News Roundup: Obama Enjoys A Secure Vacation And Other Happenings
Via USA Today: Obamas enjoy private, secure Hawaii vacation:
Though not a big fan of the Hawaii-born president, Linda Pacheco, 50, of Kailua, strolled onto the grassy embankment across the canal from where the Obamas are spending the week. She didn’t spot the president, but she did get a good look at the imposing armed boat docked on the other side as well as two sets of Coast Guard personnel patrolling the waterway in inflatable boats.
“It’s kind of scary to see all of this security,” Pacheco said. “I don’t think (Obama’s) visit has really disrupted anything out here, but all of this armed security is kind of intimidating. I didn’t expect it.”
And of course, Obama is getting his much needed R&R after his morning briefing:
Obama spent most of the rest of the day at the Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course, where he played with friend Eric Whitaker and Hawaii pals Greg Orme, Mike Ramos and Bobby Titcomb.
Obama also made an unscheduled stop at Pyramid Rock Beach to watch the waves, to the surprise of swimmers and sunbathers. Tom Schuetter, 57, frequents the beach adjacent to the street where the Obamas are renting a house. He said swimmers and surfers have been venturing as close to the secured perimeter as the Secret Service will allow, trying to get a glimpse of the Obamas.
And Newspapers wonder why they are losing readership every day….
Meanwhile, Obama spokes-tool Robert Gibbs is busy blaming President Bush for the gaps in security even though Obama has been in office for nearly a year.
Notice the “some of the procedures are several years old” jab (I’m surprised he waited a whole 50 seconds to get to the shot in). I would really like to know when Obama is going to officially take responsibility for anything. Is it after two years? Will he still be blaming President Bush after three years?
While Gibbs was out blaming President Bush and Obama plays golf, Iran has seen more violence and anti-government protests. Via The Guardian / The Jawa Report:
At least four people were reported dead today after Iranian security forces opened fire on opposition protesters who took to the streets in Tehran for a religious ceremony.
The shootings took place as tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in the capital for the Shia Ashura ceremonies and to voice anger at the government.
The Jawa Report has many videos and links.
And, speaking of Iran, guess who want’s to negotiate and establish diplomatic relations. Via the WSJ:
Sen. John Kerry has suggested becoming the first high-level U.S. emissary to make a public visit to Tehran since the 1979 Islamic revolution, a move White House officials say they won’t oppose.
The offer comes as mass protests against Iran’s regime are resurfacing and a U.S.-imposed deadline nears to broach international sanctions against Iran.
“This sounds like the kind of travel a chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee would — and should — undertake,” said a White House official, adding it would be at Sen. Kerry’s own behest. (emphasis added)
Obama and his crew are looking more and more like amateurs every day.
Gibbs blamed Bush because O wasn’t around to receive his fellatio services. It’s been a very boohoo Christmas for Gibbsy, indeed.
You’re looking at it the wrong way. What Gibbs said to me was “we haven’t done squat on this since taking office.” What he also failed to address is what plans there are to beef up foreign airport security for US-bound aircraft. That’s the primary issue, followed by how to fix the disconnect between “my son’s a radical” and at least a second screening.
Squarely on the US State Department, however, is how did this guy get a valid visa? That was issued under Bush’s watch. When did the guy’s father narc him out? Why wasn’t the visa canceled?
Back to Gibbs’ statement. What the hell does the drawdown in Iraq and surge in Afghanistan have to do with the Pantsburner?
BTW, any word on who won at golf?
@Cynical Synapse: CS: Good question regarding the travel visa. You would think someone would would’ve “connected the dots.”
The golf? You know Obama won, at least as far as he knows…