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You are here: Home / Civil Rights / Racial Justice / Post-racial America / Sorry You Idiots Misunderstood

Sorry You Idiots Misunderstood

by John Cole|  October 1, 20143:11 pm| 168 Comments

This post is in: Post-racial America, Assholes, Our Failed Media Experiment, Sociopaths

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Politico has edited the column that blamed Obama for his own potential assassination:

Editor’s note: Some readers have misinterpreted the original last line of Kessler’s article as somehow suggesting that the president should be held responsible in the event of his own assassination. That couldn’t be further from the truth, and we’re sorry if anyone interpreted Kessler’s meaning in any other way.

You simpletons. How could you possibly have interpreted things that way. Here’s the update:

Agents tell me it’s a miracle an assassination has not already occurred. In typical Washington fashion, nothing gets reformed until a disaster happens. If anything unites Republicans and Democrats, it is that nobody wants to see a tragedy: We all just want the Secret Service fixed.

Here is the original:

Agents tell me it’s a miracle an assassination has not already occurred. Sadly, given Obama’s colossal lack of management judgment, that calamity may be the only catalyst that will reform the Secret Service.

It’s a mystery how anyone could have thought the author was blaming Obama.

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Previous Post: « Not Even Trying To Hide It: Politico’s The President Must Die Edition
Next Post: I’ll Take Racist Media for $200, Alex »

Reader Interactions

168Comments

  1. 1.

    feebog

    October 1, 2014 at 3:15 pm

    Tiger Beat on the Potomac. Wow, just wow.

  2. 2.

    Trollhattan

    October 1, 2014 at 3:18 pm

    Welp, that sure deflates a number of the Kessler-Politico defenses. Ugh.

  3. 3.

    Paul in KY

    October 1, 2014 at 3:19 pm

    Just a complete mystery to all…

  4. 4.

    Felinious Wench

    October 1, 2014 at 3:19 pm

    Shorter Politico: I’m sorry if you’re too stupid to comprehend our intent.

    Shorter Wench: I’m sorry if you’re too stupid to write what you intended to say.

  5. 5.

    Tommy

    October 1, 2014 at 3:20 pm

    Maybe somebody here smarter than me can correct me, but I kind of thought the Secret Service, although clearly apart of the Federal government, was kind of outside the control of the President. On purpose. I am sure in protecting him they make him and his family do a lot of things they don’t like. But they do it to protect him. If Obama or any President could just wave their hands and make sweeping changes wouldn’t that maybe alter the structure of the Secret Service? I think we can debate if the structure of the Secret Service is correct, but not so sure I want the POTUS making changes.

  6. 6.

    Dee Loralei

    October 1, 2014 at 3:21 pm

    I want that graphic on a tshirt or bumper sticker……..

    In re, TigerBeat of the Beltway, um no. That corrected paragraph doesn’t sound anything like the original, so I’m still questioning Kessler’s intent.

  7. 7.

    CONGRATULATIONS!

    October 1, 2014 at 3:22 pm

    Where’s all the folks that were so busy whitesplaining on the last thread?

  8. 8.

    Elizabelle

    October 1, 2014 at 3:24 pm

    Secret Service director to resign.

    Don’t know status of Politico editor who let the Kessler verbiage through.

    Or the WaPost editor who thought a column suggesting Allen West is the ideal man to run the Secret Service/protect the Obama family was a swell idea.

  9. 9.

    Trollhattan

    October 1, 2014 at 3:24 pm

    @Dee Loralei:
    Shorter Politico: stop assuming that we mean what we publish!

  10. 10.

    dww44

    October 1, 2014 at 3:24 pm

    But then, Kessler’s defenders just say it was a poorly written sentence. Nothing like putting the two of them together in the same space. Then it becomes quite clear who the author was blaming for the Secret Service lapses.

  11. 11.

    JPL

    October 1, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    @CONGRATULATIONS!: I’m still laughing that Politico thinks the two statements say the same thing. Roger Goodell is calling to explain how not to put your foot in your mouth.

  12. 12.

    dmsilev

    October 1, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    @Tommy: The Secret Service used to be an arm of the Treasury Department (the original mandate for the agency wasn’t protecting the President, it was tracking down currency counterfeiters); when the Department of Homeland Security was set up, the Secret Service was moved under that umbrella. Either way, the President appoints the Secretary who is then responsible for overseeing the management of the agency.

    The President could in principle agitate to have the Secret Service be an independent agency not underneath the umbrella of a Cabinet Department, but it would take a change in law (i.e. Congressional action) to make that actually happen.

  13. 13.

    JPL

    October 1, 2014 at 3:26 pm

    The Secret Service director is resigning.

  14. 14.

    scav

    October 1, 2014 at 3:27 pm

    It’s not as though words and phrases and shit have meaning when strung together, Nay! it’s all base-user tinnitis error when GASP! meanings entirely unconnected to the pure and truest inner intentions of supremely trained authors, after passing through finely honed blue-pencil-bearing hands of professional specialists in the craft, are found in the clutter of letters on a page.

  15. 15.

    Joseph Nobles

    October 1, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    Apology not accepted, Politico.

  16. 16.

    catclub

    October 1, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    If anything unites Republicans and Democrats, it is that nobody wants to see a tragedy

    Haha.

    What a normal human calls a tragedy, the GOP, not so much.
    Mitch McConnell said that his job one was doing everything to make sure that Obama was a one term president. So if comes down to a choice between causing a tragedy and helping Obama, he chooses the tragedy. Democratic political malpractice was not harping on this every day, from Jan 21, 2009.

  17. 17.

    schrodinger's cat

    October 1, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    White Knights for Kessler will be here shortly to tell us how he is just a poor misunderstood soul. In 3..2..1. If you don’t believe me, check out the thread below.

  18. 18.

    jl

    October 1, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    Post at TPM says that Kessler has taken a turn towards hard right kookdom in last decade. Though Marshall is a little naive about Politico.

    Really Politico?

    ” I really wonder what the Politico editors were thinking. ”

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/really-politico

    Marshall thinks that Politico editors ‘think’ in the ordinary sense of that term? Really?

    If Obama were involved in the details of WH security management, then that would just show how sadly this blah (DemocRAT) president misunderstands his job as president, of course. And we saw hints of how the blah president was so strangely upset when security let a deranged stranger with a knife run through his house.

    What mystery achievement can a blah president accomplish to pass muster with White bigoots, both high and low, in this country? Don’t hold your breath.

