How much lower can the president go?

[spence]

Originally Posted by fishbones

The officer did exactly what he has been trained to do. In fact, he made concessions to this man that would not have been made to you or me. Crowley cuffed Gates in the front because Gates said he has a bad back, and Crowley also went inside to get his cane.

I don't understand why he was arrested in the first place. Regardless if he was ticked off, it looks like it didn't take long for the officer to determine there was no break in. Arrest a 60+ year old man in his own home? If his behavior was that bad why were charges dropped?

And to the initial post, Obama made the comment because he was asked a question in a press conference. It's not like this was planned, which is reflected in his off the cuff remark, which I'm sure he now regrets making.

-spence

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by spence

I don't understand why he was arrested in the first place. Regardless if he was ticked off, it looks like it didn't take long for the officer to determine there was no break in. Arrest a 60+ year old man in his own home? If his behavior was that bad why were charges dropped?

And to the initial post, Obama made the comment because he was asked a question in a press conference. It's not like this was planned, which is reflected in his off the cuff remark, which I'm sure he now regrets making.

-spence

I know you have to play devil's advocate Spence, but at least read up on the story before just claiming the officer did something wrong. He was investigating a possible house break in a neighborhood where there has been several recently. He asked the person in the house for identification. The professor got agitated and started asking the officer for his name and badge number. After using the old "you don't know who you're messin' with" and the "I'll come out with your mama" quotes, Gates showed Crowley a Harvard ID. Mind you, the ID doesn't have an address on it. When Crowley tried to walk away outside, Gates followed him berating him and yelling the whole time. By all accounts, Gates was given several opportunities to go back inside and it would be over. But, he kept at it and was arrested for causing a disturbance. Witnesses have already come forward with statements that they never saw Crowley (or any of the other officers) raise his voice, while Gates was yelling the entire time and was chasing the officer down the steps to the front yard.

Why were the charges dropped? Why was Gates given preferential treatment at the jail? Because he is a public figure who has a lot of influence in the city. Don't celebrities and politicians have charges dropped for minor charges all the time?

Obama has claimed that he's a friend of Gates. I don't expect him not to support him, but to call an officer's actions stupid without having the facts or police report is at best, reckless. By the way, watch for an interview later today where Obama refuses to apologize for the "stupid" comment. You can already find it on the internet. Who knows, maybe without a teleprompter or prepared speech, he gets too unnerved to respond to questions in public. Or, maybe he just can't think on his feet. Either way, he should know better than to say something like that about police officers on his monthly national infomercial.

[FishermanTim]

Obama had previewed and approved ALL questions before a "presidential address" to the public.
This means he KNEW the question and what his answer was going to be.
For him to stick his nose where it shouldn't have been further goes to prove that he is just another idiot in the oval office.

When you think of all the people that have come forward to support the actions of this "nutty professor", all without any facts, it makes you wonder what their true agendas reall are?

I figure Obama just wants to draw attention away from his horrible track record with the economy and now the healthcare fiasco.

Just another case of "the tail wagging the dog"!!

[spence]

Originally Posted by FishermanTim

Obama had previewed and approved ALL questions before a "presidential address" to the public.
This means he KNEW the question and what his answer was going to be.

I'd love to see what you read that makes you believe this. It's simply not true...

Besides, it doesn't even make any sense. The last thing Obama needs is a distraction to hurt his healthcare push.

-spence

[FishermanTim]

So are you implying that Obama has press conferences where he doesn't know what questions will be asked?

I would love to hear that on the news, but it'll never happen in our lifetimes.

I don't believe ANY president (within my lifetime) has ever had press conferences where he didn't know what was being asked (or at least what "could possibly" be asked).

[spence]

Originally Posted by FishermanTim

So are you implying that Obama has press conferences where he doesn't know what questions will be asked?

I would love to hear that on the news, but it'll never happen in our lifetimes.

I don't believe ANY president (within my lifetime) has ever had press conferences where he didn't know what was being asked (or at least what "could possibly" be asked).

I'm sure Obama's people know what issues are hot, what's likely to be asked and who's most likely to ask them. They have even gone as far as asking specific reporters for questions to better control the press conferences.

That being said, that's a long way from your statement:

Obama had previewed and approved ALL questions before a "presidential address" to the public.
This means he KNEW the question and what his answer was going to be.

-spence

[fishsmith]

that's the one cool beans.

[Fishpart]

Originally Posted by spence

I'd love to see what you read that makes you believe this. It's simply not true...

Besides, it doesn't even make any sense. The last thing Obama needs is a distraction to hurt his healthcare push.

-spence

Actually, the FIRST thing the Prez needs is a distraction to his healthcare push. If the people are sidetracked by the Gates incident, Congress can vote and get it passed without having to deal with all those nasty phone calls from voters...

[spence]

Originally Posted by Fishpart

Actually, the FIRST thing the Prez needs is a distraction to his healthcare push. If the people are sidetracked by the Gates incident, Congress can vote and get it passed without having to deal with all those nasty phone calls from voters...

The Senate has already indicated there will be no vote in August.

Clearly they are attempting to take more of a bi-partisan approach than the Progressive bill from the House.

Distracting from health care does nothing for Obama.

-spence

[scottw]

Originally Posted by spence

Distracting from health care does nothing for Obama.

-spence

this is EXACTLY the distraction that Obama needed, the focus on the healthcare legslation was killing Obama and his numbers are plummeting as Americans figure out the details and what they can look forward to, they lost control of the debate and this was an opportunity to shift the focus for a time on THE MOST EXPLOSIVE topic available(note that Obama, as he has done before, turned this into a national story with stupid, inflammatory language, let it simmer for a few days and then, as though he is somehow now the peacemaker, is using this officer as a pawn and his "friend", who is still railing, and seeks to lecture everyone to be reasonable while HE exploded and exploited this entire situation)...he is such an arrogant race-baiting jerk, they are regrouping around healthcare as the nation debates this topic and yet another innocent, hard working American is maligned for standing up to one of these elites, the tapes need to come out and be heard, Obama and Gates should both apologize to the officer, but that will NEVER happen, elites don't apologize to anyone, this will be spun as a huge victory for Obama and his remarkable ability to bring calm to the situation "THAT HE AND HIS FRIEND CREATED!!!" I wish that the officer could decline the White House invite but he's far too decent and respectful to do that, Obama knows this and will take full advantage of the situation....creep...

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Fishpart

Actually, the FIRST thing the Prez needs is a distraction to his healthcare push. If the people are sidetracked by the Gates incident, Congress can vote and get it passed without having to deal with all those nasty phone calls from voters...

Actually, the LAST thing the Prez needs is a distraction to his health care push, as Obama has stated that he will *not* be taking a break while Congress is on their recess and will continue to campaign for his health care policies.

While I disagree with just about all of what Obama wants to put in the bill, I also disagree with you exclaiming blatantly incorrect information.

Harp on how terrible most of the proposals for the bill are, but please quit with the misinformation.

[Swimmer]

Originally Posted by spence

I don't understand why he was arrested in the first place. Regardless if he was ticked off, it looks like it didn't take long for the officer to determine there was no break in. Arrest a 60+ year old man in his own home? If his behavior was that bad why were charges dropped?

-spence

Because you can get any charges dropped in Massachusetts if your the right person. It happens all the time. The DA was more worried about votes than backbone. DA'S stick a wet finger in the air before they decide what is best for them. They serve themselves first and thier constituency second. The charges can be refiled anytime Mr. Gates wants to pursue further.