While returning back home yesterday, four of my immediate family members were driving different vehicles from the Bronx down the New Jersey Turnpike. After we passed the Newark Airport we decided to make a pit stop at one of the rest areas. When we came out to get back into our vehicles to continue down the Turnpike, no one was allowed to re enter to roadway. One State Trooper said that President Obama was coming through and another one said it was Vice President.
The first thing I did was to grab my camera and head over to the roadway to snap some pictures. However, Secret Service in the SUV in the first picture hit reverse and started flying back towards me and demanded I get back into my car or I'd be arrested. A second Officer, (a State Trooper) also came by and stated to everyone to get back into your vehicles.
Well, you know me, I'm very hard of hearing and I was able to snap off the above pictures. I called a friend of mine with ABC to inform them of what was going on and they couldn't believe it, nor could I. However, the pictures do not lie.
The biggest thing that concerned me was, why the Ambulance. Did something happen to one of the two and the World didn't know about it?
Over the next few hours on the road, I stayed in contact with my friend from ABC and no one could confirm this ever happened. As soon as I got home I forwarded these pictures over to them and I have yet to hear back from anyone as to what the heck was going on. This created a HUGE traffic jam throughout the rest of our trip back.
Why didn't they use a Helicopter, like the ones above hovering over the motorcade. If it was a drill, talk about a HUGE waste of money! Something was going on and no one knows about it. Well, now they do. Always in the right place at the right time, eh!
If I was stuck on the Turnpike, I sure wouldn't be complaining about them using AF One all the time...I wonder why they didn't allow the pix?
ReplyDeleteI heard on the news that President Obama made a surprise visit to an elementary school yesterday. I didn't catch the name of it.
ReplyDeleteBeing from northern NJ originally, I can just imagine the traffic nightmare, especially near Newark Airport!! The turnpike is a massive construction site at any given time anyway. Not allowing pictures is the part that perks the curiosity. Wonder what gives.
ReplyDeleteThis is typical for any Presidential motorcade. Like it or not, this is how it's done on a regular basis. Ambulance is there in the event that something happens.
ReplyDeleteWhen old man Bush would travel to FL to visit his Mom he'd shut down a small town just to drive through it on his way to her place. There was always an ambulance at the end of the motorcade "just in case". If you were in the grocery store, you had to stay inside until they passed. Trust me, it really sucked!
ReplyDeleteJoe, this is somewhat bitter sweet for you! You went to NY to attend your mother's burial and on the way back you get these photo ops! I think that this is her way of saying, "keep doing what you are doing son, I'm proud of you!" It seems pretty cool to me - she's still looking over you!
ReplyDeleteGet over it. He is the Commander and Chief and that's how they roll. If this were anybody but President Obama you would't be making such a big deal out of it.
ReplyDeleteYou're "hard of hearing"? Secret Service should have shot you and asked questions later. Next time I suggest you comply quickly with orders from law enforcement.
The ambulance would be for "just-in-case" circumstances. It is the president, our commander in cheif regardless of what we think of him. He needs to be safe, and you cant have people taking deliberate pictures of the security detail or the make up of the motorcade. It just compromises any sort of secrecy needed in the event of the motorcade.
ReplyDeleteSince when is it illegal for a Legal American citizen to take pictures?
ReplyDeleteWe can't take pictures of the motorcade? That's nonsense, do they have all the details of the security detail on a teleprompter in front of it...there's no reason not to allow pictures except actual security of the president, meaning, no one pulls out a weapon from their gear, it's not cuz they don't want a photo op
ReplyDeleteSee I disagree with the person who said "its our president whether we like it or not". Read the constitution for once. We as the people of the united states do have the right to take what ever pictures we would like to no matter who it is. And we also have the right to disagree and not like our president. We have the right to stand up for ourselves as well. Its not supposed to be "O well he's our president so lets just deal with it". The man is corrupt and there is a master plan behind all this. Pay attention the man wants to shut down fox news because they dont aggree with everything that he stands for. Open your eyes people. Good shots man I like how you saw opportunity and took those photos.
ReplyDeleteI suggest you comply quickly with orders from police?
