We had a Secret Service detail on my campus for a few weeks. The son of the guy who was in charge of bombing Libya over the Lockerbie massacre was a kid in my class. They had discovered a bomb in his mom's car after the retaliation. So they gave his son a detail.

Try as they may, they could not blend in. And they roughed up a girl in my dorm going over to his to do her laundry because her last name was Ahmad.

When I was in college in the early 1990's, there was a middle-aged black gentleman in one of my classes who was going back to school part time. He always wore a suit, and one day I noticed his Secret Service lapel pin. I asked him if he had ever been on Presidential detail, and he said he had actually protected Nixon. I asked him what he had thought of Nixon, and he stared me right in the eyes and said in a very low, stern voice, "Richard Nixon was the greatest President in the history of the United States."

I didn't argue with him. He had some great Nixon stories, too.

drudge is a true POS, not journalism, sensationalism

Nestea Plunge: Does Drudge get a beatdown? Please please please?

I would think he'd get at least a stern talkin'-to from the Secret Service.

/alas, i dream

Drudge deserves any beatdown he gets but he didn't "break" this story.

The Drudge Report is a cesspool.

So a leading presidential candidate gets SS protection like the two others.

So why is this pissing some of you off?

Nabb1: When I was in college in the early 1990's, there was a middle-aged black gentleman in one of my classes who was going back to school part time. He always wore a suit, and one day I noticed his Secret Service lapel pin. I asked him if he had ever been on Presidential detail, and he said he had actually protected Nixon. I asked him what he had thought of Nixon, and he stared me right in the eyes and said in a very low, stern voice, "Richard Nixon was the greatest President in the history of the United States."

I didn't argue with him. He had some great Nixon stories, too.

Not to completely buzzkill, but...

Someone who worked for an agency known for heavy-handedness and secrecy loved a president who was best known for heavy-handedness and secrecy. That doesn't really seem that profound.

Clam Sandwich: So a leading presidential candidate gets SS protection like the two others.

So why is this pissing some of you off?

Because McCain is supposed to be a god.

Of senility maybe.

you know who else had SS protection...


/just saying

Cuthbert Allgood: you know who else had SS protection...


/just saying

I SOOO walked into that one, didn't I? hahaha

Without Drudge Report, how would I know the Clintons Report $109.2 Million in Income Over 7 Years

/ jk, though I think Hillary, Obama and McCain monitor Drudge Report daily because of the traffic the sites gets

rppp01a: Clam Sandwich: So a leading presidential candidate gets SS protection like the two others.

So why is this pissing some of you off?

Because McCain is supposed to be a god.

Of senility maybe.

And how old is that one guy who tried to run for president under the Republican ticket under the REVOlution slogan?

Clam Sandwhich: So a leading presidential candidate gets SS protection like the two others.

So why is this pissing some of you off?

I'm 90% sure you're a troll but for the 10% of me that isn't:

Matt Drudge and CNN (whom I've also heard this story from) telling the entire farking world that John McCain is not protected is akin to telling Osama Bin Ladin that the Twin Towers make for a great aerial obstacle course.

No responsible news journalist would draw attention to this unless either (a) he wanted that situation to change or (b) he was hoping somebody would take advantage and make headlines for him.

/Rooting for Ron Paul, followed by Obama.

Nabb1: When I was in college in the early 1990's, there was a middle-aged black gentleman in one of my classes who was going back to school part time. He always wore a suit, and one day I noticed his Secret Service lapel pin. I asked him if he had ever been on Presidential detail, and he said he had actually protected Nixon. I asked him what he had thought of Nixon, and he stared me right in the eyes and said in a very low, stern voice, "Richard Nixon was the greatest President in the history of the United States."

I didn't argue with him. He had some great Nixon stories, too.

People who are not scholars of the Nixon presidency don't really begin to the many accomplishments he had during his tenure in office. Yes, we are all well versed in Watergate folklore and events, but that does not diminish his keen understanding and shrewd use of presidential power in both foreign and domestic accomplishments, including in significant areas of social policy that current Republicans would call liberal pandering.

McCain has a SS detail and it's not voluntary. it's mandatory.
All this is a bunch of manufactured machismo.
It's like when he talked about how safe Baghdad was when he had 100 troops and helicopters etc protecting him.

perception > reality as far as politics go.

rppp01a: Clam Sandwich: So a leading presidential candidate gets SS protection like the two others.

So why is this pissing some of you off?

Because McCain is supposed to be a god.

Of senility maybe.

Well no because he said he would not accept Secret Service if he was the nominee and this is another one of his principled stands this election he has gone back on.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/04/politics/main3993490.shtml

"It's my intention, if we win this nomination, to reject Secret Service. . . . Why do I need it?" he told reporters in mid-November, as he campaigned in New Hampshire. "The day that the Secret Service can assure me that if we're driving in the motorcade and there's a guy on a rooftop with a rifle, that they can stop that guy, then I'll say 'fine,' " he said. "But the day they tell me, 'Well, we can't guarantee it,' then, fine, I'll take my chances."

More "straight talk".

