Motorcycle officers crash during escort

Check out this news article. http://starbulletin.com/2006/11/22/news/story02.html

Just goes to show that the motorcycle crash can happen to anyone at any time.

Check out this news article. http://starbulletin.com/2006/11/22/news/story02.html

Just goes to show that the motorcycle crash can happen to anyone at any time.

The reporter mentioned the officers trained for the assignment. For them to get serious injuries on a special day makes it extra sad. First three officers injured, then one more later that day, then a mention of one two weeks prior makes me wonder if the activities involving motorcade in itself can create condition for accidents. I mean conditions beyond gravel or slick road. Hope they make full recovery.

One officer has died from his injuries. Sad news.........

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/26/death.bush.motorcade.ap/index.html

Too sad. He leaves behind a big family.

That is sad indeed....
With all due respect to the motorcycle officers...why in blazes do motorcycles even escort something like the presidentual entourage?
For one...they are open targets for any terrorist type that might attack the motorcade....
Secondly, they aren't as effective at clearing traffic in the event of an emergency escape, as say a Tahoe or Suburban would be...
They are purely decorative at best, and apparently unsafe for escorting Bush.
This death and injuries could have possibly been avoided, had they used cages for all the escorts...
It isn't as though the president needs anything to attract attention to the motorcade....the limos and presidential flag does plenty of that on it's own.
If you've ever been present when the prez has drove through...you know that having motorcycles as an escort isn't one of the things that the people flock to see anyway....They are attractive and make it look classy and all..but, they don't serve any real purpose to protect the motorcade.
While I am certain that Bush is truely greived at the injuries and death of these motorcycle officers....I believe it would be in the best interest of all, if he were to direct his detail to drop the practice....especially in view of the fact that this isn't the first time it has happened....