Fortress Chicago

[Movieola]

I posted in the Auctions threads about working in Fortress Chicago, and was invited to post here.

Fortress Chicago is the Federal Building occupied by Obama's transition team along with a slew of federal agencies, including the IRS. When Obama was elected the security at this building really increased. Individuals have to provide picture IDs and go through the usual security screening (x-ray and magnetometer). The USPS trucks are screened for bombs and the UPS trucks are held about 2 blocks away and screened at the rate of one truck at a time. What is unknown is how long this will continue.

Life in the "Chicago White House" is very interesting.

I did not go to Grant Park. I live one block S of Evanston, so I am on Chicago's far north side. I heard a lot of whooping and hollering along with fireworks on election night. Our neighborhood was very excited, even though we weren't at the park.

[Scarpetta]

Fortress Chicago! :) I suppose the intense security will remain until the inauguration in January and the President Elects move from Chicago to the official residence in DC! From what I understand the Obama transition team has set up "Agency Review Teams" to go over the executive operations of government prior to Obama taking the oath:

The Agency Review Teams for the Obama-Biden Transition will complete a thorough review of key departments, agencies and commissions of the United States government, as well as the White House, to provide the President-elect, Vice President-elect, and key advisors with information needed to make strategic policy, budgetary, and personnel decisions prior to the inauguration. The Teams will ensure that senior appointees have the information necessary to complete the confirmation process, lead their departments, and begin implementing signature policy initiatives immediately after they are sworn in.

That sounds like something is really being attended to and even though the increased security isn't easy for those working in the same building, I'm sure you are willing to make that sacrifice and New Government will be off to a new start in January.

Thanks for relating your experience.

[Coolwater]

Yes, thanks for posting, Movieola. Whew! It must be entertaining, at least for now, to see how big time security works. I guess after a while it could get tedious, especially if you're running late. :) Does the Secret Service look like it does on TV?

[Movieola]

It is rather entertaining, although some of the local businesses are not amused. The additional security results in blockages and thus reduced foot traffic. The Chicago police are fanned out in a one block radius, so pretty secure overall. Whether or not it ever ends depends on what Obama does regarding a "Chicago White House" after the inauguration.

[Valoise]

Ah, this brings back memories of living in the Governor's Mansion district of Little Rock during the first Clinton campaign. Actually wasn't too bad, I walked my dog around the neighborhood and didn't notice anything too intrusive, although a friend who lived in the block adjacent to the Clintons did have one run in with the Secret Service. Seems her cat wandered onto their grounds. They brought it back to her personally which left us wondering, did they have a list of all the neighborhood pets?

Valoise

[Scarpetta]

According to this article business is booming for some:

Obama-Mania: Tourism Business Booming in Obama's Chicago

The city is not about to miss out on the tourist gold mine. Chicago's official tourism Web site lures travelers to "Presidential Chicago: Experience the city the Obamas enjoy." The Illinois Bureau of Tourism has launched a three-day tour of the "President-elect Obama Trail," taking visitors to 14 attractions from the state capital of Springfield, where Obama launched his presidential campaign, to his Hyde Park neighborhood in Chicago.

Of course, tourists can't exactly walk up to Obama's front door at his historic Kenwood red brick house, bought by the family in the summer of 2005. The street is cordoned off, guarded by Secret Service and Chicago police, who stand watch over the area. Even the Obama press corps is kept in a bus down the street, yards away from the residence.

But visitors can go get their hair cut at Coye's barber shop, which Obama has frequented for more than a decade.
"We have a lot of Europeans and people from different countries coming in just to get their hair cut by Barack's barber or in Barack's barber shop," Coye said, citing a "big spike" since Election Day, with about five people a day coming in, as well as numerous others driving by to take pictures.

"We try to get it as close as possible," said Coye, on duplicating the Obama 'do.

With all the newfound attention at the salon and his increased security, Obama can no longer go to the barber shop. Instead, he has his stylist go to his friend Mike Signator's place in the nearby Regents Park apartment buildings, where Obama goes for his hour-long morning workouts.

Business also is booming at Obama's favorite neighborhood eateries, including the historic Valois Cafeteria.

"It's been good," said manager Tom Chronopoulos, estimating that "maybe 50" tourists come in every day.
Visitors to Valois frequently ask for "The Obama Special" -- egg whites, bacon and hash browns -- which Obama still eats about five times a week, sending in an aide to pick up his breakfast at about 7:30 most mornings, according to Chronopoulos.

"He used to come, but he's been busy," noted Chronopoulos in the understatement of the century.
The day after Obama's election victory, Chronopoulos said the cafeteria offered Obama's typical breakfast to diners for free, with one exception: scrambled eggs instead of egg whites.

