Editor & Publisher reported today (Feb. 22, 2008) that Obama's Secret Service detail suspended gun checks at his Dallas rally on Feb. 20th. (See: http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003714257)
Given America's dark history of having some of our most promising liberal-minded political and social leaders murdered, such as Dr. King, President Kennedy, and presidential candidate & Senator Bobby Kennedy, we supporters of Barack Obama want to be sure that he does not meet the same fate.
Below is the text of the above article from Editor & Publisher. Let's organize to hold the Secret Service and other law enforcement and security agencies accountable for the protection of our next president.
Fort Worth Paper: Secret Service Ordered End to Gun Checks at Obama Rally
By E&P Staff
Published: February 22, 2008 8:00 AM ET
NEW YORK The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported late Thursday that security details at Barack Obama's rally in Dallas (of all places) on Wednesday "stopped screening people for weapons at the front gates more than an hour before the Democratic presidential candidate took the stage at Reunion Arena.
"The order to put down the metal detectors and stop checking purses and laptop bags came as a surprise to several Dallas police officers who said they believed it was a lapse in security," reported the paper's Jack Douglas, Jr. More than 10 days remain until the Texas primary and a key vote for president.
"Dallas Deputy Police Chief T.W. Lawrence, head of the Police Department's homeland security and special operations divisions, said the order -- apparently made by the U.S. Secret Service -- was meant to speed up the long lines outside and fill the arena's vacant seats before Obama came on. '"Sure,' said Lawrence, when asked if he was concerned by the great number of people who had gotten into the building without being checked. But, he added, the turnout of more than 17,000 people seemed to be a 'friendly crowd.'"
The Secret Service did not return a call from the Star-Telegram seeking comment.
Here's a letter you might want to use as a template for your own, (from AmericaBlog cited above):
Mark Sullivan, Director <p>United States Secret Service <p>
Dear Director Sullivan: <p>I read with alarm, and no small measure of disgust, that the Secret Service ordered the local (Dallas, of all places) police to cease screening for weapons at an Obama rally. After all the collusion with the Bush campaign (screening for political agreement with the candidate and allowing no free expression of differing views) this act appears to me to place the security of the first African American with a realistic chance of winning the presidency at risk. <p>
Sir, you must be aware that the Republican Party has run on a “Southern Strategy” of racial polarization for several decades. Surely you are aware that Dallas has a date that should live in infamy with your organization. Surely you are aware that there are racist organizations that absolutely revile the thought that a “n*****” could become the President. <p>How in the name of all that is prudent, sensible and just can the Secret Service order the local police to stop screening and allow free entry to an event like this? <p>Sincerely, <p>HinTN | 02.22.08 - 7:02 pm | #
From "America's Blog":
Here are more cases of alarming security lapses:
