secret service told to leave minigun at home for bush visit

[martinexsquaddie]

apprantly the secret service have been told to leave there minigun at home. I can't really see how a minigun can be mounted even semi covertly or much use in close protection.
The secret service have been busy making friends failing to get the entire central london closed down trying to get the tube closed and demanding immunity if any of there agents shoot someone accidently.
Now the secret service are professionals and have a job to do But trying to get a major Financial centre to close down for three Days is going beyond the bounds of the possible.

[Smintjes]

Yeah, and they requested that the whole of Buckinham Palace be outfitted with bulletproof glass rofl , and should be reinforced so it could withstand an attack with a crashing airplane. Made me laugh out loud and shake my head in disbelief at the same time.

[MolliG]

martinexsquaddie watching This Morning? ;) Very silly demands IMO... Would they do the same if Blair was going to Washington DC or another big city (New York etc)? :|

[duck]

According to press reports the Secret Service is allowed to bring assault rifles and light machineguns with them. Suppose that's enough firepower with SAS troops on stand-by in Buckingham Palace and Kensington Barracks.

[Saranof]

Saw a program about the presidents car...real fortress on wheels. Why can't they just have the meeting in the car instead? ;)

[Smintjes]

'Shoot-to-kill' demand by US

Martin Bright, home affairs editor
Sunday November 16, 2003
The Observer

Home Secretary David Blunkett has refused to grant diplomatic immunity to armed American special agents and snipers travelling to Britain as part of President Bush's entourage this week.
In the case of the accidental shooting of a protester, the Americans in Bush's protection squad will face justice in a British court as would any other visitor, the Home Office has confirmed.

The issue of immunity is one of a series of extraordinary US demands turned down by Ministers and Downing Street during preparations for the Bush visit.

These included the closure of the Tube network, the use of US air force planes and helicopters and the shipping in of battlefield weaponry to use against rioters.

In return, the British authorities agreed numerous concessions, including the creation of a 'sterile zone' around the President with a series of road closures in central London and a security cordon keeping the public away from his cavalcade.

The White House initially demanded the closure of all Tube lines under parts of London to be visited during the trip. But British officials dismissed the idea that a suicide bomber could kill the President by blowing up a Tube train. Ministers are also believed to have dismissed suggestions that a 'sterile zone' around the President should be policed entirely by American special agents and military.

Demands for the US air force to patrol above London with fighter aircraft and Black Hawk helicopters have also been turned down.

The President's protection force will be armed - as Tony Blair's is when he travels abroad - and around 250 secret service agents will fly in with Bush, but operational control will remain with the Metropolitan Police.

The Americans had also wanted to travel with a piece of military hardware called a 'mini-gun', which usually forms part of the mobile armoury in the presidential cavalcade. It is fired from a tank and can kill dozens of people. One manufacturer's description reads: 'Due to the small calibre of the round, the mini-gun can be used practically anywhere. This is especially helpful during peacekeeping deployments.'

Ministers have made clear to Washington that the firepower of the mini-gun will not be available during the state visit to Britain. In return, the Government has agreed to close off much of Whitehall during the visit - the usual practice in Britain is to use police outriders to close roads as the cavalcade passes to cause minimal disruption to traffic.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: 'Negotiations between here and the US have been perfectly amicable. If there have been requests, they have not posed any problems.'

An internal memo sent to Cabinet Office staff and leaked to the press this weekend urged staff to work from home if at possible during the presidential visit. Serious disruption would be caused by 'the President Bush vehicle entourage requesting cleared secured vehicle routes around London and the security cordons creating a sterile zone around him'.

Meanwhile, negotiations are continuing between police and demonstrators about the route of the march. Representatives of the Stop the War Coalition will meet police at Scotland Yard tomorrow to discuss whether protesters will be able to march through Parliament Square and Whitehall. Spokesman Andrew Burgin said he hoped for 'a good old-fashioned British compromise'.

[Ichhabe]

Saw a program about the presidents car...real fortress on wheels. Why can't they just have the meeting in the car instead? ;)


That is the best comment EVER!!!!!!!! rofl

[Smintjes]

This is the car: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3276669.stm (bottom of page)

[mocking_loudly_died]

I thought the mini gun was a joke.

