MaryLiz
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This story shook me to my core this evening, and I guess I am naiive enough to believe that this wouldn't happen. :behindbar Racism has no place here. Hasn't our country come a long way? THIS is unpatriotic... not Senator Obama.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/27/obama.plot/index.html
(CNN) -- Federal prosecutors in Tennessee have charged two men with plotting a "killing spree" against African-Americans that would have been capped with an attempt to kill Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.
The U.S. attorney's office in Jackson, Tennessee, said Daniel Cowart, 20, and Paul Schlesselman, 18, were self-described white supremacists who met online through a mutual friend.
Both men have been charged with illegal possession of a sawed-off shotgun, conspiracy to rob a federally licensed gun dealer and making threats against a presidential candidate.
I beleive that this will not be the only attack, some are speculating that obama will be another JFK.,
It's amazing that this can go on in 2008.
I know that Senator Obama has had extra protection from the beginning; but I do worry for his life.
I think there's alot of anger boiling over everywhere, for various reasons, and it doesn't look like things have changed a whole lot since 1968; sadly.
We really need to get over the anger and the finger pointing and start working to make our country stronger and better. IMO
I beleive that this will not be the only attack, some are speculating that obama will be another JFK.,
No president these days is ever left as exposed as JFK was in Dallas.
You're right. JFK should never have been exposed like that. Even after that, Ford and Reagan where still left exposed enough to allow attempts. Unfortunately, bigotry and hate still exist and there are people out there that just want to make a name for themselves. Pathetic as it is. Very sad that we have to be concerned about things like this.
Presidents are "left exposed." They are "exposed" only at their own orders. Secret Service can only advise, but JFK wanted that convertible without agents around him. PLEASE---I am not blaming targets!! I am just saying that protection is only as good as someone allows.
As for Obama, I am so glad he has had agents assigned to him (!!!!!) and this warning about the skinheads came from ATF, which is a different branch altogether.
I don't think it's naive at all to expect we have moved past this this bigotry and hate, Cypros.
To quote your post, "What we --those of us who abhor this way of thinking -- must do is continue to move in a positive direction, embrace diversity, teach by example, and make decisions for our lives and our country (ie. voting) that help to promote progressive change.
40 years of doing exactly that and now you report it's naive to think that's enough.....
Of course they are "exposed" at their own orders. Still, he shouldn't have been exposed like that...regardless of who's decision. But JFK wanted to be out in the open with the people. Presidents will always be "exposed" at one point or another. Better measures are needed in todays society, to say the least.
What do you mean "regardless of who's decision?" You agree people are "exposed" at their own orders, but he shouldn't have been exposed "like that." Those were his orders. No agents in or around the car...that's not open to interpretation. It was a tragedy, but Secret Service followed the orders they were given.
The person who is being protected has the final say. No one can override that.
In today's world, Secret Service definitely advises, but it is up to the protectee. That's how it is. I believe many candidates/Presidents are mindful of Dallas and JFK.
Since Obama has been protected a lot longer than any other candidate who has run, I am sure he is aware of the risks, and in his case, the specific threats to him, and takes the advisement of Secret Service. This particular threat was uncovered by a different branch altogether, ATF, not Secret Service.
This story shook me to my core this evening, and I guess I am naiive enough to believe that this wouldn't happen. :behindbar Racism has no place here. Hasn't our country come a long way? THIS is unpatriotic... not Senator Obama.....
I don't think it's naive at all to expect we have moved past this this bigotry and hate, Cypros.
To quote your post, "What we --those of us who abhor this way of thinking -- must do is continue to move in a positive direction, embrace diversity, teach by example, and make decisions for our lives and our country (ie. voting) that help to promote progressive change.
40 years of doing exactly that and now you report it's naive to think that's enough.....
My ex is very bigoted and as much as I try to teach otherwise, his views trickle down on the children. This is true in many families, so racism will continue to be a problem until someone in these families wise up and stop hating others because of the color of their skin.