I agree that this was NOT a safe situation for the President. I have already said that. Trust, but verify, I'm all for that.
I'm just saying that the plans were in place long ago. IF we agreed to them, we should have followed them. If they were unacceptable because of a risk to the President, then:
1) We should have demanded, 6 months ago, and obtained an exception that would at least allow one or two S.S. agents to go through the main entrance with the President, while the rest of the detail would have already been in position inside to meet him. [Now, perhaps this exception WAS agreed upon, and the Chilenos screwed up and forgot. That is possible.]
2) If the Chilenos would not allow an exception, then the President should not have attended.
I htink we both agree that it was a screw-up. Maybe the USSS didn't inform the Chileans that there are a few SS agents, who stay close to Bush, no matter what, maybe the Chileans didn't tell us the details, who knows. Bottom line, is that when it comes to the security of the US President, especially in the war times we are living in, we can't afford to take any chances.
As I said, thank God, that nothing happened. I hope everyone learns from this.
All it takes, is one screw up, or mistake, for disaster.
"1) We should have demanded, 6 months ago, and obtained an exception that would at least allow one or two S.S. agents to go through the main entrance with the President, while the rest of the detail would have already been in position inside to meet him. [Now, perhaps this exception WAS agreed upon, and the Chilenos screwed up and forgot. That is possible.]"
However earlier, in post #792 you said this:
"Some people were suggesting earlier in the thread that our guys weren't allowed in the building. Not true. They weren't allowed to use the front door."
What precisely do you know about this?
6 months ago what about any intel between then and now.^MTHS old plans are very dangerous,they can be studied,routes staked out,guns planted etc. I'm sure with POTUS there are always 2 or more plans and on is picked fairly late to minimise leaks and setups.