Interesting. I'm not sure those were really there as protection -- they seem t leave a lot of the guy uncovered. :eyebrow:

I don't know Chicago at all, so maybe those of you who have been and know this park can comment better, but I just went to Google Earth and looked at the satellite imagery for this park. The buildings behind Obama in the picture are 1 full mile away from Obama. A telephoto lens makes them appear to be closer than they are. To the left of the picture, in the direction that Obama is facing, are closer buildings that are not as tall. (They are out of frame.) They are about 500 meters away. According to Merc, a sniper could reach Obama from there, but the plexiglass protects him from that direction. Behind the photographer, there is a large museum about 300 meters away. It shields him from that direction. And to the right in the picture, behind Obama, is the lake.

I think they did a pretty good job of shielding him.

How about from where the guy took this picture? If he's in photo range, he's in bullet range.
(I don't know why I'm arguing about this -- I think he'll be fine.)

The press go through security.

But yeah, that would be more of an "inside job" and that's the only way I can see anyone getting close enough. I think he'll be fine. (of course, I did obsess enough about it to go look at Google Earth.)

I didn't :D

As a Chicagoan, Grant Park is on the shoreline basically, surrounded by the art institute and Roosevelt U, Columbia College of Chicago and other buildings that would have been WELL covered by security. To the north is Millenium park, again no chance for anybody. No one has a chance on the ground, the only feasible chance would be on a boat but I'm sure coast guard was there with helicopter coverage, I heard choppers in the speech. The college buildings don't allow anyone who's non student or faculty or maintenance. And it is illegal to own a firearm in Chicago. There's no way anyone could get one into a Chicago college building, impossible for the art institute.

Again, I feel he'll be the most protected president to date.

It's illegal to own a firearm in Chicago? How's that working out for you?

They can never catch the ppl that possess firearms. Only the ones who own them.

You insensitive bastard. Chicago was killed on 9/11...hence the song "The Night Chicago Died."

Sheesh

Not well. Chicago loses more black kids due to firearm deaths than the city loses soldiers in Iraq.

Me too

From an outsiders perspective, Obama is the most charismatic man to be the American President since JFK, and look what happened to him? The two have won their seats in such similar circumstances also. (a big part of that being support from the liberal entertainment industry)

That's the main reason for my thoughts on this matter. My other thought is that he should stay out of convertibles and away from grassy knolls.

I think you need to have a bit of a look at the history books Sam. :)

Thanks for seeing hollywood for what it is

I think he'll get lucky, despite several attempts. Yes, that is the positive end.

A liberal entertainment industry? You say that like it's a bad thing.