Is Reporter April Ryan out to get Desiree Rogers?

Gibbs was a little out of line with referring to professional adults like he has to handle a child. That was quite patronizing of him, however, I do think that Miss Ryan was pressing the issue a bit much. Security aside, nothing showed that Desiree was NOT doing her job, or that she was trying to in anyway upstage Michelle Obama as has been reported. I believe in assessing the Obama administration fairly, but in a sea of unfair criticism, I would hope African American journalists would push themselves to be even that muchmore fair, to make sure that the real issues are being covered.

She deserved it!!! She was acting like an obnoxious student in a classroom filled with 10 year olds. She is a hater filled with venom.

Painful to watch. I like April Ryan as a reporter, but she was after Gibbs like a pit-bull, it was un-professional, and quite frankly un-becoming to her as a lady. It made me feel as if she were trying to force some type of bombshell revelation outta him, and once she saw it wasnt happening she shouldve stood down.

I'm with April on this one.

I like to see reporters being tough and unintimidated by the WH. I wish more of them would take this tack with all the substantive issues of the day.

It seems to me Gibbs attempted to demean Ryan and I'm glad she stood her ground and demanded to be treated with respect irrespective of Gibbs attempt to belittle her question.

In light of the Newsweek story reporting that Rodgers recently eliminated the longstanding practice of having someone from the Social Secretary's Office man the gate with guest list in hand for WH events, it was appropriate IMO to question Rodgers role in the mishap. Notice also they have resumed this practice that Rodgers eliminated in light of what occurred.

Ultimately it was the Secret Service's responsibility to contact the SS office if there was any discrepancy regarding the guest list and they apparently did not do that. However if Rodgers had not eliminated the practice of having someone from SS at the gate with the guest list the problem could have been avoided and I don't think it's unreasonable to ask why she decided to disband that practice. With the threats against Obama up 400% over any other president I don't have a problem with anyone questioning her reason for eliminating this task. It is a major faux pau for the very first state dinner of his presidency.

I'm TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH THAT PSEUDO REPORTER APRIL "whatever her name is" and that bootleg radio company she volunteers for. This reporter obviously have a personal vendetta against the white house social secretary. Yes Ms Desiree is a TRUE socialite diva, But ultimately, this mishap is SECRET SERVICE problem. It is also VERY CLEAR that the Party crashers paid off someone in the secret service camp, and was able to not only get in the Dinner, but meet the president personally. SECRET SERVICE NEED TO TIGHTEN UP ITS DEPARTMENT!!!

While Mr. Gibbs' choice of words was unfortunate, I agree that Ms. Ryan was completely out of line. This is NOT a story that requires tenacity and finding different ways to ask a question if you don't like the answers. And whether or not the Social Secretary's office usually sits at the door with the Secret Service is besides the point. I've attended events at the Ambassador's residence in Athens, Greece. Not only do I have to bring my US passport, but I have to show an invitation. This is the fault of the Secret Service. Frankly, Ms. Ryan's conduct made me think she had a personal vendetta against Ms. Rogers. I think I'll wait to see if that shoe drops.

I liked how he addressed her. I would've had to ask her if she had begun work for the National Enquirer. "Ms. Ryan, are you a serious reporter or a gossip columnist?" rumors about being the "bell of the ball", then maybe she wouldn't have invited Michelle Obama herself.

April Ryan shows that she has no home training or knows the 5 w's of being a journalist, she was rude and out of place with her question and its great that Gibbs corrected her. She is as bad as that CNN WH reporter, all about gossip and not facts about anything. But, I guess since her gig is with a non-news place, on the level with Fixed Noise, its not that big a shock.

Robert Gibbs is a good guy. He was an architect in getting Obama elected. People need to relax instead of making small things into big ones.

This attack on April Ryan is ridiculous. She was doing her job. End of story. I have mad respect for Desiree Rogers, but she dropped the ball on this one!!! And I would have even more respect for her if she would take responsibility for her part in "Crasher-gate". The reason she doesn't want to appear before Congress is because her failure to have the representatives of the Social Office at all checkpoints is indefensible. And bless her heart, that is why April was asking tough questions, for which she is now being villified as a hater. I wish Desiree well, but it is not likely that she will survive this fiasco. And it is really a shame because her record up to this has been exemplary. But the Capitol City is unforgiving.

I don't know why this Gibbs entertained the rude, pushy and obnoxious Ryan. What point was she trying to prove with those trivial shout outs and conjectures like "known around Washington Circles". Please lady get a life and lets talk about some substantial news.

