Shocking, appalling, frightening and incomprehensible, one must be concerned for the safety of our First Family and wonder. Why? Why did these two FIRST TIME, incredible protection lapses occur and put the President and his family in danger? One, an attack, and one a planned but ultimately aborted attack which could easily have been carried out had the man been of sharper mind. He actually ran through the landing to the upstairs private home of the WH and if he'd been aware, he could have run up those stairs! This intruder was THERE!! Armed! He could have had a bomb on him! How stunning. How impossible to believe. #@^*!!!
The Rachel Maddow show last night was an excellent review of the two stories and here's an interview of hers with the WP reporter who broke these stories wide open, and Rachel's summary of the both. THIS IS A MUST LISTEN TO VIDEO! And I never talk in all caps! Thank you again, Rachel.
Comments on the hearings going on now?
Since I used to work next to the White House, I especially abhor the idea of making walking in front of it impossible. But the First Family in every case must be protected. There are doubtless simple remedies for fence jumping without blocking off the views. I just thought of a few (see below). You probably have some. Why have they not tried them? Tell me if they would not work.
What is going on here? Why have these worst lapses occurred? Why now?
Hopefully I am not out of bounds in saying this, but I hope that the president being who he is, President Barack Obama, reviled by many on the right who declared vehemently before his election -- and yes, heard by my own family in open discussion in a Florida restaurant -- that he would never live to take the oath of office, does not play a role in these Secret Service lapses. But given that he is three times more threatened than any previous president, and now he and his family, with two young daughters, object of worst assaults ever on the White House, one must, must wonder if that element of hate is not somehow in play here. Two episodes so shocking they cause the feckless, do-nothing, worst ever Congress, into action for a hearing today during their extended vacation.
My ideas on increasing safety of the White House:
One, an electrified barrier around the top inside of the fence.
Two, a thick plexiglass, bullet-proof, panel around the inside top of the fence, making it impossible to jump over this fence but not obstructing views.
Then I want to point out that any agent inside an open door should have the ability to take down an intruder or not be there my her/himself!