Jack & Jill Politics

As a young black man, 28, from California, I have been harassed by the police numerous times for no apparent reason. When I was in elementary school, I even remember having my photo taken, along with my friends, while walking home from school by officers who said that they needed our photos to protect us from possible kidnap. We later discovered however, due to my uncle who was a prominent school principle in the area, who looked into the matter, that the officers had been taking pictures of young black boys all over town to make the task of identification and future arrest easer.

I only mention my account to add further validity to the accounts of so many other black men, who like myself, have experienced the indignity of police harassment as an inseparable part of everyday life. In light of this, I still appreciate the Presidents efforts to chill the situation and believe that he did so masterfully. However, it disturbs me deeply that we are so quick to defer to the judgment of a white police officer who failed to demonstrate appropriate judgment in choosing to place our brotha under arrest even after being presented with his identification.

A moment for E. Lynn Harris. He was a colleague and a mentor, even if you didn't like his genre. And he forced black folks to talk a LONG look at how we look at gay people in our communities.

http://natturnersrevenge.blogspot.com/2009/07/r...

thanks Chambers.....I was a Harris fan, and he was far too young.

Apology or not, the move was brilliant.

Folks who get so caught up in whether or not President Obama backed-away from the controversy ARE JUST AS BAD as the Bush supporters who cried his praises while he dragged this country into a pre-emptive war and a dayum-near depression.

According to Bush and Bush-lovers, President BUSH didn't make a single, COT-dayum mistake during his eight years in office.

I LOVE THIS PRESIDENT FOR HIS WILLINGNESS TO ADAPT AND ADMIT TO HIS MISTAKES. Give me a Genuine President. He adapted in a way that allows the Cops to STFU. He is not diminished by an apology (if that is what it was or not). He was strengthened by what he said.

Boyce Watkins on MSNBC!

It worked!

Yes, it did!!

Did everyone just see Tamron with Lacewell-Harris, Boykin and a white author?

Well once again our President has raised thelevel of dialogue.

We finally have a white male saying that the officers role was to defuse the situation and that under no circumstances should Mr. Gates have been arrested.

Lacewell-Harris was good too, she clearly delineated how the 2 men were not equals as Crowley was armed and had the power of the STATE authority vs. Gates who was a citizen in his own home. Crowley was a work and had the responsibility to act as a professional...so the 2 mens actions cannot be seen as equal in any regard.

Boykin has issues, obviously colorism and classcicism issues...he needs to go away and or call up Clarence thomas and talk to him. Cause his statements on this matter are rubbish.

Like I already wrote, I was shocked to see Boyce Watkins (not Keith Boykin, unless I missed something-I love Keith) being so race neutral. I have the feeling he is on some payroll where it would be imprudent for him to be too militant. I was REALLY surprised by his blase', weakassness. He has been much more firey during the previous times I've seen him.

"He has been much more firey during the previous times I've seen him."

Yeah his powers that be (hate to say Masters) probably told him he would be more effective if was calm, and not an 'angry black male'

Thanks, Val, for the clip.

I LOVE PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tamron Hall getting steamed @ Matt Lewis from Politico. Oops she ain't playing!

where

MSNBC with David Shuster. Tamron made Matt Lewis look like a stupid foo.

LOL, what happened?

The conversation was about Rush Limbaugh trying to escalate what the President said and calling PBO an angry black man.

Matt Lewis didn't think Rush crossed the line and it went from there. You could see Tamron was steamed.

He didn't think Rush crossed the line?? What the hell line is he talking about because the lines of decency, intellect and relevance were crossed the first day Jabba took to the airwaves and he hasn't looked back since.

Ok, help a sista out. Can somebody give me cliff notes on PBO's statement?

I just got back from having my annual mammogram.

Transcript included here
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/7/24/757406/...

Thank, Miranda. Prez is too COOL for SCHOOL.

clip down below. his speech was less than 3 mins I think

No apology.

Crowley wants to have a beer with the President and asked the President to get the press of his lawn.

Media disappointed and determined to carry on this nonstory so is citing an "apology" and specifically asked if it was an apology. No response from Gibbs on that one. Per Gibbs . . . the President's comments stand.

Thanks, again, Val. I saw it.

As usual, President Obama had to bring in a case of GERBER baby food to nourish the faux press's brains.

He was brilliant. Look, Crowley's act was still STUPID, and by me saying it has got y'all shitting a ton of bricks.

So, lemme tell you what I'm going to tell you, tell you, then tell you what I told you.

Leave Crowley the fuck alone. He's chickenshit without you guys ratcheting this nonsense up.

Me, Skippy, and this cowardly saltine might have a brewsky all up in this here big white house.

Y'all need to focus on the bitches who are trying to thawrt my healhcare bill.

Later!

Channeling Town again, eh? :-)

I hope you are OK.

LOL! There is a kinship here with fellow JJPers.

Town is a master at decoding and getting down to the real nitty gritty, and
I admire that.

I have always strived to see behind the illusions too. Gotta love it!

I'm fine, and thanks for checking.

LOL@ So, lemme tell you what I'm going to tell you, tell you, then tell you what I told you.

try saying that 5 times fast

The approach is classic Dale Carneige.

http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Easy-Way-Effective-...

Great reference book for any one who wants to perfect their skills at
telling great stories and public speaking.

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I'm choking from laughing..

Somebody call for help!

If the press had to ask, then it's not an apology.

We have a winner!

hope the mammogram went ok, spirit.

Me too, rikyrah. Won't get results for a week.

It all ways has me a little anxious, as my twin sister died with breast cancer.

I do the monthly self-exams, so I have every confidence things are ok.

Found it. The President's response at today's press briefing

http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Program/2009/07/24/...

no apology.

here it is on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehvSP9zca1Y&feat...