That is pathetic, what the hell is going to be happening in the UK that requires a mini gun.

Overkill.

[Fintin]

i read an artical in car and driver a long while back that showed a minigun mounted inside a suburban. part of the roof just poped back and the gun poped up, you couldnt tell anything was different untill the gun was through the roof.

[Smintjes]

i read an artical in car and driver a long while back that showed a minigun mounted inside a suburban. part of the roof just poped back and the gun poped up, you couldnt tell anything was different untill the gun was through the roof.

The Jackal? :)

[Guttorm]

Apparantly what they wanted was two Black hawks circling over london, armed with miniguns... And their own snipers...

And of course they wanted full diplomatic immunity, so that if anyone of the Pres. security force were to kill someone, nothing would become of it...

This was, NATURALLY, turned down...

Miniguns... Jeez... :bash:

[duck]

Well,I think part of the Secret Service force are on counter-sniper duty. And there was an Al-Qaeda plan to use unmanned small planes loaded with gas canisters during the G-8-summit in Italy in 2001. So the use of helicopters could be justified to shoot down any approaching small aircraft.

[budanski]

Bush's flying circus leaves out only the kitchen sink (http://www.opinion.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;$sessionid$WZRNHQRRFPHKVQFIQMGSFF4AVCBQWIV0?xml=/news/2003/11/15/nbush15.xml&sSheet=/portal/2003/11/15/ixportaltop.html)

Presidents of the United States are not noted for travelling light. And George W Bush will prove no exception when he becomes the first incumbent of the White House to make a state visit to Britain.

Mr Bush will be accompanied by a retinue consisting of 250 members of the Secret Service, 150 advisers from the National Security Department, 200 representatives of other government departments and 50 political aides.

There will also be approximately 100 journalists travelling with him. There are also his personal chef, personal assistants, four cooks, medics and the presidential 15-strong sniffer dog team.

One person who always travels with Mr Bush is the military aide who carries his "nuclear briefcase". The aide, an army colonel, will have his own room at Buckingham Palace.

It is not revealed if Mr or Mrs Bush will have stylists with them, although the First Lady may be well-advised to do so, having become the butt of uncharming remarks in America about her fashion sense. But they will both bring extensive wardrobes with them ready for a state banquet or a trip around Sedgefield.

To transport this vast caravan, Mr Bush will use Air Force One and Two, both 747s, and a third chartered passenger jet. C17 Globemaster cargo aircraft are believed already to have flown over his motorcade, including the armoured limousines that he always takes him with abroad.

His accompanying freight may not be as exotic as it was on his trip to Africa in July when he took speed boats. But it is believed that his security handlers will bring a Marine Corps Sea King helicopter and a converted Black Hawk helicopter.

The police operation to protect Mr Bush on his visit next week will be unprecedented, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police said yesterday.

Sir John Stevens, who will have overall control of policing while the president stays with the Queen in London, has cancelled all leave in the force, which will have about 5,000 officers on duty between Tuesday and Friday.

Protesters against the war in Iraq and the ongoing involvement of British and US troops are determined that their opposition to Mr Bush and his policies will be heard by the President.

Scotland Yard has consistently said that London faces a "high" risk of terrorist attack, particularly from Islamic fundamentalist groups, but faces domestic pressure to allow anti-Bush demonstrations to take place.

[Steve Andrews]

If they start firing a hundred rounds a second over London they are going to be even more unpopular.

Change of subject....I got to have a good look around the Prime Minister's armoured Jaguar. Its a solid piece of kit too.

[obd]

