I don't understand why there was evidently no law enforcement at Giffords'

[cali]

Meet & Greet. To the best of my recollection, there have been cops or a cop at the town meetings I've attended. Particularly in this climate, I'm surprised that a cop wasn't assigned to that meeting.

[lapfog_1]

1. At the Congress on your Corner event in douglas

the one on health care that the tea baggers were bussed to, the one that had the incident where a handgun fell out of the pocket of an attendee, there was one local policeman. He was there to keep the tea baggers about 100 feet from the Congresswoman.

[atreides1]

2. Because it isn't automatic

It has to be requested in most cases.

[blondeatlast]

3. Because it shouldn't be necessary. nt

[cali]

5. well it and that was clear even before saturday.

[justiceischeap]

4. The question has been asked and answered--she didn't request it

Because she didn't feel she was in any immediate danger.

[H2O Man]

6. Right.

I've been to numerous public events with a US Representative, where there was no security. It wasn't in a climate where there was a lot of hostility, but I always wondered why, for example, a local officer wasn't around.

A few years back, a state senator attended a meeting at our local historical society. He was accompanied by his private security, a retired investigator. The meeting was in the winter, and the security wanted everyone to remove their coats before entering the room the senator was in. I explained that I had just had back surgery, and that it was difficult and painful for me to put on/take off my coat. The investigator wasn't comfortable with that, and so I welcomed him to do a "pat down." However, the senator knew me from both a high profile legal case and my family from basketball. Despite his inability to compete with my family on the basketball court, he had a good conversation with my daughter on education.

Also, a friend from a family that you know spoke at a local state university. There was no security provided. There are some interests strongly opposed to his work, and he is often trailed by unfriendly individuals. As this was before my back injury/surgery, I served as his security there. Sure enough, one jackass came up on stage to try to disrupt the presentation.