As tensions with Iran continue to escalate, trade issues with China maintain a stagnant pattern, North Korea tests active missiles over the ocean, America’s foreign relations have never been so strained. So when the opportunity for the United States, whom have enjoyed a hegemonic presence within the western hemisphere for decades, had the opportunity to attend the Summit of the America’s in Columbia, mending relations with long time allies and asserting American ideals with in the region seemed like a fools chore. Ah, how wrong we all were.
This past weekend President Obama and members of the Administration visited Columbia for the Summit of the Americas, an international convention attended by the majority of countries with in North and South America. The summit symbolized an opportunity for the Obama Administration to regain footing with in the region and show that the United States is still a prominent and influential member in the international community. However, the Summit took a back seat to an unrelated event involving members of the Obama secret service staff and Colombian prostitutes.
Allegedly, members of the secret service enjoyed the company of a select few Colombian prostitutes during a night off at the summit. Because prostitution is legal in Columbia, the standard protocol that these escorts follow involves leaving an identification card at the front desk of the hotel that must be retrieved before the end of the night because of a strict no guest policy implemented by the hotel. However, when a front desk attendant became aware of one card still present, further inquiry was required. What resulted was the discovery that one of the secret service agents had engaged in an argument over payment for one of the prostitutes. Clearly, there was an issue with the “going rate.” Ultimately, after minor police intervention, the agent paid up and the situation was resolved.
Now, although many would view this fiasco as detrimental and undermining to the United States presence at the summit, I say well done America. Not many countries can have eleven secret service men involved in a prostitution scandal and still show up the next morning to the summit with a straight face. As pictures of Hillary Clinton letting loose at a club in Columbia surfaced, it seems that America made the most of their brief stint in Columbia.
What we have here ladies and gentleman is the classic “sorry for partying” precedent that the Obama administration has chosen to go with. To be honest, the Obama crew is just a little overwhelmed right now and they needed some vacation time to get their heads straight. With Obamacare looking to be ousted by the Supreme Court, the re-election campaign beginning to gear up, a looming Iranian conflict, and the lackluster economic recovery, things have just not gone their way.
It’s not as if we count on them to be a representation of our nation right? They are not held to an even higher standard of scrutiny are they? I would not venture as far to say their conduct at such high level meetings is directly proportional to the political clout they can enjoy during negotiations? No, I would never go as far to say that.
Hahaha. Wow. This is hilarious. I've seen the story on the news, but definitely not like this. The Obama administration has both gained and lost respect from this citizen. I think it's great that these guys are capable of making mistakes just like anyone else. And I love that Hilary can get down. But, on the other hand, you're right, these people are representing our entire nation after all. They should be acting at least professional and hopefully morally sound as well. Looks to me like they need to have a Summit round 2 to redeem themselves.
ReplyDeleteIt bewilders me to think that these people would go so far as to do that and not think about who they are representing. These guys are suppose to represent professionalism and in some way are also representing the US, be a little more humble and have proper work ethics. In the case of Hilary Clinton, she's just another person like us, I don't think she's generally doing anything bad by simply having a beer. They gotta vent somehow. This definitely isn't a positive boost to the Obama administration.
ReplyDeleteUggggghhhhh this is just another example of how the 24-hour news cycle is poisoning the discourse in our country. Sure, the secret service's tawdry antics are unfortunate, and I suppose one wishes they would hold themselves to a "higher standard" -- and why the hell didn't the guy just pay the woman what she was asking for? Seriously, poor form, dude. How could you have not realized that would come back to bite you in the ass?
ReplyDeleteBut anyway, it just makes me sad that this was news at all. It's not like these guys were doing anything that politicians and government representatives (not to mention regular Joes) have been doing since, you know, always. It's not like we expect the people we intrust to protect the President of the United States to be nice guys.
I'm not defending what these guys did -- and I CERTAINLY don't defend not paying a prostitute what she's owed -- but why does this have to become politicized? The secret service is not an arm of the Democratic party, and what these guys did has absolutely nothing to do with Barack Obama. And yet, somehow, this has become one of the biggest news stories of the month.
And it's embarrassing that those pictures of Hillary "partying" appeared anywhere in a news article. Who cares?
I've been trying to avoid this story for the past couple weeks, so your post did a good job of bringing me up to date. This has been an embarrassing situation for the administration. Luckily, I think we know enough about the characters of Hillary Clinton and the President that we can assume that they wouldn't put themselves in inappropriate situations. Compared to other countries, our political scandals are so BORING. For example, when you look at Italy under Sergio Berlusconi, it was a constant stream of sexism and other scandals. While I wouldn't wish that on America, at least it would humanize our political leaders.
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