US Features
Obama: No apology, maybe a beer, over 'stupid' remark
Jul 25, 2009, 5:15 GMT
Washington - US President Barack Obama moved Friday to quell a racial firestorm over his remarks about the stupidity of police, phoning both an angry black Harvard professor and the white officer who arrested him.
Obama stopped short of an apology for his remarks this week, as had been demanded by Massachusetts police unions earlier Friday.
But in a surprise appearance before the White House press, the first black US president conceded that he had expressed himself poorly when he declared that Cambridge police had 'acted stupidly' in arresting Professor Henry Gates, a leading authority on African- American history and personal friend of Obama.
'I want to make clear that in my choice of words, I think, I unfortunately, I think, gave an impression I was maligning the Cambridge Police Department and (the arresting officer) specifically.'
'I could have calibrated those words differently,' Obama said, admitting he had contributed to escalating the fury over the incident.
He promised that the three men - the president, Gates and Sergeant James Crowley - would meet at the White House to defuse the tension, perhaps over a beer.
For the first time since taking office, Obama is embroiled in a controversy over racism, despite the popular notion that his election had moved the United States into a post-racial era.
Last year, the presidential candidates ran campaigns remarkably free of racial invective, despite Obama's historic candidacy.
There was controversy over perceived anti-white and anti-American remarks by his Chicago pastor, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright.
But at election day in November, Obama proved he was a bridging, unifying force, attracting white voters in less diverse Midwestern states as well as black voters in the deep South.
At issue in the current issue was the July 16 arrest of Gates and the role played by Crowley, an experienced officer who by all accounts has led efforts within the Cambridge police force to train colleagues to refrain from racial profiling.
The grey-haired Gates, 58, is widely known for his narrations of black history specials on television and his academic achievements at Harvard.
Crowley was responding to a call from a neighbour who reported that two black men were trying to break into Gates' Cambridge home. In fact, it was Gates himself, arriving home late at night from China, where he had been filming a public-television documentary.
His front door was stuck shut, and Gates, who walks with a cane, enlisted his taxi driver to help pry it open. When police arrived, they demanded that Gates identify himself, and a verbal confrontation ensued.
Crowley arrested Gates for disorderly conduct and took him to the police station to book him. The charges were later dropped amid the outcry over the arrest of such a prestigious black university professor.
On Wednesday night, Obama jumped into the fray. While admitting he didn't know all the facts of the case and that he was biased because of his friendship with Gates, the president said: 'The Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home.
'What I think we know, separate and apart from this incident, is that there is a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately. That's just a fact.'
Obama stood by his guns on Friday, insisting that as president he had a duty to weigh in on such racial incidents and use them as 'teachable' moments.
'Even when you've got a police officer who has a fine track record on racial sensitivity, interactions between police officers and the African-American community can sometimes be fraught with misunderstanding,' Obama told reporters. 'Race is still a troubling aspect of this society, whether I were black or white.'
He called for the country to 'spend a little more time listening to each other' and less on 'flinging accusations.'
Obama said his conversation with Crowley convinced him that Gates and Crowley - 'two good people' - both shared fault in the incident.
'I continue to believe ... that there was an overreaction in pulling Professor Gates out of his home to the station. I also continue to believe ... that Professor Gates probably overreacted as well,' Obama said.
Crowley insists that Gates provoked his own arrest by not cooperating and becoming verbally belligerent, and dozens of police union leaders backed him up Friday, insisting that race had not played a role in the arrest.
Gates has demanded an apology.
'If this can happen to me in in Harvard Square, this can happen to anybody in the United States,' he said. 'What it made me realize is how vulnerable black men are ... to capricious forces like rogue policemen.'
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Older Talkback
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Curiously, Rush Limbaugh, years ago, had something to say that applied here: These senators are used to shooting their mouths off, because they're usually away from their voters.One only has to hear Joe Biden to confirm that theory. When they decide to run for president or become one, they forget that they are now under the microscope and stick their foot in their mouths.
