Unprecedented security as Obama set for White House

Unprecedented security as Obama set for White House

news.yahoo.com

WASHINGTON (AFP) – An unprecedented security blanket has been draped over the US capital for Barack Obama's inauguration next week, and the threat level to the country's first black president is expected to remain high well beyond his swearing-in.

More than 12,500 active troops and military reservists, thousands of metropolitan police as well as personnel from 57 departments around the nation are descending on Washington to protect against any potential terrorist attack during Tuesday's historic ceremony, according to officials.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Is all of this really necessary?, I mean 12,500 troops? what are they expecting, a small war? We know that Obama is the first African American president but come on! seriously "unprecedented" amounts of security? anti aircraft weapons? WTF?

The US military will fly air patrols, man surface-to-air weapons systems, ply the Potomac River with gunboats, assess chemical and biological threats, organize large-scale medical support in the event of an attack, and provide visible and undercover on-the-ground security.

news.yahoo.com
(visit the link for the full news article)



[edit on 15-1-2009 by alyosha1981]

reply to post by alyosha1981


Hey alyosha,
Yes, that's quite the entourage of public safety!!LOL
But, since the Mumbai incident there has been a lot of talk of training and instituting such protection for events such as this. Pretty big deal for the Nation, and it is relevant that there are people of this Nation that would not want Obama in office, to the point of "Assissination"? I hope not, but it does pose an overall threat as "Possibility".
Though I did not vote for him, or McCain for that matter, it is quite "Acceptable" for the PTB's to over protect him, the only thing that gets me of this event taking place is the $$$$ involved, "$75M ?" "Please... possibly 150M, that is just ludacris and unacceptable, even for the president, in today's crashing economy.

A little insight for you:

On Jan. 8, the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs heard testimony from a number of experts about the lessons learned from the Nov. 26 Mumbai attack. According to Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the Mumbai attack deserves attention because it raises important questions about the plans of U.S. authorities to prevent, prepare for and respond to similar attacks directed against targets in the United States.

www.stratfor.com...

it's a crying shame we have homeless in this country, and the money spent on just this one event could have housed and fed thousands...

reply to post by Allred5923


Exactly.The economy is in the crapper but hey lets spend like a drunken sailor for the glorious prince Obama.
Absolutely insane.

My city is sending 58 officers.

www.courier-journal.com...

"Louisville officers will join about 4,000 police and other law-enforcement officials from around the nation for the security detail. All officers will travel to Washington on Sunday and be sworn in as temporary D.C. officers on Monday. They will work Tuesday and return home on Wednesday.

Plans for the detail have been under way for about three months, well before a president had been elected.

For Officer Kenneth Christian it didn't matter who the president was going to be, he just wanted to be a part of the festivities.

"I can say I'm coming up there to be a part of something big," Christian said. "I'm just glad to be going."

Maj. Darice Wiley said she's excited about the opportunity, which is something she's wanted to do before but for which she had never been selected."


This is not a big deal, at least the officers from other cities. From this article posted today at the courier journal, the lady officer makes it clear our city sends help EACH YEAR. This is her first time selected.

I think it is wonderful all of these security measures are taken. I am pretty sure a LOT of children will be at this inauguration, and families, and Americans wanting to witness history. I am sure most of the security detail are proud to serve their part.

REPLY TO: hotbakedtator (Damn REPLY TO: Button!!!)

Yes, it is "Totally Clear" that this is a historic event, but it is not for the public's protection, though they may be included in the overall dispatching of these rather "Overzealous" counter measures, it is for the man , Mr. Obama.
The rest is just glitz for the public eye. "Why not go to a burger king and order from the dollar menu?" A lot less area of coverage and a heck of a lot cheaper!! IMHO.....

Originally posted by alyosha1981
Is all of this really necessary?, I mean 12,500 troops? what are they expecting, a small war?

To me that seems like a lot. The entire Australian army only consists of 27 000 personal and not all of them are troops.

Do you think that they would have taken these same security measures with 12,500 troops, police from other departments etc if John McCain had been elected instead

Someone asked if the security was necessary? Are you kidding? Have you seen the estimates of just how many people are expected to be jam-packed into DC next weekend and through innaugural Tuesday?

You're damned right all of this security is necessary!

All in all I think this is just insane! I understand the "training" aspect of of it all, but the cost? isn't it a bit much?

REPLY TO:
alyosha

Of course it is over doing it , we are suppose to be in a so called recession, but with acts and event costs such as this allows one to come to the conclusions of 'There pockets and entertainment is more important than setting good financial and accepted guide lines."
And I don't approve.
It wont matter much anyway, we are just fodder for eh elite's to do as they will. "An old saying comes to mind when I view the government spending and bail out plans "Do as I say, not as I do." rhetoric!!

"And most of us just want to keep our heads above water." at this stage of the "Game".

[edit on 083131p://3674 by Allred5923]

reply to post by Allred5923


Hello red! as always your insight is appreciated, and "spot on" I do wonder if they will pay all of those people involved well? of course aside from the soldiers who make the same regardless. What a waste of money, a bit paranoid on their parts yes?