  19. 19.

    Calouste

    October 1, 2014 at 3:31 pm

    OT:

    If you’re a straight white dude (as I am) and you’re not sure you’re recognizing your straight white dude privilege enough so you would like to get a little bit of a feel of how the views of women and minorities are more or less ignored by the media, go visit some wedding websites (yes I am, why thank you). You’re supposed to be 50% of that event, but articles are often written like you might as well not exist. It’s an eye opener.

  20. 20.

    catclub

    October 1, 2014 at 3:32 pm

    @dmsilev:

    Department of Homeland Security was set up, the Secret Service was moved under that umbrella.

    The first part is now a well known clusterfuck that adds layers of bureaucracy and contractors.
    I do not know how long it will take to be reversed.

    I will also note that the Bush admin was initially against combining all those of agencies into DHS.

  21. 21.

    Suzanne

    October 1, 2014 at 3:32 pm

    @CONGRATULATIONS!: I’m more amused by the Politico’s defense. If the best you can say is, “I’m not racist, I’m just an idiot,” then I don’t think you’re really in much better stead.

    I’m fairly certain the writer is racist, but at the very least, he’s an asshole.

  22. 22.

    ruemara

    October 1, 2014 at 3:32 pm

    I think it was Josh Marshall who said the author, Kessel, was an expert in SS matters, but had become an anti-Obama whackaloon (my words). So it’s a mix of truth and Obama-bashing. So half fuck that guy.

  23. 23.

    Calouste

    October 1, 2014 at 3:33 pm

    @jl:

    ” I really wonder what if the Politico editors were thinking. ”

    FTFY.

    And the answer to that of course is, like the answer to all questions in headlines, “no”.

  24. 24.

    Tommy

    October 1, 2014 at 3:34 pm

    I often note my brother married into this family that is to the far, far right. Don’t talk politics and they are really a nice group of people. I enjoy being around them. But bring up Obama and things go off the rails. The level of hate is hard to put into words. I don’t engage them anymore, but I used to. At times my father, a moderate Republican (yes there are still a few out there) had to jump in and not so much as defend me, but to put facts on the table. Facts. They seem to live in a world where facts don’t exist. Just hate.

    I say this all not to remotely defend Kessler. But to note I am surprised Obama is still alive to be honest. If these now family members, educated, white, upper middle-class are this hateful, I am scared to think what else is out there!

  25. 25.

    srv

    October 1, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    @JPL: It would have been more leaderly if she’d been fired.

  26. 26.

    oaguabonita

    October 1, 2014 at 3:38 pm

    The real problem wingers have with “SecretServiceGate”?

    1. “Good guys with guns” had the occasion to blow away a “bad guy” . . . and they showed restraint, refused to participate in suicide-by-cop!?!!!!11

    2. The [non-]threat they thwarted failed!

  27. 27.

    Mnemosyne

    October 1, 2014 at 3:39 pm

    @ruemara:

    I still think it’s ass-covering by SS. Hey, don’t blame us if our lax security gets the president killed, he should have managed us better!

  28. 28.

    JPL

    October 1, 2014 at 3:39 pm

    @srv: It would have been more leaderly, if the President said f.u.. to the knights of kessler but what do I know, I’mm not the leader of the United States.

  29. 29.

    SatanicPanic

    October 1, 2014 at 3:40 pm

    What does it matter, we’re all going to die of Ebola anyway.

  30. 30.

    schrodinger's cat

    October 1, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    According to cleek, unless we know for sure that Kessler is Klansman, he cannot be a racist.

    is he a Klansman or something? is there something about Kessler himself that makes it impossible to deny the racism inherent in the things he writes? if so, spit it out – i’d love to know! otherwise, his words in that article show no racism.

  31. 31.

    mattH

    October 1, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    Never defend Politico, they wouldn’t appreciate it, and you’ll only end up with egg on your face (if you are lucky…).

  32. 32.

    jl

    October 1, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    @Tommy:

    If they are like the wingnuts in my family and among others I know, relatives of friends, etc., they indulge themselves much more readily in violent fantasies.
    I never heard moderate or liberal people I know go so far in their hatred of Bush Jr, or even Cheney.

    IMHO, of course. Maybe in some worlds wishing a person a quick and involuntary trip to The Hague is out of bounds. But maybe that is just me.

  33. 33.

    Lady Bug

    October 1, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    @Calouste:

    Yeah, it sounds more like the standard non-apology apology.

  34. 34.

    Villago Delenda Est

    October 1, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    Nuke Politico from orbit.

    Only way to be sure.

  35. 35.

    SatanicPanic

    October 1, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: I’m not defending Cleek’s defense of the indefensible, but it seems like bad form to drag an argument to a new thread when the old thread is just one thread down. We could always use this thread for a new argument. Any ideas?

  36. 36.

    KG

    October 1, 2014 at 3:46 pm

    @JPL: have we reached a point in our nation’s history where no sane person would want a high profile political/administrative position? i mean, does any sane person really want to be president, speaker, senate majority leader, or cabinet/agency head?

  37. 37.

    Villago Delenda Est

    October 1, 2014 at 3:46 pm

    @SatanicPanic: No, we’re not going to die of Ebola.

    We’re going to die because the Koch Brothers do not have all the money in the world yet, and their plan is to poison the planet as an inadvertent, I’m sure, consequence of their plan to gather all the money in the world.

  38. 38.

    jl

    October 1, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    @SatanicPanic: Politco is automatically correct because it is run by rich White weasels.

    That is the best defense I can offer at this time.

  39. 39.

    Tommy

    October 1, 2014 at 3:48 pm

    @jl:

    The Hague is out of bounds. But maybe that is just me.

    Exactly. I am willing to bet, and it pains me to say this, but if they thought I was “with them” I bet the conversation would move to Obama’s death. I don’t know in what world that is OK. I didn’t like Bush, but as you said, the Hague was my thinking. Not his death.

  40. 40.

    schrodinger's cat

    October 1, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    @SatanicPanic: I brought it up because its seemed pertinent to this thread, since the topic of both the threads is Kessler’s article in Politico. But point taken, new argument now.

  41. 41.

    Mike in NC

    October 1, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    Our media is so worthless and dishonest it isn’t even funny. Yesterday “USA Today” had a piece bashing Obama over all the alleged scandals he’s responsible for, then suggested he needed to find a Republican to be the next (i.e., competent) Attorney General. The author was simply identified as Glenn Harlan Reynolds, a “law professor”. They completely neglected to mention he’s also the glibertarian asshole known as Instapundit.

