Booman Tribune ~ A Progressive Community

Secret Service Gets Lax for Obama Rally

by Steven D
Thu Feb 21st, 2008 at 08:02:51 PM EST

Not that I'm suggesting that there was anything sinister in this story, but WTF? You have Barack Obama, a popular black candidate for President whose security detail has had to be buffed up due to increased threats on his life. So why in the hell would that same Secret Service security detail suddenly order Dallas police to stop screening people entering an Obama rally for weapons?

DALLAS -- Security details at Barack Obama's rally Wednesday stopped screening people for weapons at the front gates more than an hour before the Democratic presidential candidate took the stage at Reunion Arena.
The order to put down the metal detectors and stop checking purses and laptop bags came as a surprise to several Dallas police officers who said they believed it was a lapse in security.
Dallas Deputy Police Chief T.W. Lawrence, head of the Police Department's homeland security and special operations divisions, said the order -- apparently made by the U.S. Secret Service -- was meant to speed up the long lines outside and fill the arena's vacant seats before Obama came on. [...]
Several Dallas police officers said it worried them that the arena was packed with people who got in without even a cursory inspection.
They spoke on condition of anonymity because, they said, the order was made by federal officials who were in charge of security at the event.
"How can you not be concerned in this day and age," said one policeman.

I'm sorry, but that excuse for possibly allowing someone with a gun into an auditorium filled with people strikes me as a scenario out of a paranoid Hollywood conspiracy movie from the seventies. It just don't pass the smell test, ya know what I mean? You don't add Secret Service protection early to Obama's security because of threats to his life only to have them act like it's more important to speed the flow of people in to see him because they "seemed like a friendly crowd" rather than take the necessary steps to keep him and everyone else in that building safe.

This needs to be investigated and whoever gave that order dismissed. Or this generation will experience the same trauma that mine did: the assassination of a charismatic, popular political leader.

Secret Service Gets Lax for Obama Rally | 17 comments (17 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Secret Service Gets Lax for Obama Rally (4.00 / 3)

Fletcher Prouty said that if you want to have a public figure assassinated all you have to do is let those who would kill know and let it happen.

Really. Just ask Benazir Bhutto.

by Bob In Pacifica on Thu Feb 21st, 2008 at 08:06:58 PM EST

Re: Secret Service Gets Lax for Obama Rally (4.00 / 5)

And DALLAS!!!! Freaking DALLAS!!

Tengo un sueño.

by ejmw (ewitham (at) umich (dot) edu) on Thu Feb 21st, 2008 at 08:21:34 PM EST

I'm on top of that one (4.00 / 2)

I mean, there was security at flippin' YearlyKos and I had to leave my laptop bag outside the door!

~~~THIS SPACE FOR RENT~~~

by fabooj (fabooj [at} mail [dot} com) on Thu Feb 21st, 2008 at 08:29:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'm on top of that one (4.00 / 3)

Well, there's all them fringe left wing terra-ist sympathizers at YearlyKos.

What a left wing terrorist attack would look like, I have no f'ing clue. It would probably involve photoshopped pictures of kittens.

Tengo un sueño.

by ejmw (ewitham (at) umich (dot) edu) on Thu Feb 21st, 2008 at 08:32:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

As disorganized as YearlyKos is (4.00 / 3)

There'd probably be a lot of talking about maybe thinking about setting up a committee to determine if something could possibly occur.

~~~THIS SPACE FOR RENT~~~

by fabooj (fabooj [at} mail [dot} com) on Thu Feb 21st, 2008 at 08:36:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'm on top of that one (4.00 / 2)

Also cookies.

Well, Watson, we seem to have fallen upon evil days. Sherlock Holmes

by Carnacki (Carnacki AT hauntedvampire DOT com) on Thu Feb 21st, 2008 at 09:43:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'm on top of that one (4.00 / 3)

The one at Obsidian Wings. ASSASSIN KITTEH!

by RandyH on Thu Feb 21st, 2008 at 10:48:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'm on top of that one (4.00 / 2)

I'm glad I wasn't drinking anything!

by Bob In Pacifica on Fri Feb 22nd, 2008 at 12:00:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Stealing a line from Apocalypse Now (4.00 / 2)

Dallas. I'm still in Dallas.

