Inaugural Security Draws on Latest Technologies

[Rose Siding]

The nerve center for the most heavily guarded presidential inauguration in history will not be in Washington, where President Bush will take the oath of office, but 25 miles away in a futuristic command post in Northern Virginia.

Inside a gleaming steel-and-marble complex, the Secret Service and 50 federal, state and local agencies will monitor action in the sky, on the ground and in the subway system. Giant plasma screens will beam in live video from helicopters and cameras at the U.S. Capitol, along the parade route and at other potential trouble spots. Officials will be able to track fighter jets patrolling the skies, call up three-dimensional maps of downtown, even project the plume of any chemical release.

One top police official likened the new facility to a set from the "Star Wars" movies. It is one of many signs that Bush's second inauguration Jan. 20 will take security in Washington to a new level, using expertise and equipment developed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

"This is the Super Bowl for us," said FBI Supervisory Special Agent James W. Rice II. "Everyone on every team is dressed up and playing in the game. And the bench is very, very deep."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61769-2005Jan9.html

[cornermouse]

1. Inauguration? What inauguration?

Oh, the one I'm boycotting? Its going to be a dvd day all day long for us.

[Malva Zebrina]

2. The Guardian reported that an "army" of ten thousand

FBI, SS and police will be on hand to "protect" our King's inauguration.

I bet he loves that eh? Must really make him feel very powerful this authoritarian display.

I wonder how much that will cost the citizens.

Yet, what else can display and promote his awesome power more than that?--The thousands of military that will be there,most likely in dress uniform, and will be especially honored by their AWOL CIC. This is a first at an inauguration. His private army will be there to celebrate his inauguration.

This should be interesting.

[htuttle]

4. While it might be a 'first' for an American inauguration,

It's old hat around the rest of the globe.



Kinda brings a tear to your eye, doesn't it?

Sorry. I get all weepy at tasteless displays of jingoistic nationalism.

[mark11727]

3. Does it look anything like THIS...?

[RC]

5. Paranoia, anyone?

Talk about pompous self importance for someone who really should be spending the rest of their life in a spartan 8X10 cell for War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity...

[oneighty]

6. Hey! What about the Atomic Bomb/Bombs

that might have, may have, or somebody was thinking of maybe might be planted here and there in ten or more or less American cities just waiting for an opportune moment.

Oh maybe that was "Lets scare the shit out of the stupid people" right wing bush shit.

It was not true?

180

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

7. Why does a guy with a mandate need to act so paranoid?

[OldVlad]

8. I hope nothing happens so he appears paranoid and weak

If a protestor becomes violent it will play right into the right winger's hands, as if there wasn't enough of that going on in the past few months.

[burn the bush]

9. is the cost of the use of so much military being covered by his "donations

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

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