Former Secret Server Agent John Barletta (Photo: CNN)
President Ronald Reagan was a good ol’ boy who enjoyed packing heat around his property, but after discharging his weapon to scare away a heron one day, the Secret Service decided they better hold onto his guns.
Secret Service Agent John Barletta recounted the tale, explaining that it all started at Rancho del Cielo when President Reagan took a pot shot at a heron snacking on his beloved fish. The gunshot triggered panic amongst the Secret Service agents. Barletta tried calming them down, but his word choice only made things worse.
“I was trying to tell them that it’s the President doing the shooting, everything’s OK, but it didn’t come out that way, and it just caused more excitement,” said Barletta. “His codename was Rawhide. And I said, ‘Rawhide shot.’”
Eventually everyone figured out that the President had not been shot, but was the one doing the shooting.
“I supposed I should have told you was going to do that, huh?” President Reagan said to Barletta.
According to Barletta, President Reagan enjoyed his little getaway ranch and the two often rode horses together.
“You can ask anybody who rides a lot,” said Barletta. “You throw a leg over a horse, and it’s like the tension just flow right out of the tip of your boot. You’re at peace. At least I am, and he was. He definitely was. He would mount up and he would go ‘Ahh’ and sigh like, ‘This is home.’”
After President Reagan discharged a firearm unannounced, the Secret Service took possession of the Commander in Chief’s guns. But the heron who was eating President Reagan’s fish? He never returned again.
Check out the full story on CNN.
(This article was a submission by freelance writer Brent Rogers)
The President should have fired his entire SS detail.
Well, Mr. S.H. Blannelberry, you certainly accomplished your task. Since you really struggle with your journalism skills, what do you do?? You start a fight.
I don’t read this publication to get an ear/eye full of bombastic B.S. , I get that every day on the tube, in life, in my job.
You AND your so called moderator/agitator should be very ashamed of what you have allowed to appear in this opinion blog.
Yes I get it, this is a free country (still) and every one has their opinion, freedom of the press, I get it.
However , what happened to being decent, courteous, and genteel in public. Heck, I don’t like the current president, but I was taught to respect the office of the president.
To everyone who has a favorite “whipping boy president” when it comes to ruining this great land, just remember this country is run by career politicians of both parties who have bent , twisted, broken, and bastardized the constitution for their own gain.
Every administration in the last 100 years has been hell bent to insure their continuing existence, and has given as much as they can to the ones who will keep them in office.
Blame?? Shame?? More than enough to go around.
Let us just please keep it civil.
“I would rather appear ignorant, than open my mouth and remove all doubt” I think Mark Twain said that.
I find it kinda ridiculous that the man claims they “disarmed” a guy who, for several years, was armed with the outright command of the football. I don’t think there is another phrase to use other than”ridiculously preposterous claim”.
Anyway, God how I miss Reynaldous Magnus.
What is wrong with you people? Women and kids read this too. Some of you are simply out and out filthy pigs.
Good God, do eat with those mouths? Your wives and kids can be real proud of you – NOT!!! Clean it up or go someplace else to share your trash
Honor Guard, civil discourse in a discussion about politics is often impossible when there are those who would do anything to relieve you of your rights.
Whilst I mostly agree with you, the fact is that politics has ALWAYS been a game of uncivil discourse.
If truth were to be told, it’s the unwillingness to get “uncivil” with our enemies that has helped lead us (the gun guys) to where we are today. Spineless Republicans, rights based on sex, entitlement based rights and so on.
There comes a point when fire must be met with fire.
Our very socio/political makeup has changed, the ideal of a civil exchange is gone, especially when your enemies use your own “old fashioned” ideals against you.
This is where the expression “no more Mr nice guy” comes in.
You’re probably a real nice guy, and they will eat you alive for it.
Sorry, it’s just the way it is.
To all you simple minded ignoramuses commenting about that zero minus Reagan being a great president.
Each of you deserves the million dollar share of national debt that borrow and spend politics has saddled you and your children with .
