I'll bet the farm it wasn't any regular 'ole "purse and cell phone". Probably a Gucci handbag and a diamond-encrusted blackberry.

Who cares about a stupid purse & cell phone, THERE IS A WAR GOING ON IN IRAQ, AMERICANS ARE DYING.

they can afford to replace it. i won't be surprised if there travel is at gov't expense. it evens out.

I see a Congressional Medal of Honor in this agent's future. Isn't that what Bush gives to everyone who screws up?

i am sorry that Barbara had her purse and phone stolen and i know they probably need a body guard but what about every other person on the planet are we not entilited to the same safety that the twins are. they are really not more important that any one of us are. my kids and grandchildren are very important to me. so where are they're body guards?

Jasper's comments seem to indicate that Barbara had it coming to her, assuming that she was carrying a "Gucci handbag and a diamond-encrusted blackberry." If someone has nice things does that mean that they deserve to have them stolen? I think not...

How nice that they are cavorting around "picturesque San Telmo" with taxpayer-provided security (however inept), while their father sends less fortunate kids off to their deaths in Iraq and Afganistan. Have they no sense of propriety or shame? Are we not at war? Why have they not enlisted?

Hey Jasper ! what do you care?? Get a grip??.. How would you handle youserlf if someone snap your personal stuff in a foreign country??>. you would not like that?UH??>. how about if you take a trip to Caracas and see in person what is like to be robbed..

I am glad the girls were not harmed in any way; but I really don't consider this newsworthy. Can anyone tell me how many people are mugged every minute who don't have a Secret Service detail? Can anyone tell me how many regular working Americans can vacation in Buenos Aires? Why are the taxpayers paying for their vacation?

It wouldn't have happened if the first twins were serving their country as volunteers in the Armed Forces! I don't guess that is going to happen.

Working as an intern for UNICEF, please. How bout getting a internship becuase your father is the president

who cares?

The Secret Service is a joke. I know because I worked for them for five years. They could not protect a pile of dog crap from a fly. They should be replaced with private contractors or Diplomatic Security Agents who know how to fight.

Did he steal her dignity as well? If so, charge him with petty theft!

ummm who really cares...there so rich that they can buy like 4,000 cellphones and purses....so why are we intrested in this?? i mean its just a phone and purse!!

These two are the Paris and Nicole of Washington, D.C. I'm surprised her pet chihuahua wasn't snatched too. Our tax dollars at work. If they really wanted to do something worthwhile they would volunteer with the USO and show up and remind the troops what they're fighting for. Our First Gals' freedom to travel, dine and shop! With bodyguards!

I thought one of them taught at an inner-city elementary school and the other was a graduate student. How can a teacher and a student take off for two weeks in the middle of the school year?

Why don't they get jobs like everyone else? I guess they're living off the Exxon $$ their dad made off of the rest of us.

Why aren't the girls Supporting Our Troops by serving in the Army in Iraq?

A S.S. agent beat up...thought they were tough guys? And for the comment made by Jasper; who cares if it's a Gucci handbag and blackberry it was stolen and the S.S. didn't see it!

These girls are not"like everyone else. Being the President's daughter's means extremists want to kidnap or harm them. Protection is definitely warranted. As for the taxpayer expense,it keeps the President from receiving financial "favors",and political repercussions.

For all those who are wondering why they have body guards and you do not... if you are harmed or kindnapped, it is not a national security issue. Hold the president of the US hostage by using his kids... Think about it is stop thinking the world owes you somthing.

Obviously most of the statements made before me are based on "politics". I think this is newsworthly. It's the President's daughters, which I'm sure had personal information in her purse and cell phone.
And - it also shows how inept their security details are.

Any former and current presidential family receives Secret Service protection. This is nothing special to the Bush family. It's to keep the "crazies" away.

though this incedent was not newsworthy,it should matter that someones identity was in jepordy. i don't care if you are a celeberty or joe blow , when someone steals something from you, to me it's a violation. so lets show alittle compassion.

