The other day I told you about how President Obama lifted Bill Cosby’s standard stump speech, the one about you young kids today stayin’ in school and pullin’ up your pants and the Jell-O pudding and Theeoooo. And it seems like the people who complained loudest about Cosby saying that stuff, because it’s supposedly unfair to black people, don’t have a problem with the same sentiments coming from the best president we’ve ever had or ever will have.
Well, now Cosby’s getting his revenge:
On a Boston radio program this morning, Bill Cosby suggested that President Obama spoke too soon on the controversial arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates.
“I’ve heard about five different reports [on the details of the arrest],” Cosby said on Boston’s WZLX. “If I’m the president of the United States, I don’t care how much pressure people want to put on it about race, I’m keeping my mouth shut.”
“I was shocked to hear the president making this kind of statement,” Cosby said referring to the president’s remarks during last night’s press conference.
In case you missed it, here’s what Obama said:
“I think it’s fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry,” Obama said. “Number two, that the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home. 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, and that’s just a fact.”
Whether you agree with the president or not, at least he managed to say something interesting during that boring press conference. Seriously, more like President Oyawna!
By the way, the White House has now clarified that Obama wasn’t calling the cops stupid, just noting that they acted stupidly. How he can possibly know either one is anybody’s guess, but it just goes to show that in addition to being America’s Family Doctor, Obama is also America’s Police Chief. He’s already a lawyer, so he hit the trifecta!
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“[...]there is a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately, and that’s just a fact.”
But are they being pulled over just because of their ethnicity, or are they the ones doing most of the kinds of crime that gets you pulled over by the cops?
That sounds horribly racist, but a good-sized percentage – not all, of course – of the street crime IS done by “minority” ethnicities. So why is it a surprise that there’s a disproportionate representation of those minorities in arrest records and in jails?
That’s like the ridiculous charge awhile ago that claimed that blacks who played pro basketball received more fouls from the referees than whites. Think about that.
Well Obama if you actually read the police report instead of just opening your mouth then you would see that this wonderful, loving man refused to show id and was creating a scene. The police did not act stupidly in this incident, the professor did. Of course what else do I expect from a man who doesn’t even read the bills that he signs into affect. hope and change, my ass.
Does the fact that there are more Blacks & Latinos in prison than any other ethnic group say anything?
Guess not.
I didn’t know education and awards prevents you from being arrested at home. Apparently MSNBC had the same thoughts and sentiments as President Obama.
I can get arrested at my house, and I’m white. That’s why I don’t give the police a reason to arrest me, and go mouthing off towards them.
I honestly think that we are taking steps back every day in this country. There is a complete lack of accountability/responsibility, and it seems that more and more, that race has become a convenient and unquestioned excuse.
Whatever, I guess I’ll just go back and watch black in america 2. Because a whole network biased towards a race just isn’t good enough.
They should come up with a show called white in america. It would be about being blamed for everything.
So it seems that PEBO is taking advice from Joe Biden on how to respond to the press on hot topics…good job, keep listening to Joe, he will show you the way to mediocraty.
I read the report and it was a travesty on the part of the “esteemed” professor. Oh and guess what he taught at college?? Black History. I guess he needed the arrest to get enough credit for his Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson street cred.
I can no longer quantify the hatred I feel for the Kenyan squatting in the White House.
It’s over, BO. Your “presidency” has been ruined. Not by Democrats who refuse to vote on healthcare reform before August, but by your own STUPID arrogance. And seriously, was that the only word you could come up with? Stupidly? So this is the yield of a supposed Harvard law degree. Impressive.
Here’s an interesting pro-Obama piece the one and the same Henry Louis Gates wrote in 2008
http://www.iterasi.net/openviewer.aspx?sqrlitid=h1xqdd6r406n58iqdnr34a
Also, Gates is just wrote the forward for an unreleased book about Obama:
http://books.google.com/books?id=plIGPQAACAAJ
I am so not suprised that our esteemed pres did not mention that the police were their because a neighbor didn’t recognize the man and thought they were trying to break into his house.
