I have been wondering when the issue of ’s safety was going to be made an issue as it has been conspicuously ommitted from public discourse until now. Just because he has a ‘white mother’ and is undeniably  charismatic, the truth remains that Obama still is a “black man” living in America.

I understand the public and the media’s reluctance to discuss this issue as it is human nature to think that if we keep silent that maybe it will go away or never materialize. There have been a few times in recent memory that America had the opportunity to elect an individual that stirred the nation and could promise and deliver a better tommoow.

Much has been spoken and written about Barack Obama being the political reincarnation of Bobby Kennedy, who also gave us hope and the belief that we were not powerless over our future. The nation was awakened by Bobby until an assasins bullet ended an era along with our hopes and dreams.

Perhaps we fear the same with Barack, has he, like Bobby, has awakend the sleeping giant that is the American people and making us believe that our vote is not only important but imperative.

So the Secret Service has decided that he be placed under their protection even though they are not aware of any specific or credible threat against him according to a law enforcement source familiar with the decision. Obama’s office, however has received hate mail and calls and other "threatening materials" in the past and during his campaign, the source said.

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The Secret Service protection for Obama began at 1 p.m. Thursday.

 READ MORE ON BARACK OBAMA’S SECRET SERVICE PROTECTION

Three Obama campaign officials who discussed the issue on condition of anonymity also said there was no specific threat against the candidate.

They said the request stemmed from what one called the "cumulative effect" of a heavier campaign schedule, larger crowds and "just the growing perception internally" it was time to take additional security precautions that are best suited for the Secret Service.

Illinois‘ senior senator, Democrat Dick Durbin, told reporters Thursday night that he relayed concerns about the size of the crowds Obama was drawing and other issues to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid who decided to take the matter to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff as an issue for a congressional advisory board, Durbin said.

"I knew the crowds were large … but some of the other information given to us, unfortunately I think, raised a concern among many of [Obama's] friends," Durbin said. The crowds, he said, have been record-breaking. "Naturally, it’s encouraging politically, but it’s also raised a lot of security concerns."

"Unfortunately, some of the information we found was racially motivated. It is a sad reality in this day and age that Mr. Obama’s African-American heritage is a cause for very violent and hatred, hated reactions among some people."

Protection goes beyond surrounding the candidate with well-armed agents, the Secret Service’s Web site states. The agency does extensive advance work and threat assessments developed by its intelligence division to identify potential risks, the site says.

"As a matter of procedure, we will not release any details of the deliberations of assessments that led to protection being initiated," the Secret Service statement said.

Another Democratic presidential candidate, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, already has Secret Service protection because of her husband’s presidency.

Other candidates could request Secret Service protection. The Secret Service is authorized to provide protection to "major" candidates as determined by the advisory committee, under certain guidelines.

Among those guidelines, the candidate must be announced, be actively campaigning in at least 10 states and have some degree of prominence in the polls.

So, with all that is at stake Mr. agent, please keep Barck safe for the sake of our country and the American people.