President Obama Owes Michael and Tareq Salahi a Vote of Thanks.
Posted: Saturday, November 28, 2009
by Carolyn Tytler
November 24, 2009 was a memorable occasion for many people. President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle held their first formal state dinner to honor the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh and his wife. Besides the host, hostess and guests of honor, approximately three hundred elegantly- dressed, invited guests assembled to meet the two important world leaders and mingle with the distinguished company.
How then, could two uninvited individuals pass several security check-points, enter the festivities, mix freely with guests and dignitaries, and help themselves to refreshments without being discovered?
Tareq Salahi was born in Washington, D.C. but he is of Middle Eastern descent. His wife, Michaele, is a stunningly-attractive blond. Both were dressed appropriately for the celebrity gala, and in appearance, they blended in perfectly with the other guests. However, as they entered, Secret Service personnel failed to uncover one vital fact: their names were not on the guest list. They were gatecrashers!
The intruders were within arm's length of the president and other officials. Michaele had her picture taken shaking President Obama's hand in the reception line, with Tareq at her side. In other photos she is seen with Vice President Joe Biden, and White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuael. If either or both of these intruders had wished to do harm to anyone at the reception, they undoubtedly had ample opportunity to do so.
True, Mr. and Mrs. Salahi had passed through metal detectors and had no guns or knives on their persons, but in this day of advanced biological weapons, there are other means of delivering a fatal attack. Presumably there was cutlery on the tables, and other sharp objects may have been lying about which could have seized and used for nefarious purposes.
The Secret Service is reported to be "concerned and embarrassed", at their failure and well they should be. For such gross neglect of duty, heads should roll. I write figuratively, of course. I mean that feet should trot out of the White House, and out of the job. These people shouldn't be trusted as night guards at a pig manure facility.
The Salahis could be charged with a felony and face jail time. To lie to a federal official is an indictable offense. Secret Service agents are federal officials, and Tareq and Michaele must have lied to gain entrance to the dinner. They probably said they had left the invitation at home by mistake. Unfortunately, nobody bothered to check.
Instead of pressing charges, the President should thank the devious pair. The next intruders might well have treacherous intentions. In light of the recent shameful lapse in security, the Secret Service will certainly tighten up methods, procedures, training and hiring of prospective agents. Obviously, it is long past time that these actions were taken.
Admittedly, it is impossible to guarantee the President, his family and guests one hundred per cent safety, but the deplorable security fiasco at his first state dinner must never be repeated.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Well, since they were there anyway...
Carolyn, yours is a very clear presentation of the seriousness of the incident. ~mogama~
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