Ask me in 8 years.

I wonder if his little girls will have a hard/easy life. I guess they won't have to lift a finger to do anything. And can meet anyone they want to. But I would hate to have SS men following me around 24/7 even at their young age.

Well, if he only last 4 years, probably not.

Secret Service is in their school morning, noon and night. They are outside their classrooms, and in front of them and behind them in halls. It's said that you get used to the Secret Service quickly, but it will be tough when they start to date.

Not just that, but people usually forget about after those families leave the White House.

The attention is all about you, and you have people at the WH meeting your every need...but afterwards, not anymore.

I mean what would compare to having Air Force One or Marine One or Camp David or meeting world leaders and shit?

I don't know about meeting their every needs, but the Secret Service continues to protect past presidents and their spouses (except when the spouse re-marries), children and grandchildren of current and former presidents until age 16, etc.

What would compare? The relief from the responsibility of meeting with those leaders and representing your Nation's interests.

But either Clinton or Dubya will be the last President to get lifetime SS protection.

Afterwards, it quits 10 years after exile.

Why is it changing?

I mean, just look at what happened to David Palmer after his presidency...

I was surprised to hear of the change (I heard about it while watching Obama's inauguration). Apparently the government believes that ex-presidents are now living longer and making lots of money after they leave office and thus able to afford to pay for their own protection.

Personally, I think it's bullshit to make the ex-presidents pay themselves. Sure, they'll make millions of dollars after leaving office BUT they were way underpaid for their time in office. Being the U.S. president is arguably the most stressful job around; with all the money that this country pisses away on other projects, we can afford to pay for the security of former presidents for as long as they live.

I didn't even hear about that... I agree w/ SC (or, it should be up to the ex-President whether he wants it or not)

Some in Congress agree with you both, but no serious effort currently at changing that new policy.

Then again, name the last time that someone seriously tried to kill an Ex-President.

That hippie trying to sissy-rough up Reagan doesn't count.

But do those assholes in the Senate and Congress get SS protection?

Congress does not get Secret Service protection, unless a member happens to be a major presidential or vice-presidential candidate, (Sorry Nader/McKinney/Ron Paul but you were on your own) the spouse of such a person, the president or vice-president elect, or some person that the President extends such protection towards.

http://www.ustreas.gov/usss/faq.shtml#faq2

In 1962, Congress authorized the Secret Service (Public Law 89-186) to protect a former president and his or her spouse during their lifetime, unless they decline protection.

In 1997, Congress enacted legislation that limits Secret Service protection for former presidents to ten years after leaving office.

Under this new law, individuals who were in office before January 1, 1997 will continue to receive Secret Service protection for their lifetime.

Individuals entering office after that time will receive protection for ten years after leaving office.

Therefore, former President Bill Clinton will be the last president to receive lifetime protection, and President George W. Bush will be the first to receive protection for only ten years.

Except if they curse in public. Then their protection is canceled immediately.

Here's the inaugaration in pictures including a really high quality one.

Wow, you're not kidding! Cool, thanks - and good to see you

Thanks for the clarification.

Notice how Justice Clarence Thomas, the only black Supreme Court Justice, seems to be taking a nap.



Or maybe he's praying, who knows.

Umm... looks like everyone is.

Sleepy?

Terrific photos, Blake. Thanks.

Very nice pics Blake. What unbeleiveable crowds AND in such freezing weather.

Thanks for posting. Nice to see you again.


TIS

Maybe I missed it, if I did I apologize, but I'm surprised there's no talk about Obama authorizing a missile attack on rural Pakistan killing an estimated 20 people, 8-10 of which were militants, the rest civilians.

How are things going to be any different? I don't see it.

So what do you suggest? The U.S. do nothing, while Paksitan continues to ignore al-Qaida and Taliban forces that hang out along its borders?

I don't have a problem with going after terrorists, that's what we should have been doing all along instead of wasting time taking over Iraq.

I think he absolutely should go after them. But that's what Bush was doing.

Aren't those two things related?