[icehog3]

Originally Posted by BamBam

I didn't say anything about unnecessary force and I agree that they shouldn't beat him to a pulp. I also don't feel that geography should affect how you react when protecting the President.

The SS is a very professional organization and they shouldn't be beating people to a pulp without justification, such as the suspect resisting them. We definitely don't want the reputation of schoolyard bullies.

I feel they should have reacted much faster though and used the force necessary to subdue the aggressor until they gained control of the situation (which they did on the subdue part).

The first action of throwing a shoe is a sign of violence, whose to say what else he had on him. Luckily the second thing he threw was only his other shoe.

I think the part that really concerned me is that they didn't remove the President from a volatile situation like they should be trained to do. They left him standing there only to be protected by another country's Prime Minister. The SS is trained to act instinctively and protect the President from harm at ALL costs, even if it puts them in danger. I just feel they failed to react appropriately.

Wasn't trying to take an adversarial position, just offering the possibility of political reasons for the restraint. I agree with much of what you say.