Corvus: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/04/politics/main3993490.shtml

"It's my intention, if we win this nomination, to reject Secret Service. . . . Why do I need it?" he told reporters in mid-November, as he campaigned in New Hampshire. "The day that the Secret Service can assure me that if we're driving in the motorcade and there's a guy on a rooftop with a rifle, that they can stop that guy, then I'll say 'fine,' " he said. "But the day they tell me, 'Well, we can't guarantee it,' then, fine, I'll take my chances."

More "straight talk".

Dude, kinda stretching here. Doesn't matter what he says, and he was stupid for saying it, but there are some nuts out there that would shoot any of the candidates if they could.

Why not just reassign the detail that guards Bush.
I can't think of anybody who would want anything bad to happen to the president.
Can You?

robbiedo: including in significant areas of social policy that current Republicans would call liberal pandering.

You mean guaranteeing a minimum income to all Americans. Where the US government would give you money if you feel below a certain threshold.

It's amazing how much the Republican party has no relationship to the Republican party of the pre-80's.

Almost every past Republican would be labeled as an extreme liberal now even if they were a Democrat.

I laugh at the Republicans like McCain, who say they follow in the foot steps of Theodore Roosevelt. These people are against almost everything many of those people stood for.

thecactusman17: Clam Sandwhich: So a leading presidential candidate gets SS protection like the two others.

So why is this pissing some of you off?

I'm 90% sure you're a troll but for the 10% of me that isn't:

Man, they sure have moved the goalposts around here for what's a troll or not. How you could think his comment was a troll is beyond me.

Corvus: Well no because he said he would not accept Secret Service if he was the nominee and this is another one of his principled stands this election he has gone back on.

Did he really say that? What an idiotic thing to say if he did.

Corvus: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/04/politics/main3993490.shtml

"It's my intention, if we win this nomination, to reject Secret Service. . . . Why do I need it?" he told reporters in mid-November, as he campaigned in New Hampshire. "The day that the Secret Service can assure me that if we're driving in the motorcade and there's a guy on a rooftop with a rifle, that they can stop that guy, then I'll say 'fine,' " he said. "But the day they tell me, 'Well, we can't guarantee it,' then, fine, I'll take my chances."

More "straight talk".


Actually, yeah. It does sound like straight talk to me. I chose a different part to emphasize.

atlanta_ufo:

Dude, kinda stretching here. Doesn't matter what he says, and he was stupid for saying it, but there are some nuts out there that would shoot any of the candidates if they could.

Stretching? He campaigns on something and then lies about it.

He either lied about then or is lying about it now.

Do you honestly think someone who has run for president twice and is a long time senator has no idea how the Secret service works?

robbiedo: People who are not scholars of the Nixon presidency don't really begin to the many accomplishments he had during his tenure in office.

This. For more than 25 years, "Nixon" was a watchword nonpareil for creepy domestic spying, enemies lists, dirty tricks and covert wiretaps. But anybody who still thinks of him in that way hasn't been paying attention to Bush the younger. Poor ol' Tricky Dick has been completely outclassed.

The silver lining being that we can now focus on Nixon's real accomplishments: opening up relations with China, establishing the Environmental Protection Agency, and adding the verb "ratfarking" to our political lexicon.

He had to get it now. Otherwise step 2 would be Drudge going "Okay, first you go to his rally today. DO NOT DRAW ATTENTION TO YOURSELF. ...what? I'm just pointing out potential flaws..."

Corvus: atlanta_ufo:

Dude, kinda stretching here. Doesn't matter what he says, and he was stupid for saying it, but there are some nuts out there that would shoot any of the candidates if they could.

Stretching? He campaigns on something and then lies about it.

He either lied about then or is lying about it now.

Do you honestly think someone who has run for president twice and is a long time senator has no idea how the Secret service works?

Actually, I'm surprised Congress doesn't have protection in this day and age. As far as lying, take a look at what any member of Congress says they are going to do, what they are going to stand up against, and then look at their accomplishments once they get to office.

Clam Sandwich: So a leading presidential candidate gets SS protection like the two others.

So why is this pissing some of you off?

Can you point to a post where someone was pissed off about this?

this is a non-issue

/*yawn*

mongbiohazard: Actually, yeah. It does sound like straight talk to me. I chose a different part to emphasize.

Right did you understand what he said. He was saying they can't do that. He has repeatedly said he doesn't need Secret Service and he would turn it down. But now he is the nominee he makes a 180.

Just like he did with lobbyists. They were the evil that caused corrupt politicians. But as soon as his campaign ran out of money, he made them all top staff of his campaign working for him for free. ($100,000's or more in free work by lobbyists)


He thinks he learned the lessons of his previous elections. Now like Bush he says one thing and does the other because he believes that is the only way to get ahead in politics.

He sold he sole to special interests to try to win this election.

atlanta_ufo: Actually, I'm surprised Congress doesn't have protection in this day and age. As far as lying, take a look at what any member of Congress says they are going to do, what they are going to stand up against, and then look at their accomplishments once they get to office.

One member of congress can't pass laws by himself, anyone with any understand of the US government understands this (which seems to leave many Farkers out).

But this decision and what he said was 100% is his own. Why can't he accept personal responsibility for his own actions?

