India is a friendly country. We (obama, the entourage) are the visitors. What right do we have to treat them this shabbily when we are the guests? Theater of operation? Operational support of the mission? This aint the battle for Okinawa or anything. I’m sure obama is thrilled to have such a fuss made over him, but it is a heavy duty embarassment to me, as an American.
Well put. In past American history, our security forces quietly protected our dignitaries in a very low profile manner. The Host is obliged to protect his guests.
In this case, the host is mightily embarrassed by the security entourage that must accompany the pres__ent - you can bet on it. Particularly in Asia where traditions of honor are still held in high regard.
The story about removing the coconuts is an attempt to recover some face for our Indian brethren - they are saying, ‘look at what lengths we will go to, to protect our guest’. They’re trying to point out that they, as the hosts, are doing everything they can. Then we slap them twice across the face in public bragging about how many ninjas, men in black, and men with steel we have to take along with us in order to visit them.
This country doesn’t pick up on the nuances of this visit, but you can bet the rest of the world will - the rest of Asia, Africa, South America. They all still have a modicum of honor that this white house can’t even begin to comprehend.
Sheesh. This post-American world of hussein is embarrassing, isn’t it?
Kit!
Well, actually we are not only visitors but the one lone Super Power.
As such, we travel with a heavy contingency of protection and incumbent countries understand our very special needs or we cannot come.
They aldo travel with their contingencies but rely on your national forces, state forces and local forces.(read FBI, SS, NSA, Sheriff and Police).
A tremendous amount of consultation and negotiation goes into the travel arrangements and security requirements.
Trust me, there are really bad actors out there and they use Anti-personal measures and weapons. LAWS rockets, .50 cal type weapon, swarming at levels of density such as 30+ in unit forces. It goes on and on.
But, whether or not we like Barry and I don’t, he needs to be protected at all times under our control and protection.
Even to the point of controlling ingress, egress and escape contingencies.
The only embarrassment for me, as an American, is there doesn’t seem to be an agenda.
Moreover, given the economic climate I think those countries should come and visit us if we are negotiating specific points in our national interest.