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Overheard on CNN.com: Secret Service may have had a few secrets of its own
Editor's note: This post is part of the Overheard on CNN.com series, a regular feature that examines interesting comments and thought-provoking conversations posted by the community.
Eleven Secret Service members have had their security clearances yanked during an investigation into allegations that they brought prostitutes to a Colombian hotel before a presidential visit to the country, government officials with knowledge of the investigation said Monday. Readers can't stop talking about this story, in part because it involves two favorite topics: Politics and sex.
Secret Service clearances yanked in Colombia probe
There was a bit of outrage from several. This reader said the Secret Service must fight temptation.
Brad76: "When your job is protecting the president of the United States of America, you can't be doing that. I can understand the allure of beautiful women. However, they are supposed to be professionals."
U.S. Rep. Peter King, Republican chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said one of the prostitutes told a hotel manager that "they owed her money." The agents and officers involved range in experience from relative newcomers to nearly 20-year veterans.
Some readers said if agents do indeed want to buy services, they should make sure they pay for them.
barlowdm: "How stupid do you have to be to not pay your prostitute what is owed her when you are a member of the Secret Service. He has some 'splaining' to do ... to the other agents who did what they needed to do to keep their sexual excursions secret. I wonder if he was one of the 'relative newcomers.' "
But others were concerned about security risks.
MidwestKris: "Their actions have cost them their security clearances, and security clearances are a requirement of the job. Such activities leave them potentially open to blackmail. Just imagine if one of them were told, 'Give us information on the movements of the president his security guards as they leave the building or we'll send pictures to your wife and kids ...' And while that might not happen this time, what if next time it is a deliberate plant? They have security clearance because they have highly classified information, and they have just shown they cannot be trusted. They jeopardize not only the president, or any person they have been assigned to protect, but also their fellow team members."
But then, why the big deal? After all, some noted, sex scandals are nothing new in the political world.
Grog: "So how is what the Secret Service did any different than what they have watched over with presidents from JFK to Clinton?"
LabCab1652: "Especially Bill Clinton ... cigar man!"
In making a similar comparison, this reader and others indicated they don't think prostitution should be against the law.
14droad: "Consensual sex without pay is not illegal, prostitution is, so do not compare the two. Having said that, prostitution should not be illegal and boys will be boys. So long as two adults are in agreement of the terms, it should not be anyone else's business. But, the right-wing nuts think it's a 'moral' issue."
Speaking of political leanings, some of the commenters speculated a bit.
AzWildcat: "Had to be right-wing Secret Service types. Hire a prostitute? Check. Not pay her? Check. Lie about it afterwards? Check."
50mike58: "Had to be a liberal agent wanting a pro, then wanting someone else to pay for it."
And of course, not unexpectedly, there were a few puns flying around.
pigmore: "Should be referred to as The Secret Servicing."
And now, what's your take? Share your opinion in the comments area below and in the latest stories on CNN.com. Or sound off on video via CNN iReport.
Compiled by the CNN.com moderation staff. Some comments edited for length or clarity.
They compromised the President. That is probably literally treason. If there had been an assassination attempt while they had their guard (pants) down, or if intel was gained, or any of a thousand things that could go wrong, these guys would be in more than hot water, they should be fearing for their lives.
Perhaps their moral lapse, fell the way King David did, now because man doesn't exactely forgive the way God does, their best chance is to ask forgiveness. If they believe in forgiveness that is all they may ever have
Trust me people, President Obama dirty laundry is about to be exposed. He should keep his golfbag out of site from his wife; he's about to become the second coming of Tiger woods. Don't blink LOL!!!
Sorry, you got this one wrong. The President doesn't have to worry, he hasn't done anything.
Really
I can't believe that you guys gave more coverage of the misconduct of the Secret Servive and did not show or cover the summit in Colombia. This summit is very important and the Free trade agreement will improve the economy in Colombia. Why because, there is alot of poverty and this agreemant will create alot of jobs. Incase CNN didn't know there is no welfare in Colombia, if your poor you have to do what ever it takes to survive. It would nice if you guys stay away from the tabloid news and keep focused on the important news.I have not seen any follow up on the tourist that was robbed and beat up in Baltimore. have they arrested the criminals who commited this crime ?
Show me the General, and I can tell you about his men. This is not a first time incident, trust me; President Obama is scared to death. He should start wearing a diaper; the sh***tIng is about to start.
I notice they whoever they were affected the secret service when Kennedy was killed. Perhaps Obama needs an inner circle secret service to watch his back. It appears like a set up. No one interviews the Colombian secret service. Like in Pakistan the intelligence this week showed they were behind a lot going on with Pakistan Intelligence to hurt the USA
The SS agents lost their clearances.
I want to know how the Kenyan got one in the first place.
Oh Please. Nothing to do today.
This scandal aside the Summit showed US getting more isolated.
Time to wake up you policy makers we are losing it. be it the M.East, Americas or elsewhere.
Very weak on foreign policy. And, after the election he will have more flexibility? ?? Oh boy!
HA HA HA HA HA! (Wiping tears away)
Thanks for the laugh!
What is this, the Archer version of the Secret Service?!
I like to say this Obama life would have been in danger so in other word they didnt care.Something need to be done dont blame Obama for what they did they knew better.
The president wasn't even in the country so what harm was done?
What would make a dedicated bunch, who are willing to take a bullet for the President, behave in this fashion? I cannot imagine such behavior from professionals that respect their boss. I wonder how far back this "cultural" problem goes...
I would think if it was any other assignment for the Secret Service rather than watching out for Obama this would be a important issue, I dont see any kind of security threat here.
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