Just Who Is In Charge Of The Secret Service?
Posted by Michelle Moquin on November 29th, 2009
I mean c’mon…do you really think that someone could possibly crash a dinner at the White House, with Secret Service agents every 10 feet, whose sole job is to protect our president? When I first heard and read about this couple, Tareq and Michaele Salahi, who did just that last Tuesday at a state dinner party, I was suspicious and, I have to add, I had a ton of obvious questions to ask. Who wouldn’t? I mean, just how could this possibly happen? This is just so nonsensical and totally unacceptable. Period.
Could it simply be a matter of incompetency? I don’t think so. One doesn’t hold a position of protecting the president and suddenly become lackadaisical. To my knowledge, not once in history has there ever been a time where someone has successfully breached security and strolled into the White House uninvited, and from what I understand, with no invitation in hand. And I don’t care if it was a rainy Tuesday night and the couple looked like they belonged there – how difficult is that to pull off? There should be no room for a modicum of sympathy when it comes to protecting our president. Something just isn’t right. If someone is not on ‘the list’, first of all, there is no way they’re going to get in, and second of all, they would most likely be apprehended immediately. Period.
“No one…”…let me repeat, “No one, should be able to hold the position that a SS agent holds…one of the most important jobs in the world…protecting our president, and fail without strong ramifications. And if you ask me, each and every one of them should be grilled. Like I said, something just isn’t right here. Forget the couple that crashed the scene. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not sure they are innocent angels in this scenario, but it’s not like they were concealing weapons either. Let’s not get diverted by the drama, and lose focus on the big picture, which is: The couple easily and effortlessly got through security. Period.
So…what exactly is up? The fact that Obama is the first black president, and our world is full of those that oppose racists, not to mention those that threaten his life on a daily basis, you would think that security would be uber-protective and tight. Nope, not here. Just whose side are they on? Good question right? Evidently not on Obama’s side or this would never have happened, in my opinion. But more important to ask: Who is in charge of the Secret Service? Is someone buying them off? Those are the questions that concern me.
Director Mark Sullivan told the AP that his agency failed to verify whether the couple was invited to the party and expressed his deep concern and embarrassment. He went on to say that measures have been taken to ensure this will not happen again.
I think every single Secret Service agent, every last one of them, in my mind, should be fired. Am I being too harsh? Maybe. People take the job as Secret Service agents knowing their sole purpose is to protect the president, which means getting killed in the act if necessary. The president’s life and the well-being of our country is more important than their own. Thoughts of self should be of no concern. It is their job. And if one is tempted or threatened to do anything else except protect the president, they should step up and reveal their temptors and threateners. And if one happens to cross to the other side for whatever reason, in my opinion, it is the job of the other SS agents to discover and reveal the mole. Period.
So of course it won’t happen again. No reason. Like I said, the intention is clear; the point was made, the message was sent. In my opinion, this couple was allowed to crash the party for the sole reason: To send a strong message to Obama. Period.
Readers: Just what is that message? – To me the message is clear and obvious, but you tell me. Let’s see if we’re on the same page. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I don’t think I’m off base. Maybe, but I doubt it. Do you think after this revealing incident there is ANYONE Obama can trust? This is scary. Do you get my drift? Are you with me? Blog me your thoughts.
So…I know a few days ago I said that you wouldn’t hear from me much personally in the next month or so, but this is one of those times where I was compelled to voice my two.
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MTF: I like the trailer; it certainly has peaked my interest. Thanks for sharing.
Al: It was delicious and delightful – thank you – hope yours was good too.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor
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November 29th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
How exciting, I just got my computer working again (I still hate technology sometimes) yipee…!
This (above article) is a painfully obvious maneuver, ouch…what is also painfully obvious is that there are enough deep pocket bigots/racists in the GOP to take care of a something like this, just another ‘mission accomplished’ moment…sigh…
I’m pleased to be back – and women of MM blog, here’s the upcoming week in short…if you’ve mastered tghose painful crunches (sit up’s) now use that same position, same small movement only your extending your legs at a 45 degree angle and ‘holding’, cross your ankles and hold toes pointed (legs like a ballerina) and pull up, you may only be able to hold the position correctly for 5 at a time, this one is a challenge bc if you do them without perfect form you buiold the tummy muscle and it’ll bulge out – so – please – stay in form (or regroup and try it agian)!
