We are in the process of moving out of our house in Miami and up to central Florida. Last night (2/15) we pulled out of our new house and headed south for another load.
The one-way trip is nearly 300 miles; almost all of it on the Florida Turnpike. Going southbound, it first passes to the west of Orlando, skirts Disney World, then heads south-southeast until it nears the coast at Fort Pierce, then parallels the coast and I-95 on into Miami.
South of Fort Pierce and north of Palm Beach - at about 9:30 PM - we began seeing large groups of motormen (motorcycle cops) streaming north at a high rate of speed, lights blazing. And not just one or two - we lost count of them at 36. Stretched out for nearly four miles, they were the forward wave of a large motorcade. They were dressed in reflective vests and raced northward at WELL above the 70 MPH speed limit. Traffic usually moves at 75-80 MPH - my guess is they were traveling in excess of 90 MPH. They stationed themselves at the breaks in the divided highway so as to block any southbound motorists from making a U-turn in the path of the motorcade. Following them was a huge phalanx of cop cars, then a series of about 6-8 black bus-like vehicles, then more cop cars. Lots more cop cars. There must have been well over 100 officers involved in this.
They had obviously stopped the northbound traffic - it was allowed to flow again after a 2-3 mile gap of no cars, and was bumper-to-bumper for about 4 miles across all lanes before it thinned out.
What’s wrong with the usual three helicopter fleet presidents used to get around in? Any of you see the re-coronation last month? Cops every 10 feet facing the crowd, and a long line of secret service agents walking on either side of the heavily armored first three cars traveling the route. All buildings on one side of the route evacuated, then filled with rooftop snipers. The president got out of the vehicle only twice - once in front of the heavily armed FBI building.
For those of us old enough to remember, American presidents used to drive around in convertibles and appeared to be somewhat accessible. This fool travels around like he’s the leader of a third-world dictatorship. Times have changed.
My guess is, in prior years, Michelle drove. Barry was the passenger.
If I were president, I would rarely venture away from the Capital just because of the disruption it causes. The vast majority of his work could and should be done from the capital. Foreign dignitaries and State governors can come to the capital to see the president. He/She doesn’t need to go out and visit.
If only we had a real president....