A master stroke from a masterful politician. Obama can bring these two together and use their confrontation as a teachable moment for all of America. Expect to see Gates and Crowley with their own PBS special on the police and race in the near future. You'll probably have to turn the volume all the way up to drown out the sound of right wingnut heads exploding.

yep.

SECOND AFTERNOON OPEN THREAD IS UP

i get the reasons for talking about stupidgate again like he just did, and yeah he didn't technically apologize, but by virtue of saying anything at all he's at least partially admitting that he shouldn't have said/done whatever it is people are squawking about this time, and he knows full well that's what the story will be.
just once i wish he'd say "i said what i meant, and i meant what i said. so suck it," and tell gibbs that if he dares back off of something he said the minute one of the idiot trifecta turns the day's republican talking point into a question, he's fired. just once.

Yeah, Obama should have knocked Gibbs out of the way and started singing the lyrics to "Fuck Tha Police" while bitch slapping a white woman. Then when he was done he should have slammed the mic on the floor to make sure it was broke, stomped his foot two times while screaming "Sexual Chocolate! SEXUAL CHOCOLATE!!" then strolled off camera. Proper.

I LOVE IT!

BWA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fat, unshaved hypertensive black men have very rich fantasy lives.

Dang, get out of my head woman.

*dead*

*I'm deader than you are*

Swear to gawd, y'all killing me!

LMAO

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHAHHAHAHAH!!!!

you're gonna get me fired today!!!

stop it. i'm rolling on the floor laughing at work.

raotflmao. lolol

WHY could I visualize that scene lolol I could even hear the stomping lolol

He DID re-affirm his initial belief, changing one word doesn't change the sentiment "overreacted" = "stupidly"

hahahahaha exactly

i don't disagree. i just wish that once, and not even specifically on this particular manufactured outrage; that he'd send gibbs out there to make it explicit that "he said exactly what he meant. live with it. next question." and hold his ground till they move on from their tantrum.

"i just wish that once, and not even specifically on this particular manufactured outrage; that he'd send gibbs out there to make it explicit that "he said exactly what he meant. live with it. next question." and hold his ground till they move on from their tantrum."

Agreed. Gibbs needs to get tough with those children aka so-called reporters.

Eh, he's not a confrontational person like that, he'll have jokes for days about the situation though.

Obama sees the pending backlash from whites and has backpedaled. It was a useless gesture to pacify blacks that won't do one thing to actually change the undercurrent situation of bad law enforcement. It doesn't hold blacks accountable for their permissiveness with criminality and knee-jerk defense of any black male's brush confrontation with white officers either. The black officer who was there -and has conveniently not been mentioned at all - sides with Crowley. So now what?

"So now what"? I say...so what?

there was no backpeddling.

He shifted gears. He recognized that the press was stuck on 'stupid' so he came back to give them a jumpstart to get the process moving forward. They were stuck on defended the police cause they thought Obama had maligned them...so Obama had to clarify..so they could move on and raise the level of the dialogue.

Which Lacewell did beautifully, just now on MSNBC...she said we keep talking about these 2 men as if they were equal and they weren't. One man was at work, in uniform with a gun, and the complete power of the state behind him and he approached an citizen in their home.

There is nothing equal about that.

I don't think Obama was backpeddling, but I think he wanted the press (who often doesn't get anything that's not explicitly laid out for them) to THINK he was. Listen to/read his statement again.

The only head fake going on here is with blacks.

You're all over the place, I can't make out if you're dissapointed with obama or the cops LOL

Both but it's Obama who's President. You never saw Bush apologize for JACK!

And look what his non-apologetic ass has done for the moral, the very survival of the American people.

Ok...you criticize his initial statement as a "useless gesture", and you criticize him for supposedly backpedaling on...apologizing for... that "useless gesture".

No but feel free to obfuscate instead of thinking critically.

I'm obfuscating?

No but feel free to obfuscate instead of thinking critically.

I'm disappointed with heartsoverlogic.

How was this gesture designed to pacify blacks? Have you ever heard of conflict resolution?

Your post makes no sense.

Of course it doesn't. You don't see the big picture and are looking thru an Obama haze.

H & F, I was with you, but I listened to it a third time. The subtlety of it is really key. He never apologized. What he essentially said was: "I still mean it, but y'all didn't like the words I used, so maybe I shoulda used other words. But I didn't." The beer thing is a grand gesture. It ain't gonna happen, because now Cambridge sat.down.

Note: there is another policeman's account of the incident on record. And it does.not.agree with Sgt. Crowley's...

"I still mean it, but y'all didn't like the words I used, so maybe I shoulda used other words. But I didn't."


LMAO! That sums it up, devessel!

You guys are really reaching seriously. Go read some other blogs for perspective.

You're telling us we should go "read some other blogs for perspective", yet when confronted with opinions that differ from your own, you resort to accusing people of not thinking critically or being "sheeple". Talk about delusions of grandeur.

Actually I stated my opinion and am being confronted by some of you who want to cling to your totems of Obama as some variation of Messiah. Of course you don't agree. It isn't about the blog you read but in evaluating information. You get upset at being challenged not I. You used the word sheeple and by your response I think that is in fact appropriate. You don't have to agree but the idea of being in disagreement seems so threatening for some of you and I find that very interesting. If you are certain in your evaluations there's no need to allow a conversation to evolve into one where emotionalism rules. Should Obama ignore the needs of black voters such as yourself or others what accountability or consequences do you have place to compensate? That's the core of what's this is about. Blacks will have no leg to stand on and if voters don't start acting like voters instead of cheerleaders we will continue in beggar status when it comes to wielding
political clout. If you can't even see that no steps towards changing that can even begin. So feel comforted in putting me in my place but lose the opportunity for real growth.

Lose the opportunity for real growth that is presented by...agreeing with you. Well, I don't know. You don't seem to agree with yourself.

