Obama regrets 'stupid' comments

LongWire · 07-24-2009, 17:32

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8168313.stm

US President Barack Obama has told reporters he should not have described the arrest of a black Harvard professor as "stupid".
Mr Obama has faced criticism for wading into the controversy during a televised news conference on Wednesday.
Professor Gates was apprehended at his own home after a witness saw him apparently trying to force his way in.
He was held for disorderly conduct after allegedly accusing the arresting officer, Sgt James Crowley, of racism.

I could have calibrated those words differently
President Barack Obama

Harvard row highlights US tensions
Making a surprise appearance at the daily White House press briefing, Mr Obama said he should have chosen his words more carefully at his Wednesday news conference.
"Because this has been ratcheting up and I obviously helped to contribute ratcheting it up, I wanted to make clear in my choice of words I think I unfortunately gave an impression that I was maligning the Cambridge Police Department or Sgt Crowley specifically," Mr Obama said.
"I could have calibrated those words differently," he added.
Mr Obama also revealed that he had spoken to Sgt Crowley on the telephone, and described him as an "outstanding police officer and a good man".
He said he continued to believe that Professor Gates's arrest was "an overreaction", but that "Professor Gates probably overreacted as well".
Obama critics
On Wednesday, Mr Obama had said: "The Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home."

Professor Gates leads the African American research centre at Harvard
And he put the arrest in the context of "the long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately".
Critics seized on his comments, saying the president should not be getting involved in individual cases, especially if he was not in full possession of the facts.
Officers were called to Prof Gates's house after a woman reported seeing two black males - the professor and his driver - trying to force entry.
Prof Gates's lawyer later said the professor had just returned from a trip overseas and, upon arriving at the property with a driver, found his front door jammed and had to force it open.
Although the exact facts of the incident are disputed, Prof Gates was asked to provide the officer with identification. He was then asked to step outside his house and was arrested.
According to police, Prof Gates shouted at the officer and accused him of racial bias.

Sdiver · 07-24-2009, 21:47

Backstep, shuffle, shuffle, shuffle, step, 1, 2, 3
Backstep, shuffle, shuffle, shuffle, step, 1, 2, 3

Now you're doing the "Obama Dance".

incarcerated · 07-25-2009, 00:51

The President guilty of poorly ‘calibrated’ or poorly chosen words?
No. That isn’t the case.
The problem is not that the President used the word ‘stupid.’
The President is guilty of prejudging the Cambridge Police Department.

“Now, I don't know, not having been there and not seeing all the facts, what role race played in that, but I think it's fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry; number two, that the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home…”

This is an instance of prejudice.

From Merriam-Webster:
Prejudice:
1: injury or damage resulting from some judgment or action of another in disregard of one's rights ; especially : detriment to one's legal rights or claims
2 a (1): preconceived judgment or opinion (2): an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge b: an instance of such judgment or opinion c: an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics

To compound it, the President applied a stereotype about policemen:
“…and number three, 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."

In this instance, the President is behaving as a bigot. That is the problem.

Knight · 07-25-2009, 07:10

Another problem with this is that the POTUS has a scope of practice which he is to stay within. Obama seems to have the God Complex, and is sticking his nose in about everything that citizens can, and have in the past, effectively controlled themselves. Just when I think he will get the message, he treads on more sacred ground and steps on more toes. I pray all of this will come back to bite him in the butt!

Utah Bob · 07-25-2009, 08:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knight

Another problem with this is that the POTUS has a scope of practice which he is to stay within. Obama seems to have the God Complex, and is sticking his nose in about everything that citizens can, and have in the past, effectively controlled themselves. Just when I think he will get the message, he treads on more sacred ground and steps on more toes. I pray all of this will come back to bite him in the butt!

Exactly. He seems to act more like a monarch than an elected official. The Gates incident was a local issue, not a federal one. If gates files against Cambridge PD in Federal court then it's no longer local. And even then the POTUS should stay out of it. It simply isn't his job. Problem is, he wants to be all things. Like a monarch. Or a God.

swpa19 · 07-25-2009, 08:28

Quote:

Backstep, shuffle, shuffle, shuffle, step, 1, 2, 3
Backstep, shuffle, shuffle, shuffle, step, 1, 2, 3

Now you're doing the "Obama Dance".

Its a lot like Charles Durning (an honest to god true American hero) as the mayor in "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: "He just loves to do a little side step".

HOLLiS · 07-26-2009, 10:37

It must be the Biden's influence. Open mouth, insert foot.....

HQ6 · 07-26-2009, 10:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knight

Obama seems to have the God Complex, and is sticking his nose in about everything that citizens can, and have in the past, effectively controlled themselves.

Frighteningly socialist big government is scary huh? Wonder what he will try to nationalize next.

incarcerated · 07-26-2009, 11:34

(Video) Would you have a beer with this man?

http://hotairpundit.blogspot.com/200...ates-rant.html

And will you be asked to make a small contribution if you do…?

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=105028

incarcerated · 07-31-2009, 01:01

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/..._M-SAD99P2S5G0

....Cambridge Sgt. Leon Lashley gave a letter to Sgt. James Crowley to give to President Barack Obama during their so-called beer summit with Gates on Thursday night at the White House.

In the letter, which was also sent to CNN, Lashley says Gates "may have caused grave and potentially irreparable harm to the struggle for racial harmony."....

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news...91/detail.html

Lashley's Letter To Crowley

Dear Jim,

Would you be so kind as to mention the following to Mr. Gates and President Obama during your meeting with them:

One of the major problems stemming from the events of July 16 is that I, now known as 'the black Sergeant', have had my image plastered all over the Internet, television and newspapers. Subsequently, I have also become known, at least to some, as an 'Uncle Tom.'

I'm forced to ponder the notion that as a result of speaking the truth and coming to the defense of a friend and collegue, who just happens to be white, that I have somehow betrayed my heritage.

Please convey my concerns to the President that Mr. Gates' actions may have caused grave and potentially irreparable harm to the struggle for racial harmony in this country and perhaps throughout the world.

In closing, I would simply like to ask that Mr. Gates deeply reflect on the events that have unfolded since July 16 and ask himself the following questions:

'What can I do to help heal the rift caused by some of my actions?; What responsibility do I bear for what occurred on July 16, 2009? Is there anything I can do to mitigate the damage done to the reputations of two respected Police Officers?'

Thank you in advance,

Your friend,

Leon K. Lashley