  42. 42.

    Villago Delenda Est

    October 1, 2014 at 3:50 pm

    @Tommy: The deserting coward needs to be put to death for his desertion from the armed forces.

    He was an officer. The crimes of officers are used to set the example for the troops.

    All his subsequent crimes do not mitigate that one.

  43. 43.

    piratedan

    October 1, 2014 at 3:51 pm

    @SatanicPanic: I can see why we have a new thread, after all, the folks who originated the original discussion have seen fit to move their goal posts, as such, any said continuing arguments should also be moved to deal with the new reality of said same.

    to sum up: The bastards at Politico are still GOP watercarriers and narrative setters and it’s a bleeping wonder that they haven’t blamed the Prez for global warming because he exhales CO2 into the atmosphere but that would mean that they would also have to acknowledge that global warming exists.

  44. 44.

    jl

    October 1, 2014 at 3:53 pm

    @Tommy:

    ” I bet the conversation would move to Obama’s death. ”

    In my experience, it comes up, fondly at every opportunity among the real wingers.

    Also:
    Secret Service chief Pierson resigns amid security breach scandal
    By Olivier Knox
    Yahoo News
    http://news.yahoo.com/secret-service-chief-pierson-resigns-amid-security-breach-scandal-193210189.html

    Edit: Maybe her resignation will make it less likely that Issa jumps in to make a real mess I hope so.

  45. 45.

    SatanicPanic

    October 1, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    @jl: Sadly, that’s about as effective a defense as I can imagine.

  46. 46.

    ? Martin

    October 1, 2014 at 3:56 pm

    Politico Headline Prediction: In Continuing War on Women, Obama Forces out Head of Secret Service, Installs Unvetted Gun-Wielding Man as Replacement.

  47. 47.

    dubo

    October 1, 2014 at 3:58 pm

    If anything unites Republicans and Democrats, it is that nobody wants to see a tragedy: We all just want the Secret Service fixed.

    Dear Politico,
    No, the GOP really, really does not want the Secret Service fixed:

    In this role, a true leader, not a bureaucrat, is needed. Someone like Florida congressman and retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Allen West would be perfect for the role. West has successfully demonstrated that he possesses the leadership skills of a combat officer as well as managerial and diplomatic skills of a congressman, exactly the traits needed in the next director. Highly competent and beholden to no one in the Secret Service, he would be a superb director.

  48. 48.

    Trollhattan

    October 1, 2014 at 4:00 pm

    @mattH:

    Yeah, that’s definitely not egg.

  49. 49.

    The Dangerman

    October 1, 2014 at 4:00 pm

    @CONGRATULATIONS!:

    Where’s all the folks that were so busy whitesplaining on the last thread?

    Is this where I have to apologize for being a White person? After all, per some, whitey can’t get it. I guess I’ll cease my support of abortion rights, too, because, as I man, I just can’t get it.

    Asshole.

  50. 50.

    Tommy

    October 1, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    @jl: My gut is they auto correct themselves a little or they might just come out and say it. I am the only liberal in the room when we have family events and pretty sure they were pre-warned. Yes I said warned. I am not an in your face liberal, but if you say stupid shit I might call you on it. I think that was mentioned ahead of our first encounter.

  51. 51.

    Trollhattan

    October 1, 2014 at 4:02 pm

    @dubo:
    Mind=blown. Somebody get hold of that guy and tell him what “superb” actually means.

  52. 52.

    Iowa Old Lady

    October 1, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    @dubo: Surely that’s the Onion.

  53. 53.

    skerry

    October 1, 2014 at 4:07 pm

    Why isn’t anyone talking about the effect of the sequester on the secret service? I heard that over 500 people were “let go” due to budget cuts.

    Put some of the blame back on the congress. Budget cuts have consequences.

  54. 54.

    CONGRATULATIONS!

    October 1, 2014 at 4:07 pm

    Is this where I have to apologize for being a White person? After all, per some, whitey can’t get it. I guess I’ll cease my support of abortion rights, too, because, as I man, I just can’t get it.

    Asshole.

    @The Dangerman: Yes, you have to apologize for being white. Christ. I hope you’re not this stupid, obtuse, or throw temper tantrums like this in real life.

    It’s pearl-clutching weeping martyrdom like yours, when white folks get called on their invisible privilege, that so endear us white people to all the other non-white folks in the world.

    And before you go off in a snit, really go look at the thread below this. There is quite a bit of excuse making for a columnist who called for the murder of the president of the United States, in order to “reform the Secret Service”.

  55. 55.

    elmo

    October 1, 2014 at 4:08 pm

    @Mike in NC:

    Yesterday “USA Today” had a piece bashing Obama over all the alleged scandals he’s responsible for, then suggested he needed to find a Republican white man to be the next (i.e., competent) Attorney General.

    How do I know that’s what was really meant?

    The author was simply identified as Glenn Harlan Reynolds, a “law professor”. They completely neglected to mention he’s also the glibertarian asshole known as Instapundit.

    That’s how.

  56. 56.

    raven

    October 1, 2014 at 4:08 pm

    @Villago Delenda Est: “Troops”!!! He was in the fucking Air Force!

  57. 57.

    Bobby Thomson

    October 1, 2014 at 4:09 pm

    @The Dangerman: You really don’t have to sign all your posts. We’re not that formal around here.

  58. 58.

    Mnemosyne

    October 1, 2014 at 4:09 pm

    @The Dangerman:

    After all, per some, whitey can’t get it.

    I get it, and I’m white. So maybe the problem isn’t that you’re white, maybe the problem is that you don’t get it.

    Here’s the basic question: is it unfair to hold Obama to a higher standard than his white predecessor?

    Follow-up question: is it at all possible that the reason Obama is being held to a higher standard is because of racial bias, or is it all just a magical co-inkydink every time a person of color is held to a higher standard than a white person?

    Oh, and I’m bored with the Well, maybe I won’t support abortion anymore! threat. Been there, done that, don’t let the door hit you on the ass on the way out. Though it does crack me up that guys who threaten that seem completely oblivious to the fact that they’re basically admitting that they have unearned privilege since they’re doing us all a favor by supporting abortion rights when they don’t have to.

