Comments on: President Bush Rescues Secret Service Agent

By: Karen

Karen — Sat, 27 Nov 2004 00:18:25 +0000

What a hero - the great thing [one of them] about W is that he doesn't have to make a production of his courage and character, he just IS... it just shows in what he does, even spontaneous reactions, like looking back and going to intervene on behalf of his guy. After all, it is in those day-to-day spontaneous reactions, and in the way you respond under stress, that we can discern true character

The other side likes to use the term "cowboy" as a perjorative - to which I would respond - after all, isn't that how the west was won - I LIKE cowboys, myself

By: K TeStruth

K TeStruth — Wed, 24 Nov 2004 03:02:40 +0000

With Chiles unstable history would you go to Chile without a bodyguard? if you say "yes" your a fool. Why does Kofi have private secruity when anywhere with full auto weapons even New York City where our civilians can't even get a permit to carry! I love George W. Bush more now then ever! If you are embarrassed by this what are you embarrassed for? Perasonal safety is a God given human right not dictated by governments! If you don't like it don't invite us and don't take our money. The President needs protection by us not them. Would you take a bullet for Kofi knowing he supports terrorist and Genocide please! Give me a Break! P.S. Bush is my new favorite "Cowboy"

By: LJD

LJD — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 18:55:20 +0000

The Chileans thought the guy was Rob Corddry of Comedy Central's Daily Show...

http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/thedailyshowwithjonstewart/corr_corddry.jhtml

By: LJD

LJD — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 12:20:11 +0000

It may be "their own seat of government" but I don't believe they frequently have the President of the United States there. This was only an issue because of the big stink they raised over it. I can't see that a public official, well accustomed to diplomacy and security, would have a problem with metal detectors. "Security propaganda?" I suppose the war on terror is all propaganda too... Ralph, why do you hate so much?

By: Ralph

Ralph — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 04:48:11 +0000

"By Saturday night - though it had not been announced - Chile had already begun calling the guests to the dinner planned for Sunday at La Moneda, the presidential palace that was the site of the coup that overthrew Salvador Allende on Sept. 11, 1973. The dinner dispute over the dinner on Sunday centered on the question of whether the Chilean guests would be required to go through metal detectors before dining with Mr. Bush, a standard practice for the Secret Service. The Chileans told Mr. Bush's delegation that the practice was humiliating. "Can you imagine someone like the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court having to submit to an inspection by gringo security agents in order to get into our own seat of government?" asked one of the disinvited Chileans, who spoke on condition that he not be named. "That's an affront no Chilean was going to tolerate, and Lagos had no choice but to act the way he did" ( NY Times ) ...can't blame them. It is nice to know that at least some will not put up with the American security propaganda. Unfortunately, many Americans degrade themselves by buying into it.

By: Anjin-San

Anjin-San — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 04:02:24 +0000

Sounds like the White House advance team might have dropped the ball. I don't like Bush, but the President must have adequate security at all times...

By: sortapundit

sortapundit — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 03:00:11 +0000

The President should be accompanied wherever he goes by the Secret Service. Whatever your personal feelings about this particular President, his death would not be good news. Anyone who disagrees should ask Messrs. Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley and Kennedy.

Sure, the Chilean security services probably had the building secured, but since when did the US outsource Presidential security?

By: Sortapundit

Sortapundit — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 02:37:14 +0000

Bush the Badass
This incident should never have been allowed to happen - the President has every right to be accompanied wherever he goes with an entourage of Secret Service agents. The mission of an agent is, in part, to create a safe area around his/her protectee....

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 02:21:22 +0000

I think that all the President's security arrangements should be handled by the Secret Service. South American nations to the best of my knowledge don't have such a great track record of keeping their leaders alive. Like it or not he is not just another national leader. He is the leader of the free world and the most powerfull man in the world. If Chile doesn't want to play nice than I'd rather not see the Prez go there any more. As far as President Bush getting "hands on" over the disagreement, I think he's cool as hell. God bless Texas.

By: Attila Girl

Attila Girl — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 00:33:57 +0000

Clearly there's something wrong in my perceptions, since I feel that the most powerful man in the world should not place himself at risk simply because his security detail and the host country do not see eye-to-eye on security procedures.

For crying out loud--there is *nothing* wrong with having people pass through metal detectors for an event of the magnitude that was planned.

It's too bad that you are "embarassed" by having thoughtful people making these decisions.

By: McGehee

McGehee — Sun, 21 Nov 2004 23:38:36 +0000

Ralph, every other country on earth has respected the role of the U.S. Secret Service in protecting our president, for decades.

Chile's security services have embarrassed Chile, and you're embarrassing yourself.

By: Ralph

Ralph — Sun, 21 Nov 2004 23:08:06 +0000

Actually, Attila, Bush was treated w/courtesy. His agents weren't due to protocol. And speaking of manners, since when does the guest impose on the host? ( http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/americas/11/21/bush.dinner/index.html ) Once again, this administration has embarresed the United States

By: Attila Girl

Attila Girl — Sun, 21 Nov 2004 22:03:05 +0000

The biggest conflicts I've seen in competing accounts of the incident are the different takes on the President's demeaner after he fished his agent out of there.

Keep in mind that 1) the President is supposed to have two Secret Service agents near him at all times, and this rule is normally respected by other countries; 2) the other agent who should have entered with Pres. Bush was actually roughed up a little, and 3) discussions had already been ongoing between our security and theirs, and they knew the rules. The conflict was, apparently, not unexpected.

These people may be role models for privatizing Social Security, but they are not when it comes to politeness towared foreign leaders.

By: Zach

Zach — Sun, 21 Nov 2004 17:26:40 +0000

Proof that the press is always objective.

By: Read My Lips

Read My Lips — Sun, 21 Nov 2004 16:36:56 +0000

A cornucopia of Sunday mornin' inanity Hey! Next This is the start of T'day week, and already we are findin' those who are railin' 'gainst the commercial outlets who eagerly dismiss any effort to reference such event so as to begin to busily festoon their stores,...