Constitution. Yeah!

[leftofthedial]

31. fascists who hate our freedom

[Megahurtz]

34. The Gestapo works fast!

Heil Shitler.

[Contrary1]

35. Well now, here's what we need to do...

Whenever we hear about Shrub/Cheney/Rove having a "town hall" meeting to sugar coat their Social Security turd,
one should just happen to pass the parking area with a large supply of anti-Bush bumper stickers.

Give them a taste of what happens to anyone who disagrees with the morons. They won't know who to throw out first.

[ourbluenation]

36. the freeps are discussing this too...they're outraged!

...that anyone could possibly have a problem with showing the non kool aid drinkers the door at these events. I fear for this country when this is considered okay by so many people.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1373241/posts

"Looks like they removed the right moonbats who were there to cause trouble."

"And just why should the President allow any commie scumbags into his event?"

"Why do they have the "right" to attend this meeting. Did they pay for the tickets?"

[ClintonTyree]

44. So they see nothing wrong with a fascist dictatorship.................

as long as it's THEIR fascist dictator. I wonder how they'll feel when we take this country back in '06? Do you think the freeps will be of the same opinion then, or will different rules apply? :shrug:

[TexasSissy]

37. I'm increasingly becoming convinced it is better to keep one's

political bent private....or at least not publicize it....for reasons such as this.

Scary, isn't it?

[TexasSissy]

38. Guess we start having secret meetings, next, huh? nt

[Bluzmann57]

50. I see your point

I disagree and will never shut up, but I do see your point and why it is a scary thing. But I'm a loudmouth guy and if a person can't be free to agree or disagree, then fuck 'em. I guess I'll go to jail. Can anyone say ACLU?

[llmart]

63. Oh, no........

you should never feel that way. If you're not willing to put your beliefs on the line and out in the open, then what is the point of living in a democracy? This is what they want you to do. Remember the famous quote about silence being consent. (can't remember it verbatim right now - I'm tired).

I have a voice and an opinion and I'm entitled to express it. I don't want anyone to think I support this regime.

[RamboLiberal]

40. DailyKos has an email from one of the people kicked out

<snip>

More astonishingly, when the Secret Service was contacted the next day they agreed to meet with us this Monday, March 28 to discuss the circumstances surrounding our removal. We had two big questions going into this meeting:


1 How is the Bush Administration "ID'ing" citizens before presidential events?

2 Why was an official taxpayer-funded event called a "private event" - leading to citizens being kicked out?

Most shocking of all, we got answers to both questions.
The Secret Service revealed that we were "ID'ed" when local Republican staffers saw a bumper sticker on the car we drove which said "No More Blood For Oil." Evidently, the free speech expressed on one bumper sticker is cause enough to eject three citizens from a presidential event. (Similarly, someone was ejected from Bush's Social Security privatization event in Arizona the same day simply for wearing a Democratic t-shirt.)

The Secret Service also revealed that ticket distribution and staffing of the Social Security event was run by the local Republican Party. They wanted us to be clear that it was a Republican staffer - not the Secret Service - who kicked us out of the presidential event. But this revealed something else that should be startling to all Americans.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/3/29/113651/512

[dorktv]

62. I know the guy who was kicked out, he offered to take off the

shirt (was wearing another one underneath) but no go. But they did not catch the other Dems that were planted! heehee

[Toucano]

41. I suppose if one arrived via public transportation

they'd have been jailed.

Brad Woodhouse, a spokesman for Americans United, called the Denver example the most egregious violation.

"They're screening the people who are allowed to come and then they're profiling them in the parking lot," he said. "It's quite extraordinary, and disappointing."

[ClintonTyree]

43. Welcome to bushamerika....................

dissent will not be tolerated. The government ONLY serves those who agree with it's leaders. Whether it's the SS or not (I'm inclined to believe, not) we have already become a fascist state. The media is controlled by the government, protesters are cordoned off in "first amendment zones", only supporters of bush are allowed to get any where NEAR him, he's the most ill-informed President in history.....
If someone has a clearer definition of creeping fascism, PLEASE let me know.
Fucking disgusting. Why do I still live in this shitty country? I guess I'm waiting for SOMEONE to start proceedings to get this gang of cheap thugs out of OUR White House. I'm going to be waiting 4 more freaking years I fear. :banghead:

[graphixtech]

45. related accusations – from abcnews.com article

http://digitalstyledesigns.com/pages/VoicesArticle.htm

November 12, 2003

Muffled Voices?
Activists Say White House, Secret Service ‘Sanitize’ Free Speech

By Dean Schabner

Nov. 12 — Brett Bursey knew he might get in trouble when he went out to protest at an appearance by President Bush, but he didn't expect the government to make a federal case out of what he saw as exercising his right to free speech.