Lesson learned. When called to protect a black man’s home from potential theft…skip it. Because no matter what you do, it will be the wrong thing because you are the wrong colour.
When your defining characteristics are jugears and hubris, you’ve gotta do SOMETHING to stand out. I guess making asinine, racist, and utterly uninformed remarks will do. It beats letting him get his hands on our health care, retirement, and climate.
So when are we going to elect Bill Cosby or Thomas Sowell to some kind of office? I cant believe people would prefer to be represented by “illuminaries” such as Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton over the aforementioned intelligent folks.
I have to say, the neighbour really did jump the gun calling the cops, just as the professor did by not remaining calm and sorting the whole matter out with the cops. This looks bad for everyone all around. Even the prez.
Wait, why is the prez even commenting on an arrest anyway? It’s not like the prof was his family or anything. He didn’t have any reason to offer up his opinion. He should have stayed neutral. Bad form. Tsk-tsk.
Oh but Stacey, he is a strong Obama supporter who happens to be black. See? He had to say something. If it was a white guy who broke into GW house he would be silent on it for weeks.
And I for one would be glad if my neighbors thought something was suspicious and called the police. I would have shown the id instead of yelling out crap. The thing is, there were plenty of witnesses so I hope this guy shuts his pilehole.
here is the full arrest report, the one which Obama did not read before making his remarks. He just keeps pissing off more and more American people. Keep it going. We only have 3.5 years of this crap left
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0723092gates1.html
and…
Police union condemns Obama’s comments
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/police-union-condemns-obamas-stupidly-comments-2009-07-23.html
Obama is the American pope. No matter what he says, people see it as infallible. I’m so glad I’m not Barackatholic.
Hey Simon, you better hope your yawning is from boredom and not because of your tonsils.
Blacks are over represented in abortion clinics too, does Obama comment on that?
Stacey
The esteemed prof must not have been a very good neighbor since he wasn’t recognized in broad daylight.
Also I read somewhere else that the arresting officer is an instructor on racial profiling lol!
Stacey, exactly! Why DID the president feel the need to comment on an arrest? It appears the president spoke stupidly (to co-opt his phrase).
…Which, in and of itself, is not newsworthy anymore.
It’s not like Obama can really afford to look like more of a petulant, spoiled little pr**k than he is, these days.
Pinandpuller: they’re also over-represented in the NBA & NFL, but where’s the outcry?
Uh-oh. My throat is a little sore… but couldn’t it just be allergies?
Try the blue pill. It’s cheaper than the red one.
I’m SO glad I am not the only one the Obamagic is not working on.
I too was surprised the President commented on the report given that he’s trying to push healthcare, the most important item on his agenda after the stimulus (failing), the budget (massive), and cap and trade (where did that go? Senate can’t pass it?) but before immigration.
I, however, am waiting got Mr. Gates to sue to get what’s due.
AAW, let’s not count our chickens. I’ve heard rumblings that there’s going to be an attempt to repeal the 22nd Amendment. Hopefully, these are mere rumors, though. Please, Lord.
Koka, how dare you question Barackothicism! A pox on all your houses!
Pearce, I never did learn to goosestep either ;^)
No, no, no Pearce. It’s a TAX on all your houses. Back to Catechism for you…
I believe the message is clear, when ‘police’ are attacking citizens with axes and cleavers Obama doesn’t want to comment until the facts come out, when police respond to a reported break-in and find a man who refuses to provide ID and is belligerent and arrest him Obama calls them stupid and suggests they are racists. Way to go prez, great priorities there.
Actually Beige, they are going to repeal the 2nd ammendment 2 x’s just to be sure.
Well, Obama is getting a lot of crap for this. Who don’t you piss off? Police unions. And his spokesperson of course backpeddeled. Why was it even brought up in a press conference? Why did he even comment on a local arrest? Anyone who read the witness statements and arrest statements shows that this guy, the honorable professor started it all and refused to cooperate. I applaud the police for using restraint and treating him humanly.
