Perhaps the most interesting thing about the various bits of information streaming in is that it portrays several people in positions of responsibility as being very human. Few, if any, of us have never lost our temper or responded to something at some time, in a way unbecoming ourselves.
While it's easy to lose perspective on the picture, or to take sides, I see several people involved in the incident who are more than likely equally responsible persons and professionals. These are people who were caught in a moment of dischord, who are likely all otherwise fine people to know and to work with. I see it as a snowballing situation that doubtless every character wishes had never occured.
Most important of all, just a bit of the human element showing through in all. Deep down inside, no matter what our vocation, we're common people doing a job. The USSS agent is a guy doing his job. The Captain is a guy, doing his job. Even the president is just a guy, doing a job. It's easy to lose sight of that, but peel back the uniforms and titles, and we're all really quite the same. Doubtless some of the subtleties and the behaviors are undesirable in this situation as in all situations. We all have certain levels of personal comfort, certain levels of insecurity, certain boundaries of pride, and even prejudice. Again, humanity is undeniable, and intrinsic. It's in us, and it shows.
The situation appears to have been resolved fairly smoothly and quickly, and hopefully the civil liberties folks and attorneys will just let it go. Time will tell.