Corvus: sole

sorry soul,

Corvus: [I'm too wrapped up in myself and my own opinions to critically analyze the situation]

Here's some help.

intent (noun) 1. something that is intended; purpose; design; intention: The original intent of the committee was to raise funds.

In this context, he intended to reject Secret Service protection. It was not some sort of commitment that he made central to his campaign. He figured that the SS couldn't do much for him. OTOH, now that people are advertising that he doesn't have security, he's reconsidered.

But, I'm sure it's more productive for us to pretend like this is an issue we should be discussing. Please, can we hear more about Hillary's voice, or if Barak still smokes cigarettes? These are all important topics that we voters should be discussing ad nauseum.

/Bullshiat now the #1 issue in the 2008 presidential election.

Corvus: mongbiohazard: Actually, yeah. It does sound like straight talk to me. I chose a different part to emphasize.

Right did you understand what he said. He was saying they can't do that. He has repeatedly said he doesn't need Secret Service and he would turn it down. But now he is the nominee he makes a 180.

Call me crazy, but this is not something I have a problem with. Perhaps he lost his nerve, perhaps he found it was mandatory, perhaps he realized that being unnecessarily macho at the risk of your life is profoundly farking stupid.

Vacaboi: /Bullshiat now the #1 issue in the 2008 presidential election.

You think that McCain has gone back on his principled stands are "BS issues"?

That all his key campaign aids are lobbyists and he has 3 times the amount of lobbyists in his campaign staff then Hillary? Many of them working for "free" at jobs that he would have to pay way beyond contribution limits and could not even take $1 dollar from a lobbyist.

This Secret Service is just one of the many things that he says is a principal stand then he goes back on it.

Gosling: Call me crazy, but this is not something I have a problem with. Perhaps he lost his nerve, perhaps he found it was mandatory, perhaps he realized that being unnecessarily macho at the risk of your life is profoundly farking stupid.

It's not mandatory:

Once a candidate is elected president, he or she has no choice but to accept Secret Service protection. Until then, it must be requested.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/04/politics/main3993490.shtml

Corvus: atlanta_ufo: Actually, I'm surprised Congress doesn't have protection in this day and age. As far as lying, take a look at what any member of Congress says they are going to do, what they are going to stand up against, and then look at their accomplishments once they get to office.

One member of congress can't pass laws by himself, anyone with any understand of the US government understands this (which seems to leave many Farkers out).

But this decision and what he said was 100% is his own. Why can't he accept personal responsibility for his own actions?

You seem to hate Bush and Republicans in general, so McCain fits that bill. And I always like that "you don't understand the U.S. government" touch posters add to imply people aren't smart enough to understand. As for Obama, he has my vote solely on the fact he has "promised" to get us out of Iraq. Israel has been fighting in that region how long, and we will be doing the same until we leave both Iraq and Afghan. I only hope Obama follows through if he wins.

atlanta_ufo: You seem to hate Bush and Republicans in general, so McCain fits that bill. And I always like that "you don't understand the U.S. government" touch posters add to imply people aren't smart enough to understand.

I said if you think a congressman can pass laws by themselves you don't understand the US government. Which I think everyone would agree with.

McCain is responsible for his own actions and what he says. He likes to say he is for many principled things, but when push comes to shove he doesn't follow through with them.

He used to be different but I think the lose of the previous election to Bush changed his mind about standing up for and sticking with his principals.

Now he just wants to be president and doesn't really care much how he needs to do it.

Cuthbert Allgood: you know who else had SS protection...

well, how else will Jodie Foster notice you?

subby: the guys in the black sunglasses and earbuds that never, ever smile



these guys?

/is mccain an alien?

I didn't know the secret service could protect somebody from natural causes.

Rovian: I didn't know the secret service could protect somebody from natural causes.

Tartar?

burndtdan: these guys?

No, because Will Smith occasionally smiled. ;-)

I had a S.S. agent hitch a ride in my jumpseat a few months back. She was smokin' hot. And she smiled, but I was focued on her hotness (and flying the airplane).

daychilde: burndtdan: these guys?

No, because Will Smith occasionally smiled. ;-)



this guy? smile? blasphemy!

iPod owners?

Will he make the agent ride in the trunk like Hillary did?

/yes that bored earlier watching tmz.

atlanta_ufo: As for Obama, he has my vote solely on the fact he has "promised" to get us out of Iraq. ... I only hope Obama follows through if he wins.

He won't. (new window) You're buying a bill of goods. (Nothing new about that, but... c'mon, he's just a politician. Why do you think he's anything else but one?)

"As Barack Obama continues to criticize John McCain for saying he's willing to keep a 100-year troop presence in Iraq, another Obama adviser has suggested U.S. forces could stay in Iraq longer than the Democratic candidate initially thought.

Adviser Colin Kahl wrote in a policy paper for the Center for a New American Security that the United States should transition to an "over-watch" force of between 60,000 and 80,000 troops by the end of 2010, according to an article Friday in the New York Sun.

That appears to be at odds with Obama's public position of removing all combat brigades from the country within 16 months of taking office."

Nonsense, submitter. They smile, joke, curse and are often pretty chill.