Obama Getting Less Secret Service Protection? Say it Ain't So

Comments (32)



As a journalist, I believe the unquestioned right to freedom of speech and expression is one of our most important gifts living in America.

But every now and then, I see something said or written that is so irresponsible and potentially dangerous, it gives me second thoughts on the whole freedom of speech thing.

The latest example is a new book by author Ronald Kessler, 'In the President's Secret Service,' on the inner workings of the agency that paints a troubling picture of an overworked, underfunded agency assigned to protect our president. ...

For the record, the Secret Service denies Kessler's allegations that it is cutting corners in guarding the president. But the stakes are so high, its hard to dismiss this issue without further investigation.

Normally, I would find such an expose fascinating and must reading for anyone interested in what really goes on behind the scenes of protecting the POTUS. But there are a couple of very disturbing aspects to the release of this book.

* Barack Obama is the first black man to lead our nation.

* Obama has been subjected to a great increase in the number of threats to his life as compared to the white men who have held the presidency.

* The Secret Service is facing financing and manpower shortages due to government cutbacks.

To me, this information is a prescription for a tragedy.

While most threats to the president are nothing more than empty wishes of deranged individuals, it takes only one organized group or person to create mayhem.

And think about it. It's not as though the defense of the president has looked all that great in recent years.

We have had a guy close enough to throw shoes at President Bush. And we have also seen people and planes get over the the walls at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in recent years.

Perhaps the author is trying to shock us into providing additional resources for the Secret Service. If that is the case, mission accomplished. Get them the money they need to protect President Obama properly. Anything less could cause a calamity that is to awful too contemplate.

President Obama Pictures

    US President Barack Obama winks as leaves after signing a proclamation celebrating the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on July 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    US President Barack Obama reacts after signing a proclamation celebrating the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on July 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    US President Barack Obama reacts after signing a proclamation celebrating the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on July 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    US President Barack Obama signs a proclamation celebrating the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on July 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    US President Barack Obama signs a proclamation celebrating the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on July 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    US President Barack Obama signs a proclamation celebrating the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on July 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    US President Barack Obama signs a proclamation celebrating the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on July 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    President Barack Obama salutes from the stairs of Air Force One as he arrives at Andrews Air Force Base, Md, Friday, July 24, 2009, after a day trip to Cleveland and Chicago.(AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

    AP

    President Barack Obama walks down the stairs of Air Force One as he arrives at Andrews Air Force Base, Md, Friday, July 24, 2009, after a day trip to Cleveland and Chicago.(AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

    AP

    U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks at the daily briefing after a surprise visit to the Brady Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, July 24, 2009. Obama said he should have chosen his words more carefully when he said police "acted stupidly" in arresting a prominent black Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, touching off a debate over race. REUTERS/Jim Young (POLITICS CRIME LAW)

    Reuters

Comments: (32)

Add a comment

Page 1 of 4

Add a Comment

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed but they are required to confirm your comments. When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password."

Most Commented Articles

Daily Drama

The Best Clips From TV's Hottest Shows


More Daily Drama >>

Find a Message Board

Discover conversations on everyone from Barack to Beyonce. There are nearly 50 forums, so click on a category below and find the right one for you.