It took him less time to comment on this incident than about the soldier who was captured in Afghanistan.
Hey if Obamaination didn’t have to show his birth certificate to prove he was born American why should this black guy show his ID. Why should any black have to show ID these days. As Hussein refused to show his report card how do you people know he is a lawyer? As a non American just asking
John, we are all asking that question. Bush was raked through the coals over releasing information including his DUI when he was in his 20’s but Obama got a free pass to pretty much everything. Of course, the polls are not looking in his favor anymore. I think Joe American is getting tired of his never ending presence on TV and trying to invade our lives.
Barry got by with a lot of stuff because he had an entire DECK of race cards to play. No matter what he does, or fails to do, or lies about, and no matter how much he pisses all over the Constitution, we’re supposed to applaud and sigh dreamily. Otherwise we’re a sheet-wearing lynch mob who bankrolled apartheid, while owning herds of slaves–on whom we turned firehoses, on a daily basis. Right before we split up their families and sold them, making sure they sat in the back of the bus all the way. Evilly.
I’d better run. Got that secret Evil White Person meeting to go to. That’s where I get all my free money, just for being white. You guys are welcome too, as long as you know the Evil White Person secret handshake.
BEige, I am guessing the fist bump is not the secret handshake then?
Crap! Pox….tax…I thought they were the same thing. Wait, no. We use the tax to pay for the pox of national health care. Ahhh, I see the error of my ways.
Now I must do penance.
Hail Michelle Obama full of grace….
you know what else bugs me about this? Obama does not seem sorry for saying the cops acted stupidly, he seems sorry for himself and that his statement has taken attention off his health insurance plan.
Most of the prisoners in Japan look like they’re Japanese. Why aren’t there more Caucasians represented ? What’s up with that ?
Well, Les, there’ve been attempts on both sides of the Pacific to get criminals to go Affirmative Action, but so far no dice.
And also: Hee.
“Why did he even comment on a local arrest?” – AAW
That’s exactly what I’m wondering. Why the hell is the POTUS delving into the local news?
Then again, if it keeps him busy and his fingers out of any healthcare pies then I’m willing to let him comment on all the local news he wants. Hey Barry! My city’s doing some rezoning – any comments?
Oh, next up – Healthcare for illegals. Yep, it is in the bill folks. Let’s reward those who break the law by upping my insurance premiums to cover their bills.
Elle: I am more than happy to have him keep himself busy with the mundane, especially when it is by making obviously stupid comments at press conference, that’s a twofer.
AAW: Instead of treating them maybe we ought to pretend it is the middle ages and we have mexico under seige and catapult them over the border, when the mexican gvmt is encouraging their citizens to invade our country it is only fair.
Also in the “healthcare” “package”: Mandated federal funding for abortion. Not to get into a debate (necessarily) on such a hot-button issue, but if the abortion industry’s take on it is, “If you’re against abortion, don’t have one”, then my view is, “If you’re determined to have an abortion, don’t you DARE demand that I pay for it“. Refusing to subsidize something is not repression, nor is it censorship (in the oft-cited example of the NEA).
I am against abortion and I agree that if you want one, then do it on your own dime, not mine. Just like if you want to smoke cigarrettes or drink – go for it but I am not going to pay for it
“That’s like the ridiculous charge awhile ago that claimed that blacks who played pro basketball received more fouls from the referees than whites. Think about that.”
Dave that is so ridiculous! Whites don’t play basketball!
@Angry Army Wife: FYI: The police report indicates that the arrest was made after Gates showed his [Harvard] ID and his identity had been confirmed by campus police.