Well what the hell do you Brits expect?? After all, in American London is known jokingly as "Londonistan" because of all the damn Muslim radicals you let in for political assylum. Ever stop to think that maybe there was a good reason why they fled their native lands??? Maybe, just maybe, its because they were violent terrorists who had killed innocent people in strikes against their government. And you Brits blame all the violence in your country on "American culture". HA!!!!!! Give me a break. Much of the violence I read about on the BBC as well as those local papers available on the internet has to do with racial violence against your immigrants. In fact, I just read about those Brits who nearly beat that poor Chinese man to death in the middle of town in front on "At least 20 people" none of whom tried to help or even bothered to call the police!!!! Also read about severe mistreatment of Kashmiri immigrants suppsoedly because a few of them have turned up in afghanistan tryin to kill your soldiers. I guess the actions of a few allow you to blacklist an entire community eh?? The fact is, London is a VERY dangerous place for the president of the United States and eh deserves all the protection he can get. There are many Islamist radicals running aroudn free at the invitation of the Brit government who are a threat. So yeah, on the surface you all can laugh and think "those silly American's are at it again" and other nonsense, but when I think about the hundreds of Islamic nutcases in your country, it makes a bit more sense. It would kinda be like asking Blair to take a walk through some of the worst parts of Los Angeles or New York or Chicago. Im sure every damn Muslim in the area, and a few of you Brits to say the least, is gonne be gunning for G.W.B. so I think he deserves as much security as possible!!

[budanski]

How's a yank to have any fun then?

[budanski]

Well what the hell do you Brits expect?? After all, in American London is known jokingly as "Londonistan" because of all the damn Muslim radicals you let in for political assylum. Ever stop to think that maybe there was a good reason why they fled their native lands??? Maybe, just maybe, its because they were violent terrorists who had killed innocent people in strikes against their government. And you Brits blame all the violence in your country on "American culture". HA!!!!!! Give me a break. Much of the violence I read about on the BBC as well as those local papers available on the internet has to do with racial violence against your immigrants. In fact, I just read about those Brits who nearly beat that poor Chinese man to death in the middle of town in front on "At least 20 people" none of whom tried to help or even bothered to call the police!!!! Also read about severe mistreatment of Kashmiri immigrants suppsoedly because a few of them have turned up in afghanistan tryin to kill your soldiers. I guess the actions of a few allow you to blacklist an entire community eh?? The fact is, London is a VERY dangerous place for the president of the United States and eh deserves all the protection he can get. There are many Islamist radicals running aroudn free at the invitation of the Brit government who are a threat. So yeah, on the surface you all can laugh and think "those silly American's are at it again" and other nonsense, but when I think about the hundreds of Islamic nutcases in your country, it makes a bit more sense. It would kinda be like asking Blair to take a walk through some of the worst parts of Los Angeles or New York or Chicago. Im sure every damn Muslim in the area, and a few of you Brits to say the least, is gonne be gunning for G.W.B. so I think he deserves as much security as possible!!

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5510

[Royal]

Presidents of the United States are not noted for travelling light. And George W Bush will prove no exception when he becomes the first incumbent of the White House to make a state visit to Britain.

Woodrow Wilson made a State Visit in November 1918, after the end of WWI - he was welcomed by cheering crowds ;)

BTW his entire party was eight strong...

[He219]

Big talk form OBL about a hit in London during the visit..
First time a US President has been the guest of the Queen's invitation.


http://a1112.g.akamai.net/7/1112/492/03312000/news.lycos.com/news/ot_getImage.asp?op=img&id=465735

Two police officers look towards Buckingham Palace in London, Monday Nov. 17, 2003. US President Bush is due to start a State visit to Britain Tuesday, and he will stay at Buckingham Palace. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

http://a1112.g.akamai.net/7/1112/492/03312000/news.lycos.com/news/ot_getImage.asp?op=img&id=465741

[Flagg]

Yeah, and they requested that the whole of Buckinham Palace be outfitted with bulletproof glass , and should be reinforced so it could withstand an attack with a crashing airplane.

Ummmm, yeah....and can you have the upgrades completed by Thursday?

What's so funny?

[JiJoMacLE45]

The man is arguably the most powerful human being in the world which also makes him the lightning rod of discontents, terrorists, wackos, and yahoos everywhere. The Secret Service pulls no punches when it comes to protection, as they shouldn't. The job of President Bush's protection detail is to keep him alive, period. End. Stop.

[Shake n Bake]

i read an artical in car and driver a long while back that showed a minigun mounted inside a suburban. part of the roof just poped back and the gun poped up, you couldnt tell anything was different untill the gun was through the roof.


http://www.ibistek.com/security_vehicle.html

[Shake n Bake]

Scouts’ motto is “Be Prepared.” hehe

You can never have to many guns..