Also, if you totally fell out of step due to holidays with the fam and one craving led to another situation creeped up, now if the time to recommit so wake up, fast walk/power walk, tennis shuffle for a 10 count on each side (if you have a buddy system going on) every 5 minutes of your walk and do all the other exercises including your bicep punch out’s – of anyone needs a renewed version of the initial program, go back and take a look at early Sept archives and catch up now…
I did notice that my roomie, who maintains the 13 pound weight loss has starrted getting crabby with me about ALWAYS ‘being this way’ – I laugh bc I’ve mentioned that I’m not into deprivation AT ALL so hmmm, did she not notice that I went on a Halloween roll (nights in a row of chocolate) or how about that time that the chocolate macaroons at Trader Joe’s fell into my cart, I am only human (though that cyborg thing could come up again here) and I give in to temptation…but the very next meal/workout I compensate (not to any great obsessive degree only enough to maintain the weight I’m happy with) and get back on the Lilli wagon i.e. whole foods only…fish/chicken/fruits and veggies 95% of the time (and 5% chocolate, though I’m not an addict but man does it taste excellent sometimes)…
So, I’m curious, how is everyone who was gung ho in the beginning doing now that we’re into week 10-11? If it’s tough to do, tell me what is tough so I can think of some easy ways to handle it and hang in for the duration (the rest of your life bc that’s how healthy I want you to want to be)…
Stacey, thank you for your kind words, I consider you a blog pal also and I often wonder how that name calling thing has changed for you. It makes me think a lot about this: we do, no matter what (and always) teach others how we are willing to be treated (and that, women peeps, is worth examining in your life) bc people will only test out bad behavior with you, IF you allow them to get away with it, they will do it over and over again (give em an inch and they take a mile is a human condition) if you stand your ground, they won’t. It sounds simple but here’s the rub, women often pass on the oppportunity to correct the situation in real time, meaning say somethinbg right then and there if someone disrespects you, abuses your good nature, etc…people in general and least of all women are not used to voicing this, they don’t know the words…ah, so here’s my unsolicited advice: practice scenarios and not taht you havce to ‘play nice’ but I have had great sucess with just giving eye contact and saying, ‘please don’t do X (specific incident) again, I didn’t care for Y (outcome/outburst/demand)’ (of course, I have been told I have a ‘leveling gaze’ anyway – tee hee, maybe it’d help to practice that, too) bc the statement is a simple request stated very simply, no ego (yours) involved and it is not stated in a manner that could be misconstrued to be bitchy, it’s just a statement of truth the way you see it. If it opens a dialgue about the behavior, so be it, stay open and receptive, some people are totally unaware of how they come off in convos.
That’s my two for now…this whole working for a living is really getting in my way of leisure lately so I’ll be here but tonight I have some time, that may not be the case the rest of the week, but you never know…this is just a disclaimer in case I’m not here or am unusually brief : )
Al, glad you’re hanging in there and had a decent holiday, mine was good, did my best to have fun with the ex fam, I was feeling the love but hey, I was giving it, too…I have no animosity towards anything/anyone so it’s all good and Zen-like : )
…how’s Howie?? (and if you commented Howie, sorry, I have been tuning in intermittently and did not catch it)
I am missing TAO cast of characters and Anonz (of course) where is everyone??!
Luv, Zen Lill – if I missed anyone or anything, sorry…
November 30th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Zen Lill I couldn’t get in when you wrote this but I want to say I am still gung ho about your program. It is great for my body.
Reba
November 30th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I couldn’t get in either Reba. But for sure this is a good thing. Zen Lill you are a good thing for us girls trying to do something for our bodies, mind and emotional state.
Janet.
PS. Whoever you guys are that are messing with Michelle’s blog, shame on you.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Michelle
I think your blog was cut off because you made the most salient points about this issue. How does the SS explain the fact that they allowed a person near the President who did not have the right to be there?
Charles
November 30th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Zen Lill
I’m eating lots more turkey because of your help. We still need you. Don’t stop the good work.
Happy belated Thanksgiving!
Caroline
November 30th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Put it to rest Zen Lill. Any thoughts about not being needed. I know that I am a better person because of your contributions on this blog. I am not limiting that to your exercise program.
Delaney
November 30th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I agree with you Michelle who bought off the SS? If that couple had been and OTW, they would never have gotten in.
The SS will be blaming any and everyone they can to dim the spotlight on them. My guess as to who bought them out is to look to who helps point the finger to someone else.
Jorge
November 30th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Zen Lill
I hope you check back occasionally. I am writing her because I checked back and saw comments from others who are using your exercises. I wanted to get in when this article came out and when I read your comment.
Thanks for all you do.
Michelle
I agree with you. This was a very dangerous situation. And I agree with you Jorge. The republicans are blaming the WH’s staff, but the job of protecting the president is the job of the SS.
If the SS, didn’t do their job, why? Something doesn’t add up. The former SS agent that was on the Crhis Mathews show was an apologists and full of shit.
It was obvious that Chris being a former cop trying to excuse the SS for making this terrible mistake.
I’m white. But I recognize when whites are making false or hypocritical assertions that this president hasn’t been and isn’t being threatened much more than any other president in our history.
Barbara
November 30th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Zen Lill
Stay with us. We love you and need you.
Michelle
I agree with you. Some one bought them off. If was as if the SS were saying hey you guys are white go ahead and crash the nigger’s party.
So
November 30th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Why should the social service of the WH be criticized? This is about the failure of the Secret Service to protect the President.
The failure of the Secret Service left the President at the mercy of the intentions and capabilities of the parties they allowed into his presence who should not have had that opportunity.
Now these guys who get the big bucks to protect the President are attempting to scapegoat their failure and minimize ramifications of their mistake.
Andres