Would everyone get over the "twins should enlist in the war" rant!! IT A VOLUNTEER ARMY...quite your belly aching and get over the fact that there is no draft. Just because it's their father's policy, doesn't mean they are obliged to serve any more than anyone else. I assume those who responded (John, Casey and Raboz), are writing us from their computers in Iraq or Afghanistan right now? Correct please if I'm wrong, but I have a feeling you're reading this article at home or at work, just like I am!!!

WHERE WAS THE SECRET SERVICE? BUYING THE DRINKS PERHAPS?..

I'm glad they weren't harmed.

All of you "they had it coming" and "send them to Iraq" idiots posting here should be ashamed of yourselves.

Lemme guess, you're all Democrats, correct?

For all of you "intelligent" people who have something negative to say about this artice and not caring about it, why did you decide to click the story link? Obviously something in your little brain triggered a reason......Lets be a little more positive when making comments, its so easy--even you can do it.

MEOW!!!

how can any of you compare the presidents daughters to your own family? If there was anythign personal in the bag and/or cell phone about the president, it is now in the wrong person's hands. That is something that needs to be looked into. Granted we all love our family and children, but to ask where are your bodyguards for your family, because the Bush daughters have secret service following them is insane. Some of you need to wake up and realize that no matter what your feelings on Bush and his presidency are, somethings need to be protected, and included in that is his immediate family.

Substitute "cell phone" for "Sidekick" and you might very well have another Paris Hilton adventure on your hands.

I think when the U.S. is finished in Iraq, they should send a task force into Argentina to recover the purloined handset and restore law and order to this fractured part of the world (tongue, meet cheek.)

Do you think there's a nuke program going on secretly under Buenos Aires?

Why is this newsworthy? Who really cares? What was the Secret Service doing anyway? Partying with the locals and having a good time, when they actually had a "job" to do.

The twins have protection not because they are important but because if they were to be kidnapped it could be used against their father as a negotiating tactic. Let's face it, the man has proved time and time again that he'll yield to special interest groups, can you imagine if someone had his daughter? If the purse was stolen while it was sitting right next to her, I'd have concerns about the inept agents because obviously someone gets close enough to steal a purse then they're close enough to harm. If she was irresponsible (which the twins seem to generally be) enough to leave it sitting out somewhere when she went to the restroom or something else, then I would guess the agents were worrying about her personal safety and not whether or not she's adult enough to hang onto her personal belongings. I agree that the fact that this is newsworthy is a little twisted, but for those complaining that it got coverage, you obviously were curious enough to follow the link.

There are alot of shallow people here. Bashing the twins because they are not fighting the war is ridiculous. Armed forces is voluntary!! Yes they need taxpayer protection. They are the leader of the most powerfull countries children, I think they have a tad bit higher kidnapping risk than anyone else. Everyone is missing the point of this story. Somebody slipped right under secret service unnoticed. Must be the same guys that let them drink in Austin,TX.

I don't understand the hostility in the previous comments. The President does not send less fortunate kids off to their deaths. Our military is hired men and women who chose that career path. These men and women are over there doing there jobs. They are hired and trained to do this. I know because both of my chidren are in the military. They chose this career and new the dangers when they signed up.

Second, Barbara and Jenna Bush did not choose their Fathers occupation but they have to be protected as ever Presidents child has been from the beginning of time. They do not choose all the press they get, blame the media!!!!!

oh, and Mattson, the families of former presidents do not get protection of the detail. only presidents do and most of them end up hiring their own personal security teams any way. Steven Ford once talked about the fact that he was playing cards with one of his agents on the day that Jimmy Carter was sworn in. The minute Carter took the oath of auction, the agent stood up and left. That was the end of his protection. But yes, the immediate families of the current president get agents regardless of their age.

WOW, why don't you all just shut up! They are in the news about this BECAUSE they are the president's daughters...jeez guys. You all need some Prozac..move on to another page...find another story and complain on that page!
Lotsa love!!! haha

why is this news? who cares with all the oil their moronic dad is getting from this stupid war, they can buy new 'everything' daily. Besides, maybe they were drunk when it happened.

What scares me is that 1)NONE of the agents even noticed the snatching; what good are they????? and 2)another agent was on the receiving end of a beat-down. Aren't these guys supposed to be awake on duty?? AND, aren't they supposed to be (at the very least) proficient in hand to hand combat? Knowing that SS agents will be with them 24/7 is no comfort at all after reading this story.

