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News & ArtsTuesday, September 11, 2012
News Obama's Favorite Place in the White House
Posted by Dan Savage on Tue, Sep 11, 2012 at 9:05 AM
Michael Lewis on NPR this morning:
"His favorite place turns out to be the Truman Balcony. And we go out on the Truman Balcony. He explains to me how he will just come out here at night and sit, and he likes it so much because it's the only place he gets where he feels outside the bubble. And this was one of the spine-tingling moments I had with him. Because while we're talking about how this is the normal place, how he and Michelle can come out and have a drink on the patio at midnight, and no one knows they're there kind of thing, he turns around and he points to the spot—it's right behind his head—where the bullet from the high-powered rifle hit a year ago... [A gunman] shot down from across the South Lawn, and the bullet hit the window right where Obama sits when he's having his moment of privacy and peace. And I thought, there's the presidency for you. You know, here is the place where you regard as the safe place, the place you can come and be comfortable and be normal, and people are still shooting at you."
Lewis went on to say that he was surprised that the Secret Service allowed Obama to go out on the Truman Balcony at all. Me too. And they're certainly not going to let him go out on it anymore, Michael, not now that every crazy motherfucker with a gun in the country knows about it.
1
Yeah, forget the young football player's grampa-boyfriend from yesterday: Michael Lewis, you are on my shit list forever now. So are you, Graydon Carter - you're the big cheese editor, you coulda stopped this.
2
No shit... Either that, or cover it with bulletproof glass. But then, that would defeat the purpose wouldn't it.
3
Hmmm. I wonder what security precautions were taken after that incident? Is it still possible for someone to find a place with that clear of a shot?
@ Charles, this won't tell any determined nut who is also a great marksman anything he didn't already know. Relax.
@ Charles, this won't tell any determined nut who is also a great marksman anything he didn't already know. Relax.
4
@3 I was under the impression that it wasn't a clear shot at all. Somebody just shot in the general direction of the white house from a far, far distance and that's where it happened to hit. Unless I'm thinking of another incident.
5
It might have been misdirection... Obama's favorite place might not be the Truman balcony at all, they may have just set that up as a ruse.
6
It is more likely that there is a security presence where the shot could be fired from, rather than where the shot would land.
Also, if #4 is correct, than we have to realize that there is nowhere we can go outside that is safe from a stray bullet, president or otherwise. Ballistic trajectories and all.
Also, if #4 is correct, than we have to realize that there is nowhere we can go outside that is safe from a stray bullet, president or otherwise. Ballistic trajectories and all.
7
Or, Urgutha, it could actually be his favorite place and they mentioned it knowing that people would think it's a ruse.
11
@ 4, that may be. I don't remember either. But if that's the case, then Obama is even safer. Stray bullets are a real concern, but the chances of being hit by one (outside of shootouts where there are crowds) are virtually nil. Honestly, if it were risky, the Secret Service wouldn't let him anywhere near it.
@ 8, whoops. I'm still used to Dan being absent.
@ 8, whoops. I'm still used to Dan being absent.
12
Before jumping down Micheal Lewis' throat or scolding his editor, it might be worth noting that Obama didn't have to divulge this story to the media, and probably shouldn't have.
13
@7,
A clever man would mention the balcony only as a ruse, because he would know that only a great fool would expect him to tell the truth.
I'm not a great fool, so I can clearly not suspect the balcony is a ruse.
But you must have known I was not a great fool; you would have counted on it, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me... er, that is, I can clearly not suspect the balcony is not a ruse.
A clever man would mention the balcony only as a ruse, because he would know that only a great fool would expect him to tell the truth.
I'm not a great fool, so I can clearly not suspect the balcony is a ruse.
But you must have known I was not a great fool; you would have counted on it, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me... er, that is, I can clearly not suspect the balcony is not a ruse.
14
The only way to completely shut down all sight lines to the Truman Balcony would be to completely close off the south (i.e., front) face of the WH from public view and access. There's a lot of open lawn, there.
But...I imagine that the security presence all around the south side of the WH for some distance is considerable. If you can see the south face of the WH, it is a safe assumption that you are being watched, very, very carefully.
