I'm talking about how President Obama brought up the arrest of his friend and Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. during his press conference last night, denouncing the police involved in the matter as acting "stupidly".
Here's what was wrong with that: in doing so, Obama has now compromised his moral authority as President of the United States... and particularly when it is seen that he did so on behalf of his own personal and private interests. Obama has also - and in a more egregious fashion than any President in perhaps living memory - used his public office to level an accusation beyond the scope afforded him by the Constitution. And in doing that, Obama has now involved the Presidency in what should have remained a matter for the local community.
(Incidentally, Bill Cosby has now weighed in and said Obama's remarks last night "shocked" him: "If I'm the president of the United States, I don't care how much pressure people want to put on it about race, I'm keeping my mouth shut.")
I have thought for some time that Obama has been neither wise or inspiring. His comments last night only solidify that sentiment in my mind...
...but then, it's been twenty years or so since we did have a President that was wise and inspiring, so why should I be expecting any different?
Yep, the downhill slide started when G.H.W. Bush went back on his pledge to not raise taxes. Then came Clinton. Then another Bush. Now this man who I dont trust any further than I can throw my house. Ugh. We are in big trouble people....
ReplyDeleteNice work Barack… with one comment you managed to alienate 75% of America.
ReplyDeleteAnd anyone who has spent any amount of time in the “higher” education system knows the Professor Gates type: bitter, spiteful, bigoted racist with a position of power who felt emboldened to make a political statement.
This is the type of Professor who would change the subject on you when you attempt to engage in a debate- or would give you a poor grade because you actually have an opinion, and done research outside of marxist texts and such. You are fooling no one, Mr Gates.
And Mr President, is this “nuance” you’ve spoke of? “the police acted stupidly”? -please
Obama is out to rip this country to shreds in EVERY way- who can question that such ill-advised statements are divisive… and NOT helpful? He has no idea what happened, he admitted it- and apparently doesn’t care, either… he’s picked his side.
But back in reality, the childish and paranoid Gates completely baited the cop, who acted with admirable restraint, IMO… all he had to do is show his ID and shut up, he was treated with respect. This guy was clearly looking for a fight… and he ought to thank God he didn’t find one.
Obama is going to destroy race relations in this country with his vengeful “get even” mentality… some messiah- Americans should have chosen a fair and sensible human being instead of this embittered nut.
http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com
If this was a conservative politician involved, the article (and comments) would be another "cops gone wild" piece. Interesting how the point of view changes with the race of the policeman. As much as it pains the commenter above, the president is currently trying to defuse the situation (with some success as both sides are backing down a bit). It would be terrible if they worked it out wouldn't it?
ReplyDeleteThe comment made at 3:30 p.m. today has to be the most idiotic thing ever posted on this blog.
ReplyDeleteSo, what... are you accusing me of being a racist?
This has nothing to do with race, and everything to do with a President of the United States involving himself with a local matter that does not pertain to him.
"Defuse" the situation? Obama is only making it worse.
I wasn't accusing you of being racist, just inconsistent in your position depending on who was on the receiving side. A gun owner, Libertarian, or toy solder painter would have brought howls of protest. The reference to the race of the officer was for Mr. "Reagonite Republican" who does (unlike his namesake) seem to have a problem with diversity. However, it doesn't matter because no one will read this because it doesn't have anything to do with Johnny Robertson or Charles Roark. You might want to try some more of those pieces, they are much better for your click-through income and play better with the locals.
ReplyDeleteLet's get on with resolving some real issues-mind the country as a whole. A beer summit-how many under agers are going to think this now the cool thing to do? Get back on track-apologies should come from Crowley,Gates and Obama to the nation.Keep some matters private. Stop the racism,beer summits and focus on the well-being of theU.S.-we have much moreimportant and pressing things to do-cut the nonsense!!
ReplyDeleteI think Obama means well in this case and I am sorry he apologized for his remark about stupidity regarding Crowley. No apology then we likely avoid the beer summit. Maybe he was speaking from too much crazy cop activity we see out here today, coverups, etc. At this date, think the UNC frat guy shot in Archdale. I am a white guy with some mix of race in my family by marriage and I grew up just as Obama did , single parent, grandparents raised me basically, and Obama's Mom looks very much like the ex love of my life. I can just relate to him in big ways and small it seems. I always wondered, where are our Presidents even in local matters? If I were a Prez I always felt I would openly comment on local events, especially where a death occurred. We all should care, wherever these things take place.The Gates case came nowhere close to that...or did it? Personally, I know of a closely related type of case where a U-turn led to the death of the driver in a suspicious cop shooting in our area here a few short years ago. Many cries that it was all a coverup. Again , another of the too often questionable cop shootings by a very arrogant cop and the same attitude I saw all over Crowley (do they teach that in police academy?)....cop shootings we seem to see too often regarding drivers, and particularly via what seems to be profiling. (apology from cops? Nope, it never happens does it?). Did not profiling come up in the Gates case? Believe so. Anyway, I like Obama's drive and genuine-ness on may issues, even local ones. Lots better than we got from Bush or any of the others I can recall. Let's give the man a chance. He's trying, and all I remember Bush cloaking himself in was 911 and Iraq. He had no agenda nor the desire to get the ball rolling on much of anything....unless it was so secretive, we never got the details, as was typical of he and Cheney. Only now are we learning more. Anyway, My two cents...I see nothing wrong at all with a Prez opining about local issues. It actually makes me admire him. I am sure there are issues I could broach in e-mail to Obama, and I bet in time I would hear back from him personally. Think I'll try it and see. He truly strikes me as that type of guy.
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