Bursey, 55, is set to go on trial today on federal charges of entering a restricted area, after he objected to going to a "free speech zone" during a visit by President Bush to the Columbia Memorial Airport in South Carolina in October 2002.

"Free speech zones" or "protest zones" are areas set aside by law enforcement during presidential visits or other major events for people who want to demonstrate. Police say the practice is needed for reasons of security and public safety.

[TahitiNut]

48. "needed for reasons of security"???

Oh, I see. People who intend to do physical harm to the Fecal Fuhrer go in emblazoned with signs and buttons announcing their opposition. They'd never pretend they were conservatives, huh? Yes, the most successful approach is to attract attention. Right.
:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

G*ddam lying fucks!

[PurgedVoter]

49. The warnings were there early on.

Well before Bush wasn't elected the first time he stated "There is such thing as too much freedom of speech." This was in response to web sites that showed videos of him picking his nose at a ball game. So much for conservative values.

[chomskysright]

52. CO Repug party heads: e mail: SLAM THEM

[email protected],[email protected],[email protected],[email protected]

[chomskysright]

53. Repub County chairs:....

http://www.cologop.org/county.html

[chomskysright]

54. My letter to these Fascists:

March 29, 2005

1800 ESDT


STOP THIS STOP THIS STOP THIS STOP THIS STOP THIS STOP THIS

THE TAXPAYERS OF THIS COUNTRY DEMAND AN IMMEDATE APOLOGY AND CESSATION OF THIS BEHAVIOR

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/3/29/113651/512

There we were - three people who had personally picked up tickets from Republican Congressman Bob Beauprez's office and went to a presidential event. But as we entered, we were told that we had been "ID'ed" and were warned that any disruption would get us arrested.

After being seated in the audience we were forcibly removed before the President arrived, even though we had not been disruptive. We were shocked when told that this presidential event was a "private event" and were commanded to leave.

More astonishingly, when the Secret Service was contacted the next day they agreed to meet with us this Monday, March 28 to discuss the circumstances surrounding our removal. We had two big questions going into this meeting:


How is the Bush Administration "ID'ing" citizens before presidential events?

Why was an official taxpayer-funded event called a "private event" - leading to citizens being kicked out?

Most shocking of all, we got answers to both questions.

The Secret Service revealed that we were "ID'ed" when local Republican staffers saw a bumper sticker on the car we drove which said "No More Blood For Oil." Evidently, the free speech expressed on one bumper sticker is cause enough to eject three citizens from a presidential event. (Similarly, someone was ejected from Bush's Social Security privatization event in Arizona the same day simply for wearing a Democratic t-shirt.)

[CreekDog]

57. They should ask for ID from those ejecting them

If these folks are hoping to be mistaken for Secret Service, then a request of credentials should clear it up, or make for a pretty darn good news story (as this one is making).

Or the following questions:

1) Who are you?
2) Who do you work for? (land mine question)
3) Please display your credentials. (I dare you!)
4) Why am I being removed? (reason to fear for your life at this point)
5) Is this a public event or not? (butt may be on the pavement before you can ask this one)

That 2nd question is just asking them to lie, but boy will they get in deep you know what if they impersonate an officer.

Seems like a lot of folks are freaking out and don't know what to do when confronted with this, but seems like I am the first to suggest a simple credential check (show me your badge) --why is that?

I also think that maybe the Secret Service is tired of taking all the criticism for these policies and may be making public statements in hopes that this nonesense will actually change.

[dorktv]

64. And carry two different tape recorders.

One should get this on tape.

[chomskysright]

68. GREAT IDEA

[Maat]

75. I was a Child Protective Services worker for seven years ..

I was instructed to show my badge (credentials) anytime when asked; I identified myself on all occasions anyway, and, for sure, they could see the actual badge is they so chose.

Therefore, that is the first question that I would ask if I was being escorted out. Do Republican staffers have the right to put their hand on someone? If not, I'd sue them for a dollar, just to make a point.

[donco6]

59. Welcome Purged Voter

:hi:

[intheflow]

51. Vote up the Yahoo version of this story.

It has a 4.56 rating with 52 votes at present.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050329/ap_on_re_us/bush_colorado_1

[chomskysright]

67. WHOOP WHOOP: RATED IT

[clem_c_rock]

55. Um - Anyone want to come to the head of the class and talk about

How America's a democracy?

Also, anyone want to make the point we've been a democracy before the civil rights movement?