Another attempt to divert the nation from real problems, real threats! I for one think the secret service should be called the keystone cops brigade. DUMB is thier motto!!

Its funny or what? Mr. President sends children of Americans in harms way without proper armor while his children are been protected by Secret Service all the time.
His Children are valuable and ours are not?

Petty thieves and pick pockets operate in many tourist areas - it's common in Latin America and Europe. Even the Bush girls should purposefully watch their passports, cameras, wallets, etc. while travling outside the United States. A good lesson for us all - it is really not a waste of time to be prepared for worse case scenario.

I agree with Mattson. I would really hate to have my cell phone, purse and all of my id stolen. It happens too often in this country and a lot of victims are further victimized by crooks obtaining credit on their behalf.

Yes, it's true that regular folks also get their phones stolen, but those phones don't have programmed home phone numbers for the President of the United States in them, or who knows who else. Also, most regular folks do not face the additional threat of being kidnapped or killed just because of who their father is. So I think it's entirely appropriate to have secret service protection for them while their father is in office.

Money and fame has afforded these two girls a life that few of us will ever know or understand. No one deserves to have their privacy invaded regardless of who their father is.

I'm fascinated by the commentary concerning the lack of military service by the Bush twins. Just a hunch, but I would suggest many who complain the most never served. It's a no win situation for these women. Should one or both volunteer they would be criticized over their MOS assignments.

The Bush twins are no different than the majority of their peers. Most are oblivious to the reality of the war and are generally ambivalent toward service to the nation.

My son is gearing up for his fourth deployment since he enlisted in the Marine Corps....He fully understands it's a choice and harbors no ill will toward those who choose not to serve.

I would not want to be the Secret Service Agent who wasn't doing his/her job. Not only is it embarrassing but I could see this person pulling duty in Alaska come January. And that's AFTER Mother Laura gets her hands on them!!!

WHO CARES! Women get their purses and cell phone stolen everyday! We have a rapist on the lose currently in my home town, where are the bodyguards for me and my 2 teenage daughters? I pay for the bush twins' bodyguards, I want my money back to place on my daughters' safety; they are MUCH more important to me than those twins!

They got her CELL phone? I wonder what would happen if the thieves called the entry under "Dad's Cell"!

How 'bout this....CALLING THIS NEWS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHY THIS COUNTRY IS SO MESSED UP. THERE ARE REAL PROBLEMS(NO DOUBT WITH BUSHS' CONTRIBUTION)GOING ON IN THIS COUNTRY! WAKE UP IDIOT NATION!

I'm glad the girls are ok but really now, how is this important to me? - Bush girls robbed!!!! I had someone come onto my property steal and destroy my hard earned belongings, my local police said to me, well what do you expect of the area you live in. My family may not be of presidential status but we are important people too. The Bush Family is not my favorite, but they did not write this report, edit it and finally circulate it to be read...........the media did, this is not real news, the girls should have fun with their lives just like the rest of us hard working americans, during holidays, school break or EARNED Vacation time.

if those girls were serving in the military like they should be, in irag, that wouldn't have happened

Why haven't those twins joined the military to fight in their father's useless war or go visit the wounded in hospitals rather than be vacationing? Selfish, self-centered spoiled brats. Who care's what they are doing anyway? I can't believe ABC News stooped so low to write about them.

I think everyone is missing the point. We do not know if it was a high end label purse and cell, but I think the issue is that there could have been very important phone numbers on there. Remember, she is still the President's daughter and there are still terrorists out there.

Y'all are realy insane. They are two twenty-somethings traveling. They have body guards because people all over the world are dumb and think something like kidnapping George Bush's daughters is funny. As to the "why aren't the in the service" whiners, I don't see President Bush forcing your daughters (or sons for that matter) to enlist, so why the demand that they enlist? The people that have posted on this site bashing the twins and making failed attempts at 'witty' cracks at America have shown your ignorance. Congratulations

One of the first transmissions sent over the first transatlantic telegraph was that the Queen of England had whooping cough...

