Heard something interesting on What Do You Know today

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

It's a public radio comedy/variety program. Today they were in MN, near where Bush was at a rally. Michael Feldman interviewed one kid who was turned away from the rally because he was a Kerry supporter. If I heard right, the kid said he was not even allowed to go through the metal detectors-some Secret Service guys came and said that they knew he had worked for the Kerry campaign and that they considered him a threat.

My question is-is it legal to use the Secret Service for political purposes? The guy wasn't going to disrupt anything-but he was 'on the list' because of his political affiliation.

Anyone know more about this?

[Tsiyu]

1. So if you're a Democrat, you're a "THREAT?"

Okay, Bush. What the hell is that all about? Can you say, POLICE STATE?

[cmd]

2. I heard it, too

He was a high school junior who was there along with another student and his teacher. They were met as they were getting off a bus and told that they were not allowed in because they were considered to be a threat. The students returned on the bus. The teacher got in.

[RevCheesehead]

3. SS should clarify "threat" from "disruptor"

If they mean a threat against the pres, it's a fed. offense - but they also should have evidence.

If they mean a potential disruptor, well....

[Cat Atomic]

4. I'd need to know more about the situation.

They've been turning people away for wearing Kerry/Edwards pins, t-shirts, etc. So maybe that's what caught their attention- that could be what they meant by "working for the Kerry campaign".

I actually think that's more likely than the idea of SS guys have a list of Kerry campaign workers.

Still- they shouldn't be turning people away for wearing pins or t-shirts, of course- but that's sort of a different argument.

[cmd]

6. One of the kids had a Kerry sticker in his wallet

They were met as they got off the bus and told they could not go any further. Someone obviously turned them in for being Kerry supporters.

[cmd]

5. Here's a link

http://wcco.com/localnews/local_story_218072505.html

The boy who was interviewed on the radio said he had gotten his tickets at an insurance agency the day before.

[Demit]

7. went to your link--dateline is August 5, 2004

Just to let you know it didn't happen today. Still.

I get so fed up watching clips of campaign events on the news, even PBS, and seeing all that wild-eyed cheering for B, knowing how screened the crowd is. The selected president of the selected people.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. I think the teacher has the right idea

Here's a couple of paragraphs from the article you linked:

Global geography teacher Jim Walz said he wanted to stay and was told by a Bush official that he would be arrested and escorted out if he made any attempt to protest during the rally.

Walz says if appearances by the President of the United States are treated as private political events, then cities are right to bill the campaign for the expenses of local law enforcement.


I agree. If these are merely partisan campaign events, then the GOP should pay for them.