ABQjournal NM: Bush Manual Shows Disparities, By Jeff Jones, Journal Politics Writer, Copyright © 2007 Albuquerque Journal
One hundred seventy yards. A distance approaching the length of two football fields.
That’s how far away police kept protesters from President Bush’s motorcade in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque on Monday while a smaller group of Bush supporters waved flags within a few feet of the presidential procession.
None of the major law agencies involved in security for Bush’s $350,000 fundraising stop for Sen. Pete Domenici— including Albuquerque police, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department and the Secret Service— had a clear explanation for the distance disparity. …
Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, county chairman of Bush’s 2004 re-election effort, said the Secret Service makes the final calls for security at presidential events.
Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy David Linthicum said the Secret Service, in consultation with the Sheriff’s Department, decided the small pro-Bush group could stay in its location across from the Abraham driveway.
Linthicum said the Secret Service, Albuquerque police and the Sheriff’s Department agreed on where the protesters would gather.
He said that to his knowledge, keeping the protesters out of the president’s sight didn’t factor into the decision but that he wasn’t at the
meeting at which the decision was made.
Eric Zahren, a spokesman for the Secret Service, said he was not familiar with all the specifics from the Los Ranchos event. But he said his agency by policy doesn’t discriminate between Bush protesters and Bush backers.
“We work in concert with our local (police) partners in identifying … public viewing areas outside our secure perimeters,” Zahren said. “We make no distinction as far as purpose, message or intent of any particular group.”
http://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/590148nm08-30-07.htm
ABQjournal Opinion: Bush Yardstick Keeps Foes Out of Sight, Mind
Should a country founded on citizens’ right to political dissent have an official measurement for keeping protesters out of sight and out of mind while flag-waving supporters get a front-row spot?
If the treatment of critics and supporters who turned out for a visit from President Bush in Los Ranchos last week is any indication, the answer is yes. …
[P]ut the anti-war folks in the floppy hats on the dirt shoulders of Rio Grande NW, 170 yards away from the entrance to Los Ranchos’ Mayor Larry Abraham’s home where a GOP event is scheduled. Put the pro-Bush folks in the school uniforms across from the gate where everyone attending the fundraiser for Sen. Pete Domenici goes through. …
[N[one of the agencies involved in security for Monday’s event explained why, exactly, the 70 folks with the neon-pink peace signs, the “Impeach Cheney” placards and the “Good Riddance to Gonzales” signs were kept almost two football fields away from the motorcade’s route while the flag-waving kids with the “God Bless George Bush! We Pray for You!” poster were posed a few feet from the motorcade.
http://www.abqjournal.com/opinion/editorials/590986opinion09-01-07.htm