  59. 59.

    elmo

    October 1, 2014 at 4:11 pm

    @Mnemosyne: Noticed that, didja? That’s my favorite part too!

  60. 60.

    jl

    October 1, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    @CONGRATULATIONS!:

    ” invisible privilege ”

    Not sure what is so invisible about it. I am white and see it all around every day. But many are blind with eyes wide open (at least for the goodies they can grab).

  61. 61.

    scav

    October 1, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    Oh yes, certainly, the allegation that white male experience is other than all-encompassing, all-seeing, all-inclusive and all-empathetic is outright slander! and must never be allowed in polite truthful company! It’s the sonic swiss army knife in the hands of McGyver perspective!

  62. 62.

    TooManyJens

    October 1, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    @The Dangerman:

    Is this where I have to apologize for being a White person?

    Not at all. Unless you’re a white person who’s been telling black people that you’re better at identifying racism than they are, of course. But even then, the apology wouldn’t be for being white, it would be for being an ass.

  63. 63.

    schrodinger's cat

    October 1, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    @Mnemosyne: May be more women get it, whatever their color, because they have had the same experience of being held to an impossible standard.

  64. 64.

    Tommy

    October 1, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    @Iowa Old Lady: Yes. Look maybe it might be a good choice if he didn’t say stupid shit nor almost get court martialed for firing a gun near a suspects head in Iraq. Other then that, a wonderful choice.

  65. 65.

    The Dangerman

    October 1, 2014 at 4:13 pm

    @CONGRATULATIONS!:

    …a columnist who called for the murder of the president of the United States, in order to “reform the Secret Service”.

    Wow, talk about being obtuse…

    …now, go back and read what I said in the last thread. The column, in it’s original form, was very poorly written…

    …but, to say it advocated the President being shot, is kinda ridiculous. I don’t care if you are African American, Caucasian, or Melange … it isn’t there.

    I didn’t make it a racial thing. You did. If you are saying “whitey” can’t get this incident or, say, voting rights, fuck it, I’ll pull all of my support for such things that I clearly can’t get.

  66. 66.

    John Revolta

    October 1, 2014 at 4:14 pm

    BREAKING NEWS: OBAMA IMPLICATED IN PLOT TO ASSASSINATE THE PRESIDENT!!

    Issa demands death penalty

  67. 67.

    Mnemosyne

    October 1, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:

    There seem to be quite a few white dudes here (including our esteemed bloghost) who were able to figure it out pretty damn quick, too. But it probably makes it easier to recognize the behavior when you’ve been on the receiving end of it.

  68. 68.

    The Dangerman

    October 1, 2014 at 4:16 pm

    @Bobby Thomson:

    You really don’t have to sign all your posts.

    OK, I guess I AM obtuse; I have no idea what that means.

  69. 69.

    jl

    October 1, 2014 at 4:17 pm

    IMHO, though, for the swindlers and weasels running the GOP and places like Politicao and WaPo, it is not clear to me that blahness and bigotry is really the root of it, or DemocRATness. For a lot of their dupes, I have no doubt that the root of it is racial bigotry.

    We will see during the subsequent (knock on wood) Democratic administration. I’m not sure whether there will be a cumulative effect. The next Democratic president will get the Clinton III and Obama II treatment.

    Perhaps all subsequent Democratic presidents will be deemed honorary blahs because of Obama.
    IF HRC is next pres, that will be an interesting experiment.

  70. 70.

    Elizabelle

    October 1, 2014 at 4:17 pm

    @Iowa Old Lady:

    Surely that’s the Onion.

    You are forgiven for thinking so.

    It is from the Jeff Bezos Washington Post.

  71. 71.

    Kathleen

    October 1, 2014 at 4:18 pm

    @Elizabelle: Or Hobart, the cartoonist, he of watermelon flavored toothpaste fame (commenter at Pierce’s claims the guy works at Townhall, which I understand is yet another Far Right cesspool?)

  72. 72.

    schrodinger's cat

    October 1, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    @Mnemosyne: I think people who defend the indefensible, see in this Kessler person, because perhaps he reminds them of some of their loved ones or even themselves, hence the defensiveness.
    I have seen the same phenomena even among my liberal family members in India when they defend the indefensible anti-Muslim bigotry of the current ruling party in India.
    Edited for clarity.

  73. 73.

    Tommy

    October 1, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    @TooManyJens:

    Unless you’re a white person who’s been telling black people that you’re better at identifying racism than they are …

    I’ve found as a white dude I don’t always see racism as it unfolds. Over-the-top sure, but more contextual not so much. I learned this with my Jewish girlfriend years ago. She would get upset about something and honestly I didn’t see it. Then I shut the fuck up and listened and realized I’d never understand it all.

    That maybe understanding I won’t ever understand totally was half of the battle.

  74. 74.

    scav

    October 1, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    @elmo: Well, dangerguy can’t really be expected to support causes because of their intrinsic worth or value, it’s all about selling his/their support to whoever sucks up to his/their self-esteem hardest.

  75. 75.

    Kathleen

    October 1, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    @Calouste: I agree with you. My observation of many (not all) modern weddings is that the hierarchy is as follows:

    1. Bride
    2. Bride’s Mother
    3. Wedding Consultant/Party Planner/Photographer, etc.
    4. Bride’s Mother
    5. Bride’s Father (if he is paying for wedding)
    6. Groom (maybe)
    7. Groom’s Parents

    I told a friend whose son was getting married that as the mother of the groom she was pretty far down the totem pole and not to worry too much about what she wore.

  76. 76.

    srv

    October 1, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    @dubo:

    Dan Emmett has served in the Secret Service Presidential Protective Division, the CIA National Clandestine Service and the Marines. He is author of Within Arms Length: A Secret Service Agent’s Definitive Inside Account of Protecting the President.

    Certainly unqualified.

    Here’s Dan last March:

    The problem in the agency is not alcohol or debauchery, but weak leadership. There are too many incompetent managers who want the title, pay and perks of management while performing no duties of leadership. The problem is not bad Secret Service agents but bad leaders of Secret Service agents.
    …
    The Secret Service of today is awash in managers, not leaders. Many supervisors have little tangible or leadership experience, yet they are designated as managers on the basis of their titles and long lists of schools attended. Alas, leadership cannot be taught in a classroom alone. In the military, people must first pass Officer Candidate School before assuming leadership roles. In the federal government, more often than not, people are promoted first and then trained to be leaders — the concept is entirely backward.

