Step back from the hairbrush or I’ll shoot
We’re thinking of taking the kids to Washington on vacation and when I looked up getting tours of the White House — possible only for groups of 10, by the way (making me want to invite six random people to join in) — I found a most peculiar list of White House contraband:
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the following: handbags, book bags, backpacks, purses, food and beverages of any kind, strollers, cameras, video recorders or any type of recording device, tobacco products, personal grooming items (make-up, hair brush or comb, lip or hand lotions, etc.), any pointed objects (pens, knitting needles, etc.), aerosol containers, guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons/devices, or knives of any size. The U.S. Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items. Umbrellas, wallets, cell phones and car keys are permitted.
Damn, no stun guns. But no personal grooming items? Afraid we might comb Bush’s hair?
February 11th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Readily available self-defence weapons conceal a sharp plastic dagger, usually manufactured from ABS resin, in the handle of a comb or hairbrush. Detaching the brush or comb component reveals the weapon, but the all plastic construction makes the weapon invisible to x-rays or a fluoroscope.
In some iterations of these weapons, the mechanism for detaching the comb or hairbrush component is concealed, hiding it from a cursory physical examination as well.
While I’m unwilling to speculate on effectiveness, this is the reasoning behind the specific ban on combs and hairbrushes.
February 12th, 2008 at 7:36 am
No cameras are permitted but cell phones are. What about cell phones with camera? Does the Secret Service inspect all cell phones for camera capability?
My complaint about these restrictions and so many other prohibited items in many places it is effetely restricts what you are allowed to carry around on you person if you plan to do certain thing. Want to visit a government building, leave your weatherman/swiss army knife at home, you can bring you cell phone but only the old one one without a camera, leave the iPhone at home, and don’t even think about a real camera to record your memories you’ll be hauled off for questioning.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Jeff have you called your Congressional offices? They in the past were able to get tickets for smaller groups. You do need to plan in advance but it never hurts to call. They should have something on their website about how to go about making a request if not call the DC office and ask how handles tours and they may be able to help you out.
February 12th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
The first time I was in Washington post-9/11 was pretty disheartening. Every Smithsonian museum makes you go through security checkpoints, which never seem to be as effective as they probably should be. It just makes me sad that these museums are not as “free” as they used to be. Of course they’re not as good as they used to be either because exhibit space is being replaced with souvenir stands, photo booths and McDonalds. Maybe thet’s how they pay for the increased security, but it was troubling to me. At least they have Stephen Colbert’s portrait now
February 13th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
I don’t trust the government, so if they ever visit me, that’s my policy as well.
February 14th, 2008 at 9:18 am
So what? We gotta be naked?
And what’s worse, you seriously think that prexy will be in the same room at the same time? What am I going to do? Break from the group, find the room he’s in with my White House map, and ask for his autograph?
Oh, that’s right, no pens.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Who needs a hair brush if you gotta buzzcut. If one is naked one may
need one but not if all alone unless one is a narciasist. I’m may need one if the hair raises on the back of my neck if I don’t clean the smoke stack soon. Weapons are for non-believers and victims of circumstance in some remote cases. Are you close to getting the idea of my shaftless gyrations.
No one understands me; I must be an inventor.
February 17th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Jeffi
I’m happy to be one of your random people if you need bodies for your White House visit. I have the misfortune of being stuck in this town for awhile and might was well see the sites while I”m here.
February 17th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
It’s almost as bad as visiting a prison! While at the White House be sure to have lunch across the street at Old Ebbit Grill on 15th Street. During the “season” many politicians and lobbyist can be seen at lunch. The WWII memorial is a great witness to the need for peace — as is the VietNam Memorial. The National Zoo is wonderful even in the winter — as is the National Cathedral (4:00 pm Evensong) + a great bookstore. And put your hands on a Washington Post in genuine newsprint — my favorite.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
The message is simple: Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Do these restrictions, by an dlarge, make anybody safer? Probably not. There are no doubt plenty of ways for a clever terrorist to get around them.
But by banning common everyday items. and setting up checkpoints everywhere, we foster the culture of fear that makes it possible for government to continue to diminish personal rights and freedoms.
Keep the sheeple under control.
February 21st, 2008 at 9:57 am
I just got back from DC. I went to the White House to see about a tour and found out you have to contact your congress person at least a month in advance to schedule a tour.