Bush comes to aid of Secret Service agent

AP ^ | 11/20/2004 | AP staff

[wjersey]

President Bush stepped into the middle of a confrontation and pulled his lead Secret Service agent away from Chilean security officials who barred his bodyguards from entering an elegant dinner for 21 world leaders Saturday night.

Several Chilean and American agents got into a pushing and shoving match outside the cultural center where the dinner was held. Bush noticed the fracas after posing for pictures on a red carpet with the summit host, Chilean President Ricardo Lagos and his wife and first lady Laura Bush.

[Doctor Raoul]

Make an offer. I'm easy, ask around...

[NZerFromHK]

I personally think they could be thinking on the line "You are in my country, Bush, and under our laws we are authorized toprotect you and not the US bodyguards.". This involves sovereignty and jurisdiction.

[Wneighbor]

I will be at In-laws again and stranded from FR for days,

Oh oh.... That's why my laptop is flying to Alabama with me! LOL

My daughter and son-in-law used to think it was kinda odd that I spent so much time on FR. But, after the tour of Baghdad, with all the troop support they received from FReepers, they *completely* understand my FR addiction! :-)

[Minus_The_Bear]

Man, how can you not like W?

[processing please hold]

I married a Texan. Two of our kids were born there. I love Texas.

[FairOpinion]

Laura looks at W with a look of unconditional love.

[treeclimber]

I know you love Texas...Im just using our informal state motto...

[Texas Deb]

"If my husband had his way, every future POTUS would be a Texas cowboy."

I SECOND THAT EMOTION!

[ThePythonicCow]

it looks as though there are no agents who have his front, sides or back

Aren't those Secret Service agents forming a wall that W. reaches over and through? Certainly, as someone else already noted, the lady in red is an agent - Laura's. And all the others in that wall of man power seem to be forming a blocking line, their backs to W, both them and W conscious of each others presence.

[Lady Jag]

Way to go, Dio!! Great set of photos! Thanks for the ping!

[MudPuppy]

Dio - you're awesome as usual.

Thanks for the pics. Keep up the good work!

[FairOpinion]

It doesn't work that way. The personal protection of the president is never left to others. The Chileans certainly have the responsibility for security, but they have no right to restrict Bush's Secret Service protection.

I think some Chilean SS were "unclear on the concept".

[mattdono]

That's an awesome graphic.

[Texasforever]

Sorry but you are wrong. The President is a SOVERIEGN and is NOT subject to foreign national "protection".

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD STEPS INTO A SCUFFLE FOR ONE OF HIS MEN AND WE DON'T HAVE A GOOD PICTURE OF IT. SOMEBODY FIRE THE MEDIA!

Sorry, sir. This event violated our template for reporting: Bush bad, America bad, Democrats good, socialism good. In effect, it never happened. Move on please.

[Wneighbor]

If my husband had his way, every future POTUS would be a Texas cowboy.

Yea! I like your husband. :-)

I'd say that too but then everyone would just comment on my "Texas attitude problem." LOL

[Ciexyz]

I'm concerned that the secret service agents were hassled by the Chileans and even momentarily prevented from protecting him. This is NOT GOOD.

[GW and Twins Pawpaw]

Uzis? I figured they would be using HKs...

[FairOpinion]

"Chilean security tried to stop the president's Secret Service from accompanying him," said White House deputy press secretary Claire Buchan. "He told them they were with him and the issue was resolved."

I found it frightening as well.

First step, peel away his protection...

Thank God nothing happened.

The Chilean SS should be fired and the Chilean president reprimended.

[zlala]

Kerry would have gone full throttle in the opposite direction, returned when the fracas was finished, then put himself in for a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

And had the SS agent fired.