president obama leisurely strolls the d. of c.

[shart_attack]

Now, I'm myself no fan of either domestic congestion or most of our current president's policies—the man, yes; his policies, no—but this bit of news I read today disturbed me just a bit:

Carol Leonnig, The Washington Post—President Obama took a walk Wednesday – but not just any stroll on the South Lawn of the White House. He went outside the secure confines of the complex to chat with normal people on the streets of downtown Washington.

And with Obama’s unusual departure from the bubble, the men and women of the Secret Service who are responsible for protecting his life faced a period of heightened alert.

The Secret Service prefers to have the president in controlled situations, and plans far in advance of scheduled appearances to carefully examine his travel routes and event sites.

Wednesday morning’s stroll, which was captured on a White House video, was far less structured.

Some of the normal civilians whom Obama approached on his walk gasped to see him out and about, close enough to touch (and close enough for one elated woman to hug).

Secret Service agents rarely smile while shadowing the president. But the ones on Obama’s protective detail for the Wednesday stroll, visible on the White House video, looked particularly on guard as a group of three young men excitedly ran over to greet the president and shake his hand.

Witnesses said that, in addition to the agents in the immediate vicinity, the Secret Service established an outer ring of protection.

Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan wouldn’t specify what additional steps the agency takes to protect the president during such periods. He said the agency tries to balance security and access and doesn’t want to turn the president and first family into prisoners of the White House.

Since Wednesday’s stroll was “off the record,” or unscheduled, the risks of a disruption were lower, Donovan said.

“Any time the president leaves the White House complex there are risks involved,” Donovan said, adding that the Secret Service uses its knowledge to mitigate those risks. “Off the record movements can be used to our advantage since there is an element of surprise. If something a protected [person] does is not on the schedule then presumably someone wishing to disrupt an event or do them harm is unaware of it as well.”

I genuinely feel sympathy for the Secret Service agents who are assigned to protect Obama, if this story is in any way indicative of how serious he realizes that their jobs are.

I remember back in the 90s when Clinton had to get outta the house more than a few times and go for leisurely strolls about town (and with his wife, could you blame him?); but I don't remember having heard that even he took the job as lightly as what I'm sadly reading in this story here.

Again: disturbing, in my humble opinion.

Is our president trampling on the backs of those who are assigned the terribly difficult task of protecting him, when he puts on his jogging shoes and hits the Washington Mall?

Is he aware of his current approval rating?

Would you want to be one of the SS agents assigned to protect him?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...ll-is-no-walk-in-the-park-for-secret-service/

 

[konradv]

There's only one right answer.

 

[OKTexas]

No big deal here, the one thing the story got wrong, unless he happened upon a tourist or two, there are no normal people in DC. I've been there.

 

[konradv]

No big deal here, the one thing the story got wrong, unless he happened upon a tourist or two, there are no normal people in DC. I've been there.

Just confirming what we all knew, you're not normal.

 

[shart_attack]

No big deal here, the one thing the story got wrong, unless he happened upon a tourist or two, there are no normal people in DC. I've been there.

Uh, incorrect.

Yeah, the fact that "there are no normal people in DC" makes it kinda sorta a PRETTY BIG F'N DEAL.

God bless the president. And God bless the SS agents who hafta protect him.

 

[OKTexas]

No big deal here, the one thing the story got wrong, unless he happened upon a tourist or two, there are no normal people in DC. I've been there.

Just confirming what we all knew, you're not normal.

What evea.

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

Just the narcissist-in-chief getting his adulation fix. I'm sure as soon as he saw a young man who looked like could have been his own son he had the SS quickly escort him to the other side of the street. You can be sure he didn't take his stroll through Anacostia or in suburban PG County. Too many obama voters there to be safe.

 

[Procrustes Stretched]

Now, I'm myself no fan of either domestic congestion or most of our current president's policies—the man, yes; his policies, no—but this bit of news I read today disturbed me just a bit:
...

Obama?s stroll is no walk in the park for Secret Service

get a grip. This is so stupid of an issue. Or worse, you're making shit up -- about your feelings.

 

[shart_attack]

Now, I'm myself no fan of either domestic congestion or most of our current president's policies—the man, yes; his policies, no—but this bit of news I read today disturbed me just a bit:
...

Obama?s stroll is no walk in the park for Secret Service

get a grip. This is so stupid of an issue. Or worse, you're making shit up -- about your feelings.

S'that all you got — a childish insult???

I ain't impressed.

You're outta your league, Dr. Phil.

 

[OriginalShroom]

I have to wonder if he heard any of the "F You"s shouted at him?

Molon Labe

 

[Procrustes Stretched]

Now, I'm myself no fan of either domestic congestion or most of our current president's policies—the man, yes; his policies, no—but this bit of news I read today disturbed me just a bit:
...

Obama?s stroll is no walk in the park for Secret Service

get a grip. This is so stupid of an issue. Or worse, you're making shit up -- about your feelings.

S'that all you got — a childish insult???

I ain't impressed.

You're outta your league, Dr. Phil.[/QUOTE [MENTION=46796]shart_attack[/MENTION]

get a grip. This is so stupid of an issue. It's official: you're making shit up

 

[NYcarbineer]

And the other rightwing derangement talking point prepared for this topic, were the President never to do this sort of thing, involves comparing the President to Hitler hiding in the bunker.