Welcome to the Friday mailbag where you will find some of the comments, questions and ideas sent recently by subscribers of this newsletter or our publications. They are edited for space and clarity.
“It was reported the Secret Service does not normally use drug sniffing dogs at the White House (Cocaine, July 10, 2023). Could that be because, regardless of administration, this would create too many PR problems? Lots of other venues have drug-sniffing dogs as part of the routine. You are 100% correct about Shaggy and Scooby having this solved. Faster than camera video, the electronic passes create computer logs with date and time stamps for each point of entry.” - Chuck
As you likely know by now, the Secret Service closed the case. Velma must have lost her glasses. - Shane
Good Morning, Shane. Regarding your piece on finding cocaine in the White House (Cocaine, July 10, 2023), there is virtually no way this was brought in by a tourist, VIP visitor or lower-level staff person. To access the West Wing area of the White House, you go through security just outside the Old Executive Office Building (OEB) west of the White House but within the high security compound. A background check has been run on all visitors prior to arrival. You show a picture ID before emptying your pockets and going through a metal detector. You may/may not have your briefcase swabbed for drugs/explosives residue. You then walk single-file through a narrow hallway with a large fan on one side that blows air past you and toward a drug/bomb-sniffing German Shepherd behind a gate on the opposite wall. After a short wait, you are allowed into the OEB and from there have relative freedom of movement, up to and including the outside entrance to the West Wing. You can only go in if your appointment (or tour) is in that area. I think it's likely that the cocaine was brought in by a high-level staffer or someone who undergoes less scrutiny to access the area. It's insulting for the WH to suggest that a tourist or VIP visitor could be the culprit.” - Tim
We deserve answers. Unfortunately, it looks like this is being swept under the rug. Nothing to see here. - Shane
“I haven’t followed the cocaine story especially closely, but I can say that on a recent trip to the East Wing we did have to walk past a drug dog (Cocaine, July 10, 2023). I’m sure it’s the same with the West Wing based on my daughter’s description of her recent visit there. So, I don’t assume that the President has a need to be embarrassed. Besides your update, the only place I’ve heard anyone complaining about the time being taken for the investigation is Fox News. I certainly hope the Daily Umbrella isn’t getting insight from that source.” - Susan
President Biden (or any president, for that matter) may not be embarrassed by this incident, but he most certainly should be concerned — at least I hope so. We don’t need a political bias to be concerned about illegal drugs in the White House. - Shane
“My parents, too, live like your mom (Didn’t own much, July 11, 2023). No credit card until late in life, and I had to co-sign also. They never used the card. It was ‘just in case’ when traveling.” - Gail
One has to wonder how long it will be before cash — or coins — will no longer be an option. And then one has to wonder when the day will come when we wish they were available again.” - Shane
Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com | 
