Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/07/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The only time I had a "run-in" with a Secret Service agent, I was actually surprised by how friendly he was. I was covering a speech by Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun for my college paper. I was shooting from the steps up on the side of the stage and the Secret Service guy stepped back a little to let me get a better angle (without me even asking). Later I wanted to get an angle including some of the audience, so I tried heading up onto the stage. My progress around the Secret Service guy was abruptly stopped when he placed his (surprising firm) hand square in the middle of my chest. He leant over and whispered something like "Sorry, you can't shoot from the stage." But it was the way he said it: respectfully, with a smile, and without blame or anger. Of course the message of his hand on my chest was still very clear: I wasn't going to be going past him! I came away with a great deal of respect for him; he had done his job well while still acting like a decent guy. Of course, he wasn't guarding the president, which I'm sure is a whole 'nother bag of worms. >Eric said: > > And for the secret service? Keep pushing their funny bones. They'll > > come > > unstuck. :)<<<<<< and Ted replied >And Eric, you've encountered these guys when they're on a heavy duty watch >situation and you've pushed their funny bones? And lived? I realize you had >a "smiley" after your comment, however they wouldn't crack a funny bone >smile for their mothers while on duty. > >Sorry Eric, had to work with them too often, in too many different >situations and when they're on duty they have about as much of a "funny >bone" as a bag of pissed off rattle snakes! > >Now having said that... the next week and you have the opportunity to share >a beer with them it's a whole new ball game. Certainly when you hear their >side of the story and how we looked when they moved us out from what we >thought was the perfect photo position.