Bush gets the shoe!

[BamBam]

That really surprises me. As soon as that guy began to move forward in an aggressive fashion the SS should have been all over him. It took way too long for the SS too react. I am truly surprised at that seeing as how good they typically are.

I mean that could have just been a diversion for a more serious attempt from another part of the room. They should have gotten him completely out of there. They never even got in front of him once they entered from the other room.

I'm sure there's gonna be some meetings on that one within the SS. Not to overreact here, but that is a little concerning.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by BamBam

That really surprises me. As soon as that guy began to move forward in an aggressive fashion the SS should have been all over him. It took way too long for the SS too react. I am truly surprised at that seeing as how good they typically are.

I think it would have been much different if it had happened in the U.S. I think the last thing Bush wanted for U.S. image is to have the SS beating the pulp out of an Iraqi journalist for throwing a shoe.

[BamBam]

Originally Posted by icehog3

I think it would have been much different if it had happened in the U.S. I think the last thing Bush wanted for U.S. image is to have the SS beating the pulp out of an Iraqi journalist for throwing a shoe.

I didn't say anything about unnecessary force and I agree that they shouldn't beat him to a pulp. I also don't feel that geography should affect how you react when protecting the President.

The SS is a very professional organization and they shouldn't be beating people to a pulp without justification, such as the suspect resisting them. We definitely don't want the reputation of schoolyard bullies.

I feel they should have reacted much faster though and used the force necessary to subdue the aggressor until they gained control of the situation (which they did on the subdue part).

The first action of throwing a shoe is a sign of violence, whose to say what else he had on him. Luckily the second thing he threw was only his other shoe.

I think the part that really concerned me is that they didn't remove the President from a volatile situation like they should be trained to do. They left him standing there only to be protected by another country's Prime Minister. The SS is trained to act instinctively and protect the President from harm at ALL costs, even if it puts them in danger. I just feel they failed to react appropriately.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by BamBam

I didn't say anything about unnecessary force and I agree that they shouldn't beat him to a pulp. I also don't feel that geography should affect how you react when protecting the President.

The SS is a very professional organization and they shouldn't be beating people to a pulp without justification, such as the suspect resisting them. We definitely don't want the reputation of schoolyard bullies.

I feel they should have reacted much faster though and used the force necessary to subdue the aggressor until they gained control of the situation (which they did on the subdue part).

The first action of throwing a shoe is a sign of violence, whose to say what else he had on him. Luckily the second thing he threw was only his other shoe.

I think the part that really concerned me is that they didn't remove the President from a volatile situation like they should be trained to do. They left him standing there only to be protected by another country's Prime Minister. The SS is trained to act instinctively and protect the President from harm at ALL costs, even if it puts them in danger. I just feel they failed to react appropriately.

Wasn't trying to take an adversarial position, just offering the possibility of political reasons for the restraint. I agree with much of what you say.