    Clearly, an institution with a fuck-ton littany of issues per that uppity woman Maddow just needs to keep on keeping on.

  77. 77.

    Bill E Pilgrim

    October 1, 2014 at 4:25 pm

    Editor’s note: Some readers have misinterpreted the original last line of Kessler’s article as somehow suggesting that the president should be held responsible in the event of his own assassination. That couldn’t be further from the truth, and we’re sorry if anyone interpreted Kessler’s meaning in any other way.

    That syntax is actually scrambled enough that it could just as easily be interpreted as saying that they’re sorry if anyone didn’t think that the guy was holding the President responsible.

    They’ll get it right one day, by which time it will resemble a Monty Python sketch. “Dear Sirs! I’d like to object to my previous letter….”

  78. 78.

    ruemara

    October 1, 2014 at 4:26 pm

    I’ll come back when sectors of the blog have not lost their utter fucking minds. It happens to us all.

  79. 79.

    El Caganer

    October 1, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    @jl: Nope. They smell blood in the water.

  80. 80.

    schrodinger's cat

    October 1, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    @ruemara: Good idea, I am doing the same.

  81. 81.

    SatanicPanic

    October 1, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    @Tommy: This. Hey people, if people are telling you “that’s racist”, just pause for a minute and listen, especially if they are friends or you’re part of a community with them, like say, Balloon Juice…

  82. 82.

    Haydnseek

    October 1, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    @SatanicPanic: Perhaps you should direct your comment to Cole. He started the thread.

  83. 83.

    Tommy

    October 1, 2014 at 4:31 pm

    @Kathleen: My brother and his wife got married in Destin, FL. We live in Southern Illinois. No connection to FL. They just wanted to get married on a beach. I like to think a wonderful affair. Of course there was a gown and vows but outside of that, nothing close to anything like a wedding I’d been to before. Just family and a friend or two. I was the best man and I didn’t wear shoes to the wedding.

    I don’t know what a “modern” wedding is today, but I think maybe something like this.

  84. 84.

    Suzanne

    October 1, 2014 at 4:31 pm

    @Tommy: considering the sexist comment you made about Lena Dunham’s body, and then your sexist reaction (“I’m not sexist, and you don’t know what you’re talking about”) from earlier in the week, might I suggest that you take your own advice.

  85. 85.

    Tree With Water

    October 1, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    I wonder what conclusions Obama’s daughters are in the process of forming about this country and its people? The six years they’ve already spent in the White House is a huge chunk of their young lives, and they’ve had a birds-eye seat into the America’s heart of darkness.

  86. 86.

    StringOnAStick

    October 1, 2014 at 4:34 pm

    @Tommy: My winger relatives were the very first people I knew to listen to Limbaugh, and my dad’s always had Bircher leanings. When my oldest sister the fundy Baptist says all gay people should be lined up and shot, it isn’t hyperbole – she means it. My semi-senile dad is now convinced by his daily injection of hate media that the country is in grave, grave danger if Obama isn’t removed from office somehow……

  87. 87.

    flukebucket

    October 1, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    @Kathleen:

    I saw that watermelon flavored toothpaste cartoon and it just sickens me when they then swear that they meant nothing by it and did not make the connection and didn’t even realize black people and watermelon was a thing and they just happened to like watermelon. Fuck all of ’em.

  88. 88.

    Kathleen

    October 1, 2014 at 4:39 pm

    @Tommy: I did qualify my statement so that it was not inclusive of all weddings.

  89. 89.

    Kathleen

    October 1, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    @flukebucket: Yup. And I’m not about to go to Townhall to “fact check” what one of Pierce’s commenters said.

  90. 90.

    skerry

    October 1, 2014 at 4:41 pm

    My white brother is getting married to a black woman in an Indianapolis suburb this fall.

    At one venue/caterer, they were asked if they wanted ribs for the wedding dinner. And watermelon. No other suggestions given.

  91. 91.

    catclub

    October 1, 2014 at 4:41 pm

    Speaking of misunderstanding, Financial headline division:

    Stocks Drop As Ebola Fears, Mixed Economic Data Weigh On Market

  92. 92.

    catclub

    October 1, 2014 at 4:43 pm

    @flukebucket: Plus the line is terrible. He should have just asked: “Have you tried the new toothepaste?”. It scans much better for the situation.

  93. 93.

    Rasputin's Evil Twin

    October 1, 2014 at 4:43 pm

    Nobody in his/her right mind wanted Dubya dead or impeached, as Darth Cheney as president was too nightmarish to consider, ever.

  94. 94.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 1, 2014 at 4:43 pm

    @flukebucket: I try, both online and in real life, to give people the benefit of the doubt. If multiple interpretations of a statement I try to use the least offensive one. Unless a person has proved him/herself to be an ass/racist/etc. A few years ago, I decided that I had used up all of my benefit if the doubt for those on the right. I presume that they intended the most offensive meaning possible unless they can show me otherwise. It isn’t a foolproof heuristic device, but it works pretty well.

  95. 95.

    StringOnAStick

    October 1, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    @skerry: I really wish you were joking, but I sadly know that you aren’t. Wow does that suck.

  96. 96.

    JPL

    October 1, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    Ron Kessler is on my local news as I type … there are no consequences for writing outrageous shit.

    it’s a cbs feed…

    I have no idea what he said because I was so upset to see him on tv… omg.. wtf

  97. 97.

    hoodie

    October 1, 2014 at 4:49 pm

    @Mnemosyne: That’s true, but also this. I recognize this shit from a mile away because I’m a middle aged white dude from that same tribe and I have seen it my entire life. White dudes who, at best, have achieved mostly nothing and, at worst, leave a trail of disaster in their wake, but can’t imagine that somebody unlike them might be smart or talented or anything more than a servant or a piece of ass. No, that might require an accompanying admission that maybe they’re not as good as they think they are or that their figures of merit are based on social constructs that privilege them over others. One of the things I detest about it is that it tends to deprive all of us, including white males like my son, of the benefits of the manifold talents of our fellow citizens and reinforces sectarian division. It has prevented us from capitalizing on a lot of positive things that could have come from an Obama presidency, irrespective of whether Obama was the “best president.” It’s safe to say that he’s at least been an adequate one, and a vast improvement over Bush, the quintessential boss’ son fuckup for whom phrases like “colossal lack of management judgment” should be reserved.

  98. 98.

