THE SECRET SERVICE CAPER
(….a bit of – Animal House- hubris)

The men in Bogota are probably growling their heads off right now, about dumb-ass Americanos willing to pay outrageous prices just to get laid. Granted, Colombian beauties (if their bikini photos are to be believed) are indeed, ravishing, but that kind of inflationary competition is not likely to be much appreciated by local gents competing for their favors, and thus not help maintain amicable relations between our two countries.

These kinds of scandalous shenanigans are nothing new, of course. Does anyone recall the “glasnost’ era episode when Marine guards of our embassy there were found to be keeping “open house” for every KGB broad in Moscow?

Nor should we forget any number of past situations where some folks with high level security clearances found themselves in a compromising situation just because they couldn’t keep their pants zipped.  Of course the usual excuse for such escapades is to invoke the devil-made-me-do-it defense, rather than admitting to an all too natural irresistible hormonal urge because of an unwise infusion of alcohol, etc., etc..

Actually, it isn’t a matter of sexual adventurism but rather a failure of self-discipline. Simply put, anyone holding any kind of high level security clearance, or responsibility, has to know that –sex- and –security- just don’t mix. And if you’re connected with such a sensitive service as protecting the President of the United States, it’s imperative that such service places even more restrictive limits on behavior than normal. It’s just an unacceptable risk.

And even the most casual social interaction, or innocent humorous comment about such matters, can bring down the wrath of security aparatniks on one’s head….in the blink of an eye. If you have any kind of security status you have to walk a very fine line of behavior no matter how, where, or with whom you might be involved. That’s just the reality of it all.

Well, this Secret Service caper in Bogota appears to have been a bit of –Animal House – hubris. There’s something about working in such a rarified government environment that tends to make some folks believe they’re above any kind of behavioral constraints.

They had to learn the hard way….it ain’t so.

CENTURION