I don't know much about Dan Emmett other than what
his bio tells me. He served in the Secret Service under both Bush administrations and he wrote a book about it. Oh, and his neocon mind has careened off the track like a rusted-out carnival ride.
Last Friday, The Washington Post provided a vehicle for him to rip the Secret Service from stem to sternum over the recent fence jumper at the White House. In it, he paints a dire warning of imminent annihilation. Naturally his solution is to bring in Allen West to save the day. Yes, that Allen West. The Wild, Wild West.
The Uniformed Division, which was not designed to repel a military-type attack, needs to be beefed up with well-armed, well-trained military personnel. In addition, the Secret Service needs leadership that fully understands how to balance law enforcement with military force and use them together in harmony. This type of leadership is currently lacking at the Secret Service’s upper level. The current director, Julia Pierson, is a former police officer and has served in the Secret Service for 30 years. Pierson, while a highly competent and capable agent with an exemplary record, has no military background and, therefore, doesn’t have the needed perspective to lead the organization in wartime. During periods of extreme danger, as we now find ourselves in, we must be willing to admit that otherwise capable and dedicated agents are not right for the job of director.
Pierson should be replaced and the next director should come from outside the Secret Service, with the deputy director remaining an agent. In this role, a true leader, not a bureaucrat, is needed. Someone like Florida congressman and retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Allen West would be perfect for the role. West has successfully demonstrated that he possesses the leadership skills of a combat officer as well as managerial and diplomatic skills of a congressman, exactly the traits needed in the next director. Highly competent and beholden to no one in the Secret Service, he would be a superb director.
Oh my, yes, wouldn't he be a gem. Why, if Allen West were running the Secret Service, our sitting President would be snug as a bug in a rug under his protection. What could possibly go wrong?
Please. The very idea of putting Allen West in charge of anything more responsible than choosing Denny's or the Olive Garden after Sunday Church should send a shudder down the spine of anyone with two neurons to fire.
Thanks just the same, Dan Whateverthehellyournamewas. The Secret Service will be able to sort out their issues long before they get such desperate splinters under their nails. Greg Gutfeld would be given more serious consideration by a sober administration than Allen West.
I'm actually embarrassed for The Washington Post tonight.