    Samuel Knight

    October 1, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    Weasel word is “fixed”. When GOP “fixes” things it normally doesn’t make them better.

    Sadly Poltico makes money by shilling shamelessly for the DC establishment and attacking vigorously anyone who in any way threatens that establishment. Part of that includes attacking anyone who questions in any way the capability, motives and credibility of DC institutions – particuarly the Pentagon who have more money than any other DC institution.

    So any opportunity to throw a bomb they’ll take. They know darn well what they’re doing – and are quite good at it.

  99. 99.

    CONGRATULATIONS!

    October 1, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    I didn’t make it a racial thing. You did. If you are saying “whitey” can’t get this incident or, say, voting rights, fuck it, I’ll pull all of my support for such things that I clearly can’t get.

    @The Dangerman: Outstanding temper tantrum. 10/10.

  100. 100.

    BGinCHI

    October 1, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    Politico Editorial Meeting:

    1st Asshole: “We needs more clicks!”
    2nd Asshole: “A nice assassination would really drive up the numbers.”
    3rd Asshole: “That could take forever.”
    1st Asshole: “I’m going to just put it out there anyway, since whatever generates traffic is good for us.”
    2nd Asshole: “Good idea. See you at the Country Club.”

  101. 101.

    Tommy

    October 1, 2014 at 4:51 pm

    @Kathleen: Of course. Not coming at you in the least. I just thought I would throw out what a “modern” marriage might be these days. Or what the last one looked like.

  102. 102.

    J.D. Rhoades

    October 1, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    @SatanicPanic:

    What does it matter, we’re all going to die of Ebola anyway.

    According to Twitter, that will be Obama’s fault, too.

  103. 103.

    Mnemosyne

    October 1, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    @catclub:

    There’s a second version of the cartoon where the toothpaste is raspberry-flavored, so somebody at some point thought that maybe watermelon in conjunction with the president was a bad idea so the flavor was different. I would be very curious to know who chose to run the watermelon version and why.

  104. 104.

    J.D. Rhoades

    October 1, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    @skerry:

    My white brother is getting married to a black woman in an Indianapolis suburb this fall.

    At one venue/caterer, they were asked if they wanted ribs for the wedding dinner. And watermelon. No other suggestions given.

    Man, I wish some caterer had suggested ribs and watermelon for my wedding. I woulda been on that shit in a hot second. Another example of how racism hurts us all.

  105. 105.

    Violet

    October 1, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    we’re sorry if anyone interpreted Kessler’s meaning in any other way.

    We’re sorry “if” is not an apology. It’s weasel-speak they hope gets interpreted as an apology. They should not be treated as if they have apologized. They have not.

  106. 106.

    Mnemosyne

    October 1, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    @skerry:

    I can’t think of a clearer way to broadcast We don’t want to do this wedding without running afoul of local discrimination laws. Holy cow.

  107. 107.

    Howlin Wolfe

    October 1, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    @Tommy: The Secret Service is under the Treasury Department. So the POTUS would only have indirect supervision of it, through the Secretary.

  108. 108.

    Helmut Monotreme

    October 1, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    If they didn’t mean to suggest an assassination threat, they shouldn’t have used the same language an extortionist uses to get protection money. “It’s a shame your security is so terrible, I hope it doesn’t take a tragedy for you to fix it.”

  109. 109.

    RaflW

    October 1, 2014 at 5:01 pm

    Gee, Politico, I feel all soothed and placated now.

    Also, Kessler is a hack who is actively hawking his latest Secret Service exposé book, so he’s getting his 15 minutes, isn’t he? Mission accomplished! All it took was an outrageous assertion and later, a crap “apology” by the outlet that posted your shit. Ain’t it grand?

  110. 110.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 1, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    @Violet:

    Some readers have misinterpreted the original last line of Kessler’s article as somehow suggesting that the president should be held responsible in the event of his own assassination. That couldn’t be further from the truth the author’s and Politic’s intention, and we’re sorry if anyone interpreted Kessler’s meaning in any other way that the original ending was unclear.

    Fixed it for them.

  111. 111.

    Tommy

    October 1, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    @Violet: Not sure I’ve had to say I was sorry, issue an apology online. But if it did I might start out with I am sorry, I am sorry, I am sorry. Please forgive me. I am sorry. Then you go from there ….

  112. 112.

    skerry

    October 1, 2014 at 5:04 pm

    @Howlin Wolfe: Secret Service was moved under DHS during the Bush presidency.

  113. 113.

    JPL

    October 1, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    Put on CBS news tonight and I’d be willing to bet, you will get to see Ron Kessler. If my local news used a feed with him, you can bet the nightly news will..

  114. 114.

    RaflW

    October 1, 2014 at 5:06 pm

    So the Secret Service head has resigned. It sounds like the colossally incompetent Obama demanded her departure. How could that be? He’s such a patsy and a fool?

    I’m all confusicated.

  115. 115.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 1, 2014 at 5:06 pm

    @Tommy: I have done it on this very blog. Once stubbornness and pride are swallowed, it is pretty easy. “I did/said x. I was wrong. I apologize.”

  116. 116.

    Shortstop

    October 1, 2014 at 5:08 pm

    Dangertoselfman, you do seem to get into these scrapes on a regular basis. It’s unfortunate that the rest of the world is so insistent on misunderstanding you. Disrespecting you, even. How do you stay so calm, rational and quick-witted in the face of such unrelenting victimization?

  117. 117.

    SatanicPanic

    October 1, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    @J.D. Rhoades: Or what if that’s what they really wanted but now they have to choose something else because they don’t want a bunch of people snickering? Lame

  118. 118.

    Iowa Old Lady

    October 1, 2014 at 5:10 pm

    @Violet: That is what’s known as a “nopology.”

  119. 119.

    Davis X. Machina

    October 1, 2014 at 5:11 pm

    @Villago Delenda Est: He who dies with the most all the toys, wins.

  120. 120.

    nancydarling

    October 1, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    @Mnemosyne: And after President Obama has finished micro-managing his Secret Service detail, he should plan the menus for state dinners.

  121. 121.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 1, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: On second thought, I would strike out the “somehow” in the first sentence as well.

  122. 122.

    Violet

    October 1, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: Yep. That’s much better. If they actually mean to apologize. I don’t think they did. In actual fact they’re happy for this clicktroversy.