I think the beauty of a forum such as this one at JJP is that we dont generally need other opinions to form our own. The people here weigh the facts, and then form an opinion and share it. Why would we need to read some other blogs when we have the actual transcript and video of the President's words?

If you want to have your thinking reinforced you will seek that out. If you're seeking an challenge you'll find one as well.

EB, I think Jill Scott said it best:

I could give you the world
On a silver platter
Would it even matter?
You'd still be mad at me

If I could find in all this
A dozen roses
Which I would give to you
You'd still be miserable

Ooh, if I gave you peaches
Out of my own garden
And I made you a peach pie
Would you slap me high

What if I gave you diamonds
Out of my own womb
Would you feel the love in that,
Or ask "why not the moon"?

The hateration is in full effect today, that's for sure.

I guess she she thinks the initial "gesture" at the news conference was meant to "pacify" blacks. I don't know. I imagine one can get quite mixed up when they're anti-black, and trying to paint it is pro-black.

Thank you for breaking it down. I had no idea what heartsandflowers was talking about. It sounded like a great deal of double talk. It was like she was mad at Obama was his initially response, but at the same time she is mad because he apologize. If she was made at the initial statement shouldn't she been glad he apologized?

LOL! That would be very confusing.

Thank you!

Ok so did he or didn't he apologize? To be honest, I don't know anymore.

he did not. He said he continued to believe that the both the officer, Sgt. James Crowley, and Gates had overreacted during the incident, but the president also faulted his own comments.

"This has been ratcheting up, and I obviously helped to contribute ratcheting it up," he said. "I want to make clear that in my choice of words, I think I unfortunately gave an impression that I was maligning the Cambridge police department and Sgt. Crowley specifically. And I could've calibrated those words differently."

that was not an apology

Okay, some folks are calling that an apology right now.

of course they are. Because that is what they want to say but he did not apologize and when Gibbs was asked specifically if that was an apology . . he did not respond. Gibbs said -- the President just spoke and it stands. . . or something to that effect. forgot Gibbs specific statement.

What Val said. Please remember that the MSM and all of the other clear folks NEED to interpret this as an apology rather than a f^ckyou. Please also note that on MSNBC, of all places, there's a note on the crawl that POTUS has not yet spoken with the Professor. And we all know that just isn't true. So--do you really want to go with their interpretation on this? Or will you just go by what POTUS actually said?

HA! Now they are calling Obama's statement his "mea culpa" SMH, these people are idiots.

What?! And could someone please tell me what Rick Sanchez said. Some of us aren't in front of a tv!

Why was TJ Holmes on CNN trying to say that Prof. Olgtree and Gates are backtracking, saying that it wasn't a racial incident? Can someone provide some clarity because I caught the tail end of the convo.

TJ Holmes is a damn bimbo. I can't stand him. He never knows what he's talking about.

To quote Seinfeld, he's a mimbo! LOL!

Sorry to the black Snob but I agree! He and Tamron Hall..and Mika, too or maybe's it's Mika's parentage

I love Tameron. I think she is a great journalist constrained by her employer.

I do too, I just don't think she is that smart but maybe I'm wrong. I don't get to watch her often.

I think she is plenty smart. I respect her. Since she is very beautiful, people might stereotype her. If she were able, she could ask questions that would cut a bitch. David Schuster blasted a man on tv today during their show. The guy gave an answer and David responded, "Yeah, right," totally dismissing and disrespecting what the guy said. I was like, duhzam! But we all know that Tameron wouldn't be allowed to get away with the same thing, just like there is no other race that has their Rush Limpball or Pat Bukkkanan equivilent on the MSM.

Tamron is the bomb. That is all.

Now Gates was racially profiling the officer. LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I'm done.

What??

oh jesus somebody just kill me already. why is stupid both incurable & contagious?

Who said that?

TJ Holmes/Rick Sanchez

I just....I just can't.

rotflmao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh wait a minute of course Gates will be there. It will be a lovely ending to his PBS Documentary he has planned. LOL

I wonder do you think Gates WILL ACCEPT the invitation to have a beer w/Crowley and the President?

I think he will, because having an invitation to the white house is a great honor.

he'll accept. he was so tickled the President called him by name.

Um, Gates and the President are friends. They can have beer at the White House tonight, if they wanted...

Rick Sanchez is an idiot.

Even his mother thinks so lol she was making fun of the time he volunteered to be tazered on national television.

you just noticing this, I must ask.

I don't usually watch him. He looks really concerned. And now the black cop in the photo is on tape saying Crowley did nothing wrong. SMH

What did that fool say now?

The President apologized for the distraction. He did not apologize for the action.

What Crowley did was and STILL is stupid.

he did not apologize. He said he continued to believe that both the officer, Sgt. James Crowley, and Gates had overreacted during the incident, but the president also faulted his own comments.

"This has been ratcheting up, and I obviously helped to contribute ratcheting it up," he said. "I want to make clear that in my choice of words, I think I unfortunately gave an impression that I was maligning the Cambridge police department and Sgt. Crowley specifically. And I could've calibrated those words differently."

Re-watch the speech. He apologized for the "ratcheting up," the distraction from more important matters such as healthcare. He did not apologize for calling Crowley stupid.

I didn't hear him say I apologize for ratcheting it up. I need to find the link. I did rewind it a few times to listen to him but I did not hear the President say I apologize. didn't hear it. still searching for the clip on the web.

Let me help...

"This has been ratcheting up, and I obviously helped to contribute ratcheting it up," he said. "I want to make clear that in my choice of words, I think I unfortunately gave an impression that I was maligning the Cambridge police department and Sgt. Crowley specifically. And I could've calibrated those words differently."