I am a Veteran and now a independent voter because we all have been sold out by both parties, and the only president worth his salt under my watch was Ike. so kiss your zero hero Reagans butt and salute your debt.
Mick, Mick. You silly man, you make a comment about debt, when it was IKE that EXPANDED the social security program for people who never even paid into it? As well as creating the Dept. of Health, Education and Welfare? Just where do you think a bulk of Federal tax money goes, Mick? 70% of it goes to THAT dept.
Do you even know what you’re talking about Mick? (obviously not)
What a ignorant statement!! You deserve the do nothing Congress you have you delusional Corporate worshiping sheep.
The only thing you will have after the New York Jewish consortium steals what you think you have in stocks, bonds and IRA’s will be Social Security when you hit your sixties/ That is unless you let the vultures in Congress bullshit you out of that as well.
Gosh Mick, I was being nice. Clearly, you’re not only in denial, you’re an asshat.
Ignorant? Look it up Mick, what I said IS true. Ike expanded socialism (welfare) in the U.S., plain and simple.
Are you a plant? Mick, you’re a Democrat, aren’t you?
I’m SO sorry Mick. They left you years ago, didn’t they? You poor simple foolish man.
Well, take solace in the fact that you can always go to Canada.
Want busfare?
If you can’t swim upstream with the big fish go suck eggs with the little dogs.
I do not have a problem with Mick Dodge’s point of view on Reagan. Way before my time but you can keep Ike also. Back to Reagan, I did like him at the time, I was in the USMC while he was President but feel betrayed with the facts I came to learn later including Colonel North and the crack epidemic. Certainly the Psych Ops waged on the US resulted in NWA “straight out of Compton” where a generation earlier the “Beach Boys” were born and raised in Compton.
Don’t forget the deal him and former CIA chief Bush made with the Iranians to hold on to the American hostages until after the presidential elections which made Carter look bad.
Fifty two hostages turned into pawns for the sake of a goddamm election.
Or him cutting and running after the P L O blew up the Marine Barracks in Lebanon, close to three hundred American casualties in that one.
Those posting will notice how the bitter poster immediately resorted to lewd, rude, and profanity. That is all “they” have; no semblance of decency when faced with truthfulness or conflict of any sort. It’s pathetic but watch closely, we’re about to see far more of it.
I am surprised that any buddy would talk about a former president like that. Ragan did a great service to his country. What have you done . We need to standup as one united America to turn this Nation around to greatness. Negative remarks such as that does not help. We need to be proud and respect our former leaders. Even if we had our diferances, We are all Americans.
Gentlemen, let’s be civilized about this, Reagan was a great president. Yes he had his flaws, but compared to who we have now that made the confederate flag illegal but rewards cowards and punks to stomp on our glorious Stars and Stripes Reagan would be a god send. Hell Nixon would be better than who we have now. I would even go to say I would prefer Busch Jr. to get a third term than the jackass we have now. No the secret service should not have taken his guns, but I understand why they did. They should have communicated that better and I’m sure he got them back after a few days
That senile old relic should have been neutered for his trickle down borrow and spend one percenter butt kissing ways.
The secret service should have shoved that piece up his faggot actors ass.
And I bet you just loved the last seven years under Barry Hussein Soetoros rule.
Big talk from some punk faggot who still whores himself to ISIS goat bumpers.
Mick Dodge, you sir are the one that needs to be neutered. Anyone with your mentality should not reproduce.
I know a great organization that can help you with your anger management… However, I’m not sure how to help your infatuation with his private parts. I really hope for every American’s safety that you don’t actually own any guns.
So, MD, you like our current dipshit White House occupier?
Then Reagan obviously had more balls in his little pinky than you have. Wish he was still around.
Has class envy advanced your quality of life, Mick boy??
