Planetarion Forums - Too much security ? [Bush-Visit]

JetLinus · 24 Feb 2005, 02:17

Just from watching normal German news, I was quite surprised HOW MUCH EFFORT they had put into today's visit from Mr. Bush.
He came to Mainz, a German town of about 180k people.

And the WHOLE DAMN INNER CITY (not just the town center I believe) was sort of closed. No cars, nothing. All the streets were closed, ok. All cars that hadn't been removed where town away. Even some sewage manhole covers were sield (welded).
The airport (or the airzone above it) was partially closed. More than 100 flights delayed I believe, many cancelled.

The whole highway / "Autobahn"-traffic was redirected around the city by forming a giant sort of '"roundabout".

About -- don't hate me if I'm not remembering it correctly -- 10k policemen on duty. People were advised it'd be "best to stay at home".

And all for Mr. Bush. I mean, ok, I can understand it. But isn't this overkill?

I mean, look. 180k people is not THAT a small city. And think about all the shops. They'll loose one normal shopping day. Probably best to not open the shop at all that day.

The security wasn't even that big for the pope. But it's understandable. I wouldn't want to know what would happen if the American president was killed in Germany. Or somewhere else in Europe.

So apparently it's not the first time the security is that high. Amazing nevertheless.
The pictures.
Bush's car the only one driving. Nice.

Just thinking & sharing...

I am Idler · 24 Feb 2005, 02:25

The security was similiar insane and ridicilous the last time mr. Bush visited Norway.

Tons of people lost money due to either not being able to go to work in the are he was visiting, or shops having to be closed.

That, and the fact that people were actually being dragged in from other counties, shortening their staff just so they could guard any potential areas where "terrorists" could strike from.

It really is about time that the American government starts paying damage to people affected every time he deciedes to make a "friendly" visit to a nation.

JammyJim · 24 Feb 2005, 02:44

he is the most powerful man in the world but more important he is a symbol of american strength in the same way an aircraft carrier is....more so infact.

he symbolises all that america is and if he was assinated it would prove irrecovably that no matter how well protected and no matter how secure....noone is safe. not even the most well protected and powerful man on the face of the earth.

however

Godfather ...."If anything in this life is certain, if history has taught us anything, it's that you can kill anyone"

demiGOD · 24 Feb 2005, 03:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by JammyJim

...."If anything in this life is certain, if history has taught us anything, it's that you can kill anyone"

"i like to drink wine more than i used to... anyway, i'm drinking more"

JammyJim · 24 Feb 2005, 03:18

i believe thats from when hes sitting down in the garden with him about to ask for advice. (its vito saying it). He tells him that whoever comes to him to arrange the meeting is the traitor.

demiGOD · 24 Feb 2005, 03:33

you think you can fool a corleone?!??

JammyJim · 24 Feb 2005, 03:40

talking to carlo about santinos death and his involvement.

he was a little pissed off. promised he wouldnt hurt him because he was father of his godson.
then he confessed and was killed.

now....lets not take the thread off track (!!)

Tactitus · 24 Feb 2005, 04:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by I am Idler

It really is about time that the American government starts paying damage to people affected every time he deciedes to make a "friendly" visit to a nation.

Wouldn't it be easier to just not invite him in the first place? I'm pretty sure that heads of state don't usually drop in without some sort of invitation.

demiGOD · 24 Feb 2005, 04:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by JammyJim

talking to carlo about santinos death and his involvement.

he was a little pissed off. promised he wouldnt hurt him because he was father of his godson.
then he confessed and was killed.

the joys in the world of the corleone family - i wouldnt be surprised if you read the book at least 4 times also (because i did lol!)

but to be back on track of the thread:
-there's really no such thing as too much security - this is where good security and great security is drawn and i'm sure the bush administration is very grateful of germany's support of this kind of effort to keep his visit safe -

Chika · 24 Feb 2005, 05:30

I do think that was a tad overkill. But you could never be to safe. Plus, if he was killed over there, I fear it would strike some sort of overkill rebutal. So it probably is wise to just be on the safe side. Someone said it best. He is the most powerful man in the world. Only natural that he could shut an entire city down with a visit.

Yahwe · 24 Feb 2005, 10:04

The present US administration wishes to maximise the feeling that "we are in imminent danger". this is a classic political tool for manipulating your population and is not unique to the americans.