Well, Watson, we seem to have fallen upon evil days. Sherlock Holmes

by Carnacki (Carnacki AT hauntedvampire DOT com) on Thu Feb 21st, 2008 at 09:43:14 PM EST

Re: Secret Service Gets Lax for Obama Rally (4.00 / 3)

Maybe it is stupid to put all our hopes in leaders. We need movements, not leaders who are unfortunately all too mortal.

Stray Roots Message Board,Thus far unmoderated! Dameocrat Blog

by StrayRoots (dameocrat@STUFFTOREMOVEpeacemail.com) on Thu Feb 21st, 2008 at 11:18:20 PM EST

Smell test? It stinks to high heaven. (4.00 / 2)

Since when has the Secret Service cared whether hall was full?

My son saw Obama at Clemson University in SC. The speech was outside and there were snipers on top of about eight building surrounding the area. My son had a difficult time moving around before the speech because they weren't letting people even walk by the building where Obama was preparing.

I saw Obama in Columbia, SC. One time the TSA conducted security checks with metal detector "gate." They wanded me after my belt buckle set off the alarm. I had to leave a small pen knife outside. At the stadium rally things were less rigorous but bags were searched etc. Only at an by-invitation town hall meeting of 200 people was security lax.

Somebody's head should roll in Dallas. Obama's personal security people should take this "lapse" as an object lesson that he could be threatened from many different-- even unlikely-- sources.

by SaltyDawg on Thu Feb 21st, 2008 at 11:26:40 PM EST

Re: Smell test? It stinks to high heaven. (none / 1)

You are absolutely right. Some time back, after winning Iowa, the Secret Service was supposed to have raised Obama's level of security to the same level as the President's. He may ask them at times to lower it so he can meet with the crowds, at his own risk. Fine. But there is no excuse to not have a fully secure venue before he enters it. If it were Bush, they'd hold up the event until everyone has been checked and are all seated. The people would understand.

by RandyH on Thu Feb 21st, 2008 at 11:45:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Now that he is close to winning...as was RFK.. (none / 1)

I fear for his life.

I really do.

When all else fails, there is always the assassination/stonewall tactic.

Bet on it.

What?

This isn't the '60s?

This isn't a third world country?

Wake the fuck up.

If he hasn't made the proper promises to the proper people...and even if he has...those who "protect" him can UNprotect him just as easily as tying their shoes.

It's that simple.

The order comes down from...somewhere...and the watchdogs are not there to watch.

Watch.

It's happened before.

Here.

Watch.

And pray.

Because if it happens THIS time...that's all for America.

Watch.

They are.

AG

Goodness had nothing to do with it, dearie.-Mae West

by Arthur Gilroy (arthurgilroy<at>earthlink.net) on Thu Feb 21st, 2008 at 11:52:37 PM EST

Re: Now that he is close to winning...as was RFK.. (4.00 / 4)

Please AG lets us not think this into being, please let us think the better outcome into being.

Click here to step into the Village Blue2

by diane101 (dianed101 @ yahoo.com) on Fri Feb 22nd, 2008 at 12:39:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]

The eyes wide closed thing doesn't work for me. (none / 1)

Sorry.

AG

Goodness had nothing to do with it, dearie.-Mae West

by Arthur Gilroy (arthurgilroy<at>earthlink.net) on Fri Feb 22nd, 2008 at 08:52:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Be cool. (none / 0)

Certainly Obama is at risk, but not the way RFK was: He is not part of a team that had just been violently decapitated and therefore inherently an enemy.

Besides, although the PTB are clearly unsure, Obama could definitely be useful in prolonging the period when propaganda suffices and open violence is almost unnecessary. So, while the PTB are clearly split, they have as much reason to keep him alive as not. In fact, if they were smart (they are not), he is (testing out to be) far and away their best choice.

So its a possibility, not a likelihood.

A possibility that should be recognized--and guarded against. (Also STRATEGIZED against).

But not a cause for panic.

The Fates are kind.

by Gaianne on Fri Feb 22nd, 2008 at 10:42:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Secret Service Gets Lax for Obama Rally (none / 1)

Every time there is inspiration that we can live and work together in peace, there is murder.

Obama is not a messiah, but he IS a leader. I am convinced finally that "Yes we can!", but it will take all of our best efforts.