That was the beginning of the end - leading to a barrage of useless "news" that does little more than distract us from real news that makes a difference and helps us to really understand the kinds of issues that matter, etc.

It doesn't matter who they are or what brand purse they carry..no one deserves to get anything stolen from them.

The fact that this made the news if not the fault of the Bush daughters. It is the fault of the nosy media. I don't fault the fact that it was a Gucci handbag on Barbara at all. The media played this up,so blame them.

I am sure Chelsey Clinton still has body guards. What has she ever done for America????? Give the girls a break.

glad they weren't hurt but how did anyone get pass the secret service...i have a feeling someone is in deep trouble over this and rightfully so.

what,s the true link to the events leading up to the articles being"stolen". How is it possible that the Secret Service would not have observed something amiss. These are the children of the President of the United States(an unpopular person in Latin America) and this type of thing took place with no detail. Cut the bull and tell the factual actual as to what has happened.

The "news" in this is that despite the "best" personal protection that money can buy, The Bush girl had confidential information stolen from her. How the Secret service missed this isn't the issue. Protection isn't graded on a bell curve. They totally blew it. The agents are probably too young to remember the grassy knoll, but thats even more reason they should be sent back to Quantico for a refresher.

Who cares why the girls were there. Who cares whose money they used to take the trip. What matters is the fact that they are related to the President of the United States of America--regardless of what party he is affiliated with--and they should be protected. The only other thing that matters is the fact that the U.S. Secret Service did not do their job; they failed in their mission of providing true security and protection to the President of the United States, et al. They should be ashamed of what they call security service. This failure completely underminds the services' protection of the President and brings complete shame upon the United States. Maybe the Congress should rewrite (and the President sign into law) legislation that gives the United States Marine Corps the job of Presidential Protector, they can do it! And what's this about a Secret Service agent being beaten up? Unlike the agent, Marines would at least attempt to fight back.

This short article about a purse snatching has more whines and rants than all the other stories. Shows how many care about the environment and human rights.

I bet the numbers, emails, etc. in THAT phone would be interesting.

I think these girls are crazy to come to south america,secret service or no secret service.
As for the robbery,as most here dont like US policies,the incident gives everyone a good laugh.

I agree with all that the article is really not newsworthy. However, what is appalling when I read the above comments is how our school system has failed! The spelling, punctuation and sentence construction is really unbelieveable. Very sad commentary, sadder than reading about the twins.

This is serious. If someone could get though security and steal her purse then s/he had the opportunity to harm her or place something dangerous in her purse.
Hopefully the perpetrators did it just for the loot.

I don't like many of her dad's policies but I don't think she should get injured because someone doesn't like her dad or America.

I don't care if they sign up for the military or not; it'd be nice if they got jobs, though. (Even Lindsay Lohan works, occasionally.) Let's just call them what they are: Bush heiresses.

Typical demo reactions. Lot's of complaining and no solutions. Now if it was Nancy Pelosi's purse (full of pork for San Francisco)would that be news worthy? I am surprised many of you can even read because you are just making assumptions. I was in Buenos Aires recently and theft and muggings do happen and yes regular people can travel there (check the air fare) and it is becoming a very popular destination for many Americans.
The agent that was mugged was not working, but on his off time. And do you think the mugger just walked up and said..give me your money. NO, I assure you he had at least a knife and was not alone. I volunteered for the Military duing the Viet Nam war, and I don't expect anyone to volunteer if they don't want to. I would like to see some of you volunteer to stay off the internet..

I am sure that there wouldn't be any crass remarks had this been Chelsea Clinton during the Clinton era.

I mean only the biggest Republican spokesman Rush Limbaugh compared a 13 year Chelsea to a dog.

These two girls are the obvious sad offspring of a failed, miserable and small man who will go down in US history as the worst president ever.

Party it up girls, 2 more years before your dad slinks off to Paraguay.

-GSD

Someone said "Can anyone tell me how many regular working Americans can vacation in Buenos Aires?" well, plenty of Americans down here.

I can tell because I'm a native and live down here.

