My life is to make everything around me beautiful.

Friday, August 17, 2012

An Interesting Book on The White House

As I've said many times, I'm an avid reader. I mostly read and love mysteries, espionage and thrillers but I'll read just about anything.

While at Costco a few weeks ago, I came across a book titled In the President's Secret Service. I think most people like to know a little about our public leaders. For the most part, I don't usually read those kinds of books but this was a short read of about 250 pages. And it is interesting. I'm going to tell you some of the things this author talks about but not mention any names. I don't think that's something I want to do. If you want the real names of the presidents, then go buy the book or email me and I'll tell you, but not publicly. That wouldn't be very nice. And I am a very nice person. :-) (And if you email me to ask, give me an email address to respond.) I can't tell you everything in one blog post so this will continue for a while, not in succession as that might be boring but I'll throw in some tidbits about the book a couple of times a week. Oh, and all of these Presidents are the most recent from the 60s until now.

White House Secret Service agents use Belgian Malnois dogs, which are much like German Shepherds. They are the sniffers for drugs and explosives. At the WH, they stand on white concrete pads that are refrigerated so their paws don't burn or get hot in the summer. Each dog costs about $4,500. I like that they treat the dogs well. They are also rewarded, not with food, but with hard rubber balls that they love to chew apart, or in other words, mangle.

If a fence jumper is armed and jumps the WH fence they may get one warning to drop the weapon, but that's it. Then they shoot to kill. The jumper is taken out immediately so as to not create a hostage situation.

When a President travels and stays at a hotel, the SS takes up 3 floors—one for the President, the floor above and the floor below. If there are any permanent residents on any of those floors, they are offered other accommodations in the hotel on another floor (most times even better suites) at no extra charge. If any one of those permanent residents says no, then the President doesn't stay at that hotel. And these are the very best hotels in this country.

They check out everything on those 3 floors, even under the carpets on the whole floor and the picture frames in the rooms to make sure there are no cameras or microphones. They found one once and the prior occupant was a famous person who plays the piano and writes music. They wondered about that one!

One president was very disliked by just about everyone. (I think I voted for him too and later disliked him after his term for what he did. LOL This gives you absolutely no clue, however, because I doubt you can even guess which one it was.) He never, ever spoke to his SS agents. One who drove him around for 3 1/2 years never had him speak to him.

He would come down to the Oval Office early to make the public think he was working hard for the American people, but would sleep in there for a couple of hours. He gave instructions that people could not look at him when he walked through the hallways—ever. They could not even speak to him. He was just plain mean and, it sounds like, a bit psychotic.

He wouldn't allow the SS to put a trailer on his property so they could protect him. And he made the military man carrying the secret codes (That's the guy with the nuclear football and that decision could have made the difference in us getting hit with a nuclear attack!) and his own private physician stay in a motel in another town 15 minutes away. (Personally, if I had a private physician, I'd want him as close to me as possible.) The agents tried to get him to see reason but he would never relent. He hated the military and SS agents.

He would smile and carry a bag to the airport when the cameras were rolling but it was empty. He wanted the public to think he was a man of the people, but when the cameras were gone he was nasty and the smile vanished. He would often tell the secret service to carry his bags but they finally refused after a couple of times because they cannot protect him if they are his bag carriers. When they finally had enough, the one agent he asked said NO and slammed the trunk shut. He was an entirely different person than what the public knew.

He even went after a dog the SS had befriended with a bow saw because the dog had gotten into his cat's food. I think his wife stepped in here and got him to see reason. But they knew they had a looney person on their hands at that point.

Then after dinner parties at the WH food was to be thrown out but the kitchen help gave it to the SS agents as they sometimes didn't eat for 12-14 hours at a stretch. This President found out about it and made the management of the WH charge them for it—food that was going to be thrown out! He treated the WH help with contempt. He micro-managed every little detail.

At one point, he accused his staff and/or SS agents of tampering with a vial of crude oil given to him by a leader of a foreign country. It sat on his desk. One day his secretary flew into a rage (through him obviously) accusing someone of letting some of the oil out. The vial was sealed and remained sealed. Fortunately, the SS photographs everything—everything—in the WH. They got the photographs and compared it to the vial and not a drop was missing. He was that paranoid. Not another word about it and no apology. As I said, he was a nasty, mean man. His wife was very nice to the SS though.

I think that's enough for this post. I found that book enlightening. I'll be posting more tidbits from the book but just a few at a time. Perhaps at the bottom of the photos next time. They'll be there; just look for them.
*

Color, always color, will catch my eye for a photo, as this one did. Red and yellow.


