BUSH HECKLED AT A RESTAURANT SIGNALS TIME TO REVISIT 1994 LAW
65
 | Amazon Price: $9.00 List Price: $26.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $1.87 List Price: $18.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $1.65 List Price: $36.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $4.33 List Price: $22.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $4.50 List Price: $9.99 |
Back in 1994 a new law was enacted that limited secret service protection for former United States presidents who were in office after January 1, 1997 to 10 years. After a recent incident that occurred at a restaurant in Houston, Texas, where former president George H.W. Bush was heckled by another patron, I think that law needs to be revisited.
The fact is that we live in a very dangerous world. Our top leaders, especially our presidents, are particularly at risk. The reasons are many. The decisions presidents make have an effect on our lives. Politics are inherently impassioned. People feel deeply about wars and about economic conditions, and whether or not the decisions presidents ultimately must make in regards to such issues are the fault of anything they themselves have perpetuated, the very decisions, and the results of those decisions can potentially impact The People's lives in profound ways. Those whose lives are negatively impacted, or those who perceive that their lives have been negatively impacted by the decisions of our former presidents may want to lash out given the opportunity.
Let's bear in mind that presidents sometimes also make enemies outside of the country.
The question becomes then, what may have been the outcome of this confrontation had the 1994 secret service protection law been in effect for former president George H.W. Bush? His presidential protection under the law would have effectively expired in 2001.
Of course, part of the rationale for the law being passed centered around a lack of incidents against former presidents, the cost of the protection, and the thinking that after 10 years of being out of office, a former president may be considered irrelevant to any current political climate. In theory, as each year passes, the risk to a former president exponentially decreases.
But former president George H.W. Bush has been out of office for 18 years, and while this incident was considered non-violent, it was certainly threatening, and the man behind the altercation was certainly impassioned. The secret service was there to protect the former president, and were able to prevent the heckler from getting too close, or becoming physical. Can we truly know what the intent of the heckler may have been, or what he may have been capable of? The former president is also 85 years old.
Regardless of how we feel about a sitting president, or how we may continue to feel about the presidents after they leave office, and regardless of our political party affiliations, we must afford our former presidents all of the protection we can offer. I say it again because it's worth repeating that we live in a dangerous world.
Former president George W. Bush will be the first former president affected by this law, and will see his protection expire in 2019. George W. Bush's presidency is also fraught with controversy. He's made enemies in many corners of the world. I also think that it is entirely plausible that his war on terror could very well put his life in grave danger. Once the curtain of protection is lifted in 2019, terrorist groups could take advantage of this and seek out the ultimate revenge.
I don't think we should wait until this, or something like it happens before we reconsider the law to be just plain silly.
We live in a dangerous world...
How long do you think the Secret Service should protect our former presidents?
See results without votingCommentsLoading...
You make a strong case for lifetime protection. I agree.
Most of the president are rich enough to take care of their own security. To me they can use some of the money they get from "writing their memoirs" also, from all of the speeches and other income they get from being the former president.
If we protect them, then some of their moneys should be given as pay for this protection.
Keep on hubbing!
I would agree with your assessment in the case of an actor, or a musician, or even a sports star. In the case of our former presidents, the dangers they face, I believe, are far greater. The decisions they make potentially have profound impact throughout the world. The job that they are required to do puts them into harms way in a way unlike any other. I think they should be afforded the protection, and that as a country who expects our presidents to keep us out of harms way, that we can offer the same to them.
Springboard
Consider how much these presidents know about internal and very secret information that if it fell into the wrong hands could be deadly. For that reason alone, ex presidents need to be protected.
Of course, I could be wrong about all the information that I think that they should know, but I am willing to give them the benefit of the doublt.
I'm really with the heckler on this one. The Bush Crime family is a source of shame for this country.
OpinionDuck—you bring up an interesting point, and its one I hadn't thought of.
Wesman Todd Shaw—I'll have to respectfully disagree. I think that there are certainly things about both Bush administrations I did not appreciate. For example, we did not truly finish the job in Iraq the first time. The 2nd Bush administration added too much to the government. Bill Clinton could be considered a criminal under your assessment in that Osama Bin Laden was offered up to the US Gov't on 14 different occassions, all of which Clinton determined he was no threat...
I think 9/11 proved that to be horribly false.
Don't forget the first Trade Center bombing under Clinton's watch...no action taken, and the USS Cole bombing by terrorists...no action taken, and the bombing of the US Emabassy in South Africa by terrorists...no action taken.
Regardless of how we feel about the the 2nd Bush admin overall, and our opinions on the wars, the nation was kept safe during his time in office after 9/11. He took decisive, principled action and reacted like an American president.
Now enter Obama, three terrorist attempts under his watch so far...
You know...I have wondered why terrorists didn't make ex-presidents target anyway.
As far a W goes, don't worry about him too much, I'm sure daddy still has a LOT of old CIA contacts.
Bush was one of the worst presidents we have ever had when it came to the economy and outlawing stem cell research, but people should not harass him in public. He has mentioned he does not miss the public life, and they should let him live peacefully. However, I watched the video and I do not think that is really George Bush. It looks like an impersonator.
Why not? I think all former presidents send body-doubles to go eat pizza for them. :) Thanks for the comments, and while I disagree, your opinion is welcome and valued here.
It could be Bush, but I highly doubt he would flip someone off knowing that a video could be taken of that. Do you think he would? He just does not seem like the type.
You made an excellent case for lifelong protection but then eovery made a good point too. They could hire Blackwater. :)
This is a fine Hub. Thanks. I didn't even know about the law you mentioned. So, I learned something new. Always a plus.
I have mixed feelings about this, but you did a great job presenting your argument! Thumbs up!
That's the least I could do. :) Great to see you and thanks for stopping by.
Springboard, maybe I'm confused. You say that the secret service was there to protect Prz. Bush? Anyway, they should be. I am no friend of either Bush, but can not imagine anyone rude or mean enough to give an old president a lot of crap in a restaurant. It's a good lesson.
There were several incidences in Clinton's presidency when he sent planes to bomb terrorist camps in the middle east. The Republicans had a fit about that.
My point was simply that Bill Clinton is the last president who will receive lifetime secret service protection. The 1994 law only affords secret service protection to our former presidents for 10 years after their presidency is over with. In this case, the one heckled was Bush 1. His protection is still over the course of his lifetime. However, that said, this heckling, had the 1994 law been in effect for him, would have occurred with no secret service protection whatsoever. 10 years IMO is not a long time after a president leaves office, and there are too many nutcases in this world, who given the first opportunity, would take full advantage to right what they perceive to be a wrong.
For example, Obama (who I am no friend of) will only receive protection from the secret service for 10 years. On the 11th year President Obama and his family are eating at a café. A man walks in who strongly feels his life was affected negatively by the policies of President Obama. He shoots the former president with no secret service in sight—
Because according to the 1994 law, his protection has expired.
Bush 2 is also affected by this law, of course, and you can bet with wars and terrorism his head is high on someone's list. This, to me, is dangerous. I think it also may have some affect on influencing decisions presidents make. Perhaps the Mosque thing is an example of that in Obama's case. He doesn't want Al Qaeda coming after him once the secret service protection is done.
tobey100 Level 3 Commenter 2 years ago
Good point, good hub.