[SFontaine]

Christ. People are still stuck in the "Ohhh what could happen" mentality...

[Uncle Chô]

Bush's flying circus leaves out only the kitchen sink

One person who always travels with Mr Bush is the military aide who carries his "nuclear briefcase". The aide, an army colonel, will have his own room at Buckingham Palace.



Oh my God ! I hope he will not have one of the Prince Charles royal servant at his service...

;)

[He219]

Bush's flying circus leaves out only the kitchen sink

One person who always travels with Mr Bush is the military aide who carries his "nuclear briefcase". The aide, an army colonel, will have his own room at Buckingham Palace.



Oh my God ! I hope he will not have one of the Prince Charles royal servant at his service...

;)

rofl :lol: ;)



I hear that some Yardies don't go unarmed into parts of 'Bucking-ham Palace.

;)

[budanski]

Overkill?

If this happened (http://www.*******.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=404568&section=news), what make you think someone more determined won't be as successful?

[Royal]

She climbed up a gate outside the palace. To date the Metropolitan Police's ROE don't allow them to shoot people who do that. Bearing that in mind, what else could they do other than talk her down?

[ChuckThunder]

apprantly the secret service have been told to leave there minigun at home. I can't really see how a minigun can be mounted even semi covertly or much use in close protection.
The secret service have been busy making friends failing to get the entire central london closed down trying to get the tube closed and demanding immunity if any of there agents shoot someone accidently.
Now the secret service are professionals and have a job to do But trying to get a major Financial centre to close down for three Days is going beyond the bounds of the possible.

Truck/SUV mounted mini-guns are an excellent deterrent against other vehicles. :D

[Shake n Bake]

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0%2C%2C30100-1094915%2C00.html


This is why we gotta bring the big guns

[SFontaine]

I hope some protestors try **** so they can see what happens when you try to hurt the President of the United States of America.

[duck]

Well, they would either get reprimanded by the Met Police or taken into custody. Sorry, no foreseeable slaughter of protesters.

[usa320]

Perhaps they took heed to mortimer's threat?

;)

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

Yea minigun's overkill......Besides why should they get immunity? Are they planning to shoot protester's? **** they went a lil overboard here...hes the safest dude in the world already so why is he sweating it like he's going to get shot up visiting London?

[Seoulstriker]

Perhaps they took heed to mortimer's threat?

;)

i haven't heard mortimer for a while. how long does it take to travel to and infiltrate sensitive areas of London? ;)

[Beowulf]

"better to have and not need than need and not have"

A minigun is pretty over the top, but I don't really blame the SS for asking. I believe in that quote....unless I'm carrying a rucksack.......
-b

[jdbjdb]

UK thinks they are trigger happy? when was the last time a secret service agent fired his weapon in protection of the president? early 80's with Ronald Reagan?

[duck]

They had Uzis back then, BTW. There are pictures of Secret Service guys with Uzi in hand trampling on Hinckley.

[Gringo]

UK thinks they are trigger happy? when was the last time a secret service agent fired his weapon in protection of the president? early 80's with Ronald Reagan?
No we think americans r trigger happy (no offence).

[NcDeuce]

rofl

[martinexsquaddie]

I think it was the Demand to have the USAF overhead and the tubes Closed.
Never heard of the english sense of fair play at least give people a sporting chance :lol:
mind you thats probably why they wanted the minigun
"hey I've just spotted a large heavily armed convoy I'm rolling in"
OOPS rofl

[SOG]

i read an artical in car and driver a long while back that showed a minigun mounted inside a suburban. part of the roof just poped back and the gun poped up, you couldnt tell anything was different untill the gun was through the roof.

The Jackal? :)

nah nah i saw that too :)

there was a dope ass one on discovery channel being covered in making cars bullet resistant etc and they covered some attack cars too, they had this bad ass SUV, pop a control and a 50 caliber gun pops through the roof and then you use your kill-o-vision thumb control and mini monitor and counter fire. simply INSANE! must have for morning traffic.