Being that I love purple also, it's also a pleasure to come upon photos with this color.


A dream pathway to a delightful home.


When I saw this lamp the other day, it drew my breath away.


I've never seen mercury glass lamps so these were a delightful surprise.


I have to admit I love the blue in this room.


I've shown this photo before but I want those drapes for my living room.


A delightful lavender bathroom.


Simple eye candy for you.


What beautiful bed coverings!


This is a restaurant I'd love to visit. Eat out on the gravel path under the shade. Smiling :-)


A delightful table setting for a luncheon.


The pillow goes well with this wicker chair as it mimics the lines of the chair. Intriguing.


While it makes a beautiful photo shoot, in actuality, you couldn't sleep here without getting wet if it rains.


One of the simplest and most elegant settings for a table ever.
~*~

16 comments:

  1. I know you won't say but I think it was Nixon lol
    Love love love the photos!
    Hugs,
    Suzan

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  2. Oh my goodness, that book is right up my alley! If I did not have a list a mile long that I am working on, I would read it tomorrow! Thank you for the summary. It is always nice to know about the presidents as I doubt that too many of them have ever really cared about the people of America and how they treat their staff is a sure indication of how they care about others period.

    ***I LOVE that battenburg lace bed cover...I love all things battenburg lace. :)

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  3. I am sure there are a lot more things we will never know about any politician,including the presidents.

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  4. Connie
    So many pretty images. I think I will have to get that book sounds interesting. I love the pink draperies. I am on a mission to have walls painted and new draperies in living room. Have a very pink day!!

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  5. Not knowing all that much about American politics, I won't even try to guess! Police and sniffer dogs over here are rewarded with play time with balls, too. I expect they've had to stop with food rewards or the dogs would be too fat to move.

    To think that over here Princes William and Harry, plus Kate, just sat in the crowd at the Olympics, did the Mexican Wave etc. And Zara rode in the Dressage with Princess Anne looking on too, part of the crowd. Did you see many policemen? No. Did you see a single one with a gun? Or a soldier? No. Not needed! Nuff said.

    Happy Pink Saturday - loved that lace bed cover (drooled a little...)

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  6. The photo's in your post were esp. beautiful this week!! I so enjoyed them! Hugs, Penny

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  7. Pretty pictures... and your presidential fact are great! Now I'm curious...your intention, I'm sure! :)

    Have a lovely weekend!
    HaPpY pInK sAtUrDaY!
    Mrs. Sarah Coller

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  8. Well i didn't vote for him, and you are right that most people wouldn't guess who ! These people are just that people, some are good and some aren't so much.
    Once again you find the best photos and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the lavender bathroom.
    XOXOXOXOXXOXOX
    I read mostly mysteries as well.

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  9. Happy Pink Saturday sugar!
    Hugs,
    Olivia

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  10. I suppose I will have to purchase this book. You have my curiousity peeked. I believe the president is Carter. The other guess of Nixon is a good one also. Nice writing style. I'll be back for more.

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  11. I love the curtains they would be a great addition to any living room as well as the cupcake toppings. Happy pink.

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  12. What a mean person...I really don't even want to know..so much stuff going on RIGHT NOW so i'll just let the past fade away. :)
    Glad you enjoyed the book, tho.

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  13. Those lamps are gorgeous. Catching up with Pink Saturday!

    My PINK
    Your comment is always a treat for me!
    Have a blessed weekend.

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  14. Oh Connie! You could be a marketing rep for this book! Now you have me wanting to read it although my guess is one of my two most unfavorite presidents are the culprit! LOL!
    Someone commented here that the royals were sitting in the crowd at the Olympics! Indeed they were but unknown to the world they do have SS protection. It is called The Protection Command. They are packing firearms! All countries with leaders that are especially well known have this type of protection! And one false move and boom! Guns will be blazing! My goodness the world spends massive amounts of money to protect leaders!
    I need to read that book!
    I would not trade my life for the life of any world leader and/or celebrity!
    I like who I am!
    Your images are wonderful! I can never choose just one!
    HPS an dhave a terrific Sunday!

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  15. Very Interesting, it gives me a whole new respect for the SS agents.

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  16. Connie, Very interesting info on the SS book, my Son in Law is in the Service, in DC. He has been attached to the White House. I will have to pick up the book for one of his stocking stuffers. Thanks for the tip. Love your blog, I always look for it and find it most enjoyable.

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Comments are so nice and I thank all of you that leave one for me.