9/11 and the ZOT

9-9-06 | ThinkWithJohn

[ThinkWithJohn]

What is a good response for those who question why the Secret Service did not immediately remove Bush from the classroom on 9/11 when, at the time, it would have been reasonable to consider him a target?

[Robert Teesdale]

Well, no one suggested that it's the job of the Secret Service to run around and scream "We're all gonna Die." But it is their job to protect the President. True, we know now that individuals weren't the target on 9/11 but at 9:03 am on 9.11, I don't understand why the Secret Service would assume the best and not the worst? Wouldn't it have made more sense to err on the side of caution and prudence?

Yes, but there can be a conflict between the job of the Secret Service to protect the President, and that of the President to lead the nation.

The current President Bush has shown a willingness to expose himself to personal danger when leadership demanded that he act in a manner that involved personal risk. His staying in the classroom enabled 1) the government to focus on responding, rather than following him into a panic; and 2) to demonstrate clearly to the nation that the leadership of the government was not "freaking out".

Please refer to the President's actions in Chile when the Secret Service agent was pulled away from him by a crowd of hostile Chilean security agents. He stopped, walked back, and waded into the fray and pulled the agent out himself.

[Robert Teesdale]

Thank you for the education. Sorry everyone for by-passing the rules. I am new here and didn't mean any offense. I am not part of a democrat underground, I am an independent though and I believe in loyalty to the truth over loyalty to any politcal party so if I am welcome to participate with that up front, I would like to stay.

You're more than welcome. We get a lot of nonsense here from people who sign up from ideologically oppositional sites, and who are here to flame and be a jerk as opposed to debate. Don't take it personally.

I seriously just wanted to hear what people thought about the question I raised because it's the one thing about 9/11 that I haven't been able to reconcile. Thanks.

Glad to answer. You'll find FreeRepublic to be an amazing place if you stick around. With 80,000+ users, there's always someone who a) is a technically seasoned expert on the matter; b) is local to an issue or news item; or c) both. Some great people here.

[ThinkWithJohn]

I really appreciate your thoughts and your civil tone. I was initially stunned at the extraordinarily mean comments by a few others, but you give me hope. Thanks again. Peace. John.

[dirtboy]

What is a good response for those who question why the Secret Service did not immediately remove Bush from the classroom on 9/11 when, at the time, it would have been reasonable to consider him a target?

The same good response to you, newb:

[JRios1968]

You tell them that you can smell ozone...like this...

[JRios1968]

You won't last long here...

[al baby]

Newbies should read listen and learn before posting you are a troll and a disrupter welcome to the kitty litter sand box

[al baby]

hey what are you doing here did i see you at.... oh nevermind

[JRios1968]

Is your beeber still stuned?

[AmeriBrit]

If I remember rightly, my above average memory tells me the SS DID want to remove him immediately from the classroom but he didn't want to panic the children. He made a calm exit minutes later without arousing them, whereas Kerry and his cohorts in the capital sat stunned, speechless, in shock and frozen to the spot probably soiling their depends, for 25 minutes after they'd been told.

[al baby]

after seeing teenys picture yes it is

[ThinkWithJohn]

Is there another website that would be a good place for an independent to have a civil discourse with a conservative? I cannot believe the viciousness here. Why are people so angry here?

[al baby]

Did you know that Monica Lewinski was one of bill clintons SS agent

[JRios1968]

Is there another website that would be a good place for an independent to have a civil discourse with a conservative? I cannot believe the viciousness here. Why are people so angry here?

Classic troll maneuver there...

[JRios1968]

Are you series?

[al baby]

no im hugh

[Robert Teesdale]

Is there another website that would be a good place for an independent to have a civil discourse with a conservative? I cannot believe the viciousness here. Why are people so angry here?

Simple. We are at war, people are polarized, and there is a clear and unmistakable impression continually reinforced, that the liberal side of the country is in fact hoping that the nation loses that war. The perception is also that the liberal side of the country is committing unforgivable treason. Hence, trolls from the left are viewed not just as obnoxious wasters of bandwidth, but also deliberate traitors to the nation who wish death upon the West.

Stick around, stay civil, post articles and add your comments, and demonstrate the thick skin expected of a conservative who lives in the real world - and you'll find that you're accepted rather quickly.

It's worth it.

[SE Mom]

Before the president travels anywhere- there is an enormous amount of security screening that goes on..that we never know about. September 11 was no different. There was a WIDE net of safety around him then, as there is today.

As to his own personal thinking and reasoning and why he didn't jump up and leave in mid-sentence, that has been covered. He's answered those questions. It's reasonable to imagine a different president would have chosen to respond in another way...which would have been just as proper- or improper- depending on your point of view.

I didn't take issue with his choice. Erring on the side of caution and prudence as you put it...goes to the continual tension between the president and the SS past, present and future.

[al baby]

I second that for our necomer

[Robert Teesdale]

Troll alert not necessarily validated. And I'm off to take the kids shooting in the woods. They've got full camo on, loaded BB rifles, and are clamoring for Al Quaeda innards.

Watched "United 93" the other night too. ;)