That is true, but if you read the police report he was yelling and carrying on the whole time. It was not about his identity, it was his treatment towards the police. You need to read the whole thing
A personal concern to me about the health care bill is that chiropractic isn’t mentioned at all in the over 1000 pages. Now, this might not be a concern for many and some might even be glad under the thought that, ‘well at least that keeps costs down’ except for that it doesn’t. The average chiropractic exam run around $100 compared to the average medical exam running around $250. These are the same exams. In nearly all states, chiropractors are considered portal of entry doctors and are required to give a diagnosis (not all do, of course, but they also don’t give exams beyond chiropractic checks). It’s a similar situation for most forms of therapy that fall into the scope of chiropractic a license. Cryotherapy from a D.C.: $20; cryotherapy from an M.D.: $60 and so forth. Of course one could say, ‘but Obama, in his infinite wisdom, will put an end to silly notions like free trade and private business practices so the prices will end up the same.’ Even ignoring the whole issue of how stupid or not it may be for the government to push towards socialism, there’s more about the costs of chiropractic. Namely, the preventive aspect. Of course, there’s loads of ideas that might come to mind when thinking of preventive care, but one particular study I know of was chiropractic care in emergency room settings in some state out East (I’m sorry, but I can’t remember which). Patients who recieved adjustments before and after surgery had a greatly reduced rate of complications. Serious medical complications: $ridiculously expensive; Chiropractic adjustment: ~$40. And of course I could go on and on about other things like the number of work days missed as a result of pain and headaches and so forth, but instead I’ll just end with one more thing: If the bill passes, it’s safe to say that we’re going to need a whole lot of portal of entry doctors. So… doesn’t it make sense to not completely exclude a group of practitioners who are already currently trained as and required by law to be portal of entry doctors?
In summation, there is no way that this law should be allowed to pass unless it gives mention of chiropractic physicians, but frankly, I don’t think this law should be passed even if that were changed. But maybe that’s just me
Oh. And ganzagwenie,
AAW already hinted at this, but Gates wasn’t arrested for being a suspect of the “break in.” He was arrested for disorderly conduct towards an officer. This may come as a shock, but apparently when there’s a small crowd witnessing an officer get called a racist and yelled at and otherwise disrespected, it makes them lose respect for the officer. Respect is kind of a necessary part of being an authority figure in order to properly do their job.
@AAW: “Well Obama if you actually read the police report instead of just opening your mouth then you would see that this wonderful, loving man refused to show id and was creating a scene.”
I was just pointing out that he did show his id.
I understand that he was arrested for disorderly conduct (basically being rude to the cop). I also understand that police are supposed to be trained to put up with a certain amount of abuse/hostility from the public and they have a duty not to escalate. Had the police just said, “We’re terribly sorry for the mix up– we’re just investigating a call and we appreciate you showing us your ID. Have a nice day” and then left, there wouldn’t be anything for anyone to talk about (Also, I don’t remember where I read it, but I’m pretty sure I remember reading that upon making the determination that Gates was not a bugler, the police were required by law to leave his residence). Also, as an aside, it appears that the entire incident took place in Gates’ house and/or front porch, so although the police report alleges that Gates exhibited “loud and tumultuous behavior in a public place.” The Gates home is not a “public place” — it is private property, including his porch and the yard around it.
So you can turn up your stereo as loud as you want, and nobody can say anything because it’s on your property.
“loud and tumultuous behavior in a public place.”
They should just release the audio tapes that supposedly exist. Wanna guess why officer Gates received such a quick phone call from the president? I bet it’s on there.
ganzagwenie,
True that Gates did eventually provide an ID, but the report notes that “Gates initially refused…” Also, it states “With the Harvard University identification in hand, I radioed my findings to ECC on channel two and prepared to leave.” and then “I told Gates that I was leaving his residence and that if he had any other questions regarding the matter, I would speak with him outside of the residence.” So it was Gates that followed when Wilson was leaving which he was doing right after he did, indeed, have the proper identification to prove Gates was the resident rather than just being “led to believe” that to be the case. Finally, you’re indeed right that his private property could be considered private rather than public. I suppose it depends on the legal definition with regards to vociferousness. That is to say, is it public only if the location of the source is public or does it also count if it reaches enough to bother those who are themselves in a public location. Honestly, I don’t know, but the actual charge itself wouldn’t be affected by definition either way since the legal code includes “disturbers of the peace” and, more importantly, “keepers of noisy and disorderly houses.” Though I realize you probably already noticed that. I’m just saying that yeah, the wording in the report may or may not have been 100% accurate, the charge still is. Though I must commend the questioning of semantics regardless of whether or not it’s particularly important. After all, I myself am one of those types who points out that a tomato may indeed by a fruit scientifically, but by the definition of the Grocers Association, it’s a vegetable and that’s all I care about until I start running genetics on them instead of just eating them. I’m just sorry that I don’t know the definition of “public” in the legal sense with regards to sound disturbances.