ReplyDeleteWTF? Dude, where's my country?
To 10:14 AM,
ReplyDeleteThe school Obama visited on Monday was in Silver Spring, MD, just outside the northern tip of D.C.
The article I read said "he met with third- and fourth-grade students during their lunch period."
So that was probably not connected with what Joe saw.
BTW, the article also said "The school receives federal poverty aid and has been celebrated for closing the achievement gap between minority children and other students."
Wonderful, more of my tax dollars down a rat hole.
11:47, thanks for the info. I do think it's a good thing as to what that school celebrated. One of our local private schools (I would rather not bring their name up) was created so the kids wouldn't have to attend school with minorities. Maybe that was never said out loud, but everyone who was around back then knew it. That school has come a long way, I am proud of them.
ReplyDeleteTwo societies.Which one can you afford to be part of?
ReplyDeleteObama is going to be in NY City today and Newark airport tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteSee:
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/traffic/2009/10/20/2009-10-20_traffic_forecast_for_oct_20_2009.html
http://www.northjersey.com/news/Obama_headed_to_FDU_to_generate_some_buzz_for_Corzines_campaign.html
My guess is that it has something to do with that.
Lol. Rediculious. I bet they have someone to wipe his behind too.
ReplyDeleteActually, you cannot take pitures of certain government/military installations, which a Presidential motorcade is considered. There are laws in place for this.
ReplyDeleteThis was Biden. Newark to Edison. Perfectly appropriate protocol.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if those poor children in the Silver Spring school had to sing the Obama Praises song.
ReplyDelete"BTW, the article also said "The school receives federal poverty aid and has been celebrated for closing the achievement gap between minority children and other students."
ReplyDeleteWonderful, more of my tax dollars down a rat hole."
I'm not sure why you think this is a bad thing... If more students are achieving and learning, then won't it be better for society in the long run? I'd rather have money spent on the front end (educational programs, youth programs, etc.) then to have a wasted society with even more money spent on the back end (criminal justice system, etc.). Just a thought.
To 11:38 Anon
ReplyDelete"because Fox doesn't agree with everything that he stands for"
Get it right. Fox news doesn't agree with ANYTHING Obama related.
They are so far right, they've lost sight of themselves! I used to watch FOX news, now I can't stand to.
Too much one sided rhetoric!
To 11:47 Anon
Would you rather the "minorities" have NO education? Where would we be then? I'd rather have them be educated and given a chance to succeed in life on their own INSTEAD of on my tax dollars!
11:38 wrote: Read the constitution for once. We as the people of the united states do have the right to take what ever pictures we would like to no matter who it is.
ReplyDeleteI am curious, 11:38, where the Constitution provides for our "right to take what ever pictures we would like".
I *have* read it, yet don't recall that part of it.
What an idiot, I do support his idea on the president being corrupt. But man you need to do some research. While we do have the right to "not like our president" or "dissagree". Taking photos is not in the constitution at all. Maybe the 1st amendment where you have freedom of the press but sorry man you have to research your topics before going on an idiotic rant.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it was about taking pictures I think they didn't want a crowd on the side of the roadway. It makes their job harder of watching for threats to whoever their VIP was.
ReplyDeleteReally? Take any pictures we like? The forefathers were even more progressive than I thought. Can you see them on the side of the freeway with the camera that has tha flas tray thing the hold up and it goes poooffff. Funny.
ReplyDelete"Actually, you cannot take pitures of certain government/military installations, which a Presidential motorcade is considered. There are laws in place for this."
ReplyDeleteThe sheeple are well trained. We all should be very proud.
YOu guys complaining about not being able to take pictures will look for fault in anything the president does. Wasn't it republicans who coined the term "post 9/11 mindset". Do you mean to tell me that you DON'T see how someone can study pics of the president's motorcade and develop tactics to attack it?
ReplyDeleteJust ask yourself why do football coaches spend hours watching game film.
I see all the vehicles are made by Obamamotors.
ReplyDeleteWhat a Marxist jerk!
Pictures of everything but the Presidents car. Must have been something different then you saw.
ReplyDelete