There is no explicit, "I apologize," in the quote. Synthesize the quote and he is implicitly apologizing for contributing to the "ratcheting it up." He could've calibrated those words differently is an apology.

that was not an apology explicit or otherwise. He made a statement. He went on to say as he said last night they both gates and crowley acted stupid (although he didn't use that term again), he should not have been arrested, there is a long history in this country of unfair practices in the minority communities and this should be a reflective and teachable momemt and as President it is a part of his portfolio to raise and work to improve on these types of issues. Or something to that effect. He did not apologize. I added the clip of the presser above and watched it again twice.

Oh, so you're saying he wanted to have a teachable moment on race relations in the midst of what may be the most significant battle of his early presidency: healthcare.

Sure, a teachable moment on race relations...that's what he wanted to do. How could I be so dumb?

You are hysterically funny,truly gifted in the yuck-yuck dept., a comedic gangstuh.

Yet underneath the humor you are hitting on something. Things are not what they seem to be on the surface. Something else is going on. The delay of the health care bill really looks like a defeat for the president and for the people. Did he know that he was not going to get them to delay their vacations and work on health care, so he threw gasoline on the fire? Is there something else that we aren't seeing? I don't think it's the story about the pervert preacher.

Thanks 4 da compliment. No doubt, there are ulterior motives at work.

I said nothing about a "teachable moment" our President did. It's in the clip I posted above.

All I said was that he did not apologize.

Did President Obama just have the media face down azz up? Does the press corp even KNOW what street corner they are on?

From now on, the press corp will be known as Doo-Doo Brown.

LoL, he "came" faster than a Luke dancer, lmao. Poor shame for the 98% caucasian press corps; they are going to have to re-write all their stories late on a Friday afternoon. Tough titty yo.

Not only did he NOT apologize, he said that his opinion hasn't changed and he still thinks the Sergent overreacted. LOL. He threw in that Gates overracted too to make the media feel like it may be an apology, and Rick Sanchez's dumb ass is taking the bait.

Well he said during his healthcare conference the other night that he felt both men overreacted.

personally I don't think the incident was based on a racial matter, I think the men were having a good old fashion pissing contest. But still that is also besides the point. The police officer was the one who was more responsible because that is his job and he should have known better.

I have concluded the same. It's all about the male ego meeting white supremacy. Crowley believes that he is "the man" and ultimate authority. Gates says, "You might be the man, but not in my house."

Boyce Watkins is being race neutral on MSNBC. He must have some kind of sponsorship. I'm a little shocked....

I AGREE! It was egoegoegoego_d!ck_egoegoego.

Obama is a master politician...notice how no one is talking about Crowley's press conference anymore. The press got stuck on stupid so Obama gave them a new tape.

hahaha
and how Crowley gotta go to the principle's office (WH) and get this bullying matter settled in the WH?

O what a 'teachable moment'

Wanna be a fly on THAt wall!!

Fly on the Wall--me too! me too!

Crowley is gonna get clowned while drunk. Skip and Barack will jive him out and he will not even realize it...but Skip's gonna have to come better than some "Yo Momma" jokes next time (I understand; he just got back from China).

First off: I'm really pissed off at the way Ben Smith @Politico is framing this and the shot he took at Greg Sargent; probably b/c Sargent IS right depite PBO's statment.

Second: this was smart. He said he thinks the arrest was wrong and everyone knows the arrest was wrong; but he walked this back in a way that this isn't about race it's about the incidient now. And any way you look at it a person sees a man arrested in his own home for yelling is going to say this is wrong.

And finally, they can't beat up on him w/this in 2010 or 2012 without playing a race card. So he cut the feet under these haters and the MSM. I also think he should have stayed and taken questions.

Well, that was one of the more interesting non-apology apologies in recent history.

And I'm not completely sure if he should've done it. Oh, well.

Are you watching Rick Sanchez? this guy is an idiot, seriously. They are bound and damned determined to keep edging off of that cliff.

I'm turning my TV off now.

Wrong Rick, that was Santelli.

Answer's still no....why?

The Father of the Tea Party Patriots?

Um....no.

What's he saying? No tv right now.

It was indeed interesting...and only time will tell if it was politically brilliant. What we do know is that no one is talking about Crowleys press conference anymore.

I think it was completely unexpected...and that may be the brilliance of it all.

Crowley's at a major decision point; what he does next will make/break him.

LOL @ non-apology apologies....

Actually I must agree! LOL I thought the conservatives had perfected the art of the non-apology apology. Apparently there's a whole other level to it. LOL

Miranda I had to laugh. Our president said . . . "This has been ratcheting up, and I obviously helped to contribute ratcheting it up," he said. "I want to make clear that in my choice of words, I think I unfortunately gave an impression that I was maligning the Cambridge police department and Sgt. Crowley specifically. And I could've calibrated those words differently."

lolol wth? no apology there. If they want to construe it as one . . . good luck digging with a scapel because wasn't no apology in that. lolol

Well, the same people who believe this is an apology:
"I'm sorry I sent the racist email to the wrong people and they got offended"

should have absolutely no problem with PBO's "apology"!

He had to other wise this would have gone into next week. As soon as the Cambridge police demanded an apology the RNC would have had a countdown clock up by the end of the day if he didn't do this and that would be the story: when does he capitulate.

Better to do it now than before the RNC demands it.

This is my 2 cents on the Gates fiasco
Last year the police came to my house.They said there was someone suspicious in the neighborhood.The officer after I let him in ask for my ID as I went to get it I thought "OH SH*T!"I hope he dont notice that half a joint in my ash tray(It's for medicinal purposes)I showed him my ID he thank me and said if you see anything out the ordinary call us asap and he left.Once you prove who you are that should be the end of the story.No ifs, ands, or buts

ROTFLMBAO!!!!

Anything in plain sight after you willingly give access ...will get your medicinal controlled substance consuming but thrown in jail, complete with felony charges.

Bwahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

If smoking a joint is a felony, then they'll be converting whole neighborhoods into concentration camps, b/c there will never be enough prisons to contain us...webb~not a smoker.