In order to support this policy of increasing the fear and feeling of danger it seems quite logical to have ridiculous levels of security wherever the figurehead of that administration is seen in public. no matter how unnecessary such security really is

in short: it makes people think he's doing it because he has to.

IncubusGod · 24 Feb 2005, 10:31

When he came to Ireland he shut down the entire airport here in Shannon, the entire massive industrial estate, the town itself, the roads around it, the roads around them, all possible routes within 22 miles of anywhere he would possible have to go etc.
The place lost millions upon millions, and I got 'menaced' by several hundred cops who were there to 'police' about 300 demonstrators from the town and surrounding areas (no-one else could get in, making the protests seems small).
Believe me, it costs everyone an obscene amount of money to transport that hick anywhere. I don't see why he can't do what he's done all his life and just stay the **** inside the U.S.

xtrasyn · 24 Feb 2005, 11:28

What Yahwe said.

Don´t believe the hype.

Stew · 24 Feb 2005, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by JetLinus

About -- don't hate me if I'm not remembering it correctly -- 10k policemen on duty. People were advised it'd be "best to stay at home".

Presumably so that people's houses were not broken into and there being no policeman to attend to the scene.

IncubusGod · 24 Feb 2005, 11:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stew

Presumably so that people's houses were not broken into and there being no policeman to attend to the scene.

We had a period of time where there were 0 speeding ticket issued. Guess when? When Mr. Bush was here and every traffic cop in the country was on duty in that little area.

Was fun to drive around for that time. Could do so with impunity.

demiGOD · 25 Feb 2005, 06:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yahwe

The present US administration wishes to maximise the feeling that "we are in imminent danger". this is a classic political tool for manipulating your population and is not unique to the americans.

In order to support this policy of increasing the fear and feeling of danger it seems quite logical to have ridiculous levels of security wherever the figurehead of that administration is seen in public. no matter how unnecessary such security really is

in short: it makes people think he's doing it because he has to.

you would make a good right-wing political shock jock aired on an afternoon drive time slot in your local talk radio station syndicated all over the UK - really, and you'll be really successful doing it also

ceres · 25 Feb 2005, 09:04

I cant say i have much affection for our colonial friend, but i'd rather he be well looked after as god forbid a terrorist managed to assasinate him, can you imagine the aftermath, nukes all round.
________
Diannee

IncubusGod · 25 Feb 2005, 11:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceres

I cant say i have much affection for our colonial friend, but i'd rather he be well looked after as god forbid a terrorist managed to assasinate him, can you imagine the aftermath, nukes all round.

I doubt they'd nuke anyone but they'd use it as an excuse to deal with any country they like however they wished.
So long as you're not in Syria, Iran, North Korea, South America, Central America, Eastern Europe or Africa...then you'd probably not be directly afftected.
However it still wouldn't be a nice world to live in.

wu_trax · 25 Feb 2005, 11:41

i think Cheney (sp?) would be an even worse president, so lets look out for this one.

IncubusGod · 25 Feb 2005, 11:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by wu_trax

i think Cheney (sp?) would be an even worse president, so lets look out for this one.

The "Please don't kill Bush" campaign? Interesting.

Though you could assassinate Cheny be just jumping out at him and going "wAH!".

One heart attack later...

demiGOD · 25 Feb 2005, 15:19

lol!

Yahwe · 26 Feb 2005, 01:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by demiGOD

you would make a good right-wing political shock jock aired on an afternoon drive time slot in your local talk radio station syndicated all over the UK - really, and you'll be really successful doing it also

errr... ???

'right' wing?

flapjack · 26 Feb 2005, 01:40

it's the 1 opposite to the left wing.

It was last time I checked anyways

CamelToe · 26 Feb 2005, 02:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by I am Idler

It really is about time that the American government starts paying damage to people affected every time he deciedes to make a "friendly" visit to a nation.

Great plan. In fact, lets give your plan a name. Hmm, how about 'The Marshall Plan'? Oh wait, I think that name was already used for something else, but i can't remember for what.

Dace · 26 Feb 2005, 02:21

im sure i (and anyone else with a half decent brain) could think of a way to get round that security and kill Bush if thats what was desired