"The police acted stupidly."
"Let's stick with the facts."
"I am a post racial candidate."
Some who had hoped that the election of a black man to the Presidency would finally put to rest, or at least significantly ease any residual racial tension, are very disappointed by the actions of these two black men.
The officer was clearly doing his job.
Gates clearly overreacted.
"O" clearly fanned racial flames.
His words have meaning... and what he said, is that due to continuing anxiety and sensitivity of A-A, they need to be treated differently when being questioned, WHICH IS WHAT I THOUGHT THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT STOOD AGAINST!
Now that he is in deep dudu, the media must orchestrate his rehabilitation. On THIS WEEK, they all but bent over backward to excuse his words and explain what a great job he did Friday explaining his mistake. The anger of Ms. Brazil was barely contained. What he did was inexcusable and at some point we must say to all people, even Ms. Brazil, enough! We have made progress...we have long ago rejected prejudice...time to move forward! And...where racism persists we stand firmly behind any group...but...racism is a serious charge to be raised under serious circumstances with serious consequences...so please after all the work and sacrifice and understanding...please...perhaps a little understanding...in both directions!
Too many black men are in jail and that is terrible but this incident in no way teaches us why. This incident was a lot of things, but clearly not a teachable moment except in how to not move forward. This was about an arrogant old man pitching a fit and throwing out the race card, which is bad enough (and I just wish the black community would call him on it) but worse, it was our POTUS descending into old arguments and prejudices instead of leading.
Our previous President talked about the soft prejudice of low expectations and believed that all people could be free (even those living under religious or other tyranny).
Miss him.
4 comments:
Doc -
This is old news already.
You have your own perspective, formed growing up in Paradise Valley, AZ, the son of a doctor.
I think that the police officer is the trained professional - he had no business dragging the homeowner out of his own home once it was established he belonged there. Perhaps, that is why charges were dropped the same day.
Was Gates rude? Apparently.
Did the cop have the right to arrest? Apparently. Did he have discretion on what action to take? Yes. Did he use his discretion wisely? No. He was understandably pissed and he made a bad decision.
Obama should not have waded in - I agree - as soon as he used the word "stupidly" I knew it was trouble. As soon as Lynn Sweet asked the question, I knew it was no win. Bam doesn't want to talk race and the question had nothing to do with health care.
Methinks the cop, Gates and Obama all overreacted. Obama did a masterful job of cleaning it up on Friday.
Noticing the time of the post and My father's advice to not to listen to anybody after 10:00 O'clock at night "generally a mistake" because they had too much wine or drink, so I will just excuse the rant as someone who had too much after dinner fun.
Terry, what did you say? Can't hear you due to the noise from the press conference held to address this "old news".
Oh...Sober as a judge.
Treating people equally is a rant?
Our President again has shown the fact I pointed out during the run up to the election, that he is too inexperienced and lacks the wisdom to be the POTUS. Getting involved in this local matter was just plan stupid and making a comment before he had even looked at the facts showed his arrogance and the fact that he himself is a racist at heart who automatically assumes a certain set of facts.
Clearly Gates is racist. He has the preconcieved notion ingrained that any time a white police officer questions a black man it is because he is black. For him to become belligerent, the second a police officer who was doing his job, questions him based on a call given to him from the radio, was clearly the trigger point. Gates makes a living fanning the flames of racism which clearly can be seen by his comment about teaching Crowley about "racial profiling". A Harvard Professor who is the Director for African and African American Studies, (why do we even need departments like this in Universities with the cost of education today?) which makes a statement in itself to anyone who has attended a major University as to what his preconceived views probably are.
The fly in this ointment is the fact that Crowley is an expert on racial profiling and teaches the class to both black and white police officers. His past record is beyond reproach and is supported by the records and the testimony of his superiors. It will be interesting to finally hear the actual tape of the police call to Crowley.
Let us put this in perspective with a fair comparison. Assume you have locked your car keys in your car and you use a coathanger or a slimjim to unlock the door and get in. Someone observes you while you are trying to get the door open and calls the police. They arrive on the scene just as you are closing the door after getting in. The police officer comes up to the door and you roll down the window and start calling him names and get totally beligerent with him. What do you think is going to happen to you?
Rich, if you call his comments a masterful job of clearing this up then I have some swamp land I would like to sell you.
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