Private insurance…already so expensive….and doesn’t even cover mental health care….*twitch* Or birth control…or more than two doctor’s visits a year…..
I want to hear more doctors spaz out about national healthcare. Because all the medical professions with whom I’m acquainted are HORRIFIED at the idea. Where’s the outcry from the medical community? Go! Torches and pitchforks!
You know, when the police answer a call they are in FIGHT mode. My dad was a cop. Every day that he left our house in his uniform he was expected to react EXACTLY like how these particular officers did. People do not respect the badge anymore. I do not feel any sympathy for anyone who gets done the way Gates did. When they act like he did in responce to an identified officer, no matter their race, they GET TAKEN DOWN.
…your dad could teach a thing or do to the NOPD.
Pretty please. For the love of God. Please.
do=two. This is what I get for watching Watchmen and playing on the internets at the same time.
Pearce, my health insurance covers mental health and I have no limits on dr. visits. I imagine it also covers birth control but I no need for that.
Try standing naked on your own front porch and find out how “private” it is.
Not that I have EVER DONE THIS. Because I haven’t. I’m just sayin’.
@koka: That’s scary to me– I thought police were supposed to be in the “serve and protect” mode when answering calls.
I think they generally ARE in that mode, ganzagwenie. But that doesn’t mean they’ve got to make it easier to assault them.
ganzagwenie……they ARE in the serve and protect mode…but in this day and age a lot of times that mode has to click into protecting the great population from people who are endangering you and me and everybody else. They go on their shifts knowing they are likely to get shot…and die. Same as our military. If you knew every day that there very well could be a bullet, or more, with your name on it out there….wouldn’t YOU be in a self-defense fight mode? Yup, you would.
So many of the general pop has been insensitized by how easy it is to hurt/endanger another person. No regard to anyone else. Cop shows on TV are realistic in portraying how many people just do not give a damn how they talk or act around law enforcement. Curse, spit, kick, hit…..you name it. No respect.
That being said, that does by NO means mean there aren’t any officers out there that are not corrupt and are bullies. That is true too. But the good cops…they are out there. Do not lie to them. They can smell a lie before it is even said.
Beige, I thought we’d already agreed to run around naked to keep our electric bills down if they pass that energy atrocity.
…or maybe that was just me. And the tequila.
(Also, as for health care, I’d still rather doctors compete in the market like everyfreakingbody else…I hate health insurance. And I really do wanna see some pitchforks-and-torches outrage from the medical community over the idea of national healthcare. Please.)
Pearce, we’d do well to get the same kind of health care we taxpayers provide for our *ahem* esteemed politcians in DC. Trouble is, they won’t give us what they get. I don’t give a rat’s caboose WHAT BO says, they won’t let the teeming masses have it so good.
Pearce, would you rather shop around for a doctor to give a good deal on a surgery? I have had TKR (total knee replacement) on both knees at a cost of around $100,000 each. Also my wife’s breast cancer treatments were not cheap. Without health insurance I wouldn’t be getting around very well and my wife probably would be dead.
I happen to like my health insurance and do not want to lose it to go to gov’t health care. The gov’t won’t even take care of our veterans at VA hospitals. They certainly deserve the best treatment out there.
