Friday, January 23, 2009

Protecting the President

The President's entourage consists of approximately 300 people who travel everywhere with him. Those who fly with him rarely see his quarters. He has a body man who moves when he moves known as "Special Assistant to the President" who is his valet, cofidant, mind reader and sees to his immediate needs. He is at the President's elbow to keep him on schedule, run errands, etc. and rises at 4:00 a.m. every day. There's plenty of planning to move 300 people. When flying, "Airforce One" is accompanied by two or three jets carrying his entourage, his custom-built limousine ("The Beast") and his helicopter ("Marine One") and, I believe, fighter jets to protect the air space surrounding Airforce One. His limo weighs approximately 10,000 pounds, has 8" doors weighing as much as the door of a 747 and carries an oxygen supply to protect against poison gas attacks. The President's clothing contains a bullet proof vest, a leather jacket, a coat, a tuxedo shirt and probably much more. When orating, he stands behind a podium containing bullet proof glass made up of a mixture of glass, crystal, ceramic and other elements plus his Secret Service men are strategically placed.

Do you think all of this is enough protection for the one America is counting on getting us out of our woes? Can you think of something else that should be put in place?

No comments: