Comments on: Secret service code names http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 21 May 2013 20:15:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: B E Pratt http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1526012 B E Pratt Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1526012  Hum. Let's just shorten that to "Spam" and be done with it.  Hum. Let’s just shorten that to “Spam” and be done with it.

]]> By: B E Pratt http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1526010 B E Pratt Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1526010 That's Thurston Howell, III to you! Note that before he was stranded on Gilligan's Isle, he was the original "The Millionaire". [I had forgotten that....] That’s Thurston Howell, III to you! Note that before he was stranded on Gilligan’s Isle, he was the original “The Millionaire”. [I had forgotten that....]

]]> By: Gilbert Wham http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525862 Gilbert Wham Thu, 06 Sep 2012 11:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525862 I move that Romney is now known only as <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Spam%20Javelin&defid=936640" rel="nofollow">Spam Javelin</a> I move that Romney is now known only as Spam Javelin

]]> By: chgoliz http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525747 chgoliz Thu, 06 Sep 2012 04:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525747 Bowhunter and Buttercup.  I thought the testosterone names were bad, but now I'm thinking the estrogen names are probably even more cringe-worthy. Bowhunter and Buttercup.  I thought the testosterone names were bad, but now I’m thinking the estrogen names are probably even more cringe-worthy.

]]> By: franko http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525733 franko Thu, 06 Sep 2012 03:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525733 i had no idea that presidents got to have playa names, like out at burning man. i had no idea that presidents got to have playa names, like out at burning man.

]]> By: alanpdx http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525719 alanpdx Thu, 06 Sep 2012 03:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525719 I would expect that Mitt Romney's code name is "Howell". I would expect that Mitt Romney’s code name is “Howell”.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525701 Antinous / Moderator Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525701 I'm pretty sure that it refers to him rolling down the stairs after too many hits on the crack pipe. I’m pretty sure that it refers to him rolling down the stairs after too many hits on the crack pipe.

]]> By: Roy Trumbull http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525679 Roy Trumbull Thu, 06 Sep 2012 01:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525679 The real inside inside is to know the meaning of the lapel buttons worn by staff and security. They change on a pretty regular basis around the President. They don't change as often for the VP.. Typically the press and others must clear a banquet room an hour before it opens for real. During that time the room is swept for bombs etc.. As I left one such venue the middle aged security pro coming in had a World Way I era brass lapel button of an aerial bomb. The real inside inside is to know the meaning of the lapel buttons worn by staff and security. They change on a pretty regular basis around the President. They don’t change as often for the VP.. Typically the press and others must clear a banquet room an hour before it opens for real. During that time the room is swept for bombs etc.. As I left one such venue the middle aged security pro coming in had a World Way I era brass lapel button of an aerial bomb.

]]> By: grimc http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525675 grimc Thu, 06 Sep 2012 01:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525675 If the purpose of the codename was to hide identity, the Secret Service wouldn't tell the press about it. If the purpose of the codename was to hide identity, the Secret Service wouldn’t tell the press about it.

]]> By: mccrum http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525672 mccrum Thu, 06 Sep 2012 01:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525672 Apparently it started back when we didn't encrypt everything all the time.  Or have a roving press pack indicating where the President always is.  These days they exist "for purposes of brevity, clarity, and tradition" Think of it more as a nickname than a codename these days. Apparently it started back when we didn’t encrypt everything all the time.  Or have a roving press pack indicating where the President always is.  These days they exist “for purposes of brevity, clarity, and tradition”

Think of it more as a nickname than a codename these days.

]]> By: grimc http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525668 grimc Thu, 06 Sep 2012 01:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525668 I'm guessing it was the kind of tumbler you fill with scotch. I’m guessing it was the kind of tumbler you fill with scotch.

]]> By: checkersspeech http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525657 checkersspeech Thu, 06 Sep 2012 01:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525657 The Time caption reads:  "Ryan hunts dear near Medill, Oklahoma, Nov. 23, 2011."   Maybe they meant, "Ryan hunts, dear, ... "  Also, it's MADILL, not Medill.   So much for proofreading and fact-checking.  The Time caption reads:  ”Ryan hunts dear near Medill, Oklahoma, Nov. 23, 2011.”   Maybe they meant, “Ryan hunts, dear, … ”  Also, it’s MADILL, not Medill.   So much for proofreading and fact-checking. 

]]> By: Tom Rombouts http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525636 Tom Rombouts Thu, 06 Sep 2012 00:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525636 And from back around 1988, don't forget "Pontiac" And from back around 1988, don’t forget “Pontiac”

]]> By: johndavidstutts http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525630 johndavidstutts Thu, 06 Sep 2012 00:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525630 Potatoe Potatoe

]]> By: SoItBegins http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525599 SoItBegins Thu, 06 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525599 I didn't know George W. Bush had a Tumblr. I didn’t know George W. Bush had a Tumblr.

]]> By: Lilah http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525592 Lilah Wed, 05 Sep 2012 23:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525592  "Tumbler" should have been Gerald Ford.  ”Tumbler” should have been Gerald Ford.

]]> By: Jason Thomas http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525514 Jason Thomas Wed, 05 Sep 2012 22:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525514 Is that a phallic reference in your Secret Service code name, or are you just happy to see me? Is that a phallic reference in your Secret Service code name, or are you just happy to see me?

]]> By: Richard Coates http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525510 Richard Coates Wed, 05 Sep 2012 22:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525510 Quicker to say on radio, less chance of confusing one name with another (George Bushes for example). Given the encryption on their comms, and how often Secret Service people must be near microphones and journalists etc, I doubt it makes any difference, security-wise... Quicker to say on radio, less chance of confusing one name with another (George Bushes for example). Given the encryption on their comms, and how often Secret Service people must be near microphones and journalists etc, I doubt it makes any difference, security-wise…

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525505 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 05 Sep 2012 22:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525505 That makes bowhunter phenomenally bad.  I guess factfudger was already taken. That makes bowhunter phenomenally bad.  I guess factfudger was already taken.

]]> By: Matthew Carrick http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525483 Matthew Carrick Wed, 05 Sep 2012 22:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525483 If the name can in any way ID the individual then it's worse than useless. It must be chosen randomly and have no connection to the person or thing. If the name can in any way ID the individual then it’s worse than useless. It must be chosen randomly and have no connection to the person or thing.

]]> By: angusm http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525464 angusm Wed, 05 Sep 2012 21:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525464 George W. Bush was apparently 'Tumbler', while his dad was 'Timberwolf'. Either George W. has a more self-deprecating sense of humor than we give him credit for, or someone picked that name for him.  George W. Bush was apparently ‘Tumbler’, while his dad was ‘Timberwolf’. Either George W. has a more self-deprecating sense of humor than we give him credit for, or someone picked that name for him. 

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525458 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 05 Sep 2012 21:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525458 Or possibly <i>javelina</i>. Or possibly javelina.

]]> By: tristan eldritch http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525437 tristan eldritch Wed, 05 Sep 2012 21:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525437 Javelin = a major prick. Javelin = a major prick.

]]> By: robcat2075 http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525423 robcat2075 Wed, 05 Sep 2012 21:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525423 I've always figured these are just the Secret Service playing their wards and/or the press for fools, because what's the point of a codename if you reveal it to the public? I’ve always figured these are just the Secret Service playing their wards and/or the press for fools, because what’s the point of a codename if you reveal it to the public?

]]> By: 5onthe5 http://boingboing.net/2012/09/05/secret-service-code-names.html#comment-1525412 5onthe5 Wed, 05 Sep 2012 21:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179574#comment-1525412 "Bob Russell is so boring his Secret Service codename is Bob Russell." “Bob Russell is so boring his Secret Service codename is Bob Russell.”

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