Lowbridge, I see your bigger point. And I understand why you would be suspicious of the motivations of some Democratic Underground participants.
But taken on its face, I didn't see anything in that user's post to indicate he was being insincere. I couldn't care less about the whole Gannon brouhaha, but his/her overall point was actually a pretty good one: Without more careful credentialing, a foreign agent actually COULD penetrate the protective layers that keep the president safe.
Sounds to me like a worthy point of concern. And yes, that's indeed "good to see," no sarcasm needed.
Actually, with more careful credentialing, foreign agents could and have penetrated the protective layers.
It depends on what that foreign agent wanted to do. He certainly is not going to get state secrets in a press briefing room. And if he wanted to do physical harm, there is no foolproof way to protect the President. Foreign agents have been getting access to the President for hundreds of years, without the help of a simple press pass. Alger Hiss comes to mind. So does all the chi coms that Clinton let in the door.
And I'm reminded of all those soviet spies who didnt have access to the President, but did have access to state scecrets, and had that much more careful credentialing than the press to get their jobs (Aldrich Ames comes to mind).
I'm sure that the credentialing of the press is quite adequate in that they didnt find any threat or harm in giving a day pass to Gannon. And I'm sure that they keep the press briefing rooms quite safe. I imagine they still have to walk through metal detectors and such.
Semolina, I kind of look at it like this in regards to far left dems changing their spots. I have a few friends and ex-friends who were 60s & 70s lefties. Some of us, over time, grew up and changed our spots completely. Some did not. There is no way that some of these folks can or would change their ideology. They almost appear brainwashed. You can't reason with them and the harder you try the glassier their eyes get and the more insane they sound.
BTW, the Fighting Illini have it all sewed up! ;)