    @Tommy: That’s a fine start. But as Omnes Omnibus said, it works best when you say what you’re sorry for. “I said/did X. I was wrong to say/do that. I’m sorry.” It’s actually not that hard. As Omnes says, you have to let go of pride and stubbornness.

  123. 123.

    Mike in NC

    October 1, 2014 at 5:14 pm

    What hasn’t been said is the fact that an intruder making it into the White House will inspire a bunch of copycats trying to pull the same stunt.

  124. 124.

    Davis X. Machina

    October 1, 2014 at 5:14 pm

    @Kathleen:

    mother of the groom she was pretty far down the totem pole and not to worry too much about what she wore.

    My mom married off six sons. Her rules for mother of the groom:
    Show up.
    Stay sober.
    Wear beige.

  125. 125.

    Shortstop

    October 1, 2014 at 5:15 pm

    @nancydarling: Tyrant in the kitchen! Dictator in the walk-in freezer! Plus, we all know he’d just insist on halal everything and make the lady chefs be in full hijab, which is dangerous around open flame.

  126. 126.

    srv

    October 1, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    @nancydarling: Well, as you in particular should know, Nancy managed all that, why can’t Michelle?

  127. 127.

    Bill E Pilgrim

    October 1, 2014 at 5:19 pm

    Just clicked over and read the disclaimer at the site.

    The “tell” here is that they knew exactly how to rewrite it to fix the problem, yet at the same time are pretending to be so surprised and baffled about what could have bothered people about the first version.

  128. 128.

    sparrow

    October 1, 2014 at 5:20 pm

    @Calouste: Ha! And here I was thinking dudes were lucky for largely getting out of the inanity that is modern wedding planning. I was engaged once, and most of those websites/books/spreadsheets made me want to put a knife through my eye and end it all. There is nothing more stupid and depressing to me as a woman then the idiotic amount of emphasis placed on a SINGLE DAY that is supposed to fulfill all of your princess fantasies while also apparently showing that you have fulfilled your purpose as a female. Bleh. That said, if you just want some advice, just tell all the vendors you’re planning an anniversary party. Or a baby shower, or cancer remission party. Your wallet will thank you.

  129. 129.

    gene108

    October 1, 2014 at 5:22 pm

    @catclub:

    Democratic political malpractice was not harping on this every day, from Jan 21, 2009.

    In Obama and the Democrats defense, I believe the expected the MSM to actual report and emphasize the unprecedented level of obstruction presented by Republicans and their total failure while in charge from 2001 to 2007.

    Little did they expect that the MSM is a shill for Republicans, just like Fox News, which they had rightfully singled out early on as being Republican shills.

  130. 130.

    Bill Arnold

    October 1, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    A few years ago, I decided that I had used up all of my benefit if the doubt for those on the right. I presume that they intended the most offensive meaning possible unless they can show me otherwise. It isn’t a foolproof heuristic device, but it works pretty well.

    It is a heuristic though, and when it misfires one can, for example, end up believing too easily in things like “P is a self-hating X.”

  131. 131.

    The Other Chuck

    October 1, 2014 at 5:29 pm

    @flukebucket: The cartoonist claims to have been inspired by his kids watermelon-flavored toothpaste. That is a real thing.

    I’m going with abject stupidity here. Holbert’s material is pretty bland pablum (lots of “both sides” crap) but I just don’t see racism in it. But hey, I’m white.

  132. 132.

    Jacel

    October 1, 2014 at 5:30 pm

    @catclub: As I recall, the original proposal was to simply set up a structure where the FBI and CIA were more mutually accountable and communicated more effectively. The Bush administration opposed that. But when the momentum to improve this intelligence relationship continued to be strong, the Republican-driven result was the huge jumbo pack of agencies under the new DHS, too big to be accountable.

  133. 133.

    Mike in NC

    October 1, 2014 at 5:33 pm

    @RaflW: Wasn’t there a former nutjob Secret Service or FBI agent who put out a book about how terrible the Clintons were? Claimed among other things that Hillary hung ornaments on the White House Christmas tree that were made from aborted fetuses.

  134. 134.

    Bill Arnold

    October 1, 2014 at 5:34 pm

    @gene108:

    …just like Fox News, which they had rightfully singled out early on as being Republican shills.

    You could drop the “shills”. Roger Ailes’ Secret Nixon-Era Blueprint for Fox News

  135. 135.

    Davis X. Machina

    October 1, 2014 at 5:34 pm

    @Jacel

    : the Republican-driven result was the huge jumbo pack of agencies under the new DHS, too big to be accountable.

    Bi-partisan. Gary Hart and Warren Rudman ran a commission of the great-and-good on this subject back in the mid-90’s. Much of the ultimate shape of DHS, including the ‘Homeland’ part, came out of that pre-9/11 effort.

  136. 136.

    hamletta

    October 1, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    @Mike in NC: Somebody brought this up on the Maddow Show, IIRC; that the Secret Svc has always had an image of impenetrable bas-assery, so isn’t this Keystone Kops bullshit a danger in itself?

  137. 137.

    Shortstop

    October 1, 2014 at 5:38 pm

    @The Other Chuck: Once a full 100 percent of white people become aware that watermelon jokes have been standard tools of mockery against/stereotyping of black people for nigh unto 200 years, can we then agree that employing said jokes against black people is racist? Because 90 percent of white people knowing this full well doesn’t seem to be doing the trick.

  138. 138.

    kc

    October 1, 2014 at 5:40 pm

    On the off chance that no one else has said it, the Secret Service really ought to pay Mr. Kessler a visit. :)

  139. 139.

    SiubhanDuinne

    October 1, 2014 at 5:40 pm

    Somewhat, but only somewhat, O/T: Michael Dunn has been found guilty of first-degree murder in his retrial. Sometime even a Florida jury gets it right.

  140. 140.

    kc

    October 1, 2014 at 5:41 pm

    @skerry:

    I’ve heard Indiana described as “the Mississippi of the North.”

  141. 141.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 1, 2014 at 5:43 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: First degree, no less.

  142. 142.

    CONGRATULATIONS!

    October 1, 2014 at 5:49 pm

    Michael Dunn has been found guilty of first-degree murder in his retrial. Sometime even a Florida jury gets it right.

    @SiubhanDuinne: First thing in a while that’s given me any faith in humanity at all. Thanks for posting that.

  143. 143.

    Josie

    October 1, 2014 at 5:50 pm

    @Davis X. Machina: Or navy, depending on the bride’s colors. Also, dion’t trip and fall at any point. (3 sons)

  144. 144.