[jdbjdb]

No we think americans r trigger happy (no offence).
In general Americans maybe trigger happy but Secret Service Agents are not trigger happy

[Uncle Chô]

I i haven't heard mortimer for a while. how long does it take to travel to and infiltrate sensitive areas of London? ;)

He is already in undercover : http://image.pathfinder.com/time/daily/2001/0107/corn0709.jpg

[budanski]

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0%2C%2C30100-1094915%2C00.html


This is why we gotta bring the big guns

Thanks for the link :D
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-12928522,00.html

[mocking_loudly_died]

No A-10 planes please.

"We have a visual on an Iraqi T-62 in London, going to drop my entire pay load" - A-10 pilot

Kaboom!

"That was bill odie!" - AWACS

[CX20]

I've policed more demonstrations and protests than I care to remember. Before I joined the police, I had thought of the protestors as most of the public do - peaceful, fair, moralistic and righteous. I approached them with a completely open mind and tried to talk to a few. However after my first few demonstrations that view changed forever. I have never before met people full of such pure hatred, bigotry, spite and hypocrisy. I was actively involved in every Stop The War demonstration that occured in my city, and I saw some sights. The examples below are all from only one demonstration, the first Stop The War demonstrations of 2001 just after the US had gone into Afghanistan.

i) The anti-corporate and anti-sweatshop protestors who wore Nike trainers and GAP clothes (and they weren't being ironic either).

ii) The black & muslim protestors shouting "white filth" at passing white shoppers, and pushing them off the pavement. When myself and my team intervened, we were surrounded by the middle aged, educated white organisers of the demonstration calling us Nazis and accusing us of racism, and filming our actions. Not to mention the white English protestors chanting for Americans to be killed, which is racism - yet they called us racists and Nazis.

iii) Having cameras shoved in our face and our photos taken by protestors, and being unable to do anything about it. These photos later appeared on an anti-police website encouraging revenge. Yet when our evidence gatherers took photos of offenders commiting offences, we got sued for "breaching the protestors human rights".

iv) The shameless use of children in the demonstration. Passing children in the street who weren't involved were coerced into joining in the demonstration, then pushed to the front for their pictures to be taken for publicity. I later had a chance to speak to a group of them, and when I asked them why they was protesting and why they hated the USA, they said "Because that man told us to". They had never heard of Iraq, Afghanistan, or even the events of September 11th. Also several muslim children were sent up to us to test our reactions. One child suddenly appeared my side, and asked me questions such as "What would you do if someone tried to stop us?" "What would you do if you saw a black man being beaten up?" "Would you give your life for us to protest and say we hate you and want you dead?" After I didn't give the racist answers he wanted to hear, he suddenly disappeared only to immediately reappear having a lengthy conversation with one of the march organisers.

v) The Bosnian woman forced to march at the head of the parade alongside Islamic fundalmentalists shouting "Osama is good, kill the infidels" and white hippies shouting "Bush, Blair, CIA, how many kids did you kill today". I heard one of the organisers say "Put her on the front, as a representative of the US bombing victims of the Balkans". The woman was very elderly and looked scared stiff. She eventually dropped out of the march.

vi) When some passers by stated to the protestors that they supported the coalition effort in Afghanistan, they were surrounded by the so-called hippies screaming "Fascists! Nazis! Tools of Bush!". It got so bad that we had to intervene and escort the passers by away for their own safety. So much the tolerant, peace loving, hippy nature of liberal left who believe in free speech. Yet several times when I asked some protestors to watch their abusive language, they accused us of oppressing their views!

vii) The protestors demanded they be allowed to all sit down in one of the major streets, the organisers repeatedly stating they would only do so for a minute for a photo. Once they sat down, they stayed for about 20 minutes and refused many requests to move. Then they appeared on a protest website saying they had brought the city centre to a complete standstill and had held a sit down protest for hours.

viii) The islamic fundamentalists who decided to kneel and pray in front of the doors to our vehicles to prevent us getting into them. When we asked them to move, we were of course surround by the middle aged white people filming us and accusing us of religious persecution.

ix) The general disorder and lack of respect of the people who say they support peace, fairness and equality. They threatened people, displayed racial hatred, openly damaged the property of local shopkeepers and motorists, yet as soon as we acted against them, we were "oppressing their human rights and right to expression". Also the fact that the protestors were, as a whole, educated, middle class rich hippies.