What's funny is that the security situation is a LOT better now than it was three to six years ago. The economy is booming with GDP growth at 9% average for the last 3 years.
Unemployment is down and industrial production is skyrocketing again...

Plus, the exchange rate makes Buenos Aires flooded by foreign tourists... even brazilians who enjoy the "safety" (compared to Brazil) of our streets.

J&B must have been showing off something really expensive and eye-catching for some street thief to risk it...

I have read your comments and come to the conclusion that all of you are idiots with way too much time on your hands. Half of you can't even spell! I am not as fortunate as these two are to live that kind of life of luxury but to waste time ranting and raving over tax dollars and wars b/c you are jealous of the fact that they have a better life than you is pathetic!

I am not a big fan of Bush...but I am concerned that the Secret Service did not notice her purse being stolen. What else are they not paying attention to? The daughter's have little control over their father and what he does, believes or how he runs the government. But imagine how much he and our country would be damaged if anything happened to them. We should be able to keep the President and his family safe no matter what we think of him. I did not vote for him, I am a democrate, but I spent 20 years in the Navy defending our way of life. The fact the Secret Service did not protect his children is noteworthy.

I don't think anyone on this board is wishin ill will towards the Bush daughters or the first family. But let's face it, the only people who really need to know about this is the immediate family since it was the person. And frankly, if you know your father is not popular in certain countries and has been called a "devil" publicly at the U.N., STAY OUT OF THE COUNTRIES!!!!! The first daughters should not travel to any country where there is a high potential for harm to come to them. That, unfortunately, is one of the downsides to being being president and having some unpopular world views. Your family members should take that into consideration when spending taxpayers money. On the otherside, your father is out of the country in a very intense place, you should be somewhere safe, were he doesn't have to worry about you. I am quite sure there are certain regulations, rules, protocol they should be expected to follow when traveling abroad. You don't hear about people trying to kidnap Chelsea or Amy Carter.

It's fine. I am sure the NSA has already ben listening in on those cell phones and tracked the culprits, you know as efficiently as they have tracked down Bin Laden.

The bush twins are immature trust fund brats with hired guns to suppress the rude commoners.

They are not worthy of praise. They haven't earned it.

So what if they got a purse snatched? This stuff happens when you leave the compound. They will laugh it off over a few dozen drinks. Nothin important.

This is a security issue of the United States concern, (insert duh here). I am more bothered by the media exposing the fact how easy it is to target them. Now they are in real danger. I am also bothered by the hateful venom that is spewed by those who hate republican's and Bush. It's getting a little psycho out there, definitely not normal.

While I wouldn't wish what happened to the twins to happen to anyone, I have to say the got what they deserved. I agree to some point with the people saying they should be in the military. if they were meanfully engaged in something this wouldn't have happened. It doesn't have to be in the Armed Forces. They could get jobs as secretaries or teacher's aides and be just ase useful. At any rate; they should get jobs and not be galavanting around the world on taxpayer's coin.

I'm really sorry, but for sure that the one who stole it needed to eat, not to show off with a blackberry & a Gucci.

I live in Buenos Aires and now Im scared that G.W. Bush would send a task force here to get back the cell phone of the girl...well that is what he does right?

Sorry we dont like Bush very much around here...I guess people dont like Bush anywhere but in some parts of the US...wonder why? :)

Ok guys, no problem. As we paid for it with our taxes, she'll buy another one. Congratulations!! now she can get one with bluetooth!

in regards to Chelsea Clinton, she's been working for the past 8 years at an advertising firm. Yeah, working. while her parents were still in the White House she was going out and getting an education, and when she graduated from Berkely, she went out and looked for a JOB. It's a heck of a lot more than I can say for the Bush twins.

Get over yourself you haters. They were robbed period. I don't care is she was carrying a Gucci or a Walmart spin-off. Secret Service screwed up, and he should be fired right about now. If it was your child, you would be crying. Gad, some of you are sickening.

Hey Green Child, both of the Bush girls are college grads. And what is wrong with volunteer work in 3rd world countries. What next, you want them to dress like you dress.

Had a brush with real life...Good for her!

It is no surprise we are loosing in Iraq, when the U.S. Secret Services cannot even protect a purse and cell phone in Argentina.