Don’t think so. It doesn’t because it’s not supposed to. Looks like Bernie or Hill has your vote in the bag. 😉
FUCK YOU! You pencil neck geek bastard. How dare you insult a true American hero like that. I hope someone near you who knows who you are & where to find you knocks your leftist dick in the dirt! In fact, I hope everyone reading this who knows you, finds you & takes turns knocking you on your ass! You are a punk!
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha, hohohohohoh, what a belly laugh on that putdown for that CREEP Dodge.
Reagan was an American King as in the vain of a modern day re-Founder.
He really belongs on Mt. Rushmore ~!
I really do not understand why everybody must wait for commentary on this website to be assessed by moderators when they let crap like this through. This is not acceptable and I will not continue my subscription if this continues to be within the standard of moderators here. I come here to read what others of a like mind have to say about articles posed here. Not to read the same BS I do on every other website that has been hi jacked by delusional nut bags, criminals and fools. Do your job right or see what it’s like to be abandoned by the vast majority of decent folks.
“…same BS I do on every other website that has been hi jacked by delusional nut bags, criminals and fools.”
Are you writing about US politicians, their corporate media propagandists, or the comment- makers?
Both. From both sides of the aisle, and the others commenting. That’s what moderators are supposed to do. Check these fools. Answer your question Winston : )
Just a little shout out to Mick Dodge, who is a loser in his own right. Never does or will get anything right in what life he might have left. He is, just a loser.
I’ll agree that Regan was a dipshit, but not for the left wing, “I know absolutely nothing about economics” reasons you give. Regan was a turd because he sold us out during the fight against the 1994 “Assault Weapons” ban. He actually PERSONALLY called key Congressmen prior to the crucial vote and tried to persuade them to vote for the bill. This is a fact that the gatekeepers of the “Ronald Regan legacy” and the Republican Party hierarchy try very hard to keep buried, but it is the absolute truth. It was not only Regan who knifed us in the back, but ex president Ford and that idiot, Jimmy Carter as well. Don’t ever let anyone try to tell you that Ronald Regan was a friend of gun owners or the 2nd Amendment. He was, and is, “all hat and no cattle.” He was nothing but a turncoat who went behind the backs of the American gun owner to deprive them of their rights at a critical time during our defense of the 2nd Amendment. Regan a “conservative?” Not much…………….
You don’t know enough about it to comment on Reagan or what that scenario was about or you wouldn’t.
Reagan alway carried a pistol even as POTUS; BUT when President Reagan was shot several others were severely wound, Brady for life. The outrage and up roar was tremendous from every side. Fortunately the President lived but the furor by anti-gun people crashed the gates of the average gun owner and even gunright orgs.
See Cleo- WE the People were not up on tactful articulate response like WE now have learned to be and have turned back that tide.
With President Reagan’s close proximity to Tom Brady and his now rabid “gun-control advocate wife[who cared for him in that vegitative state for the rest of his life], his guilt and sorow was great and he did have a weak moment in the overwhelming tide coming against all of us 2nd-Amendment folks. Blowup somewhere else, common sense and history shows it was a turbulent time and he was already Alsheimer’s then. So give it a rest will ya ~!
I bashed mick maybe too quick.
Just that my first presidential vote was for Reagan and I’d do it again if Mondale was the other choice.that being said,not only did Reagan make the Clinton gun ban possible he also sign the 86 ban on new made transferable full auto making the number finite and making impossible fully transferable glock 18s or Krišs smgs,,,,,
OK mick I take it back don’t give your highpoint a hummer.
You’re a rude inconsiderate moron…
Mick dodge is a commie butt pirate who should do the world a favor and give his high point a hummer
How could they take his guns? That was BS, and it was the agent’s fault for relaying the message wrong, to begin with.
I agree he’s the commander and chief I would’ve told them no way. If I was him I would be armed everywhere I went since whether your good or bad someone sumwer always dislikes you that’s y they always have so much security around even while sleeping and even pooping lol
If Teddy Rosevelt would of done that no one would blink an eye…bunch of pussys
Like to have seen them try taking trs guns.that would be a scrap never forgotten