Now is the time for vigilance, not laxity. We need to start protecting each other. Stories like this deserve a lot of attention, and sometimes my best effort is making a fuss when people don't do their jobs.

by atticus on Fri Feb 22nd, 2008 at 06:59:05 AM EST

Secret Service Gets Lax for Obama Rally | 17 comments (17 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Go to: [ Booman Tribune Homepage : Top of page : Top of comments ]

. Home
. About
. Contact
. Advertise
. FAQ
. Search

Username:
Password:

. Make a new account
. Reset password

Gift Cards * New Arrivals

NOTE: Overstock bests Amazon's prices and is "blue."

THE BOOKS WITH "BUZZ":
______________

Senator Edward M. Kennedy tells his extraordinary personal story:

True Compass: A Memoir
by Edward M. Kennedy.

Read Barack Obama's vision for America:

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
by Barack Obama

Boran2 and maryb2004 recommend:

The Big Over Easy: A Nursery Crime
by Jasper Fforde

Must-have information for all presidents-and citizens-of the twenty-first century?

Physics for Future Presidents: The Science behind the Headlines
Richard A. Muller

rae recommends:

Dark Ages America: The Final Phase of Empire
by Morris Berman.

On BooMan’s shelf:

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
by Doris Kearns Goodwin

This looks interesting:

Adventure Divas
by Holly Morris

Here’s a good one from
Elizabeth Gilbert:

Eat Pray Love
by Elizabeth Gilbert

"Crash" * Best Motion Picture, Academy Awards * Only $11.79 at Overstock * 2006 SAG Winner, Best Ensemble

Check out
Powell's new section:
NEW FAVORITES
Selected new arrivals at 30% off

Recommended by Indianadem and ejmw:
The Conscience of a Liberal
by Paul Wellstone

From northcountry’s bookshelf:

The New Golden Age:
The Coming Revolution Against
Political Corruption and Economic Chaos by Ravi Batra

A novel about contractors in Iraq from the woman that runs The Spy That Billed Me:

Outsourced: A Novel
from RJ Hillhouse.

Great Deals
----- * ^ * -----

Find mystery novels by Nancy Pickard ("Kansas")

Challenging Empire: How People, Governments, and the UN Defy US Power by Phyllis Bennis (interviewed on DN!)

Featured by Keith Olbermann, New (Powell's Sale): Rogue State: A Guide to the World's Only Superpower by William Blum (whose other books merit serious consideration)

"Explosive" State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration
by James Risen

The book the CIA doesn't want you to read: Jawbreaker: The Attack on Bin Laden and Al Qaeda: A Personal Account by the CIA's Key Field Commander
Larry Johnson's review

BT's all-time best seller:

PERMACULTURE:
A Designers' Manual
$79.95 * Sale: $59.95

Unequal Sisters: A Multicultural Reader in U.S. Women's History (Third Edition)

The Undercover Economist: Exposing Why the Rich Are Rich, the Poor Are Poor And Why You Can Never Buy a Decent Used Car!

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl
by Timothy Egan

Green Press Initiative
----- * ^ * -----

Journalistas: 100 Years of the Best Writing and Reporting by Women Journalists by Eleanor Mills * NYT review

Bury Me Standing: the Gypsies & Their Journey

1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus

Brokeback Mountain
by Annie Proulx
----- * ^ * -----
Check out Powell's
"At The Movies"

Imperial Ambitions: Conversations on the Post-9/11 World by Noam Chomsky (Power & Terror: Post 9-11 Talks)

The Price of Privilege:

How Parental Pressure and
Material Advantage Are Creating a Generation of
Disconnected and Unhappy Kids
by Madeline Levine

Save 35-70% on
name brand clothing,
footwear, and outdoor gear
at SierraTradingPost.com
:

We listened to PEN American Center's "State of Emergency" and found 1940s books by Curzio Malaparte only at Alibris. (Selection (MP3) excerpted from "The Skin.")

Banned Books * Are you a fan of Film Noir, Art House, Documentaries or Hong Kong Action? * Searching for a long-lost children's book or a first printing of Miles Davis' Kind of Blue on vinyl? Find it at Alibris!

:
:

Booman Tribune Homepage
admin@boomantribune.com
powered by Scoop

More blogs about Blogs at Technorati.

Technorati Profile