Weekend Open Thread > Secret Service falls down on the job

Secret Service falls down on the job

It is amazing. Yet it shows what happens when people act boldly and naturally. Everyone assumes they are supposed to be doing whatever they are doing because they aren't acting suspicious.
--
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini

reply to Romney2012

reply to KrK

what law did they break that would give them jail time. As far as I can see they drove up to front gate, got turned away, went to another gate, claimed to be on the list but somehow the name was missing. They didn't claim to be someone else, it wasn't like they impersonated someone. Some moron didn't follow protocol and let them in.

reply to pnh102
Now everyone has had a taste of how Homeland Security works! Scarry isn't it.

reply to amigo_boy
"I am on the list"
"no your not"
"I should be"
"well you are not"

That isn't exactly jail time material. Now if they claimed to be someone they are not that yeah I could see jail time as a possible outcome. Who knows they may of even said "We want to go to the party" and never even claimed to be on the list.

reply to Ebolla

reply to Ebolla

If I rob a bank, and I choose to rob this bank because I know the security sucks and I could probably get away with it, I still robbed a fucking bank.

Robbing a bank has rather traumatic impacts on the folks working there, and of course, money disappears. That is, someone was harmed.

Now, other than the large amount of egg on the SS's face, I'm not sure what harm occurred. If they got a meal, they should pay for that. But I don't see the need for jailtime. There are real criminals to put in jail.

As to whether they lied to get in, I suppose the first question was if anyone even asked them if they were on the guest list.

reply to Jeffrey
If someone allowed them in the building is it REALLY trespassing?
What fraud was committed, I didn't read they misrepresented themselves. They didn't just walk into the building, they passed a checkpoint. If they jumped a fence and bypassed security i would agree. Not saying that it was RIGHT that they gained access to this. just saying I don't see why jailtime would even be a thought.

reply to Jeffrey
It's really crazy that it has gotten to that point. There was a time when you could go into the White House and talk to the president. You know, him being an elected leader and not a king or whatnot.

Rather sad really.

As for the situation, I don't think the administration will press the issue. The couple will get a lambasting by government and the secret service agents who let this happen will be back to hand counting bills in the bottom of the treasury or something but pursuing this is a distraction and there is too much on the administration's plate right now as it is.

reply to jus10

reply to amigo_boy
I think "reality" shows are making people do whatever it takes, even if it may be detrimental to someone else, to become famous.

I despise reality shows that do not help to better serve mankind. The Biggest Loser is one reality show that I actually like.
--
Satan is always busy. He makes bad things look good and good things look bad! Watch that Devil.

reply to Jeffrey
I don't think they should be punished. Maybe given a stern talking to, but not punished. However clearly security protocol needs to be upgraded.

This is movie type stuff. You see the likes of James Bond, etc swaggering around in formal parties and stuff because they bluffed their way in.

... but it's also possible if a random couple could pull this off, it could have been someone with malicious intent. I doubt they'd of slipped in with guns etc on them, but what if they had some toxic poison or biological agent? It's surprising this breach occurred.
--
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini

reply to Ebolla
Reminds me of this:

reply to Romney2012
Personally, I think the most unfortunate part of this entire episode is the one statement by the secret service that "The President was not in any danger." How the hell would they know? The secret service dropped the ball on security, and let 2 people gain intimate access to the president, who shouldn't have been there. How might have this situation been different had one of these people had some composition 4? Or Pancuronium and an empty syringe? Or perhaps some kind of biological agent? Or some Polonium 210? Think....this was a dinner after all. I know these are rhetorical questions, but its just something to think about.

»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_···oisoning

reply to KrK