News broke this morning on The Blaze that several news outlets had removed a story about Malia Obama heading to Mexico for Spring Break. This raised two important questions: 1) Why was the story being scrubbed and 2) Why was the eldest Obama daughter vacationing in an area that has been deemed unsafe by The State Department? Glenn reacted on radio today.
He started off the radio show wondering if such a scrubbing had happened before, and what exactly the cause was.
"Why are all these stories being taken down? Is the story false? Have they been removed for security reasons? Or is somebody telling these people to remove stories?" Glenn wondered after reading the initial report.
They agreed that it must have been for security reasons, as well as a general policy of "Leave the kids alone" that exists with most first families and their young children.
Regardless of why the story was removed Glenn said that he hoped Malia was safely on her way home after the story was leaked to the press.
"I would hope that she's being pulled back," Glenn said. "The minute that story broke, she should have been back on a plane."
Later in the program, Glenn said that Politico had confirmed that the White House was behind the removal. Kristina Schake, Communications Director to the First Lady, told Politico: "From the beginning of the administration, the White House has asked news outlets not to report on or photograph the Obama children when they are not with their parents and there is no vital news interest. We have reminded outlets of this request in order to protect the privacy and security of these girls."
Nevertheless, this scenario raised an interesting question: Why would the President allow his thirteen year old child to go to Mexico in the first place? After all, the same security concerns that led to the removal of these stories should be considered where to send a child for vacation.
As the radio crew pointed out, Mexico has long become increasingly dangerous over the past few years.
"The State Department said the rising number of kidnappings and disappearances throughout Mexico is a particular concern, both local and expatriate communities have been victimized. In addition local police have been implicated in some of these incidents. We strongly advise you to lower your profile and avoid displaying any evidence of wealth that might draw attention.
"Additionally, the warning that came out February 8th notes that the U.S. Government personnel and their families are prohibited from personal travel to all areas described as 'defer nonessential travel' and when travel for official purposes is essential, it is conducted with extensive security precautions. It adds, however, the U.S. Government personnel and their families are allowed to travel for personal reasons to the areas where no advisory's in effect or where the advisory is to exercise caution," Glenn read on radio today.
Glenn added that nearby areas to Oaxaca, Mexico where Malia had travelled have been deemed dangerous.
"I know enough Secret Service agents, I cannot believe the Secret Service said, 'Oh, yeah, don't worry about it. We got it.' I can't believe that," Glenn said.
Glenn emphasized that this discussion had little to do with the First Family, and more to do with the judgment of President Obama. "This isn't about the children. This is about the thinking of the President of the United States"
"It comes down to when you're talking about the safety of the children. You know, all the crap we talk about, I don't like the president's policies, but we're all there wanting these people to be safe," Stu added.
"The point being here, it's a dangerous area you don't want to send your children to and we get that information from the State Department. Not from our own, making it up. We see the numbers. We have the reports from this administration. It doesn't make any sense," said Stu.
Glenn added, "My children weren't with me in Jerusalem while we were doing the Restoring Courage. There's nothing I wanted more than my children to be with me. That was a historic event. My wife wasn't with me, my children weren't with me. Because it was too ‑‑ there were too ‑‑ the family became an asset, a target. And so the family had to leave and go home and they had to be here in Texas. They watched it. My family gathered together, my kids gathered together and watched it on GBTV just like everybody else. There are things that you do as a dad to make sure that you don't put your children in harm's way. And I, you know, I'm not saying that the President or the First Lady wants their children to be hurt by any stretch of the imagination. That's ridiculous to think but it's just irresponsible. I can't even understand it."
