According to an Associated Press story, the recent prostitution scandal plaguing the Secret Service has led to several new rules being adopted: “the tightened conduct rules for its agents to prohibit them from drinking excessively, visiting disreputable establishments while traveling or bringing foreigners to their hotel rooms.”
Geez. You really have to make those rules? And, since when does America’s “Secret Service” get so public. One issue that has been bandied around is the fact that 90 percent of Secret Service Field Agents are…men [not secret anymore]. The AP reporter suggests that the lack of women in the ranks is due to “travel demands that can be especially taxing on women balancing families and careers.” NEWSFLASH: Women can travel with their jobs.
The article cautions that this unfortunate scandal “risks portraying the agency as unfriendly to women.” I’m pretty sure that married Secret Service men hiring prostitutes and refusing to pay them already “risks portraying the agency as unfriendly to women.”
Not to worry, there are some people trying to douse some of the flames ignited by Secret Service Agent Arthur Huntington who was outed as the agent who refused to pay the “escort.” They’ve suggested that “rising star” Secret Service Agent Paula Reid “…went in there and cleaned up the mess,” according to Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan). A nice compliment until you realize that Reid is a 21 year veteran of the Secret Service, nearly able to retire and NOW HER STAR is RISING?!
What a joke. I can’t wait to see their other “rising stars.” I’m only guessing, but I would believe that Reid told her superiors about this behavior long ago and got the brush off. Good for Reid, but let’s hope more women find jobs in the Secret Service.