Drunken Hicks Pose No Credible Threat
Authorities are investigating whether men threatened to kill Senator Barack Obama, or if they were just trying to get a date with Jodie Foster. Either way, U.S. Attorney Troy Eid is certain that the potentially meth-addled gunmen posed no credible threat to Obama or the Democratic National Convention.
We have explored the colossal idiocy of making threats against the President before. However, in a news flash to, you know, Germans, Obama is not the president yet. He is not even the nominee of a major party.
What he is, is a “major candidate” and 18 U.S.C. § 3056, authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to grant him Secret Service protection and all the other trappings of “dude, not to be messed with.”
Obama has received protection for well over a year, earlier than any other presidential candidate in history.
So, here’s an important safety tip: don’t threaten to harm Obama or McCain or Bob Barr or whomever. Register your displeasure in the traditional way, anonymous comments on various blogs that showcase your cutting wit and deep respect for democracy. The Secret Service doesn’t have a sense of humor.
U.S. attorney ‘confident’ Obama not threatened [Rocky Mountain News]
(22) 
Comments
What is it about white supremacy and meth that just seems to go together so well?
Frist!
elie you suck
Yeah this post was pretty weak. "However, in a news flash to, you know, Germans, Obama is not the president yet. He is not even the nominee of a major party."
Although factually true, it just sounds awkward considering Obama is the presumptive nominee. It seems like you're trying too hard to be funny.
Keep working.
Give me a shot of fouthdka...
i liked this post!
It was a good post.
People that make fun of Elie make me a sad panda.
-Sexual Harassment Panda
Dudes at my high school made threats against the (student body) President all the time. It was no big deal.
Good post.
2nd Amendment! Yeah!!
8: weak. The proper response is "Guys at my high school used to receive protection for their dudes all the time. It was no big deal."
Thoooooose guys look like a nice pair of fellas.
So, does the Secretary of the Treasury really decide who gets Secret Service protection anymore? Or have any authority at all over the Secret Service?
13, no. The Secret Service is part of the Department of Homeland Security, effective March 1, 2003. However, for ease of use, the Secret Service website is still a part of the US Treasury Department website. The Secret Service remains the main law enforcement arm responsible for investigation of attacks on the US Treasury (counterfeiting, laundering, etc.).
Elie, three different comma-related mistakes in one sentence:
What he is, is a "major candidate" and 18 U.S.C. § 3056, authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to grant him Secret Service protection and all the other trappings of "dude, not to be messed with."
first after "is," which is at least vaguely debatable and I'd be willing to give you. But they just don't belong after the code citation and after "dude."
4 - totally agree.
It's not as if Obama is some sort of Lyndon LaRouche. Lat and his ilk need to Come to Jesus and accept that Hillary lost...
"The Secret Service doesn't comment on protection procedures."
Is that the West Wing Secret Service guy?
good eye 15
No campaign stops in Waco
and all the other trappings of "dude, not to be messed with."
I love this analysis. It makes the law accessible and funny. And it includes the word "dude!"
Ditto 21!