FBI, CIA and Secret Service Veterans Agree With Pelosi On Dangerous Political Climate
Nancy Pelosi was mocked by conservatives for expressing concern that today’s political climate could lead to violence. But five former officers with the CIA, FBI and Secret Service say they agree with her.
And this week, the FBI said that it is investigating whether anti-government sentiment played a role in the death of a U.S. Census worker who was found hanged from a tree in rural Kentucky, because the body had the word “fed” scrawled on the chest — though authorities say there are too many unanswered questions at this point to rule the case a homicide or a hate crime.
Actions by angry citizens are sending worrisome signals.
This summer’s protests against health care included an episode where freshman Rep. Frank Kratovil Jr. (D-Md.) was hanged in effigy. Anti-energy bill protesters tarred and feathered an effigy of Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Fla.). Last Halloween, a homeowner in liberal West Hollywood hanged in effigy Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin at his home.
You don’t have to agree with Pelosi’s politics to agree with her on this one.
All that contributes to a dangerous mix, says former Secret Service agent Ronald Williams, who served from 1970 to 1993. “When there are vitriolic comments, acrimonious commentary and anger, the likelihood of violence escalates,” he said.
Williams, who served on the protective detail for Ford, said he agreed with Pelosi’s comments, even though he doesn’t personally care for the speaker’s politics. “I’m not a real big fan of Nancy Pelosi’s,” he said. “But she is correct.”
Another view from a former FBI man:
Tom Locke, a 32-year veteran FBI agent who led the bureau’s investigation in the immediate wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, agrees. “With the openness in our society, it would be silly to say Obama’s not in danger,” said Locke. “The threats are real, and the threats are every day.”
Alan: “You don’t have to agree with Pelosi’s politics to agree with her on this one.”
True. The concerns are legit; I just hope they’re overrated. (For the safety of ALL of us, regardless of political inclination.)
September 25th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
You can argue the same thing under george bush. One incident of a poor census guy isnt enough evidence to prove a trend.
With the historical presidency of Obama, much like back in the 60s with Dr King, anytime society pushes forward there is going to be those uncomfortable with progress.
Is he in danger? Sure. But so was the other presidents. He knows its part of the job.
Is this more than usual? Probably not. Just more attention by the media put on it. No one ever mentions that more deaths happen per year in our inner cities than in Iraq and no one cries out for that injustice.
Im just sayin..Keep it in perspective people.
crh3e Reply:
September 25th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
“Is this more than usual? Probably not.”
-LOL that is so ignorant. The latest report on the number of death threats Mr. Obama receives shows death threats are up 400% when compared to the number W. received on avg per month. LOL!
EricG Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 1:41 am
I think he is in more danger but it’s nothing the Secret Service can’t handle. Most people flaming up talk radio shows and doing things like threatening the US president or inciting sedition at their local pulpit (Anderson) are for the most part just a bunch of wind-bags.
But that rare few crazy enough to actually try and do violence … those are ones to watch out for.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
“Is he in danger? Sure. But so was the other presidents.”
Well, if you believe Ronald Kessler, who at least knows something about it, threats against Obama are several hundred times more numerous than threats against previous presidents.
September 25th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I agree with Pelosi as well.
I’ve watched all this form. From the Jerome Corsi smash-rag, to the Alex Jones forgot who Bush was one day and started his brand new lie-factory of DVDs about the “Obama Deception” and now to the rise of the avowed racist Glenn Beck pushing into the territory reserved for Boss Limbaugh, the King of Veiled Anti-Black Bigotry.
http://www.salon.com/opinion/walsh/politics/2009/09/04/terry_jeffrey_unamerican/index.html
I’m important to underscore this.
These people accept these vile men as their ‘Media Leaders’ and their ‘Voice to the Nation’ but these same people advocate throwing away all the facts about a person and just making baseless false allegations about them without any sort of reasoning behind their statements except pure and obvious bigotry.
The hate just spreads from there.
September 26th, 2009 at 1:35 am
http://ericlightborn.blogspot.com/2009/09/overt-race-baiting-from-limbaugh-and.html
As frightening as it is, people will believe false claims they hear and then act on them.
We have seen this cycle repeated many times before.
September 26th, 2009 at 6:20 am
the President has so many issues to deal with he just does not need to concern himself with social problems here at home:
the Republicans are forever at WAR with someone or somewhere , now they want nuclear war with IRAN…so the jewish homeland will be happy:
the jewish military can do for themselves, they have the weapons and the fighting power…we don’t need another War frount openning up ;
Look at where we are now-Iraaq on one side and afganastan on the other and IRAN in the middle……with 10 nuclear facilities :
America is becomining divided as a people and republicans are ripping the security we have enjoyed for years into pices :- “a house divided from within cannot stand”….”One Nation under God “…..ONE FLAG AND YES THEIR IS ONLY ONE PRESIDENT – the war should be to stay alive with good Public Health care and jobs for USA not putting our police and ARMY’S INTO HARMS WAY :
September 26th, 2009 at 5:36 pm