And finally my favourite;

x) The Reclaim The Streets teenage demonstrators (who believe in reclaiming the streets for pedestrians and banning cars from them) asking for directions to where they had parked their cars, which turned out to be big, petrol guzzling expensive cars which obviously belonged to mummy and daddy.

And this was all just from ONE demonstration, and even one that was about Afghanistan, long before they talked of dealing with Iraq. From years of personal experience these demonstrators tend to be made up of two groups -

1) spoilt little rich white kids and adults who need to act righteous to satisfy their own self-loathing. Ruled by their hearts and wild emotions rather than fact and common sense. To say they preached free speech and expression, if you challenged what they said they immediately did everything possible to dismiss your point of view. When you pointed out facts and proven arguments to them a calm and conversational manner, you were met with a tirade of abuse, insults and emotional drivel because they couldn't argue with the facts of what you were saying.

2) professional agitators and trouble makers intent on using any excuse to cause their own brand of violence and damage whilst hiding behind a moral cause for cover. They flount and ignore the law with impunity, but when they are caught immediately run to the laws and regulations for sanctuary.

I await the replies from the likes of Spier and Co. accusing me of being a Nazi for merely stating the truth, or smugly pointing out petty spelling typos instead of arguing the facts of what I'm saying! rofl

[mocking_loudly_died]

1) spoilt little rich white kids and adults who need to act righteous to satisfy their own self-loathing. Ruled by their hearts and wild emotions rather than fact and common sense.

I would quote your entire text, but that’s massive.

Man, I fully support what you are saying; we have the same problem in Australia.

When I told a "friend" that I supported action an Iraq he booted me out of his car and I was forced to walk miles home.

That’s the mentality you are dealing with - **** heads.

[jdbjdb]

I'm all for people protesting, but causing chaos burning cars, lutting is uncalled for, throwing objects with the entent to injure is uncalled for, how about bringing in a fire truck and open a water cannon on the rody protesters?
I'n the future if the UK is in a situation like the Falklan Islands, America would assist in someways

[Royal]

I'n the future if the UK is in a situation like the Falklan Islands, America would assist in someways

Lets hope they don't help like they did last time - Kissenger spending 3 weeks trying to get the task-force returned to port and an agreement for the Argentines to remain :bash:

[CX20]

The funny thing is, I have always believed and practiced fairness and equality, and it is very dumbfounding to be called a racist and a fascist by people who then display such traits themselves, whilst preaching the opposite.

Not to mention the cowards then completely covered our local Armed Forces Careers Office in red paint, symbolising blood. Naturally this was done at night, obviously they weren't brave enough to do it at any other time.

[Shake n Bake]

http://brain-terminal.com/video/rutgers-2003-10-11/index.html

[jdbjdb]

Well CX20 they are called hypocrites, their goal is chaos, confusion leagalize all the drugs.
Their idea of a good time is laying around using drugs, bashing conservatives like Bush Sharon, and a Liberal Blair, bitching about the wto, the enviroment, save the whales, and dolphins hmmm but what about the tuna? They are hypocrites. According to them all the evil in the world is caused by America and Israel and thats that.

[Trigger]

@CX20
You must have a ton of patience. Sorry you have to endure such ****.
I've got a lot of respect for you and your fellow LEOs worldwide.
We've got your back man! woot

[duck]

jdbjdb: I bet American "conservatives" consume more drugs than the average british protestor.

[jdbjdb]

very informing video Shake n Bake thank you
people like that piss me off, pro Palestinian trash, :bash:

Got proff Duck?
You can say that about everyone in the world

[Red]

i am black and i dont hate you CX20.I dont think you are a facist,dont let the actions of a few blackies make you think all blackies are the same. :hug:

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

Everyone knows people in crowds are a bunch of sheep, all it takes is one person to do something then the rest join in. One dumbass is not hard to find in a crowd, they usually travel in packs ;)
CX20 thats a good post, Personally I wouldnt talk to the protester's if I was you or give them the time of day.

[Tane Angle]

CX20, I sympathize. I've either been in among the crowds or above them at more than a few riots, protests, human shield mobs, and the like. Granted, the human shield mobs were terrorist/guerrilla operations, but about the protestors/rioters, I was an ROTC student at the University of Wisconsin at Madison in the late 60s-early 70s, so I was on the receiving end of some pretty intense protests. Call me a baby killer, yet they bop me on the head? Some real hypocrisy/irony, for sure. Real friendly folks. What was I thinking going to what was, and still is, a very...liberal...city.