[outrage]

56. "We are very sensitive to the First Amendment and general assembly rights

...under Bush? Since when...

[CreekDog]

58. Just because someone works for the government...

...doesn't mean they support the political goals of the current adminstration.

[annabanana]

77. they can be our best friends...

Who would be in a better position to chronicle the misdeeds of the usurper. There are some real patriots there.

[graphixtech]

60. from related issue article

November 12, 2003

Muffled Voices?
Activists Say White House, Secret Service ‘Sanitize’ Free Speech
By Dean Schabner

Nov. 12 — Brett Bursey knew he might get in trouble when he went out to protest at an appearance by President Bush, but he didn't expect the government to make a federal case out of what he saw as exercising his right to free speech.

Bursey, 55, is set to go on trial today on federal charges of entering a restricted area, after he objected to going to a "free speech zone" during a visit by President Bush to the Columbia Memorial Airport in South Carolina in October 2002.

"Free speech zones" or "protest zones" are areas set aside by law enforcement during presidential visits or other major events for people who want to demonstrate. Police say the practice is needed for reasons of security and public safety.

Bursey's lawyers have subpoenaed Karl Rove, Bush's political adviser, and Attorney General John Ashcroft to testify, claiming that they can provide evidence that the White House and the Justice Department have told the Secret Service to keep anti-administration protesters away from the president.

"It is our contention and we can prove that the Secret Service is telling local authorities to keep protesters out of eyesight of the president," Bursey said. "We have three police officers testifying that the Secret Service used that word — 'eyesight.' That's quite disturbing."

Bursey, the director of the South Carolina Progressive Network, an activist coordinating group, is not alone in facing charges because of where he chose to protest. Otherwise peaceful protesters in other cities have been arrested for not being in the areas set aside for demonstrators. But so far, Bursey is the only person to face federal charges for his actions.

"That gives us the opportunity to call to question whether this is the federal policy," he said.

The heart of the issue, according to Bursey and other activists, civil liberties advocates and constitutional experts, is whether there are different policies for different people based on their message. Are people who support the president allowed to cheer him from nearby, while those who want to voice their complaints are sequestered out of sight?

"If there is a pattern of trying to keep people expressing an adverse view of the president where he and the media can't hear it, then you've got a situation where First Amendment rights are being abridged," Judge Avern Cohn of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan told ABCNEWS.

The American Civil Liberties Union believes there is a pattern. The group has filed suit against the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security as well as the city of Philadelphia and its police department on behalf of four Philadelphia-based groups, claiming that there has been a nationwide pattern of violation of Americans' right to freedom of speech by sequestering demonstrators where their message can't be heard.
(more)
http://digitalstyledesigns.com/pages/VoicesArticle.htm

[mainer]

61. Is the SS getting fed up with the Bushies?

It sounds like they're embarrassed to be accused of such Nazi-like behavior. The fact they're coming out publicly to defend themselves (and say they would never do such things) indicates they are disgusted with it themselves.

[kineneb]

66. Ah, mayhap the Praetorian Guard are tiring...

of guarding the Emperor.

Claudius: As for me being Emperor, don't take it up with me, take it up with them. (indicating big blond guys behind him- the Praetorian Guard)

(as I remember the scene in "I, Claudius")

[Cats Against Frist]

71. Maybe it was the "Secret Secret Service"

:eyes:

[emald]

73. *'s screwed this country up but good...

and he should be in prison. Now days saying that in the wrong place will get you beat up, isn't that something? Our "free" country is already way gone. It's already a fascist state where speaking freely against the powers will get you quietly gone, or maybe not so quietly. We have a president who has trampled any number of laws and should be in prison, yet no one with authority does anything! I've lost any faith in this country. Pulling people out of a free meeting with the prez because they have a bumper sticker that someone thought might not be appropriate is well beyond the law but no one does anything. We piss and moan a bit on web sites but in reality it just gets worse and worse. SS is an appropriate name for *'s guard detail. It's where we are at now in our dear old country. Even our votes are done away with and nobody yells. I fear that this government will never recover from this idiots handling. Dammit, I'm scared, and afraid. Thanks Bush.

[struggle4progress]

76. And now -- the bu**sh** cover story: GOP aide ousted three at Bush event

A Republican Party staffer dressed like a Secret Service agent forcibly removed three people from President Bush's speech in Denver last week after they arrived in a car with a "No more blood for oil" bumper sticker.

The man's identity as a Republican staffer was confirmed to the Rocky Mountain News by Denver Secret Service agent in charge Lon Garner, who investigated the incident. He declined to identify the man. <snip>

http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/national/article/0,1406,KNS_350_3661682,00.html