# Who's coming to visit? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 18, 2014, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785 "2014-09-18T01:22:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Amberlei](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Amberlei](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amberlei)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/1 "2014-09-18T01:22:03Z")
At work, everyone got an email earlier this week, stating that, “…a number of state and federal dignitaries will be visiting” on 9/18. It went on to say that our parking lot will be inaccessible during parts of the day and that traffic will be congested. All week long, the grounds-crews have been busily planting new shrubs and plants, replacing the bark around the trees, weeding, and moving in huge chunks of petrified logs, trying to beautify the place up. I asked one of the security guards if he knows who’s coming; he said he did, but that he couldn’t reveal it. All of our security guards have gotten new uniforms and for the past few days, there have been all of these men in suits walking around. Today, I heard one of these men telling one of the guards that they needed to do a run-through of tomorrow’s security one more time. We’ve all been speculating today on just who is coming to visit. I’m sort of guessing GW, Perry, and Abbott, but I really don’t know. If y’all had to guess, who do you think our visitors are going to be? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/2 "2014-09-18T07:11:08Z")
It would help to know where the heck your workplace is located. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/3 "2014-09-18T11:16:05Z")
it would also help if we knew what line of business your company is in. Defence contractor? Hi-tech? Elementary school?( with copies of “My Pet Goat” ) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/4 "2014-09-18T11:23:13Z")
> [@Amberlei](#): > > At work, everyone got an email earlier this week, stating that, “…a number of state and federal dignitaries will be visiting” on 9/18. It went on to say that our parking lot will be inaccessible during parts of the day and that traffic will be congested. All week long, the grounds-crews have been busily planting new shrubs and plants, replacing the bark around the trees, weeding, and moving in huge chunks of petrified logs, trying to beautify the place up. I asked one of the security guards if he knows who’s coming; he said he did, but that he couldn’t reveal it. All of our security guards have gotten new uniforms and for the past few days, there have been all of these men in suits walking around. Today, I heard one of these men telling one of the guards that they needed to do a run-through of tomorrow’s security one more time. We’ve all been speculating today on just who is coming to visit. **I’m sort of guessing GW, Perry, and Abbott, but I really don’t know. If y’all** had to guess, who do you think our visitors are going to be? Bolding mine. You’re in Texas? ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/5 "2014-09-18T14:25:12Z")
I’ll bite: Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson and Roger Goodell. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/6 "2014-09-18T14:32:31Z")
Another guess; your daughter and her new fiancee. Except he’s black (while your family is white), but he’s a noble doctor who works for the World Health Organization. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/7 "2014-09-18T14:47:40Z")
Ryan Seacrest and the Audition crew from _American Idol_. Or _X Factor_, _So You Think You Can Dance_, _America’s Got Talent_, or _The Apprentice_. One of that . . . crowd. ---
**Author:** ![Bouncer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9d8465/32.png) [@Bouncer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bouncer)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/8 "2014-09-18T14:53:12Z")
It’s the Imperial Inspector, and he’s arriving this very afternoon! > **[BREAKING: Imperial Inspector To Arrive By Railcar This Very Afternoon](https://www.theonion.com/breaking-imperial-inspector-to-arrive-by-railcar-this-1819576222)** > > Hang The Ribbons, Sweep The Streets—Everything Must Be Perfect For The Inspector! Regards, -Bouncer- ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/9 "2014-09-18T15:22:03Z")
I bet you work in a casino. It’s all a long con, pulled by Ocean’s 11. When you see this so called “dignitary,” tackle him and pull of his mask. I bet it’s really Don Cheedle and you’ll get a reward. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/10 "2014-09-18T15:32:26Z")
Aunt Flo ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/11 "2014-09-18T22:28:11Z")
Can’t say for sure, but if they arrive in windbreakers with FBI stenciled on the back and start carrying out computers, I’d call a lawyer, pronto! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/12 "2014-09-18T23:24:15Z")
Okay, OP, it’s nearly 6:30 p.m. Who was it, already? ---