"Your papers, please?"
"I only have a pipe, man."
"Then you'd better come with me!"

Bwa ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

True but it has been my experience that if you give respect you get respect.That is all.By the way I much rather use something that is natural than something that is pharmaceutical any day of the week.

Drugs is drugs..homegrown or manufactured, prescribed or over the counter. All of it is a chemical and all of them have side effects.

Is your snack cabinet full?

So according to your logic lets criminalize coffee and chocolate.They both contain caffeine which is a stimulant.While we at it tobacco kills over 400,000 people a year.RJ Reynolds get your azz an attorney.Corn syrup how many people get the sugar rush and how many are obese and have diabetes.And lets not talk about those martinis that people knock back everyday.

"So according to your logic lets criminalize coffee and chocolate"

No. NO. Noooo....my logic is that it should all be legalized. That way we get rid of the black market profit, crime goes down significantly cause folks don't have to steal, shoot, and kill people for their drugs.

And the government can tax the hell out of the pleasurable substances, just like they do liquor, and that way we can balance the budget, get rid of the deficit and pay for healthcare reform.

Everyone should be free to consume the drug of their choice.

No. I am a advocate fro all drugs being legal.

Prochoice all the way.

You trip me out WRB. I've seen how you dance your way out of being classified as either homophobic or a teetotaler. It is quite impressive and I am taking notes.

"I've seen how you dance your way out of being classified as either homophobic or a teetotaler"

the truth is I can argue both sides of most situations/issues. Have been able to since I was a child. I should of been a lawyer, but I am not a good liar.

But alas engaging in polemics on blogs is as much fun as I get.

." It is quite impressive and I am taking notes."

Interesting, wonder what those could consist of?

And you get TWO THUMBS UP!!!!!

delete

Medicinal Marijuana in Oklahoma? ROFLAMO!!!!!! Yeah, right DjChefron. There will be medicinal marijuana in OK as soon as Jesus comes back.

There you go again, Webb! lol

I don't think that President Obama apologized. He clearly felt that the situation with Professor Gates was handled badly.

The Media is a trip...they are focusing so much on this Gates/Crowley debacle that on CNN as soon a reporter asked Gibbs about the healthcare plan...they cut away.

Shameful.

did you get that blackbutterfly? I got that.

Loud and clear!

Dang, I'm not sure how I feel about his statement. At 1st impression I feel proud about how human and humane O is, how he feels like he wants to be the peacemaker (or the adult) and bring resolution before things REALLY spiral out of control. But politcally? I don't know. They (white male supremacist system) are going to feel he said uncle. Are they going to keep demanding that he say it every time he says something that doesn't support their agenda?

He got Crowley to suggest they have a beer while STILL thinking the guy made a mistake. That helps IMO and it helps Patrick too who is taking heat for this.

I'm glad he didn't apologize. And I think what he did was actually smart because now he's put his arms around officer Jim Crow and that's gonna turn off the white boys. They're gonna be pissed at Jim Crow for sitting down with Gates and POTUS.

He was about to become the face of white grievance politics, and now he's gonna be Obama's drinking buddy.

I think it was smart. As much as I would have liked to see the bourgie talented 10th go off on these bigoted police officers, I think this outcome is smarter. It just doesn't satisfy my need to an all out "Our Kind of People" bloodbath on that fool.

Crowley done one=upped Joe the Plumber..he is going to the WH and sit in the oval office...with the President he supports 110%

Next thing you know, Crowley in addition to expertise at teaching racial profiling for the police dept, will also have a course in the AA studies department up under Prof Gates, on how to defuse potentially volatile encounters with officers when 2 or more races confront each other.

With this guys credentials the sky's the limit...heck he may become Chief Legal Office in DC before Obama's re-run...and be the mouthpiece against all GOP ads.

Ummmm, I pray not, but you are so right. You are making a funny, but it could happen. Crowley is going to have to decide which camp he is in. The Gop might make it worth his wile ($$$) to be used by them. He is way more articulate than J th p while still maintaining that blue collar, white working class flavor.

Well this officer has Joe beat (bad choice of words for this officer I know) in that he is actually a police officer. Joe was a plumber in name only lol.

MAYBE he's going to the WH, Obama didn't commit. LOL

Oh he going...President said this was a 'teachable' moment and Professor Obama...looooove to teach. Crowley will be accompanying Michelle to elementary schools, and sharing the lesson he learned from President Barack Hussein Obama.

hehehehehehe

and it highlights on a national level the issues between police officers and minorities in this country because contrary to how the media is spinning the story right now as a "African American" issue we ALL know it is a minority issue as the President highlighted - blacks and latinos get stopped at a higher rate than their counterparts without any probable cause.

I'm glad he made that point AGAIN.

Maybe CNN will cover that in Black in America 3.

POTUS invites Gates and Cra***-Crowley to White House for Beers. The POTUS is a political genius.

Skip, please don't forget to bring your cane! Crowley bout to get beat down...intellectually.

Yep. He will be crushed.

or truly transformed

as funny as the visual of Barry & Skippy in that intellectual arse is, - and yes, that is heelarious- has anyone considered that POTUS -as a bridge builder- was sincere about reaching out to little Jimmy Crow (ley) and making this a teachable moment for ALL of us about conflict resolution and humanity? What if POTUS sees this as an opportunity to for us to move closer together instead of following the usual script of more distrust and distance.

Imagine what life would be like if we could learn to see past our indignation and actually work toward practical solutions & changes

If i were a dumb-ass cracka, i'm not sure that i'd want to be alone in a room with President Obama and Dr. Gates together...and drinking too.

By the time they finish with him, he'll be in front of the cameras crying and slinging snot, "They were right...I am a racist!"

