Thoughts while watching the Secret Service hearings...

[madamesilverspurs]

The security breaches at the White House are breathtakingly frightening, no doubt about it. The situation most certainly warrants investigation and resolution. That said, we’ve had years of blatant and relentless depredation toward Obama. We’ve watched, amazed, as Republicans have carried out their pre-planned and announced obstructions of this particular President, with blithe disregard for the negative consequences for the nation. We have observed as Republicans, en masse, have failed to exercise commensurate efforts toward any discouragement of the undeniable hate, overt and otherwise, that has informed and impelled the unprecedented numbers of threats, against him and his family, that have overwhelmed security resources since before this particular President’s first inaugural.

Given all that, it absolutely strains credulity to watch as Republicans now voice their sudden and newly found ‘concern’ for the safety and well-being of this particular President. Call me cynical, but I don’t believe a damned one of them. In fact, it would be less surprising if they came right out and admitted disappointment in the failure of the attempts against him.

[appleannie1]

1. Actually, they perpetuated the anger and hate with the disparaging remarks they have

blatantly and willfully brayed repeatedly for the last 6 years. They should have their roles investigated.

[Glitterati]

2. I agree with your assessment, however

I find the Secret Service Director, Julia Pierson wholly not credible and uncooperative with everyone.

It's "under investigation" just isn't good enough.

Where's her outrage? Where's her concern for the First Family? Where the hell is her anger over the danger the First Family has been put in over and over and over?

[TBF]

3. I've been doing some reading on her -

roots in the Orlando, FL police department.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-03-26/news/os-julia-pierson-secret-service-opd-roots-20130326_1_opd-secret-service-first-female-director

I dunno, but I don't have the best feeling about police officers from Florida (or Texas for that matter). Honestly, as much as I like a female being in the role I don't think she deserves to keep her job after this sort of breech.

[Glitterati]

7. Stephen Lynch-D MA just said everything I'm feeling right now

Basically, I hate to say it, but I have very little confidence in your abilities to lead this department. (not a direct quote)

[Baitball Blogger]

9. I think her political affiliations are important in determining her level of incompetence or

culpability.

That she is from Orlando is to say that if she leans right, she should never have been enlisted into that job. They revel in their ignorance and hatred around here.

[TheNutcracker]

11. Oh...no surprise here. Florida was ranked the #1 most corrupt state in the union!!

[TBF]

13. We have it pretty bad in TX too -

you've seen Rick Perry.

Even more concerning is her track record. The background isn't great to start with but then to screw up the way she has ...

[Aerows]

12. I'm with you on that one

It's great that she's the first female Secret Service head, but she seems like she is more interested in ass coverage than protecting the President and the first family.

I don't have a lot of faith in her - not because she's a woman, but because she just seems plain incompetent.

[Glitterati]

19. Gerald Connelly - D VA said it outright

I don't get the sense of outrage from you. Where is your outrage?

Her answer: more ass covering

[Aerows]

21. She needs

her walking papers. I don't doubt that there are some others that need to find a new line of employment rather than in the SS, either.

[ChazII]

27. Spot on and

the soon she is out of there the better. Thanks for your clear thinking.

[Jackpine Radical]

38. Maybe she's in the wrong SS.

[global1]

29. I Probably The Futherest Away From Law Enforcement Competencies - But......

some of the stuff that happened at the WH and the incompetence surrounding it - seems like it could have been handled with just common sense.

All the guns and ammo this dude had that they found in a car - were they confiscated? Did they find out how he acquired such an arsenal? Did they have him under constant surveillance after this incident?

When reports of shots were fired - I agree with the one questioner - why didn't they do a comprehensive search of all areas of the WH immediately? Why did it take a maid to find the glass broken?

I'm hearing talk of whistleblowers. What is that all about? Somebody is talking here - which I am glad that they are doing - but I'm concerned that those whistleblowers will be future targets.

One of the people being interrogated spoke of a 1979 incident where a person went over the fence and was shot and the Service was criticized for that. Well - hey - times have changed. Remember Oklahoma. Remember 9/11. Aren't we worried about all kinds of terrorism? His response about the 1979 incident was really dumb.

My impression of this female director is that she is incompetent and needs to be replaced.

It appears that there will be a discussion of the effects of sequestration on the Service and it will be countered by the budget put forth by the Service that said that they would reduce staff.

I am suspect by the Repubs concern over this whole matter - it that I feel that they have done everything in their power to put thoughts in the minds of crazies out there - to harm the President.

[Aerows]

30. Not to mention

the fact that they lied about how far into the White House he got. If you can't be credible in an emergency, what credibility do you have on an ordinary day?

[MerryBlooms]

4. I also question their sincerity, however

the SS has some serious issues, and I think those issues start with the director.

[B2G]

5. Do you really think the SS only provides security for the President?

Do you have any idea the scope of their assignment?

Systematic failures in one area (White House security) do not bode well for other areas.

Educate yourself.

"Protection, which entails ensuring the safety of current and former national leaders and their families, such as the President, past presidents, vice presidents, presidential candidates, visiting heads of state, and foreign embassies (per an agreement with the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) Office of Foreign Missions (OFM), etc.[4])"


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Secret_Service#Special_Agent

[madamesilverspurs]

6. Excuse me,

I well understand the spectrum of the service's tasks. My cynicism is for those doing the investigation.

