By Hucky Austin

Rodney Dangerfield coined the phrase I get no respect. That’s probably how most of us have felt about the work we do as executive protection specialist. Well finally a little bit of recognition, Bulgaria’s cabinet is considering November 11 2010 as the official day for bodyguards and private bodyguard companies. All I can say is it’s about time,  I think we need to make a petition to get the US  and the UK on board as well. To read more about this article, please click on the following link: National Bodyguard Day

Japanese pop sensation Hideki Kaji, a founding member of the critically acclaimed band “Bridge” was assaulted in Stockholm Sweden while shooting a music video in support of his new album.

Kaji had just finished shooting a scene when a break was called by the director of the film crew.  Kaji volunteered to stay with the equipment and shortly their after was confronted by a group of three men who assaulted Kaji leaving him with a cut lip and the loss of a dental implant.  In addition to being physically hurt the three attackers made off with over $2,500 USD worth of high end camera and recording equipment.

Stockholm police spokesman Bo Paulson stated there are currently no suspects from the assault against Kaji.  Additional reports on the attack state that neither Kaji nor his crew had hired any security or executive protection specialist while he was on location for the video shoot.
In addition to working with the band Bridge, Kaji has recorded 10 solo albums as well as recording with Saint Etienne singer Sarah Caracknell.

IED attack targets Afghani Government Official and bodyguard team; 4 Dead.

The violence in Afghanistan continues. On March 19th, a senior Afghan lawmaker and his four man protective detail were targeted and attacked by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) in the province of Helmand.

The IED attack killed all four members of the bodyguard detail that had been assigned to protect Afghani parliament member Daad Mohammad. Daad was miraculously not injured in the attack.  The protective detail was hit in the Lashkar Gah District causing extensive damage to the vehicle they were driving.

Initial reports from the site of the ambush describe the IED attack as “well planned”, additional information suggests that the IED attack was detonated by remote control rather than being command detonated.

Bodyguard Careers contacted one of the team members that was assigned to a US backed protection detail in Helmand province to inquire about the current ground situation.  The team member reported back via e-mail that the Taliban and Al Qadia have been extremely active in this region of Afghanistan and are making strong leaps at resurrecting their extremist movement.

The region is a “hot bed” of enemy activity which caused the need for trained and experienced high threat protection team members to remain in the area. Though no one has claimed responsibility, the ambush has all the earmarks of a Taliban operation.

Lindsay Lohan and girlfriend Samantha Ronson’s were recently in the news for their very public Las Vegas fight. But did you know that Lohan left her Bodyguard high and dry in Vegas?

Lindsay wanted to surprise her girlfriend so she enlisted one of her bodyguards to drive with her to Las Vegas from Los Angeles. The two had a huge fight and Samantha ran away from Lindsay, prompting Lohan to scream “Did she [bleep]ing leave me?!”

She then took off after her girl and presumably, back to Los Angeles, leaving her bodyguard behind. He was last seen by a witness in front of a Vegas club, trying to figure out how to get back to LA and furiously texting on his BlackBerry.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Babysitter? Chauffeur? Bodyguard? When we sign on to do this work, often times the scope of the job is beyond the initial job description. Lohan’s bodyguard has his hands full, though. It’s one thing to be asked at the drop of a hat to do something for a client-that happens all the time. To have the client take off without protection and to be so inconsiderate as to leave an employee stranded approximately 282 miles from home is just plain rude. Sometimes clients really work you for those paychecks, and sometimes the pay isn’t worth the aggravation.

According to a recent story in the Tribune-Democrat, a resident of Flinton, Minnesota is seeking the position of District Judge covering Hastings, Northern Cambria and Patton boroughs and Barr, Chest, Clearfield, Elder, Susquehanna, West Carroll and White townships.

What makes Brian L. Gates unique is that he not only has served (for 10 years) as a state constable, but he is also a professional bodyguard. Gates owns three companies offering defensive tactics training and bodyguard services. He teaches self-defense courses to law-enforcement officers, women’s groups and senior citizens, and holds an eighth-degree black belt in karate.

Gates is 46 years old, and plans to bring his background in safety and the protection of citizens to the job, should he win the election against incumbent Judge Michael Zungali. According to Gates, “I am interested in becoming an integral part of the solution in making our communities safe.” Specifically cited were issues of drug trafficking, theft deterrence and crimes against senior citizens.
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It is refreshing to read a story like this; Gates clearly is a smart, entrepreneurial individual interested in using his skills and expertise in the area of protection to serve his community.