Mr. Gibbs did use a bad choice of words, However it sounds as though Ms. Ryan may have wanted that job herself. Makes you say hmmmmmmmmm...She was rude and had no facts to substantiate her claims. There are more news worthy items that she could have grilled Gibbs on.

I agree with Shango. April Ryan was doing her job. If those crashers had ill intent, they could have taken out the entire administration PLUS the prime minister of India. Desiree Rogers is a signficant contributor to that breech along with Secret Service. April is not the Villain here. The people deserve to know who dropped the ball and placed America's First African American president and his family in harms way. People want to kill our president and April Ryan is well aware of this. She doesn't want to see him crumpled on the floor because Desiree Rogers was too cute to do her job.

Safety, First at all cost.

Common practice is that someone from the Social Sec's office is ALWAYS there to receive vistors in the event something like this occured. The white house poo-poo'd all over this story by initially blaming the Secret Service. They laters backed off and admitted that the fault also lies within their own Social Secretary's office.

Obama has been asked about everything from lipstick on a pig to the NCAA bracket. Now questions surrounding what led up to a national security breach (a felony) is off limits? DCALPHA, you need a lil 101 on how operations are conducted because as told, facts regarding these sort of operations escape you.

Helen Thomas, who the previous administration hated to ask questions from, was never told by Bush representatives that she was acting childlike - even when her line of questioning was less than professional. It should be of no surprise that Gibbs speaking to Ryan as he did, receives little to no attention at all. She's a black reporter from a black network.

Now maybe if she were a Harvard Grad and several shades lighter.

The media should be looking at what the secret service did that night than the social secretary, this agency is ultimately resposible for protecting the presiden and his family. apparently reporter april is trying to do an easy story which would justify her job. Instead she should be working on a story detailing why the GOP is trying to detroy healthcare. The GOP is fears that if healthcare is approved, this would raise the democratic party's stock with the white middle class. So April here is your story. leave the social secretary alone. This is a none story.

Karen, I would have to agree. This reminds of how sisters go after each other when envy is involved. They will cloak it as something else, when in fact, they simply want to be the other person. Ok, a security breech occurred, or things weren't done the way you are used to them being done. Does that call for extra drama? We have troops dying in two foreign lands, jobless citizens and a host of other concerns. This couple that crashed the party will get their punishment and the secret service clearly have learned from their mistakes. April, get a grip!

Leonard and H. Smart, both of you need a refresher course on how entrance to the white house is gained during special events. And if as you suggest the Social Secretary's office has no role, I would assume that the White House would not have backtracked their original claim.

Had April been pressing the McCain spokesperson on the same matter, people would cheer her on. But, because she's questioning another black woman, something must be amiss.

Something is amiss -- April's tone!! She was rude and yes her motives are questionable. She made her point, but she couldn't leave it alone and like 10 year olds one thing led to another. Sometimes you have to pick your battles. Did she want to hear firing, more than a slap on the wrist, a public flogging or would she have preferred beheading? The breach was made now let's hope the powers that be have sense enough to correct it so that it doesn't happen again.

April is a jealous b___. She hates Desiree Rogers because Desiree is a beautiful "rich" socialite from Chicago who is taking Washington by storm. It's obvious to me that envy is at play here. Desiree is a personal friend of mine and I take offense to April Ryan's foolishness. Desiree is an expert at pulling off these social events. The night in question, Desiree hosted a private reception at the White House prior to the state dinner. She changed into her outfit 30 minutes before it started and took 5 minutes to eat a salad at the state dinner. Is she suppose to stand there and hold the hands of the Secret Service agents who have the sole responsibility of protecting the president and White House> She gave them the list of guests. What else is she suppose to do? Stand there and hold there hands?! We as citzens should petition that April be taken out of the press pool. She is an embarassment to all journalists.

Deena, maybe you are the bitch in this story. I could give a damn how beautiful she is or how long it didn't take her to eat a salad. Unless she works in the Social Secs office alone, she has a staff. She is able to provide staff with direction. Clearly, that did not happen. If you have an explanation about why the White House circled the wagons and admitted their own responsibility in this case, I would love to read it.

I do not know April Ryan, but I take offense to you referring to her as a bitch because she raised questions about your "beautiful rich" friend. Beauty shouldn't shield you from legitimate criticism and if you continue to question "why blame her," please direct your questions towards the White House - who did the same.

Ostend, had Obama been assasinated, I doubt you would be as indifferent. The Secret Service AND the White House fkd this up and if the White House is able to admit it, so should you.

@Midwest Guy -- Get a life and quit the name calling. Your adding the "B" word doesn't help. Again, you're now allowed to address me!! You don't have my permission.