[B2G]

8. THIS is where you went over the top

"In fact, it would be less surprising if they came right out and admitted disappointment in the failure of the attempts against him."

This is not just about Obama's security.

[nashville_brook]

36. except that there's only evidence of negligence RE Obama

for the time being -- perhaps more will emerge that shows they're just as negligent with other leaders. but for now, this is all there is -- and it's not pretty.

[Aerows]

18. The Secret Service

strikes me as incompetent. Between the prostitutes, passing out drunk in hotel hallways and this mess, not to mention the shots fired at the White House that it took a MAID to find (she realized there was a broken window) it.

I don't know where the problem is, exactly, but where ever it is, it needs to be addressed and some people need to be canned, imho.

[medeak]

10. Secret Service agent said "why the hell would anyone come to see Bill Clinton"

to me while supposedly protecting him at outdoor gathering. Was so upset and didn't know who to complain to. Another secret service agent protecting Cheney told me he couldn't wait for a vacation as sick of traveling with him. What a mess they are.

[TheNutcracker]

14. Exactly - I'll tell you EXACTLY what the 'culture' of the Secret Service is and then some!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025602356

ongoing thread with the above title...discussing these issues of 'culture'.

They comments here should be crossed referenced. These workers are just full of themselves!

[Action_Patrol]

25. ---->

No idea what your experience with them is but you seem irrational with your responses. I know a lot of people in the organization and your comments couldn't be more off-base.

[medeak]

46. thank you

for thread. There is def problems going on and I was hoping exhaustion from long hours. You gave me a different perspective. Still fuming over the SS ass re Clinton....unexcusable

[reddread]

15. sounds like discerning individuals.

not that people wouldnt crawl on their knees to see Clinton, but Im sure familiarity bred its own contempt.

[B2G]

17. I work with a guy who was on Clinton's detail

He has some great stories. Lol.

[reddread]

20. family members met him after my cousin was killed

their perspective, and they arent rabid or stupid, was that the POTUS was "sizing up" both my cousin's widow and his mother.
and this was well before Lewinsky and long past the Flowers incident.
Having met their personal friends, I know they associate with the MOST rabid and radical of conservatives, and I dont think the absolute wealth and Wal-Mart connections were the only reasons why.

[B2G]

23. Let's just say they had to be experts at discretion

It was common knowledge among his SS detail.

That none of these stories ever came out is really a testimony to the oath they take.

[reddread]

24. astonishing the power of politicians to excise history and mute information about themselves

and here I specifically think of the Bush familia ties to Eli-Lily throughout the death throes of a pre-Telecom Act media
happy to discuss health care and pharm cost increases, but never since the 88 election dwelling on their ties and the overall
dominance of pharm lobbyists.

Also, the Brown family interests in petroleum, offshore drilling, now offshore fracking and hands off these water wasting
environmental disaster making frackers.
just perfect silence.

[Schema Thing]

31. Brown family?

[reddread]

33. tell me everything you know about their ties with Occidental

thanks

[Schema Thing]

35. tell me who the fuck you mean by "Brown family"

thanks

[reddread]

43. with language like that?

how about i just ignore you and you do whatever you like.

[nashville_brook]

39. Brown Brothers Harriman.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Brothers_Harriman_%26_Co.

[Schema Thing]

42. t/y

[reddread]

44. Pat, Jerry and Kathleen

[nashville_brook]

45. ah -- !

I was trying to take from the context. Always worth giving some stink eye to BBH imho.

cheers

[kelliekat44]

16. May i quote you. Perfect observation. nt

[blm]

22. GOP congress ignored that their TeaPartyTerrorists were also targeting law enforcement.

This congress is only good for dog and pony shows - nothing SUBSTANTIVE or good for the entire country will ever come of it.

[The Magistrate]

26. I Suspect, Ma'am, Some Of The Agents Do Not Really Have Their Hearts In Their Work....

The 'security professions' draw disproportionately from the right end of the political spectrum, and mere bearing of a badge and title does not necessarily moderate the urgings of the heart....

[kelliekat44]

34. I wish I had your way with words...but my sentiment, exactly. nt

[nashville_brook]

37. that is one way of saying it.

[demigoddess]

40. I was wondering how many SS agents are

not happy with a african american family in the White House and just going through the motions. Every time we elect a president, there must be about half of the SS agents that are unhappy with the results.

[The Traveler]

28. Trying to establish plausible deniability

It is certainly appropriate for Congress to investigate these failures of security ... that's definitely in scope.

So right now these assholes are trying to get on record that they are worried about the First Family's safety ... so that if one or more of their nutjob followers do something they can say "Hey! It wasn't us! We were worried!"

I think The Magistrate's observation upthread is also on target. And the Secret Service agents so influenced by their politics should be eased out (OK, booted vigorously out) of presidential protection services.

Trav

[calimary]

32. That was my thought, too. SINCE WHEN has darrell issa cared about the President's welfare?

Since WHEN have ANY of those republi-CONS cared two-cents' worth about this President or his safety and security, or that of his family? SINCE WHEN???? Their feigned outrage over this strikes me as completely phony - and worth not even two cents.

[ymetca]

41. Pagers and Fax Machines...

... seems to be where the Secret Service is. All that Hollywood stuff about them is, uh, b.s.

Most of our tax dollars are dubiously disappearing into building AI in the Utah desert.