As for the USSS, they pull out all the stops. The minigun is primarily an anti-truck bomb weapon, if I am not mistaken. While some of the requests were unnecessary, and even disrespectful to the point of hurting ties between British and US law enforcement/intelligence agencies, I understand and sympathize with the US Secret Service in their logic and job. It's a bit like being a parent; one will do nearly everything and anything to keep their child/protectee alive and well.

The diplomatic immunity isn't a free license to kill. A USSS who kills an innocent could very likely lose their job, and very possibly spend time in prison. Rather, it is to remove the issue of an Agent hesitating because he/she is concerned about him/herself. Have a good one, and just some thoughts...

[CX20]

Thanks for the kind words everyone, yes sometimes it is very hard to do those kinds of duties and keep your cool, especially when people are openly celebrating the deaths of other human beings.

On a side note, I was at work several weeks ago when the Prime Minister Mr Blair paid our city a visit. I was fortunate enough to see the convoy in person whilst I was out and about. His protection was far more simplistic and relied heavily on local officers from my force. The convoy consisted of 6 local police motorcycle outriders and 2 local traffic cars (one leading the convoy, one following) escorting four people carriers containing the PM & his Met CP team, armed colleagues from my force and the PM's small entourage.

My sources in the Met tell me that they are well and truely annoyed with some of the more outrageous demands made by the USSS. The Minigun one staggers belief! It is stretching the Met beyond breaking point and providing them with a huge financial burden that they are struggling to meet.

I have colleagues in the Met, including a few in SO19, and they are as professional and experienced as any of their American counterparts. For the USSS to dismiss them and their vast local knowledge and experience is the height of arrogance, and I know most of the Met lads and lasses feel disrespected and insulted by their so called "friends".

I read a report in the paper today where a protestor was complaining about the high levels of security and asking why it is necessary. Well, when he and his ilk are openly burning dummies of the President and saying they want him dead, what do they expect? They are only moaning as the security presence will prevent them from carrying out whatever they would do, if they had the opportunity to get close enough to Mr Bush.

[California Joe]

It all smacks of gamesmanship on the Secret Service's part, a negotiation tactic, ask for all kinds of ridiculous ****, then the stuff you really want doesn't sound so outrageous.

[jdbjdb]

Water cannon does wonders We know most Britts hate Bush, What do the royals think of President Bush?

[Fioraon]

Who cars, presidents can be replaced. No reason to rub his ****. Unless you consider him to be a leader.

[Nawlins]

It all smacks of gamesmanship on the Secret Service's part, a negotiation tactic, ask for all kinds of ridiculous ****, then the stuff you really want doesn't sound so outrageous.

I don't see anything wrong with that. It's an effective way to get what you need if you wouldn't get it otherwise.

[jdbjdb]

Who cars, presidents can be replaced. No reason to rub his ****. Unless you consider him to be a leader
He is a leader, the leader of the free world.

[venture160]

whats the big fuss over the blackhawks....... the air force has air bases in england, the 352nd special operations group is based at RAF Middenhal and they fly mh53's, and a battalion of air force special tactics team, that should be plenty, and I am SURE they will be on alert sitting in their helicopters waiting to go on the runway.... who knows what else the secret service has.

[Gordon]

Glad to see so many people in America have so much faith in their British allies.

[jdbjdb]

Glad to see so many people in America have so much faith in their British allies.

No doubt, if it ever came down to it, I would sacrifice myself to help out Great Briton, they have helped us in so many ways, and we are greatful with the help that we are getting from the UK in Iraq.

[Haiw]

Who cars, presidents can be replaced. No reason to rub his ****. Unless you consider him to be a leader
He is a leader, the leader of the free world.
bush leader of the free world...errm...is this supposed to go in the offtopic and humor section? :D

[Beowulf]

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20031118/s/r1159856622.jpg

Bush: "Whoooo....look at that minigun go!!!"

[California Joe]

GW: "I fingerbanged this broad named Camilla at dinner"