I think Midwest guy intern for that bootleg radio company April Ryan volunteers for.... You can say whatever you want about this situation, the point is that this breach in security ULTIMATELY fall on secret service. PLEASE STOP LOOKING FOR A SCAPEGOAT (the social secretary) AND PUT THE BLAME WERE IT OUGHT TO BE....SECRET SERVICE.

Ostend, you do realize how utterly stupid you sound when you tell an online poster NOT to address you in a public forum. You are really a dumb one.

DCAlphie, no I don't work for American Urban Radio Network (one of if not THE only Afr-American network radio company in the US). Contrary to you, I do not refer to African-american owned and operated businesses as bootleg. I wouldn't refer to this site as a bootleg site, even though it's reach pales in comparison to AURN.

I understand that some imbeciles such as yourself think that you are better than others. However, can you post the link to your own african-american business? With you at the helm, I know it's not as bootleg as AURN.

Ostend, I should add that Deena (friend of rich, beautiful, Desiree) called another black woman a bitch.

Your suggestions on when/where/if "bitch" should be directed at the woman who introduced it into this thread.

Midwest Guy - maybe you should be the b!tch.

Deena, (friend of rich, beautiful socialite Rogers) it is rather unfortunate that you have "friends" in high places but resort to referring to black women as bitches on message boards.

Who needs a rapper when Deena Rockefeller is on the case demeaning black women?

Actually Midwest Guy, I did not use the complete word initially. I basically called it the b word. However if you watched the video that's exactly what April was acting like - a female dog. I call them like a see them. Good day to you, sir.

Regardless of Desiree Rogers physical appearance, she did not do her job and as a result the entire nation including billy bob teabagger now know how easy it is to waltz in off the street and get very close to the president, his family, and the entire administration, not to mention foreign dignitaries. Of course it was a breach in security. Of course it was secret service's responsiblity, and of course Desiree Rogers also dropped the ball. She apparently has been a very capable person on other occasions, but she blew it big time with respect to the security of our nation's first african american president who has received 400 times the amount of death threats of any other president. There should not be any slip ups or faux paus. The president and Michelle's life depend on Ms Rogers competence.

Sorry to dissappoiont you Barbara. But the Secret Service has taken full responsibility for this one. It is not within the White House social secretary's job description to protect the president and first lady - like you really care about their safety. PLEASE. lol Desiree did her job. She gave the guest list to the Secret Service and they dropped the ball. If you have evidence to the contrary, present it to Congress.

Midwest, I don't need a class on anything...especially if you are suggesting the content. ;o). I am entitled to interpret her actions and they were childish and she was "coming for" the Desiree. The White House issued their statements on the matter and made corrections to their policies. It's a dead story. I would not have been proud of her actions no matter who she was questioning. Again, we have more important things in this country to worry about. And for the dramatic scenario of Obama being picked off at the state dinner, that would have been one smart cookie to have passed through three screenings with an actual weapon. Get a grip dude...seriously.

Jealousy, envy, hating. Black women do it to each other all the time. It's no different in this case. Listen to the video clip again and hear the hate in April's voice. She is a bitter woman who works for virtually free. Let's take up a collection so April can get her dam hair done. Any takers?

This issue is not about "black women". This issue is about the individual known as Desiree Rogers and whether her actions (or lack thereof) contributed to a breach of security which put the president, his wife, the administration, and the prime minister of India at risk. My opinion is yes, Desiree dropped the ball this time. It's quite evident in the pictures of the Salahis, the fact that Ms Rogers did not post a staff with the list, and the fact that she had made changes in protocol in the social office. "Black women" as a group cannot be pathologized for Ms Rogers faux pas which contributed to a security breach. Making sure complete strangers did not waltz off the street, into the whitehouse, next to the president was the job Desiree Rogers and The Secret Service. No other "black women" were responsible for this and it is inappropriate to castigate any other "Black Women" for Desiree Rogers faux pas. Personal emotion does not excuse the FACTS. So no, it's not about "jealousy" or some such childishness. True African-Americans are well aware of this society's penchant for assassinating famous black men. Desiree Rogers should be aware of this too.

I guess Barbara can get inside April's mind and tell what she's thinking. WOW. The party crashers passed through 3 security check points and it's Desiree Rogers' fault? I guess Desiree is suppose to be superwoman instead of White House social secretary. Read the job description. Security matters are for the Secret Service.