    JPL

    October 1, 2014 at 5:52 pm

    @Josie: My son purchased a ring months ago and it still sits somewhere in his house. I’m not buying an outfit anytime soon. btw.. they have been together for over five years.

  145. 145.

    Josie

    October 1, 2014 at 5:52 pm

    Thank you, John Cole, for clearing this up. I knew we could count on you and your talent for word wizardry. This is why I keep coming back.

  146. 146.

    mai naem

    October 1, 2014 at 5:53 pm

    I am not getting if this stuff with the SS was always happening or is it really brand new with Obama. I would really like to know the answer to that. I find it difficult to believe that the SS is intentionally doing this stuff since it’s against their own interest to have something bad happen to Obama. I just wonder if it’s something stupid like 20-30 some year olds being distracted by texting and surfing the web etc. on their cell phones.

  147. 147.

    SatanicPanic

    October 1, 2014 at 5:55 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: Good

  148. 148.

    Mnemosyne

    October 1, 2014 at 5:56 pm

    @The Other Chuck:

    I’m going with abject stupidity here. Holbert’s material is pretty bland pablum (lots of “both sides” crap) but I just don’t see racism in it. But hey, I’m white.

    To repeat myself from the thread above: because we’re all immersed in a racist/sexist/etc. society, we are all going to occasionally have biased things that we barely knew were there fart themselves to the surface from time to time. But when that happens, the correct apology is I’m so sorry, I wasn’t thinking of that association at the time, but I can see it now that people have pointed it out, not But it’s my kid’s favorite toothpaste flavor so it’s not my fault!

  149. 149.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    October 1, 2014 at 5:57 pm

    @RaflW

    : So the Secret Service head has resigned. It sounds like the colossally incompetent Obama demanded her departure. How could that be? He’s such a patsy and a fool?

    I think you mean “out of control, abusive dictator for forcing a woman to resign”

    Hmm now I see the two for one in this; they get to call blacks and women bad leaders.

  150. 150.

    Josie

    October 1, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    @JPL: I hope her patience (and yours) are rewarded at some point.

  151. 151.

    SiubhanDuinne

    October 1, 2014 at 6:04 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:
    @CONGRATULATIONS!:
    @SatanicPanic:

    Mandatory life without parole (prosecutors didn’t seek the death penalty, and I’m glad of that). Maybe, just maybe, before pulling the tigger, some future putative wannabe SYG shooters will hesitate long enough to reconsider. Get in the car, roll up the windows, drive away.

  152. 152.

    Shortstop

    October 1, 2014 at 6:05 pm

    @Enhanced Voting Techniques: not to be rude, but most women spotted that the second this all began.

  153. 153.

    CONGRATULATIONS!

    October 1, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    I find it difficult to believe that the SS is intentionally doing this stuff since it’s against their own interest to have something bad happen to Obama.

    @mai naem: I don’t share that theory. Every time something “bad” has happened to a president, they get more power and more money, and I doubt Obama is real popular with cops these days.

  154. 154.

    SFAW

    October 1, 2014 at 6:17 pm

    @The Other Chuck:
    “Abject stupidity” is a rather mild way of saying Holbert’s either a racist, or his head is so far up his ass that he can count his fillings without a mirror.

    Watermelon? How could he NOT make the racial connection?

    I guess we should be grateful that the guy in the bathtub didn’t say “Hey Sambo! Have you tried the new f’ied chicken flavor? Goes great with chitterling-flavored dental rinse.”

    There might be a reason the syndicated version was changed to “raspberry,” and I don’t think it was because that editor has kids.

    ETA: “Chitlins” spelled properly because I’m a pedant or a didact or just an asshole. Or all three.

  155. 155.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 1, 2014 at 6:28 pm

    @CONGRATULATIONS!: Whether or not it would bring more money to the organization, it reflect poorly on the careers of the people who were on duty at the time. Sorry, I don’t buy into any “the Secret Service secretly wants to fail at one of its primary missions” theories

  156. 156.

    nellcote

    October 1, 2014 at 6:31 pm

    It should be clear by now that Politico doesn’t care what they publish as long as people give them the clicks. Follow the money and watch as they leave destruction in their wake.

  157. 157.

    shelley

    October 1, 2014 at 6:36 pm

    @Felinious Wench: Even shorter: Sorry that people picked up on our incredible bullshit, so we’re backpedaling at 60 miles an hour.

  158. 158.

    Patricia Kayden

    October 1, 2014 at 7:01 pm

    @nellcote: Hopefully people will stop clicking then.

  159. 159.

    Matt McIrvin

    October 1, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    @mai naem: I think the sheer number of incidents they have to be on top of is at least 2-3 times higher than it was with any prior President. That’s more chances to fail.

  160. 160.

    Just One More Canuck

    October 1, 2014 at 7:36 pm

    @Suzanne: Your Honor, I plead stupid

  161. 161.

    Jamey

    October 1, 2014 at 8:02 pm

    @flukebucket: In the original artist’s sketch, Obama was using a chicken drumstick instead of a toothbrush…

  162. 162.

    Kathleen

    October 1, 2014 at 9:18 pm

    @Tommy: No offense taken. My brother and his wife were married in Las Vegas and it was quite low key as well (back in 2003).

  163. 163.

    Kathleen

    October 1, 2014 at 9:21 pm

    @Davis X. Machina: Hah!!! A woman after my own heart!

  164. 164.

    Paul in KY

    October 2, 2014 at 9:43 am

    @jl: I know you don’t ‘know’ me, but I engaged in some printed fantasies of what I would have liked to do to Cheney.

  165. 165.

    Paul in KY

    October 2, 2014 at 9:45 am

    @Villago Delenda Est: I would have executed him for murdering our troops for crass perceived political advantages. Not for desertion.

    I’m a softie, though.

  166. 166.

    Paul in KY

    October 2, 2014 at 9:46 am

    @raven: We also called enlisted airmen ‘troops’. We weren’t calling them ‘marines’ or ‘grunts’.

  167. 167.

    Paul in KY

    October 2, 2014 at 9:51 am

    @skerry: They should have said ‘Fuck, yeah! How about some Hennessey & chitlins too!!!’.

    I hope they didn’t go with that caterer.

  168. 168.

    xian

    October 2, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    @The Dangerman: yes, yes, this is all about your grievances

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