Secret Service Scandal

TheCommandTent · April 15, 2012, 10:28:44 AM

Maybe because I have an overly romanticized view of our Secret Service (thanks Hollywood) or maybe because I am just that naive but, I was surprised to read about this.

QuoteAn embarrassing scandal involving prostitutes and Secret Service agents sent to protect President Barack Obama on his visit to Colombia expanded Saturday, when the U.S. military said five service members may also have participated in the alleged misconduct.

The 11 Secret Service agents accused of soliciting prostitutes were put on leave and Obama offered regret over the incident overshadowing his diplomatic mission to Latin America.

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2012/04/15/secret-service-scandal-expands-into-military/

LongBlade · April 15, 2012, 12:25:03 PM

I have been reading about that.

Weird - those guys are supposed to be pretty disciplined. Odd that a bunch of them would go out "partying" like that. Allegedly.

Though I will say that I was in DC like a year ago. Driving down the street was a blacked out SUV with lights concealed around it. Driving it were some 20-something chicks from the best I could tell.

I have no idea whose SUV or why it was out. It was an early Sunday morning IIRC. Given the article above, though, one does start to wonder if the incident I saw was somehow related.

Steelgrave · April 15, 2012, 02:10:33 PM

Even as we speak, Bill Clinton is trying to get them reassigned to his own security detail 8)

Mr. Bigglesworth · April 15, 2012, 02:29:53 PM

Quote from: Steelgrave on April 15, 2012, 02:10:33 PM
Even as we speak, Bill Clinton is trying to get them reassigned to his own security detail 8)

For their contact lists.

LongBlade · April 15, 2012, 03:28:32 PM

<chuckle>

You guys are funny.

Gusington · April 15, 2012, 03:56:03 PM

The whole story is suspect to me. Isn't "I'm in the Secret Service" one of the best pickup lines ever? Why would they need hookers?

Silent Disapproval Robot · April 15, 2012, 04:02:14 PM

Why is this a scandal at all? Honestly, who cares?

Staggerwing · April 15, 2012, 04:20:10 PM

Quote from: Silent Disapproval Robot on April 15, 2012, 04:02:14 PM
Why is this a scandal at all? Honestly, who cares?

From my viewpoint, the issue is that hookers are often used as bribes and 'introduction favors' by well connected criminals.
Who paid for these hookers? Are any of these agents now compromised? Anyone clone their sim cards while they were distracted?
Maybe plant a tracker or just read through their mail? Steal a laptop or tablet? These agents are just an outstretched arm
or two away from some of the most important public figures our Gov't has.

Steelgrave · April 15, 2012, 04:32:15 PM

Those are some really good points, Stagger. The "honey trap" was always used to good effect by the Soviets, wouldn't surprise me at all to learn there might be something deeper to the story.

LongBlade · April 15, 2012, 04:37:45 PM

Quote from: Steelgrave on April 15, 2012, 04:32:15 PM
Those are some really good points, Stagger. The "honey trap" was always used to good effect by the Soviets, wouldn't surprise me at all to learn there might be something deeper to the story.

That's the downside, SDR. I couldn't care less what those guys do for fun in their off-time, but there is no off time when you're in a foreign country for work.

Hopefully they'll fix whatever is broken and this will all go away. The less discussion of the President's security the better IMHO.

Mr. Bigglesworth · April 15, 2012, 06:14:19 PM

Quote from: Staggerwing on April 15, 2012, 04:20:10 PM
Quote from: Silent Disapproval Robot on April 15, 2012, 04:02:14 PM
Why is this a scandal at all? Honestly, who cares?

From my viewpoint, the issue is that hookers are often used as bribes and 'introduction favors' by well connected criminals.
Who paid for these hookers? Are any of these agents now compromised? Anyone clone their sim cards while they were distracted?
Maybe plant a tracker or just read through their mail? Steal a laptop or tablet? These agents are just an outstretched arm
or two away from some of the most important public figures our Gov't has.

One news report said one of the girls refused to leave because she wasnt paid. What about the others? Prepaid by someone else? Hugo? Who knows. There is no place for that kind of thing in a job like that. Demote to parking attendant.

MIGMaster · April 15, 2012, 06:53:00 PM

Just goes to prove there are idiots in every line of work !

LongBlade · April 17, 2012, 01:24:22 PM

Paranoia appears to be contagious.

QuoteBlackhawks and A/MH-6 Little Bird helicopters used by special forces circling low through downtown Chicago skies made for a scary scene along the Chicago River, as they rattled windows flying among the city's skyscrapers.

The training exercise comes as the city found out some of the details of what the Secret Service wants for security at next month's summit at McCormick Place.

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/military-blackhawks-circle-downtown-skies-honing-urban-battle-skills-chicago-20120416

pawelj · April 19, 2012, 04:33:24 AM

Boys will be boys regardless where they work. Storm in a teacup. Massive overreaction. There is nothing wrong with partying and sex, payed for or otherwise.

DoctorQuest · April 19, 2012, 05:46:29 AM

Quote from: pawelj on April 19, 2012, 04:33:24 AM
Boys will be boys regardless where they work. Storm in a teacup. Massive overreaction. There is nothing wrong with partying and sex, payed for or otherwise.

There is if you work for the Secret Service. As others have said, who knows who these girls were or who they might be working for? Using sex as an intelligence tool is probably the oldest trick in the book. A camera or two in the right place and you've got someone blackmailing the presidential security detail. Not good. Is that what really happened? I don't know. But these guys have no business taking the risk.

I just heard a number of these guys got canned. Works for me.