My neighbor is one of the senior Secret Service agents here in Denver in charge of security for Obama at the convention and we just spoke about this being a real threat being who Obama is. He was really concerned people would be out to get him.

The New York Times on the Web: (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/26/us/politics/26threat.html?em)

Hopefully all Secret Service agents aren't such blabbermouths.

Hopefully all Secret Service agents aren't such blabbermouths.

Yeah, to be honest he literally said those two sentences when I asked how goes it and that was it. I don't ever feel comfortable talking to him about what he is doing since I assume he can't say for obvious reasons. And that goes double for my other neighbor who is a reserve Navy Seal/Blackwater contractor over in the "middle east".

Sounds like talking to my uncle back when he worked for No Such Agency. :)

Sounds like talking to my uncle back when he worked for No Such Agency. :)

My block parties are a lot of fun with my background overseas in the Air Force and government these two guys oh yeah and my neighbor who is a manager of a sporting goods shop and a Kenneddy conspircay nut.

I thought they arrested a guy last night, he was supposedly a white supremest.

A friend of mine had to organise security for some high profile exec from their company, and one of the guys hired was ex-Secret Service. Some of the stuff he told my friend about former presidents (and first ladys) was probably not the kind of stuff the US government would want their former employees talking about. :)

To this day my brother still will not talk about what he saw or did in South America that made him want to get out of the service and not even work in Law Enforcement.

I think what it comes down to is kind of like those guys who were arrested in Chicago a few years ago for "plans to bring down the Sears Tower."

Did they want to? Sure, probably.

Was that particular bunch of yahoos likely to ever do anything? Eh, probably not.

Same token, I'm sure there's any number of fringe nutjobs out there who, for one reason or another, would love to take a shot at Senator Obama. Some of them might even be competent enough to get past the "somebody ought to..." stage. They likely ALL cause the Secret Service nightmares, and rightfully so. All it takes is one guy who slips through security.

I guess what I'm saying is:

a) I don't think it's "possible" that someone would like to kill him. I think it's downright likely that there's at least one person in the streets of Denver right now with that on his or her mind. BUT

b) given the history, particularly within the Democratic Party, I think the Secret Service is probably in lockdown mode right now. The last comparison they want drawn between Obama and either of the Kennedys is one that's drawn in lead. I think there will be those who want to, and at least one or two will try, but I think the Secret Service will do their jobs quietly and well this week. We'll hear about the fringe captures, the "Sears Tower" wannabes, if you will.

We will probably not hear about anybody who gets remotely (realistically) close to Senator Obama, on the other hand.

Pretty much my thought process as well, whether it's something like this, or terrorist threats on a much greater scale in this country.

I thought they arrested a guy last night, he was supposedly a white supremest.
Are they going to let Bill out in time to speak at the convention?

Hopefully the cops didn't come across this plot using illegal wire tapping or racially profiling white supremacist types...

Hopefully the cops didn't come across this plot using illegal wire tapping or racially profiling white supremacist types...

Yes, I can tell you would be heartbroken by it. :rolleyes:

here's a follow-up from the LA Times. Men's threat to kill Obama is downplayed - Los Angeles Times (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-plot27-2008aug27,0,4279510.story)

My favorite line is: "The law recognizes a difference between a true threat -- that's one that can be carried out -- and the reported racist rants of drug abusers," Eid said at a news conference.

And can you believe this guy jumped 6 storeys? did he really think he could just land like Neo and duck through some bushes? Oh right, he was on meth...

I think there are about 11 white supremacist left now.

I think there are about 11 white supremacist left now.

You've never been to northern Idaho.

White Supremacist rallies up there draw thousands, from all over the country.

The Secret Service is pulling out all the stops on both conventions, but they are paying particular attention to Obama's security because of the ridiculously high volume of threats made against him on a daily basis. Interestingly, almost as many threats are based on the made-up crap about Obama being a Muslim as there are because he is an African-American.

What a shock.

I hate to say it, but one of the concerns I have in voting this November is who will be the VP. It's completely due to the fact that if it is Obama there will be nuts out there who won't be able to handle melanin in the White House, and McCain would be the oldest elected President, and he has a history of skin cancer.

It's kinda like if you are going into the season with a question mark about the health of your QB, how do you feel about the backup.

Of course, I hope they both live a long time. It's just an issue.

I hate to say it, but one of the concerns I have in voting this November is who will be the VP.

I don't think you're alone and I think that was a factor in Obama selecting Biden as his running mate. Whether you like his politics or not, it is hard to argue that Biden isn't capable of doing the job.

I don't think you're alone and I think that was a factor in Obama selecting Biden as his running mate. Whether you like his politics or not, it is hard to argue that Biden isn't capable of doing the job.

***camera pans to Hillary waving in the distance***

***camera pans to Hillary waving in the distance***

Given the topic, I'd wager she's also got a sniper rifle slung over one shoulder... :devil:

here's a follow-up from the LA Times. Men's threat to kill Obama is downplayed - Los Angeles Times (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-plot27-2008aug27,0,4279510.story)

My favorite line is: "The law recognizes a difference between a true threat -- that's one that can be carried out -- and the reported racist rants of drug abusers," Eid said at a news conference.

And can you believe this guy jumped 6 storeys? did he really think he could just land like Neo and duck through some bushes? Oh right, he was on meth...


Yeah, I don't see how they said that there was no "credible" plot or threat at least. They found these meta heads with rifles with scopes on them, flak jackets, binoculars, and walk talkies as well as drugs. What else did they need to consider it credible? Sure these guys were drug heads but look at guys like Hinkley, Booth, Ruby, Sirhan . They aren't exactly examples of normal level head guys either. I also, am wondering if Obama is staying away from Denver becuase of these threats or do the nominees stay away until the night of there nomination? I can't remember.

It's pretty standard for the nominee to arrive on the day of the acceptance speech.

It's pretty standard for the nominee to arrive on the day of the acceptance speech.

Oh OK thanks.

Or the night before? :)