SC Harrison said:
Where did you get this statement, SF? Show me a link, because every story I've found so far has him making a statement to the VP in a normal tone of voice.
Every story out there is based on nothing but his version of events. To whit:
There has been no specific comments about this case from the Secret Service or the White House.
They are saying it's litigation, so they won't respond at this time, which is the proper way to handle the case.
And this incident took place in June. Sure did take some time for it to become public. That wouldn't have anything to do with the lawsuit seeking damages for "loss of enjoyment of life," would it?
I may seem cynical, but those of you accepting this story at face value certainly seem naive.
Bill Clinton had an engagement to promote his new book at my favorite indy bookstore here in Miami when it was released. Several people (two, actually) I know went to the event with the expressed intent to "say something to him" (I told them that I thought they were acting like idiots). The Secret Service didn't let them anywhere Clinton and escorted them off the property. Yes, I was there. They didn't actually do anything, didn't say anything, but I think the Secret Service could tell they were antagonistic. I'm certain if either had managed to place a hand on Clinton, they would have taken a ride. All that said, neither believed they had lost their right to free speech, and I don't believe they did, either.
And anyway you slice it, putting your hand on someone requires an invitation. End of story. If I walked up to Hilary Clinton while she was having dinner, grabbed her arm and told her what I thought of her, where do you suppose I would be heading in the next few minutes? In this day and age, it is absolutely ludicrous to expect acts like these to go unnoticed. And as had been said and as the guy admits, he came back. Now it all may have been innocuous, but if you guys think the Secret Service is goung to take that risk, you're clueless. Sorry.
This has zero to do with Bush or his policies--the Secret Service has been running their own show for quite some time and does what it determines to be the safest course of action. You guys realize that the Secret Service agent who made the arrestmight have voted against Bush, right? He might despise both Bush and Cheney. He's not a political appointee.
But it is unfortunately clear here that ideological blinders are hard to remove. I suggest trying harder.