Yepper! President says it is a teachable moment..you know his student is going to have demonstrate publically what he learned, at sooome point!!

FLOTUS will plan a revival big tent meeting for Sasha and Malia to attend along with inviting several of the DC elementarys...especially her adopted gardening class.

If i were a dumb-ass cracka

Well...you're halfway there.

When are you coming down South so I can sprinkle some of my "holy" water on you?

If your magic was strong, it would have power from afar.

Maybe I should put some Obeah on your behind ...and we'll see whose water is holy.

Obeah? Voodoo? I don't fool with that shyt but I have access to it if necessary.

Trust, any witchery you think you can pull on me will be matched with overwhelming wizadry and a big, thick wand.

OK, this is a political blog. I can see where ya'll are going with this (smirk). You might want to exchange personal email information (snicker). I'm just saying....

(snicker)

By the time they finish with him, he'll be in front of the cameras crying and slinging snot, "They were right...I am a racist!"

LMBAO! I'm visualizing a Jimmy Swaggert "I Have Sinned Before You" type of event.

Maybe the President will perform a Vulcan Mind Meld on Crowley.

Yeah, that'll take all of 5 seconds. I don't think the guy has much to meld with. It would be funnier if O told him he was going to do the Vulcan mind meld and really did the Vulcan death grip and knocked him unconscious.

Sepia, you need to quit. I'm not laughing. I'm not laughing.

ROFLMAO

Obama holding the briefing now, talking about the situation. I hope he didn't apologize.

no he didn't

But do you hear the press corp trying to say "can we say it was an apology?"

CNN is replaying it now.

lolol yea but they ain't getting one. hah

No, they're not, but they'll try to spin it as one.

He didn't apologize but he clearly back peddled. He is now saying maybe both sides over reacted. Uh Huh that sounds like running to me.

Hell, I think both sides overreacted too, I don't think he's backpeddling because he clearly said his opinion of the situation hasn't changed.

and there you have it.

Val,

I missed it. He didn't apologize, did he?

no he didn't. trying to find his speech and will add the link

Thanks Val! I can't wait to see it.

he didn't apologize, did he?

And he's not apologizing for commenting, so SUCK IT __PD!

I didn't hear of an apology, I heard Obama say they discussed the situation and Obama tried to clarify.

Now how much do you want to bet it gets spun as an apology.

[edit] and I'm right, they are going to spin it as an apology.

Just thought of something ..... last night I stopped over at my daughter's house. They moved in a few months and almost immediately - within the week, they knew who lived where except for the house directly next door, north, that was up for sale. While there the woman who bought the house had stopped to check things out and I heard my daughter talking to her.

It STILL bugs the shit out of me that Gates' neighbor - whoever called - didn't recognize him. When I got home from my daughter's house, I'm talking to my neighbor next door who was rear-ended last week, and now has a newer car. Is it regional that you don't know who your neighbors are?

to me - all that was besides the point. I want neighbors to call the police if they think something is going on at my house. The core of the issue is once the police went to the home, talked to the Professor inside his home, he showed his id, we know something "triggered" the situation and the Professor asked for name and badge number which alledgely he didn't get and the Professor got arrested AFTER he shows that he lives at the house . . . .

That is the crux of the problem. Forget the neighbor, forget the "yo momma' phrases. No one should be arrested in their own home AFTER they show id proving that they live there.

I wasn't saying the neighbors shouldn't have called. I was wondering why the neighbor didn't recognize him. If - as The_A explained - the neighbor only had the view of the back door, that might explain the lack of instant recognition.

Nope, I'm with on that. Once Gates produced ID that he lived there - that was it. Nothing else should have transpired except to leave on the part of the police.

I've lived in my place for several years. I know faces & cars. Some cars better than faces. Very very few names.

I read somewhere that the call came from someone with a view of the back door so the person was either next door or in an adjoining backyard. I'll give the neighborhood watch a side-eyed pass & toss in everything done and said up to the point where Gates produced an ID.

all else fails.

Not sure if everyone has head, but E Lynn Harris has passed away today.
http://www.bvnewswire.com/2009/07/24/e-lynn-har...

NOOOOOOOOO

oh, that's so sad. so sad.

too young.

Whoa! Really? RIP Mr. Harris.

Wow. RIP, dude. I never read any of his books because I hate novelas, but he was definitely a star in the world of popular literature.

Seriously? Wow. Only 54.

Wow@ this story about the 8 year old girl that was kidnapped and gang raped by young boys. Apparently all of them are from Liberia and now the girl's family is saying they don't want her back because of her rape being HER fault.

This is tragic.

I just heard about this on Rev. Al's show. this is so tragic.

Copyright Law
Will Bloggers Be at Risk in AP Content Crackdown?
By Debra Cassens Weiss

The Associated Press plans to add software to its articles to track how they are used online.
The aim is for those who use AP articles to pay for them, AP president and chief executive Tom Curley told the New York Times. AP maintains that just publishing an article headline and a link requires a licensing agreement, the story says.
The Times notes that headlines and links are often used by search engines like Google, news aggregators and blogs. Google has argued in the past that its use of AP articles is protected by the doctrine of fair use, according to the blog Today @ PC World. But Curley apparently expects payment.
“If someone can build multibillion-dollar businesses out of keywords, we can build multihundred-million businesses out of headlines, and we’re going to do that,” he told the Times.
Today @ PC World questions whether bloggers will be targeted. Jane Seagrave, senior vice president for global product development at AP, told Information Week that the intent was to deter those who engage in large-scale copying of AP content rather than bloggers who use too many paragraphs from an AP story.
"It's not aimed at people who use part of stories periodically," Seagrave told Information Week. "It's aimed at being affirmative about how we allow our content to be used."
But Today @ PC World thinks Curley's comments sound like he's advocating more of a hard-line approach. "Is the AP going to pursue every blogger who throws in an AP link, or just those fringe sites that post full versions of AP articles?" the blog asks.
Curley refused to tell the Times whether AP would take legal action against sites that use its content without a license. “We’re not picking the legal remedy today,” he said. “Let’s define the scope of the problem.”
AP wants newspapers that publish its articles to use the software as well, the Times says. The software includes a “digital permissions framework” that will explain what rights apply to use of the articles.

http://www.abajournal.com/news/ap_to_crack_down...

