[Nachum]

(d) Presidential Threat Protection Act (Public Law 106-544) was passed, which in part, authorized the Secret Service to participate in the planning, coordination, and implementation of security operations at special events of national significance ("National Special Security Event"), as determined by the President.

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

The ACLU has been attacking this one. Gives them a great deal of power.

[rollo tomasi]

Um, did the Secretary/Department of Homeland Security designate a play, performed on an ordinary day, that did not serve any national significance what so ever, which was UNATTENDED by the CIC, a National Special Security Event? Also, several other ordinary outings which this same demand was called upon.

If so, we might as well call winners of federal popularity contests, their spouses, as well as their offspring, the nobility and just get it over with already.

Of course the usual suspect that originally instituted this power grab, Bill Clinton, boy king to some, or sink emperor to those who are coherent enough. But a play attended by a spouse/children of an elected official is a far cry for this:

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RS22754.pdf

[bvw]

Too much power, too broad an authority. Breeds arrogance which breeds stupidity.

Still, if they come to take my phone I will not give it up and will depose witnesses with a defense on the grounds that will include a claim that Obama is not a legal President due such special protection. That SHOULD give such a directly and specifically harmed person standing.