But...I imagine that the security presence all around the south side of the WH for some distance is considerable. If you can see the south face of the WH, it is a safe assumption that you are being watched, very, very carefully.
16
@4: No, the shots were deliberate (the gunman fired eight, two of which hit the White House.)
But yes, I suspect that there's plenty of security coverage of any place with a line of fire to that balcony.
I had to wonder, in seeing Obama's encounter with Big Pizza Guy, how many Secret Service agents were half-a-second from drawing.
Something to think about: there have been confirmed assassination plots or attempts on 13 of the last 20 Presidents, and 7 of the last 8.
But yes, I suspect that there's plenty of security coverage of any place with a line of fire to that balcony.
I had to wonder, in seeing Obama's encounter with Big Pizza Guy, how many Secret Service agents were half-a-second from drawing.
Something to think about: there have been confirmed assassination plots or attempts on 13 of the last 20 Presidents, and 7 of the last 8.
17
What good is a massive lawn, anyway? A grove would be as effective as bulletproof glass. Plus, good for carbon sequestration.
18
Makes me like him more as he gets ready to sign onto Simpson/Bowels. I mean thinking of this heart warming story will make my having to work until death so much better since he is willing to get rid of Social Security for pretty much anyone under 50 years old......or did anyone actually listen to his convention speech?
19
Still, I can't imagine the SS will let him sit out there, now that it's been broadcast to anyone and everyone (including crazies and Obama haters) that 1) it's his favorite spot and it's outdoors, and 2) it was hit with a bullet so it is completely possible to get a round off and hit the balcony.
This reporter is a horrible douche for ruining the only peaceful resting place for the most stressed and maligned man in the world.
This reporter is a horrible douche for ruining the only peaceful resting place for the most stressed and maligned man in the world.
20
The Truman Balcony is pretty much every President's favorite place in the White House. This isn't news and if you've ever been anywhere near the White House when the President is outside you would know that no crackpot Tea-Party gun nut is going to get a clean shot across the South Lawn. Ever.
21
@ 16, the last eight goes back to Nixon. So who was the lucky guy no one wanted to kill? I'm guessing Ford.
23
there were several attempts on Ford in his few years as president.
carter.
he wasn't worth a bullet.....
carter.
he wasn't worth a bullet.....
24
@21: Oh HELL no. Ford actually had TWO attempts (one by a member of the Manson Family.)
No, the only one with no confirmed plot or attempt was, believe it or not, George W. Bush. (Unless one counts the plane that didn't make its target, presumed to be the White House, 12 years ago today - in which case it's eight for eight.)
No, the only one with no confirmed plot or attempt was, believe it or not, George W. Bush. (Unless one counts the plane that didn't make its target, presumed to be the White House, 12 years ago today - in which case it's eight for eight.)
25
I think if you're the Obamas, you came to terms with the possibility of assassination before you ran for office. As Michelle said in 2008:
"I don't lose sleep over it. The reality is, as a black man, Barack can get shot going to the gas station. You can't make decisions based on fear."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrTDMzxc8…
"I don't lose sleep over it. The reality is, as a black man, Barack can get shot going to the gas station. You can't make decisions based on fear."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrTDMzxc8…
28
This reminds me how worried I was that Obama wouldn't make it out of his first year in office, and how happy I am that he has. And here's hoping for four more years, and a long and happy retirement with great grand-children galore.
30
I just am amazed, simply amazed at the size and bounciness of the man's balls. Hyperjovian balls. How in the seventy times seven hells does he drag those balls around without generating an event horizon?
31
@13: Obama's a bit sharper than most, you know. Heck, the last President got us into a land war in Asia. Two of them!
33
Is anyone really suprised at this? Too Bad they missed him....Fucking, Eubange, HALF-BREED, MUSLIM, antichrist CREEP!! Un less someone does exterminate the VERMIN, this country is royally SCREWED! 4 more years with Obama? We will be better off if the Mayan calendar is right about 12/21/2012, now that he is back in! WHAT THE HELL EVER HAPPENED TO IMPEACHING THE JERK??
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