Barbara...we get that much. That was made clear when the story broke. The point I am making, the story did not need further exposure or questioning, and Ms. Rogers has the right to change social policies and mores. She is the current person in that position. Her blackness does not limit her to "sticking to the status quo". However, when those changes present an opportunity for a security breech, the policies/changes need to be reevaluated and that's exactly what happened. I have never seen the media get this involved with the roles of a presidential staff in a long time. And I feel it has everything to do with Ms. Roger's skin color..this includes the nasty reporters' unnecessary war path. Drop it already.

Deena, start making sense. Whether you called her the b-word or bitch, the point drives home the same. I know you are blinded by your "friendship" with the rich, socialite Desiree Rogers. However, please share your inside scoop on why the White House admitted some responsibility in this. And to think you are on a message board going on about black women hating each other when the first thing that came out of your mouth was YOU calling April a bitch. Fine a new line of irrational thought. H. Smart, they do have knives on the tables once you get inside. Point is, what should have happened, did not. The president and his wife were ill-served by the Secret Service and their own Social Secs office. Desiree's race has nothing to do with it beyond what you are making it out to be. If you haven't seen the media get this involved in a president's staff, you must have been asleep during the Libby trial - a member of the President's staff.

Midwest guy: Ok so now your a "martyr" for the disenfranchised and unjust...."Mr power to the people". Theoretically this might be a good look for you, but using this unnecessary philosophy to prove your point of how horrible the "black bourgeois" is to the everyday black American is kind of dumb. I say "dumb" because I honestly do not understand why you and others don't get that Ms Rogers is not at fault in this party crasher scenario. The Party Crashers are required to appear before a hearing and explain how they got into the white house. They are currently invoking their fifth amendment right because they do not want to incriminate themselves. MEANING THEY PAID SOMEONE IN SECRET SERVICE TO LET THEM IN WHICH IS A CRIME OF BRIBERY and other federal offenses. SO it doesn't matter if Ms Rogers was manning the doors like a tweaked secret service agent or she was entertaining at the dinner, the Party crashers would've still breached security and crashed the party....

DCAlphie, you flatter yourself - unnecessarily so. The last thing I had in mind in my response to you was to categorize you as bourgeois. Thinking that the largest African-American radio network company is bootleg doesn't qualify as bourgeois in my book. That's plain ignorance.

Am I a voice of the people? I sure hope not. But I'm also not going to sit here and read the thoughts of some random woman (supposed friend of rich, beautiful, socialite Desiree Rogers) who calls a black woman a bitch because she doesn't like her line of questioning. Then to have that same woman post bullsheet about black women hating on each other?

I do not get why you think that others have to agree with your opinion. The White House and I think that Secs. office shares some blame. Not accepting that, is rather dumb.

To clarify, I had no intention on putting the words DcAlph and Bourgeoise in the same sentence -let alone paragraph.

Yes, she was trying to prove that she was going to get this story straight, by any means necessary. And degrading another sister in the process be damned! She made her self look little, and I was embarassed for her. Desiree did her job, because it looked beautiful, and it was reported that the party was wonderful.

Are people trying to say that because the party "was wonderful" and "looked beautiful", the fact that the entire Obama administration and the Prime Minister of India were shown by the Salahis to be vulnerable with lax security should be overlooked?

I am not, I am saying that the Social Secretary has never been responsible for securing the WH in previous times. Maybe the blame should rest with those who wholly accepted it... the Secret Service.

Once again we have the Black people attacking Black people syndrome. It was so foreign, confusing and senseless to Mr. Gibbs could not believe it. Why doesn’t that reporter use that energy to go after Limbaugh and the rest? Is this what black media has to bring to the table when our unemployment is in double digits, our children are being under educated and record numbers of black people are losing their homes. During all of this, Ms. Ryan wants to know, to use old slave parlance: did the new slaves clean your house master as good as we used too. It was shameful and embarrassing to watch.

Ramsis, did you just attack Ms. Ryan, comparing her antics to slave parlance?

Is that also the black people attacking black people syndrome?

Midwest Guy, no its one Black person calling it the way I see it.I am not a reporter at the White House.I do not have a professional responsibility to the community to cover the news.I am not trying to discredit her person,I am responding to an article.

Being "out to get Desiree Rogers" is a case of misplaced agression that is going nowhere. Any calling themselves going after her evidentally know that it was people like Desiree Rogers and her friends that helped open the door to Barack Obama to the very core of Black wealth thst founded his political and financial outreach. There would have been no elevation of Barack Obama in major Chicago elite circles withour Desiree Rogers, so depsite any challenges to her, she ain't going no where unless SHE decides she wants to go.

Yo Mark, had Desiree been a white woman, I would agree with you. But, she's not and Obama has not been to shyt about distancing himself when convenient. This is no way warrants her being out of there. However--

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