There's nothing too surprising here about this president: he's the same kind of person the Professor is: He got his job by being Black. Undeniably, Barak Obama would not be president if he were white...he'd be right where John Edwards is....well..not quite where John is...now.
The professor is no different: He got a job created for a person like himself, to live in the academic womb, so white liberals could hold him up as an example, as if they needed one. This is why Cosby and other black leaders are recoiling here...they are embarrassed by this narrow minded little man.
that SP4 finally quotes his hero, his only news comes from this idiot:
'SP4: Limbaugh'
Anyone that would think to quote this fat drug addict shows just how stupid he really is.
'Curiously, Rush Limbaugh, years ago, had something to say that applied here: These senators are used to shooting their mouths off, because they're usually away from their voters.One only has to hear Joe Biden to confirm that theory. When they decide to run for president or become one, they forget that they are now under the microscope and stick their foot in their mouths.'
Curious? Not curious at all that this bigoted drug addled fool would say anything this obvious and then think he is a genius. Of course politicians say one thing at home and another in DC. That's the way it has been for ages.
'There's nothing too surprising here about this president: he's the same kind of person the Professor is: He got his job by being Black. Undeniably, Barak Obama would not be president if he were white...he'd be right where John Edwards is....well..not quite where John is...now.'
And then he gets into the bigotry that he is famous for. He has been fired from jobs because of his bigotry, not knowing that when the smarter, better educated, more open person is able to talk to the people at the peoples lever, they are usually the winner. You idiots ran John McSame and they tried to juice it up with a lady that I would love to sleep with, but would be scared to have her as my dog catcher---smart move right wing.
'The professor is no different: He got a job created for a person like himself, to live in the academic womb, so white liberals could hold him up as an example, as if they needed one. This is why Cosby and other black leaders are recoiling here...they are embarrassed by this narrow minded little man.'
Another bigoted statement from the plump drug addict who used everyone around him to score drugs so he could feed his habit. It is funny that the only 'black leader' quoted here is Bill Cosby. When has Bill Cosby been regarded as a 'leader', and how about some other names? What a lowlife grease ball Limbaugh is, and only an idiot (SP4) would quote Rush Limpbaugh and expect to have one ounce of credibility. Do you think anyone thinks this post has any validity? Again thanks for showing your stupidity Idiots Stick....good job. And yes SP4 it makes Rushbo (bo stands for belly out) and you are again and as usual wrong.
..of that makes Rush wrong, and it was Obama who just proved him right. You know, perhaps that is why they call it the 'right'! Now run along monkey boy and try to remember brevity.
one drug addict quoting another.
Now run along monkey boy and try to remember to attempt to say something intelligent.
God you are not only wrong but stupid and wrong. Rush, you actually quoted Rush---what a joke! And yes as I stated Rush is also wrong.
When you say ...and it was Obama who just proved him right...
Where is that proof you mention ???
In your own private opinion perhaps ????
Any idea what the word 'proof' stands for in the real world ?
its about time he opened his legs, bent over, and kissed his useless arse ...goodbye...(we wont miss you either):.)
Perhaps M&C could get back online ..this used to be a really great site.
Maybe this president should get back to governing the other 300 million people he agreed to govern, instead of inserting himself some local situation he knew nothing about to begin with. There is also the matter of these posters who seem to be insulted about something, but then insult everyone else while whining about it. I say get a set and man up.
...let him just keep doing what he is doing...
SP4 quotes Limp-baugh with ' ... He got his job by being Black. Undeniably, Barak Obama would not be president if he were white...'
Clarification for you SP4 ... Obama got elected, not because he was black ... but because George Bush and the Republicans screwed up big time.
If the Republicans hadn't messed up so terribly (mismanaged wars and the economy tanking under Bush's leadership), there wouldn't have been the huge opening in voters minds for Obama.
But you'll never accept that truth ...
That's ok ... it matters little whether you grasp the truth or not SP4.
You are inconsequential to things that matter SP4 ... You are a nobody who contributes nothing more than a few stupid rantings on this forum that no one takes seriously anyway.
..there is no other reason Obama made it than he was black, The party's front runner, a woman, was superdelegated out, and he was inserted. Were he a white guy and a liberal too, he'd been shuffled off to the side. Liberals are, at the least, as bigoted as any political group.
The republicans do not have a class of ruling dlegates and then fake delgates, we only have one. We call this equality.
No matter what happens in the real world, SP4's gonna hold on to his bigoted ass-umptions.
You just keep on believing that Obama didn't get elected as a direct result of the Republican failures if you want SP4.
And please keep posting more of your claims that he was elected only because he was black ... while at the same time saying you support 'equality'.
You make this easy SP4.
I don't have to explain how stupid you are ... you do it for me.
Obama beat McCain by more votes in his one election (10 million), than the margin of votes in both of George Bush's elections, combined.
(Bush lost the popular vote in 2000 .. winning with electoral votes ... and his margin over Kerry in 2004 was only around 3 million)
I suppose that was just because Obama was black too?
C'mon fool take the bait.
I'd agree tha the democratic candidate may have won because of public sentiment, and they were wrong, (as we can plainly see our Obama economy unfolding) but the democratic candidate was put up for election, plainly, because the dem supers wanted a black person.
...I won't admit I was wrong...but perhaps we can have a beer over it! Go sit with ol Stu in Silverton and ask him to invite his conservative buddy down for a beer. Heck, he'll probably take a real shine to ya!
'the democratic candidate was put up for election, plainly, because the dem supers wanted a black person.'
Of course SP4 ... clearly it had nothing at all to do with anything like Obama being the first black person winning the Iowa primary, did it?
Or the majority of states he won in the primaries? (remember, Florida Dems thumbed their noses at the national scheduling of primaries ... invalidating themselves, by their own choice)
Or the fact that he was less controversial and was more electable than Hillary?
Perhaps SP4, you are confusing the Dems nominating Obama with the RNC putting Michael Steele into the chairman's seat in a blatant effort to show black america that conservatives like black people too? ... And how's that choice workin' for ya SP4? (There are now more registered Independents, than registered Republicans)
'as we can plainly see our Obama economy unfolding'
SP4 ... what we are seeing are the remaining effects of the nose dive the economy took last year under Bush's leadership.
Tell me SP4 ... when did this economy turn south? ... can you say 'Before the 08 election'
Please take the bait SP4, and try to tell all of us that the economy tanking didn't happen last year.
(I love it when you can't control yourself and post laughable nonsense ... as you are often eager to do)
..what we're seeing is now the beginning of Obama being measured by the grueling Bush yardstick, applied by his political enemies. Gen Mot dealers put out of business on a whim by Mr. Rattner, a man who had to quit working for Obama because the SEC is preparing an investigation into pension fund pay-for-play (never worked for Bush, eh monkey boy?), the fools errand of $75 billion to Gen Mot, (not a Bushmove, eh monkey boy?)that we will never get back, the ownership transfered to the indebted unions to prop up their failed balance sheets(not a Bush move, eh monkey boy?) the failed $787 billion stimulus bill that was caught going to Obama's political firedns in sacramento, the Inspector General who blew the whistle promptly fired (not a Bush move, eh monkey boy?) the cancellation of the worlds most advanced fighter plane AFTER the program was 75% complete (not a Bush, ore even Clinton move, eh monkey boy?) ...
the falling dollar, the rising interest rates, the market devaluing the strength of the dollar inthe stock market, the bond market, theinflation index climbing..none of which Bush is responsible for. No mnokey boy, your man in the not-so white house has done all of these things themselves, while relying on the former administrations quick action propping up the banks that staved off a calmity. Now inform yourself as to who was REALLY responsible for all of this, below and learn what Bush, genuinely, tried to avert. Bend over monkey boy, here comes the truth:
This was preventable.Sep 21st, 2008 - 01:59:13
John McCain predicted Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac crises, pushed 2005 legislation to prevent trouble:
The 'FEDERAL HOUSING ENTERPRISE REGULATORY REFORM ACT OF 2005' would have headed this off but it was killed in the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs by Chris Dodd who recieved the most money from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
President Bush sought to rein in Fannie and Freddie in 2003.
The Democratic response to Bush in 2003:
“These two entities — Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — are not facing any kind of financial crisis,” said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. “The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing.”
Representative Melvin L. Watt, Democrat of North Carolina, agreed.
“I don’t see much other than a shell game going on here, moving something from one agency to another and in the process weakening the bargaining power of poorer families and their ability to get affordable housing,” Mr. Watt said.
Oh yeah, one other thing: they made a movie about assasintating GW Bush. If someone had done it, would he or she then be responsible for his death?
L
O
L
What we are seeing is an economy that tanked before the 08 election.
Your denials of that most basic truth prove your critics to be correct about you.
I love how you can't control yourself SP4.
(BTW ... still no response from you on Phil Gramm(R) deregulation of the derivative markets, also deregulation that fostered subprime predatory loans - which allowed Fannie and Freddie to do what you criticize so much - , and the resulting mortgage crisis? ... think 'initial cause' if you can SP4 .... can't wait to hear you show us what you can't comprehend on that too)
1. libnazis like Barney Frank and Chris Dodd, who got big loans for propping up loans by bad institutions, along with this neophyte president (Countrywide, eh?...) enabled this mess....
2. The guys below WANTED to help
3. your libnazi, culture of Grievence, socialist dildos ignored them.
4. you got exactly what they were trying to avoid
5. your libnazi dildos got you right where you are.
6 Bush is not to blame.
Now, slowly, read and by all means, feel free to weep...
This was preventable.Sep 21st, 2008 - 01:59:13
John McCain predicted Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac crises, pushed 2005 legislation to prevent trouble:
The 'FEDERAL HOUSING ENTERPRISE REGULATORY REFORM ACT OF 2005' would have headed this off but it was killed in the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs by Chris Dodd who recieved the most money from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
President Bush sought to rein in Fannie and Freddie in 2003.
The Democratic response to Bush in 2003:
“These two entities — Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — are not facing any kind of financial crisis,” said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. “The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing.”
Representative Melvin L. Watt, Democrat of North Carolina, agreed.
“I don’t see much other than a shell game going on here, moving something from one agency to another and in the process weakening the bargaining power of poorer families and their ability to get affordable housing,” Mr. Watt said.
Crackas are out of their damn minds! President Obama is rite, it was stupid of the stupid police.
...another wannabe black person who wants to buy into Obama's culture-of-Grievence Bullsh-t. Gee, I don't think I've seen one of those in at least ten minutes!
Honestly, when even the president admits he did not really have the facts, and then puts his foot in his own mouth, it is even more amazing that there is still a person who is blind...but I guess not color blind, right? Heck no, that big bellied sherriff just has time to waste hassling a renowned (by whom?) learned man (by his own peers admission) because as we know,most police have nothing else to do as they are forced to let lessor offenders go to keep themselves on the street...
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ColJul 25th, 2009 - 06:52:17
Since Gates is publicly demanding an apology as well as the union is demanding one from the president, perhaps this is worthwhile of an iquiry, seeing that Obama was passionate enough about the subject to offer his own knee-jerk 'stupid' commentary. My guess is that he probably wishes it went away as it will likely only show a reversal of profiling by an opportunist looking for a soapbox. Hey, we want to know more, keep reporting. I really look forward to see what excruciating injustice warranted the remark from the president.
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