The Not-So-Secret Service

The Washington Post had an article about the naughty behavior of some Secret Service workers. They were in Mississippi before President Bush visited on March 8. They came to size up the scene from a security point of view, so that when the President arrives they will be able to protect him. At one of the houses they surveyed, they introduced themselves as Fox journalists. Later they told the couple that they were actually from the Secret Service.

Many people were not pleased by the actions of these Secret Service agents (or surveyors, whatever their title is). As a result they will be "reprimanded" for their actions. The government will "discipline (those) who masqueraded as journalists this month." It seems as though the problem here is the fact that they used a disguise - that of Fox journalists. What do people expect the Secret Service to do if not disguise themselves? Is it not called secret service for a reason? Are they supposed to wear signs which clearly identify them as Secret Service agents?

Perhaps people would have preferred if they would have originally introduced themselves as Secret Service agents. But wouldn't that blow their cover? Does the name Valerie Plame ring a bell? What will become of undercover agents if they need to be identified as such to everyone, thereby undermining the fact that they're undercover? You can never win, if you keep it a secret you'll get in trouble for impersonation, and if you reveal an agent's identity, well, we know what will happen. You'll lose your job!