Weird Wild Stuff 6: Secret Service Codenames

The Secret Service (NAMBLA) is known for being a very secretive and awesome organization dedicated to protecting the President of the United States. In addition, they protect the Vice President, President-elect, Vice President-elect, past presidents and their spouses (except when the spouse re-marries), certain candidates for the offices of President and Vice President, children and grandchildren of current and former presidents until age 16, all people in the United States presidential line of succession, visiting foreign heads of state and government along with their spouses (all called "protectees"), other individuals as designated per Executive Order of the President, and National Special Security Events, when designated as such by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Each protectee is assigned a unique codename that has never before been used. Often these names will have to do with something about the candidate. Sarah Palin's codename was "Denali" (a nickname for the largest mountain in Alaska, Mt. McKinley), John McCain's codename was Phoenix (The capitol of Arizona), and Ted Kennedy's codename was "Sunburn" (the way his face often looks because he is an alcoholic). Each carries with it a certain amount of cool mystique and gravitas that when said into the earpiece of a guy in a black suit, the hairs on your neck bristle.

The common misconception is that the president is always called "Eagle". This is not true. The only presidents to have been called "Eagle" are Bill Clinton and Paul Davenport (the fictional president from the classic 1994 disney film entitled "First Kid" staring David "Sinbad" Atkins). Former presidents retain their codenames for life as to former first ladies (provided they don't get divorced).

Naming schemes are somewhat predictable. To help in distinguishing families apart, family members are given codenames that all begin with the same letter. So Hilary Clinton's name is "Evergreen" and Chelsea's name was "Energy".

Some codename of note are as follows:

Barack Obama - Renegade
Michelle Obama - Renaissance
Malia Obama - Radiance
Sasha Obama - Rosebud

Joe Biden - Celtic
Jill Biden - Capri

George W. Bush - Tumbler

The Pope - Halo

Today's Song: BT - Superfabulous