March 12th, 2009
10:37 am

Certainly the president should be protected, but to what extent? How many motorcycle policemen have been killed just escorting their motorcades? How much does it cost every time they shut down a freeway and inconvenience everyone else? If they’re in that much danger then they should stick close to their home base, especially in this communication age. Just flying in a helicopter is dangerous and should be avoided. They certainly shouldn’t be transported to every site the presidents visit. The Secret Service, like every government agency, has gone berserk. That’s why the budget is over $3 trillion. They all have their little fiefdoms to protect and expand.

They’re not indispensible, and let’s stop treating them like they are.

Yeah, Bush was constantly on the phone as he rode his bike for hours at a time and then went to bed with the chickens and Reagan was napping half the day.

Everyone’s life is of equal importance before God but not necessarily of equal impact here on earth. I don’t think you realize the problem of losing a President (especially one at this time) through an assassination. Politically and economically it would be disasterous for the country. I don’t know where you got your “chip on the shoulder” on this one but you need to rethink your position. What kind of price would you put on that??

Regarding the HMX fleet (Marine One, etc.) I would have to study on that. Again, the real costs on those are sophisticated “electronic countermeasures” that are highly classified. Helicopters are very easy to bring down with the right munitions. Again, what do you think the econmoic impact would be to this country vs. the cost of upgraded helo’s?

Personally, I will leave that to the experts.

P.S. What you also don’t realize is that unlike a job you may have, it doesn’t matter where the President is. He is never “off duty” whether the Oval Office, Camp David or on AF-1. He gets the same briefings everyday, is constantly on the phone or having to make decisions, meet with people, etc. ……….. even on vacation. Again, I’m not trying to be harsh but you really have no clue on this.

Now Obama can do whatever he darn well pleases with those new, expanded powers–and the right-wingers are paralyzed with fear and anger over what THEIR BOY produced. Fortunately, Obama is a bit more honorable and a great deal smarter than the last dud. Here’s hoping he stays within the bounds of the Constitution (even though he doesn’t HAVE to–he’s a Unitary Executive and C-in-C, remember?).

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/11/david-vitter-throws-tantr_n_173834.html

March 11th, 2009
11:10 am

Do you support spending $11.2 billion to replace the Marine One fleet of helicopters?

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/H/HEALTH_VALUE_GAP?SITE=GACAT&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-03-12-00-48-21

March 11th, 2009
11:10 am

Then why don’t you enlighten me? Do you think the president’s life is any more valuable than yours or mine or a soldier’s killed in Iraq or Afghanistan due to Bush’s horrendous mistakes? Do you need to massage your ego because your JOB was to provide them protection?

Bush spent more time on AF1 or at his “ranch” or Camp David than he did in the Oval Office, and the country paid a tremendous price for it.

I’d like to see the AF1 fleet reassigned to bring the troops home in style from around the world, especially Iraq, S. Korea and Japan.