**Author:** ![Amberlei](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Amberlei](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amberlei)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2014, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/13 "2014-09-19T00:38:35Z")
I guess I should have given more information. I work in a medical research facility in TX. Our “dignitaries” were Rick Perry and some of the university officials. Coming in this morning, one of the parking lots was closed off for their use and security was checking IDs of everyone coming in. It really seems to me as if they went way overboard on security and prettying the place up. I remember going to a rally with Ralph Nader back in 2004 that was actually publicized and open to the public that didn’t involve 1/10th the security measures this clandestine event had. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2014, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/14 "2014-09-19T04:54:59Z")
Governor of Texas vs. Ralph Nader…I’m gonna have to go with higher security for the sitting governor, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![48Willys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/db5fbb/32.png) [@48Willys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/48Willys)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2014, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/15 "2014-09-19T06:49:25Z")
I work in the Aviation Industy, & we often have VIPs visit our town. To get to their destination, they use the local airport as it is one of the few around here that a 747 can safely land & take off from. This is where my place of employment is. Many high Federal Officials have visited here. I try to avoid the resulting circus at almost all costs. When given more then 24 hours notice of this kind of event, I put in for at least one day of vacation for the date(s) given. If I am denied the time off, I call in sick. Once we were told that it would be on Monday, & I took that day off. When I came to work on Tuesday, the FBI stopped me on the way into work to check my ID. They did not let me turn around & I had to continue on to our building. When I got to the cardlocked door on the outside wall of our shop, it opened to the Secret Service. They did the check again. I was patted down & wanded. I had to remove my steel toed boots for one of these folks to look at as well. These folks also checked to see if I was on a list they had of aproved personel. They would not let us unlock our tool boxes, or open any cabinates. So here I was locked up at work while our leader went to some function for his political party. I could not even get any work done. The entire day went this way until he left six hours later. The only plus was that the company paid for a lunch that was delivered and quite good. As you can guess, he was delayed one day for some reason. As far as Ralph Nader, & your governer, what decade did you see Nader? Times they are a changing. If I had hazzered a guess, it would have been the POTUS, or the VPOTUS. Our governer usually has little visible security when he visits. He does not get the major treatment that the Feds do. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2014, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/16 "2014-09-19T10:59:54Z")
> [@48Willys](#): > > As far as Ralph Nader, & your governer, what decade did you see Nader? Times they are a changing… > [@Amberlei](#): > > I remember going to a rally with Ralph Nader back in 2004 that was actually publicized and open to the public that didn’t involve 1/10th the security measures this clandestine event had. If it had been the year he ran for President I could see Nader getting bigtime security. But _new uniforms_ for the guards? Did they get haircuts and manicures, too? ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2014, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/17 "2014-09-19T11:00:14Z")
Are you in Austin? Perhaps it’s Romeo Rose. Ah - late to the party again. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2014, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/18 "2014-09-19T17:57:34Z")
> [@Amberlei](#): > > Our “dignitaries” were Rick Perry and some of the university officials. “Professor, I understand that you gave the monster a good chunk of your brain and saved his life, but what did You get?” “Millions and millions and millions of untaxed dollars and under the table campaign contributions stashed in Cayman and Swiss bank accounts…” _shows bankstatement_ \*cue singing of “Sweet Mystery of Life” \* ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2014, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/19 "2014-09-19T18:11:05Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > But _new uniforms_ for the guards? Did they get haircuts and manicures, too? Breath mints? ---
**Author:** ![Space\_Vegetable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Space\_Vegetable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Space_Vegetable)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2014, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785/20 "2014-09-19T18:57:56Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Governor of Texas vs. Ralph Nader…I’m gonna have to go with higher security for the sitting governor, sorry. Well sure, Nader’s not a flight risk. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-coming-to-visit/698785.md?page=2)