Posted on 11/21/2004 7:42:15 AM PST by The Wizard
Just announced: The USSS demanded that Metal detectors be used for ALL entering dinner tonight, and the Chile President *Didn't want to subject his guests to that* so they scaled back the meeting to those already "swept"
I'm sure others wiil add details
Bush tends to sentimentalize Latin America. Maybe this incident, in one of the most civilized and Western of the Latin countries, will wake him up to reality. It is a very problematic region in which things have been going against us for years and will probably continue to. These countries are not reliable partners. It is a shame that the U.S. doesn't have the clout to ensure Bush's security in Chile. But it would have been smart of Bush to pull out of the damned conference at the second sign of trouble. His duty is to the American people, and that includes the duty to stay alive. Diplomatic considerations must take a back seat.
I am curious about a secondary issue. Protocol rules in these situations.
Who claims the faux paus?
President Bush for breaking protocol? Or the Chilean President for making it necessary for our President to break protocol?
Granted, the security of the President is the only major issue, but I have this picture of a Chilean protocol wonk in a tizzy over this.
De nada.
"cool ... the way GW waded back in to get them back."
Yes, it was "cool." I applaud what Bush did.
But it's also embarrassing that the Chileans didn't get the message. Once they denied security for the state dinner, Bush should have been on the plane back to DC. The Chilean agents aren't the problem. Their boss is, or at any rate, someone higher up.
Agree, they look like idiots in those horse blankets.
The SS has permitted freaky publicity seekers to sneak in at parties. Are we sure that the SS is not full of Clinton moles?
There are just too many security breeches.
Note also the extended fore-finger on the guy on the left's pulmonary vein. Blackout in six seconds or less, if applied forcefully.
Whoever this guy was, our beloved USSS agent, he was getting serious.
Thumb-hand grip on the guy on the right (about to make the guy scream like a girl if continued) (actually, he does look like he is screaming), and finger on the pulmonary on the guy on the left. MEAN look on his face, and fear on the face of his right (left in the pic) adversary.
"You wanna f*** with me?"
I can almost hear it.
I agree with you - why would they not want all precautions....especially if they realize they could be collateral damage.
Ping
Why is nobody talking about the fact that he is visiting Columbia on the way home? Can his plane even land safely in that country?
I'm not one to get paranoid, but the "incident" with the secret service agent was disturbing. I'm glad to know that I wasn't the only one who became a bit uncomfortable. The Chilean government not agreeing to the security measures preferred by the Secret Service left me with a distinctly uncomfortable feeling as well. I found myself looking forward to the end of the summit and the President's return.
Columbia is a war zone -the drug lords are immensely wealthy and well-equipped with weapons. They have a powerful army of sorts.-why go there? He should cancel and come straight home.
The Contararian attitudes of these people, has always been the way they can try and show the Macho image they do not see in the morning shaving.
They have to show the world they can disregard a super powers wishes.
But for now, they can have thier hours in the news, after word Chile will get as much ink, as Daschle will.
Ops4 God Bless America!
The fact that the President is in South America with these little shenanigans occuring unfortunately reminds me of that scene in "Clear and Present Danger" when the U.S. motorcade carrying FBI and other American officials is ambushed and attacked from the rooftops. Not a good image.
You're right, it was Venezuela. Frankly, I think every single country in South America hates President Bush.
In agreement with your prayers Pegita and Ilja.
Who can tell President Bush that he must come home? Who will tell him that we fear his life is in danger? Who would we call to advise the President to leave Chili and head straight back to America? Who?
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