Posted on 02/22/2008 7:38:23 AM PST by COUNTrecount
DALLAS -- Security details at Barack Obama's rally Wednesday stopped screening people for weapons at the front gates more than an hour before the Democratic presidential candidate took the stage at Reunion Arena.
The order to put down the metal detectors and stop checking purses and laptop bags came as a surprise to several Dallas police officers who said they believed it was a lapse in security.
Dallas Deputy Police Chief T.W. Lawrence, head of the Police Department's homeland security and special operations divisions, said the order -- apparently made by the U.S. Secret Service -- was meant to speed up the long lines outside and fill the arena's vacant seats before Obama came on.
"Sure," said Lawrence, when asked if he was concerned by the great number of people who had gotten into the building without being checked. But, he added, the turnout of more than 17,000 people seemed to be a "friendly crowd."
The Secret Service did not return a call from the Star-Telegram seeking comment.
Doors opened to the public at 10 a.m., and for the first hour security officers scanned each person who came in and checked their belongings in a process that kept movement of the long lines at a crawl. Then, about 11 a.m., an order came down to allow the people in without being checked.
Several Dallas police officers said it worried them that the arena was packed with people who got in without even a cursory inspection.
They spoke on condition of anonymity because, they said, the order was made by federal officials who were in charge of security at the event.
"How can you not be concerned in this day and age," said one policeman.
Better yet, which one would he choose?
Obama must think he's the chosen one - that a light shines on the room when he speaks - that he's different than mere mortal men...
Yep. Another "grassy knoll" in the making.
Was this Hillary’s Secret Service detail giving this strange order?
I think its as simple as they didn’t want any empty seats. It would look like Osama was losing his appeal.
Two things come to mind: Arkancide, and martyr.
Here’s MY question: WHO would have the authority to issue such an order? Surely not just some office worker or someone? Wouldn’t it have to come from someone pretty high-up, like perhaps the candidate himself?
Now there has been an accident in the Clinton motorcade in Dallas. A motorcycle policeman has been seriously injured. It was just on the news here.
Except that it is Hillary that is losing appeal, and sinking faster than Ted Kennedy's Oldsmobile. I go back to my original statement, that this was one of the most stupid things to do in recent times.
Maybe its just me, but, if I were in politics the words Dallas and motorcade would never be uttered in the same sentence. And, anyone who suggested it would be fired.
Here is some more info on the accident:
http://cbs11tv.com/local/clinton.motorcade.crash.2.660392.html
Prayers up for this policeman!!
Okay, this motorcade accident is just too coincidental. Is Hillary this desperate to gain a sympathy vote?
Clintons set the stage for another Arkancide...and blame the vast right wing conspiracy? No way !
THE POLICEMAN HAS BEEN KILLED!! REPORT ON DALLAS TV!!
HE WAS THROWN 30 FEET!!
Prayers for his family!
What happened?????
NewsMax.com
Monday Oct. 15, 2001; 6:04 p.m. EDT
Sen. Hillary Clinton was a passenger inside the car that injured a police officer at New York’s Westchester County Airport on Sunday as it attempted to drive past a mandatory security check point, NewsMax.com has learned.
In a story that was broadcast only in Westchester County Monday night, Cablevision News12 reported that a county police officer injured his arm pounding on the window of Clinton’s limousine while trying to get it to stop.
Clinton’s motorcade was heading for an airport hangar where a private jet waited to take her to an undisclosed location.
News12 reported Sunday night that “a vehicle in Senator Clinton’s security team tried to bypass a mandatory check point” - but it was unclear whether Mrs. Clinton was inside that car or a different vehicle.
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