"A lot of people don't eat egg whites," he noted. "I remember one time he came in, just ordered his lunch, sat by himself, said 'hi' to people," Chronopoulos recalled about an Obama visit three years ago. "He seemed like a normal guy, just a regular Joe."


http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/President44/story?id=6356341&page=1

[Barney]

It's amazing how much security there is for these people and how diligent they are. I was in Washington, DC recently and we were out sight seeing and decided to swing by the White House. We had just taken pictures of the front side and were heading to the back when we noticed all these police cars. As we got to the back we were prevented from crossing the street to the perimeter fence around the White House by police. They said we had to stay on the sidewalk. We didn't know what was happening so we decided to just go back to the Hotel which was just a few blocks away. But we couldn't leave the area because we were surrounded by police. All streets were blocked and we couldn't go anywhere. While we were standing on the corner trying to figure out why, the guy standing next to me stepped off of the curb and was suddenly surrounded by four police officers and told quite loudly to get off the street and back onto the sidewalk. As they had there hands on their weapons he complied rather quickly. So we just stood there and waited. We suddenly heard many sirens approaching and we watched 3 policecars as well as 4 motorcycle cops coming followed by 2 black suburbans followed by a black limo and followed by just as many vehicles. They were moving really fast but we were still able to determine who the limo was carrying, it was Vice-President Chaney. I couldn't believe how fast they were driving. They whipped around the corner and we quickly walked to the front entrance and saw them pull into the White House drive. Once he was in the building the police that were blocking all the streets quickly disappeared. And we were able to leave the area and head back to the hotel. It was quite impressive. But I also remember just as much fanfare when President Kennedy came to our town and gave a speech. I was one of the fortunate ones that got to shake his hand has he went down the restraining line. I was only six years old but I have a very clear memory of him that day. My best friend and I were so proud of ourselves since none of our other classmates had the same experience. I was also fortunate to hear his brother Robert Kennedy speak here in Oregon. Can't say I was as excited to see Chaney.

[Coolwater]

:D I feel your pain.

Our daughter Pina got to shake hands with Bill Clinton during the campaign last spring. Totally different experience from any meeting with Cheney, I'm sure.

[Sam]

:p I just keep my head down during the holiday season in case Cheney's down here hunting again.
But you know..reading all these details...reminds me of a question...
Do you think our media releases too many details about our govt. activities which aids our enemies?
I'd be interested in hearing your opinions on it.

[Coolwater]

Now and then, yes, I think they do. The compensation is that if the press can find out secret things in order to publish them, so can the enemy, and the baddies won't be kind enough to let us know that we need to fix the leaks.

I also think that the government uses the need for secrecy to hide its own errors and deliberate wrong doing.

[Littledevil]

So you went and opened that can of worms coco.

Here is my opinion. I am all for Freedom of the Press and their right to let the people know what is going on. I want to know what is going on.

Like a computer nothing is unbreakable. My hubby should know better and I remind of this when he brings it up. Anything can be broken into or hacked into. This being said, if the information is out there it was meant to be found. Maybe not in the plan originally or how it was found out but eventuall yes it was to be known. If our government doesn't want something to be known to the public they are very good at hiding it or coveriung it up. Don't believe everything you hear on the news either. Not every story is real or true. It is portrayed that way to make us believe one thing when something totally different was occuring. It's called misderection. Diversion. Hubby jokes I watch too much NCIS, Criminal Minds, Military shows, etc. :) When truthfully most of the men in my family have or work in the military and government. My point is we as nation's are never really at peace. There is always a mini war going on even when at peace. Things that are made to look like accidents when they weren't, but are made so miniscule on the news you don't even notice it. I yelled obscenities at the television when Geraldo was drawing our military positions and the enemies position in the sand. Stupidy should definityly be shot!!!!!:mad:

[Movieola]

Right on CoolWater, and I say that as a member of the Federal bureaucracy.

[Coolwater]

Well, you can smack Geraldo around if you like just because it's Geraldo, and he generally needs a good smacking, even when you don't know what he's been up to. :D Seriously, I think shooting is perhaps a bit much, because whoever gave him the info must have had clearance to do it, or THAT person needs a dishonerable discharge.

[Sam]

;) So we are all pretty much in agreement with that! I too think it's the responsibility of the sources of information to keep their mouths shut and their secrets secure because they know what kind of circus the media will turn it into.
But even if I were a member of the media and something fell into my hands like the positions of soldiers or something that would destroy a person or persons life...I'd sit on it. I wouldn't report it. :rolleyes: Guess that's why I'm not a reporter.:D

[Littledevil]

Ok, shot may be a little strong. But come on, can I at least shoot him in the @ss.:D

[Scarpetta]

Now you are shooting the media? Geraldo? :p

What ever you do if you encounter the Obama caravan on a Chicago street or freeway. The flashing lights mean don't pass and there is a reason for the windows down. If you look closely you might observe Secret Service rifles and sharpshooters at the ready!

Interesting article at:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/autocorner/chi-getting-around-01-dec01,0,1508757.column

"Stay calm, slow down and don't try to aggressively engage or get away from the motorcade," Zahren advised.

And always remember why the windows are open in the security vehicles leading and tailing the president's car: To give the sharpshooters inside a clean shot.



Tis the World we live in.

[Littledevil]

Geraldo......Absolutely!!!:D

and Yes, you mind your peas and cues then.