AUGUSTA, Maine — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins says the Secret Service prostitution scandal highlights a lack of women in the presidential security ranks.
The Maine Republican, who is ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, discussed the scandal Sunday on the ABC news program, “This Week with George Stephanopolous.”
Collins said she can’t help but wonder that if there had been more women on that detail in Colombia, if the questionable behavior would have ever happened.
Collins also said she’s been told there’s no evidence of underage women involved in the scandal. But Collins says that’s beside the larger point: “What are Secret Service agents doing bringing unknown foreign nationals to their rooms, regardless of their age?”
The Maine senator says she does not believe the Colombia event was a one-time incident. Earlier this week, she noted to Reuters that, “There are 11 agents involved. Twenty or 21 women foreign nationals were brought to the hotel, but allegedly Marines were involved with the rest,” she said in an email.
“Director Sullivan is rightly appalled by the agents actions and is pursuing a vigorous internal investigation,” said Collins, the senior Republican on the Senate Homeland Security Committee. “He ordered all the agents to return to Washington immediately, and all have been interviewed.”
What.. the muchachos would have bunked with the Fed. muchachas instead? Doesn’t anyone remember Tailhook?
I dont think anyone posting here really understand her comments or what they were suppossed ot mean. I know I dont.
This has to be the most naive statement I’ve ever heard from Sen. Collins. Rather than a reflection of the lack of women agents, it’s a reflection of the character and professionalism of the agents.
I have to agree….
Oh ya.. Just like the US needs another Attorney General like Janet Reno.
They must have been trained during the Clinton Administarion… cigar anyone?
“Collins said she can’t help but wonder that if there had been more women on that detail in Colombia, if the questionable behavior would have ever happened.””
Come on Sue…. Really????
Is Susan Collins saying that we have to have female agents around to shame the male agents into behaving in a manner that is becoming of someone in their position? Im sorry, males acting stupidly is something that their female workers should not be required to police unless they are in a supervisory position over the men.
Maybe if there were more female agents to entertain the boys it wouldnt of happened..LOL Boys will be boys….
It almost appears that she is saying that very thing. I believe she is not but I also believe that she is sending out a bizarre, incoherent statement that is beyond understanding and shows no reasoning whatsoever.
That statement should not set well with the women of this world. Is she insinuating that if we had more female agents the boys would not have to hire ladies of the night?
More women on presidential security detail = less security. They can’t run as fast, shoot as straight lift as much weight, jump as high and fight as hard as men. Thats why the armed forces had to drop physical standards levels. OK let the hate filled rants about male chauvinism start.
As a man and a chef, I will tell you that woman have better palates. There are some things that women have better aptitude for over men and some things that men have better aptitude for over women. This is the way it has always been and always will be. Im sure, somewhere there is a woman that can kick my rear and is a much better physical specimen than I. Im sure that when it comes to the majority of women, I could overcome them with my strength. Again, I am sure that there is a skill that women have that I could no way ever measure up too.
Sen. Collins relishes trying to get undue publicity on controversial issues/events like this by coming out with silly comments like this one that, in her mind and/or in the mind of her staff, are “safe.” She hasn’t the courage to take risky stands in the manner of, say, her predecessor Bill Cohen on impeaching Pres. Nixon or of George Mitchell on so many issues. Usually she gets undue praise from Maine newspapers and her beloved corporate supporters for these “safe” stands. But in the long run she’ll go down as a second-rate politician at best.
Why would having more female agents have prevented this from happening? That is a curious statement.
Susan, are you saying the dems are waging a war
on women for not having more female agents?
Mrs. Collins, how on earth can you arrive at the conclusion that because of a lack of female secret service agents, the male secret service agents would not have gotten into trouble with the prostitutes in Columbia? What kind of an irrelevant comment is this from you, a Senator? The problem rests with the antics of the male SS guys, and even if female SS agents were present, the same thing could have happened. Are you implying that female secret service agents would not tie-up with male prostitutes with a body like Iron Man in the same situation?
Senator Collins…….shame on you for making such an asinine suggestion; do you really think things over before you open your mouth? Perhaps it is time for you to step aside and let someone with some logical thinking take your place.
“Collins said she can’t help but wonder that if there had been more women on that detail in Colombia, if the questionable behavior would have ever happened.”No need to go out for take out if you brought a brown bag lunch?
Silly Rabbit!
Not only that but is she implying that it is better for security if our male and female officers are hooking up in the hotel room? I can think of so many ways that would not be true.