Palin Favorability Rating Dips As She Nears Exit, Poll Finds

By Jon Cohen and Philip Rucker
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, July 24, 2009

As Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin prepares for the next stage of her political career, a majority of Americans hold an unfavorable view of her, and there is broad public doubt about her leadership skills and understanding of complex issues, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Last year's Republican vice presidential nominee remains a deeply polarizing figure, and there are warning signs for her as she emerges as a possible contender for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination. While she is still widely popular among those in her party, she has lost ground among Republicans generally and among the white evangelicals who are so critical in the early presidential primaries.
Overall, the new poll found that 53 percent of Americans view Palin negatively and 40 percent see her in positive terms, her lowest level in Post-ABC polling since she first appeared on the national stage last summer as Sen. John McCain's running mate.
The dip in Palin's favorability comes as she gets ready to leave office Sunday with about 18 months remaining in her term and plans to turn her attention to national politics. Palin, 45, has said she intends to campaign for other like-minded candidates, and speculation has been rampant that she may seek the GOP nomination to oppose President Obama.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...

(Palin, 45, has said she intends to campaign for other like-minded candidates,)
I guess BoBo the fool will be running for office.

Bwahaaaaaaaaaa!

Yglesias' Law, based on a pet theory of progressive blogger Matthew Yglesias, is based on the following premise:

"The conservative movement, which never ever ever dedicates any time or energy to the problem of ACTUAL racial discrimination suffered by non-whites, thinks it’s very important to draw attention to the social crisis of white people burdened by accusations of racism."

The Gates/Crowley flap is proving this law to be true.

8 year old blamed for her own gang rape: A young Arizona girl has been gang raped by four boys aged 9, 10, 13, and 14. She was lured by a piece of gum and then they proceeded to hold her down and sexually assault her for at least fifteen minutes. CPS has taken the child away from the parents, who have apparently stated that she has brought shame upon her family.

The family is originally from Liberia and much has been made of the foreignness of their cultural beliefs. Let me make it clear from the outset, that it is never acceptable to blame the victim, however; painting this family as a bunch of ignorant foreigners who are not as civilized as Americans is extremely problematic.

I was wondering when someone would bring up this story. Does anyone know the race/ethnicity of the four boys. I don't recall reading that information.

I also blogged about this yesterday at my blog and at WAOD.

The boys in question are also black and from my understanding of Liberian descent as well.

Oh - CHECK this SHIT out.

Jurors have found Tony Alamo guilty on all 10 counts of child-sex charges. Each count carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing will take place in six to eight weeks. Former church members are overjoyed. No current church members or anyone who testified on his behalf, including Sharon Alamo, have commented.

>snip<

Prosecutors said Alamo took five underage girls across state lines for sex as far back as 1994. They said one was as young as 9 and was "married" to the evangelist. (See related link for release from Justice Department)

Defense attorneys say the girls traveled on legitimate business for Alamo's ministry, which espouses an apocalyptic form of Christianity.

The REAL story being blocked by the Gates smoke screen.

Andrea Mitchell almost came clean with another undercurrent of this whole thing: she asked Al Sharpton if he thought it was fair for Obama to only comment about the actions of one side in the conflict and not the other?

That's what's underneath all this. The insinuation that Obama's comments were about defending black entitlement: one uppity negro defending another.

Also, have you noticed that the only photo evidence of the arrest is that crappy pic of Gates standing on his porch in cuffs? Are there no other pictures of the event?

(I posted this comment elsewhere, but I think it applies to your point.)

Two observations:

(1) I think that much of the mainstream, elite media's reaction to President Obama's comment comes out of a feeling that our president (who has carefully crafted a non-threatening image) somehow betrayed them by speaking up for the black guy who was speciously characterized as "loud and tumultuous" for purposes of a bogus arrest.

(2) I also find it curious that some people in the mainstream media find Gates' allegation of racism is more offensive than the officer's blatant abuse of police power.

on your 1st point:
obama is just another successful black person that white america has separated from their race to make them more palatable, and every so often one of those "good black people" will say or do something that reminds white folks that they are still black and know it. that makes these people upset; you see that pattern all the time, the "good black person" has momentarily returned to being just like all those other black people, right when white america had convinced itself that they weren't.

on your 2nd point:
you notice how the accusation of racism ALWAYS ends up being more offensive to white america than the actual offensive act. it's like the absurd meme that if only black folks didn't accuse people of being racist all the time, people wouldn't have to be racist. it's so predictable.

"another successful black person that white america has separated from their race to make them more palatable, and every so often one of those "good black people" will say or do something that reminds white folks that they are still black and know it. that makes these people upset"

Yep. The old..'but I don't think of you as black' comment, as if you are suppose to feel complimented vs. knowing it is an insult...because what they know and think about blacks is so pervasively negative it creates too much cognitive dissonance for them psychologically if they actually LIKE YOU...therefore the only answer is 'you ain't black' to them.

White folks have serious psychological issues on race.

I cringe every single time one of them say to me...but you're not black' I don't think of you as black!

"if only black folks didn't accuse people of being racist all the time, people wouldn't have to be racist. it's so predictable."

YEP! It's the old blame the victim psychcology...

Urrrrgh!

White people have their issues and we have ours. With what we have to endure psychologically, its a wonder we haven't all jumped in the lake. And it has escalated so much since O first started campaigning. It can be so draining to have it in your face at all times without respite. Be strong, JJP. Be strong.

