April 16th, 2012
07:15 PM ET

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.

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Filed under: Barack Obama • Colombia • Overheard on CNN.com • Politics • Security
soundoff (58 Responses)
  1. Philip

    Any standard. As long as it's raised, of course. You don't actually need to be perfect, for that is impossible. And really, if one just refrains from shoplifing, one is more perfect than many. One in 17 shoplifetrs get caught...pilfering must be one out of a thousand.

    April 16, 2012 at 9:15 pm | Report abuse |
  2. banasy©

    raven, I have always found you to be one of the least judgemental people on here, ever.
    And one of the most honest.

    April 16, 2012 at 9:17 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Greek American

    Colombian women are hot

    April 16, 2012 at 9:19 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Philip

    @Honey. Interesting post. Have you ever heard of Dr. Judy Wood Phd.? If no, Youtube "Where did the Towers Go". Tesla's technology was "captured" by the US government and never have they said what they've done with it. Dr. Judy Wood proves whats been done.

    April 16, 2012 at 9:19 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Philip

    ...while @Youtube, 'nazi flying saucers' just for fun. 🙂

    April 16, 2012 at 9:22 pm | Report abuse |
  6. citizen

    @philip, why paint the world with such harsh realism. So what if mary didn't conceive immaculately. Humans need to dream.

    April 16, 2012 at 9:27 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Honey

    maybe the secret service knows a thing or two about this unpresident, there is no reason this is on the national agenda, don't buy it for a minute, this is a side show for something else they are hiding. wish the n s a would tune all their listening devices on this president

    April 16, 2012 at 9:33 pm | Report abuse |
    • portland tony

      What's all that about? The secret service not only handles security for the President. They cover the Supreme Court, Congress, foreign leaders, presidential candidates etc. One compromised agent could change the world. Since you obviously don't share political views with the current President, remember they are ensuring the safety of his political rivals...

      April 16, 2012 at 11:18 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      Portland Tony:
      Thank you for pointing out what should be obvious to most, but, sadly, isn't.

      April 16, 2012 at 11:29 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Greek American

    @Honey
    And who would be your "American" savior for the current crisis you describe? Please tell us as we are all awaiting anxiously.

    April 16, 2012 at 9:35 pm | Report abuse |
  9. casimir effect

    We have ATVs on the moon waiting to be driven again.

    April 16, 2012 at 10:07 pm | Report abuse |
  10. banasy©

    Honey:
    Are you related to hamsta?

    April 16, 2012 at 10:10 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Greek American

    @banasy
    Hahaha, lmao, good one!

    April 16, 2012 at 10:22 pm | Report abuse |
  12. T411

    This is the same types of behavior that is prevalent in the military... what goes TDY (Temporary duty) stays TDY. Spouses of military members would be shocked by what the behavior of their mates is when they are on "Road Trips". It always amazes me to see grown people that are suppose to be representing much more than just themselves, act like people other than they... must be acting like at home. I'm not in the Secret Service but I am in the military and I'm sure that the culture is similar... It needs to change.

    April 17, 2012 at 12:04 am | Report abuse |
  13. Bob's ur Uncle

    Unprofessional and cheapskates too. They couldn't pay the $40 bucks? 🙂

    April 17, 2012 at 12:14 am | Report abuse |
  14. paul martin

    I see nothing wrong with very HUMAN agents or ANY other Guys having some good times on their time off after all wer'e ALL human......aren't we ? Judge ye not...that ye be judged !

    April 17, 2012 at 1:02 am | Report abuse |
    • revnowwhilewecan

      At least pay the 47 bucks!!

      April 17, 2012 at 1:33 am | Report abuse |
  15. revnowwhilewecan

    Jeff Gannon.......aka............Johnny Gosch..................Serious secret service secrets, seriously.

    April 17, 2012 at 1:32 am | Report abuse |
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