Originally Posted by Yak

Wow. I didn't know I was so dissed when I had to go through a metal detector while on active duty to see Bush speak. I didn't realize he was such a liberal weakling and he was making war against me by making sure I didn't have a gun.

Man, is my worldview shattered.

[Then again, it was probably his liberal Secret Service team, mostly hired under the Clinton administration...yeah...that must be it...]

And yes, I know the CinC gets Yankee White clearance and the Sec Def doesn't automatically; but I just felt so....naked.... without my sidearm.

I also can't believe the stateside second guessing about decisions made by the commanders in the field; i.e. MG Gurganus:
Gurganus later told reporters the decision had nothing to do with the weekend shooting, and said it was because the Afghan soldiers in attendance were unarmed and he did not want them treated differently than the Marines.
"This is not a big deal," Gurganus said. But he then added that "you've got one of the most important people in the world in the room," referring to Panetta. When it was pointed out that this had not been the custom, Gurganus - who is new to the post - replied, "There's a new sheriff in town."

Damn those Marine Corps generals, just shooting from the hip and making snap decisions without considering how it would play in the media. What a bunch of cowboys.

"We support our troops! Except when they make decisions we don't agree with."