Secret Service facing barrage of criticism after president ducked shoes

The Baltimore Sun / The Chicago Tribune ^ | December 16, 2008 | Julian E. Barnes

[2ndDivisionVet]

In movies, Secret Service agents leap in front of bullets aimed at the commander in chief. But in Baghdad, agents failed to block not one, but two shoes hurled at President George W. Bush during a weekend news conference.

So yesterday, a day after Bush dodged the flying footwear, Secret Service officials faced the inevitable questions about how an angry television reporter was able to throw two shoes before agents moved into the line of fire.

Secret Service officials said they are reviewing the incident and the procedures used by agents guarding the president during his surprise visit to Baghdad. But officials defended the agents' actions, saying that they reacted appropriately in a situation in which all of those present had undergone intensive security screenings.

They will probably make a decision to have more close-in agents, right around the president," said Ronald T. Williams, a former Secret Service agent. "They will make some adjustments, so if a shoe is thrown again, they can intercept it or at least give the president cover."

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Thanks! I’m behind a firewall right now and can’t access the video sites for proper text.

[T-Bird45]

And as you said these "agents" should be chasing bad checks in Fargo ND yesterday.

Agent to wife: "Honey, remember how much you said you hated the DC August heat/humidity? I've got the fix to that..."

Actually, I thought perhaps Boise or Missoula were the more likely destinations.

[Jeff Head]

There have been a number of incidents with the Secret Service and Bush.

Sad...he's been one of their best friends, and the entire uniformed services best friend these last eight years.

The need to get their edge back on IMHO...and I am sure the vast majority of them have it.

Anyhow...we can hope that this incident will improve things...but apart from nobody thinking of throwing shoes, it is not all that different from throwing a knife or a grenade.

Reflexes and action have to be keen. IMHO< as soon as the guy reached down he should have been under keen observation, and as soon as he came up with that shoe in hand and raised it over his head, guns should have been out and speaking.

[Jeff Head]

Boise and Missoula both would be pretty nice and comfortable duty stations. Minot or Fargo...perhaps Nome, would not.

[kenth]

One shoe is unexpected. Who throws shoes? But the second one? I agree, the SS deserves criticism over it.

[Citizen Blade]

The only one who came close to actually protecting the President in this was the Iraqi President who reached over to try and deflect the second shoe.

IIRC, a couple of the guys sitting around him tried to grab him, but he was able to break free.

[kenth]

Just to add to my above comment, add to the fact that they were in Iraq. The SS should have been hyper-alert.

[null and void]

Missoula. It’s a place. Sorta.

[kristinn]

They learned nothing from the Code Pink incident at Monticello this past Fourth of July when Desiree Farooz ran up and got to the side of the stage before being intercepted.

Video link.

[FrankR]

"...the Secret Service thought Obama was already president..."

Well, it remains to be seen and I sincerely doubt if obamamamama will have the balls to visit a foreign country in that scenario anyway.

[ssstewar]

I agree about the reaction, but the numbskulls from the far left don’t even have the sense to understand he was in the middle of grade schoolers and for him to react otherwise, would have scared the kids half to death.

Sort of like when a baby bumps his head and then will not cry until he senses the adults running to him. If they don’t react, the baby generally will not start crying.

Just a thought, but that was my interpretation.

[BibChr]

Or even more, every time W’s in a room with reporters, they should be on high alert. Maybe even guns drawn.

Nobody hates him worse, or wishes him more harm.

[PapaBear3625]

There should have been a pair of agents seated in the front row in front of the Pres, looking back at the crowd.

He was giving a speech in front of Muslims, which guaranteed there would be hostile elements.

[PLD]

I wonder how much the American so called press paid this loon to throw that shoe..I just have this feeling that is what happened..As for the protesters wanting the loon released they should all be checked out to find out if they are not part of a terrorist group..If they aren’t then I say we get the heck out of Iraq and let them have it..

[null and void]

Well! That’s terribly racist. And accurate.

[theFIRMbss]

>Who would have thought about a reporter throwing shoes?

Let's all pray Helen never gets the energy to reach for her shoes!

[null and void]

Hmmmmmm. What kind of shoes do you suppose she wears?

[Ditto]

Any truth to the rumor that the Detroit Lions want to sign this Iraqi guy as QB? ;~))

[2ndDivisionVet]

Islam is a race? I thought it was a misguided religion. Who knew?

[null and void]

Yeah. Give me a word I can use there. It needs the same visceral response that the word ‘racist’ has.