A Closer Look at the Secret Service
By Russ Baker on Apr 30, 2012
Secret Service agents are one category of law enforcement whose agents typically get the glory treatment. Recent books by members of JFK’s secret service detail, almost devoid of revelations or candor, have nevertheless received lots of positive coverage. Meanwhile, legitimate questions about the service—how it works, what kinds of people it employs, how effective it is—are pushed aside.
Maybe that’s why the media reacted with such astonishment to learn that Secret Service agents preparing for Obama’s visit to Cartagena, Colombia, consorted with prostitutes. Eight agents have been forced out of their jobs, and a ninth is on his way out. Military personnel along on the trip are under investigation as well. The activity raised questions not only about the appropriateness of such conduct, but of whether this behavior threatened the President’s safety.
Full Story: http://whowhatwhy.com/2012/04/30/a-closer-look-at-the-secret-service/
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Repeating a comment
from a previous post (Someone would have talked) germaine to the Yarborough comment in the full story:
In view of the heavy media coverage of the scandal in Cartagena it is interesting to note the sparse reference in the media (has anyone seen any at all?) to the far more troubling incident of 48-plus years ago when the on-duty Secret Service agents guarding John F. Kennedy at the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth were taken drinking for several hours by several staff members of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Left to protect him were a city policeman and fireman. The incident was completely covered up for several months, until Jack Anderson exposed it in his column. and then generally suppressed afterward. Among the reporters involved was the now-famous Bob Schieffer, who wrote about it in his autobiography. He and at least two other of the journalists were interviewed by the Warren Commission and their testimony is in the 26 volumes.
Oh, yes, it happened on the night of Nov. 21, 1963. The next day the Secret Service agents appeared slow and confused and did little if anything to prevent what happened. There were no recriminations or punishments of any of those involved, as far as I have ever heard.