A good friend of mine is an ex-Secret Service agent.

[cleduc]

4. A while back, I posted this article on how overloaded the

Secret Service is with threats against the president.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/5967942/Barack-Obama-faces-30-death-threats-a-day-stretching-US-Secret-Service.html

Since Mr Obama took office, the rate of threats against the president has increased 400 per cent from the 3,000 a year or so under President George W. Bush, according to Ronald Kessler, author of In the President's Secret Service.

When folks do this to a president

then other wacky folks get the idea that their president is not "one of them". He's been heavily demonized by the right wing.

I suspect the threats reduced some with the notion that Romney would look after this "problem" for these wackos. Since that didn't happen, I expect President Obama is in as much danger as he's ever been.

And let's not forget that this same president is the man who took bin Laden out so the al qaeda terrorists or Khadafi clan probably wouldn't mind knocking him off either.

I also suspect that is why they yanked the security detail on Romney as quickly as they did because they're overloaded.

As I've observed him, it's amazed me how calm and cool he can be in front of a crowd knowing that at any given moment, one of these nuts might try to take him out.

I worry about him.

If any of you encounter a concern:
http://www.secretservice.gov/faq.shtml#faq4

How can I report a threat towards a protectee?

Contact your nearest U.S. Secret Service field office which is listed in the "Emergency Numbers" section in the front of most phone books.

The Secret Service is interested in legitimate information relating to threats, plans or attempts by individuals, groups or organizations to harm Secret Service protectees. However, the agency does not desire or solicit information pertaining to individuals or groups expressing legitimate criticism of, or political opposition to, the policies and decisions of the government or government officials.

http://www.secretservice.gov/field_offices.shtml

And if you misplace that link, the Dept of Homeland Security will forward a concern.

I have made a couple of reports some years back and the Secret Service were great, nailed a guy and were zero hassle to deal with. They're simply outstanding people.

If you ever go to see him, watch his back.

Sorry for any notion of paranoia but having been a big admirer of the Kennedys, MLK and John Lennon, maybe I'm a little more hyper about this. The anguish when you lose someone like that, even though you don't know them personally, can be pretty bad. It was for me. You all worked so hard for four more years with this man as your president - I'd rather be cautious and over react a little than not say anything. I have great affection for President Obama.

Sorry if this bothered anyone.