Just mugshots and prints.

Sharpton breaking it down on MSNBC with Mitchell.

saying the case had been dropped, so it was OK for PBO to comment. Said the prosecutor is the one who decided there was nothing to substantiate the charges, and it was OK for PBO to say it was 'stupid' because based on what he knew, the charges were unwarranted.

Today's Conversation: If the Only Victims Are Male & The Only Oppressors White, Where Does That Leave Black Women?
http://bit.ly/UXMbX

I really feel this article as I posted earlier about my personal experience with police harassment. The author really called it when s/he said that we have a reflex to defend Black males to the exclusion of Black females. I wish the author would have dealt with this issue alone in the article and left the gay issue for a different article.

Generally, I agree that it is an idea whose time has come. And we, as females, really need to examine our beliefs and actions when it comes to deferring to men just because of tradition/indoctrination. Obviously we have a leadership vacuum in the Black community, and women should be able to fill it. Part of our problem is that the Black man's image/idea of manhood is adopted from white men and can be summed up in one word: Dominance. No sentient being wants to be dominated, and we need to call it what it is-profound mental and spiritual illness. Only we can save ourselves and our communities. I wish we could have more dialogue and healing activities.

Well, Teacher. What is model of manhood would you insert in the place of the white male paradigm of domination?

I'm glad you asked me that. Of course it would have to encompass a broad spectrum, and, not being a male, I don't know for sure that I understand all facets of manhood or maleness. I would suggest that the model include responsibility, compassion, kindness and vision. There is a time for everything and that means there is a time for a person (male or female) to be a warrior. But to be at war at all times is toxic. To dominate or desire to dominate people because you can is sick. I would ask men to look for ways to promote good mental health in self and others. If you want to be a leader, have a vision that you can clearly communicate and have ideas on how to implement it.

Between a rock and a hard place; stuck in between male patriarchy and white supremacy.

WORD. Actually black women at any time can decide to stop supporting those that harm and give nothing back.

AS it has been throughout history and will be in perpetuity.

BLACK womanhood remains the gateway to all black manhood and humanity.

Black womanhood is NOT the gateway to black manhood, or humanity. Men cannot earn their stripes on women. Women are NOT responsible for who men are, or what "manhood" means.

Sorry. There is not a man alive that came here withOUT coming through the gateway of womanhood...okaaaay? Just ain't possible. Women aren't responsible for men...but they are responsible for them being here.

Women must find some other source of self-esteem other than the birth canal. Men are not going to respect us for that body part...in fact, some erroneously feel that the canal is where they lost their manhood...and go in search of it there. They search fervently, in MANY canals.

Yes, those who overlook this issue will soon realize that the only way for true community uplift is if the women are liberated as well. I am not too sure how long it will take some to wake up...but I am not nor have I ever been willing to wait.

GATES speaking out, since Obama's comments for first time!!

http://www.sirius.com/oprahradio

Don't drink NOTHING while watching this!

Okay ....

If you missed the press conference here's what you missed:

1. Obama hurt their feelings, he shouldn't have said anything
2. The tapes aren't necessarily clear, which is why they haven't been released yet
3. Obama hurt their feelings, he shouldn't have called them stupid
4. It's Professor Gates' fault, he could have stopped it all had he just been a respectful negro and stayed in his place
5. The police officers can't possibly be expected to know the actual LAW before they arrest someone, they aren't lawyers (yes, they really said this)
6. Obama shouldn't have taken the opportunity to talk about racial profiling because THIS case had nothing to do with it, even though the question was about racial profiling
7. Obama and Devaul Patrick need to apologize
8. We are cops, and we are backing up our man. WE aren't biased at all, but the President and Patrick were because they are friends with Gates.

MY favorite part? Them blaming Gates saying HE could have prevented the arrest, even though he wouldn't have been arrested had the officer just WALKED away. The Police made it a circus. Anytime you have a bunch of police standing in someone's front yard, people are going to stop and be curious whether Gates was being "belligerent" or not it's like a car crash, everyone's craning their necks as they drive by to see what happened because people are NOSEY as hell.

That press conference was a bad joke, complete with officer crowley standing off to the side looking sad and pathetic right next to a conveniently placed Black guy and a non-White woman right over his shoulder.

That press conference was a bad joke, complete with officer crowley standing off to the side looking sad and pathetic right next to a conveniently placed Black guy and a non-White woman right over his shoulder.

'Cuz it's all 'bout strategery, ya know!

The tapes aren't necessarily clear, which is why they haven't been released yet

What the ??? Did they SAY that? "The tapes aren't necessarily clear...." Oh! Oh! That means they haven't got the production of them down just so - yet. They're working on it. Oh; okay - gotcha.

And Professor Gates could've stopped this - how? By not jimmying his front door? Should he have notified all the neighbors first? What?

He should have known his place and not talked back to the police officer

"He should have known his place and not talked back to the police officer."

THIS TRUTH NEEDS TO BE AIRED ON A CONTINUOUS LOOP 24/7.

POLICE SUMMARY OF hENRY GATES JR. INCIDENT:

GATES SHOULD HAVE KNOWN HIS PLACE AND NOT TALKED BACK TO THE POLICE."

"and not talked back to the police officer."

Well they can't say that cause Gates was asking for the officer's ID and badge...and the officer according to MA code was LEGALLY obligated to COMPLY.

It was the OFFICER who failed to comply with the laws of MA, not GATES.

GATES was legally, loudly and litigiously demanding Crowley comply and produce his ID.

Crowley hoodwinked Gates, said step outside and I will...and Gates did and was cuffed.

WRB, it's what they are saying. We know it's not TRUE.

The nigga should've have known his place. We see them.

That.is.ALL.

Well SUMbody need to cite the MA LAW to them nitwits!!

Very prescient description. You summed it all up.