I actually haven’t had health insurance for the majority of my life. And I’ve only had prescription coverage for the past year. Right now, I’m more frustrated with my health insurance company than anything else (granted, it was much better when I didn’t own a small business and got coverage through work)…things that they’re supposed to cover, they don’t, and I end up with surprise bills calling numbers that put me on neverending hold….I can only see this getting WORSE with the government getting involved. Much, much worse. Do not want.
I agree with John Stossel’s take on the healthcare problem, the biggest problem with healthcare is the costs, which isn’t helped by a third-party payer system. When people use insurance to cover everyday medical expenses they don’t care about the cost of test/exams because it generally doesn’t effect their pocket. With that disconnect their aren’t the natural market forces to drive costs down, doctors/labs have no incentive to lower prices/costs because people don’t compare costs because they don’t pay them. If we shifted away from the current model of insurance that pays for mundane healthcare expenses towards a combination of a medical savings acct( one that never expires so it can grow from year to year ) along with catastrophic coverage ( a low premium policy that covers the super expensive medical problems like cancer, expensive surgeries, etc ) we would be far better off, when people saw how much things cost they would be more selective with their doctors, tests, testing labs, procedures, etc. And it you add some healthy torte reform to the mix you would see medical costs across the board, from dr’s visits, to lab tests, to prescription costs, lowered. If you don’t think competition works with medicine simply look at elective(noninsurance) medical procedures from plastic surgery to lasik, they have become increasingly more affordable while at the same time becoming generally more effective.
I can’t believe anyone can look at the steaming mess the government has made of our educational system, and then say with a straight face that they want the government to handle healthcare as well. Having the feds involved in your private life is like having Edward Scissorhands for a gynecologist–they might, possibly, mean well, but they are singularly ill-equipped for the task, and when they screw up, you suffer horribly.
I recall a video of some questions in regards to our healthcare. I believe it was best said when someone said “If it is the best out there, then why won’t Congress adopt this plan?”
EXACTLY
And back up to topic on GAtes, he showed his id after yelling “This is how they treat a black man” and refusing to show any type of ID. The cops were doing their job. If they just left then they would be charged for not making sure the place was secured.
Did you catch the part, AAW, where Gates provided his Harvard ID?
When was the last time a work badge listed your home address?
Apparently, the cop was supposed to be so impressed by Gates’ Harvard credentials that he’d stop doing his job by protecting Gates and his property.
Oh Minnow. I caught that and I don’t even have a Harvard education.
I guess his yells of “Do you know who I am” went unanswered as well. The cops showed restraint cause I would have said, “no and I do not care”
drm, EXACTLY. If you have any idea what doctors charge insurance companies on average for things like a check-up or…a visit to the emergency room resulting in giving you a couple of generic Benadryl….you start to get a whole lot more concerned about insurance in GENERAL…even more so with government involvement, of course.
I was lucky for a long time – when I was in college and grad school, I met a lot of doctors who would do everything they could to charge me as little as possible…they’d try to send me home with a bag of samples…anything they could to help because honestly, the charge to the insurance company is ridiculous AND at least partly related to the cost of doctors having to run their practices like a business and hire people to process claims and such…not to mention malpractice premiums. Doctors don’t necessarily sit around waiting to get rich. :/ Creating more bureaucracy just makes things worse for them…and makes many doctors less likely to get into necessary fields because they just don’t know how to handle all the BS that comes with them.
Pearce: You ever talked to a doctor that deals with medicare? It can take forever to get paid and lot of the time the amount the govt pays barely covers the doctors costs, there is a reason lots of doctors won’t take medicare patients. Now we want govt to run all healthcare?
I have a WHITE cousin who was beaten senseless while handcuffed for being rude to an officer. He deserved to be arrested, but to stomp on a man’s head while he’s cuffed? That seems excessive. The arresting officer is latino. Funny, Obama hasn’t answered my request to make a blanket statement about minority cops who stupidly abuse caucasians. And shouldn’t he? I mean, he’s white, too. If he wants to use race, he should use his mixed heritage to scorn race-baiters from all sides.
Pearc, have you ever seen what insurance actually pays the doctor or hospital? It is much less than what they charge. For an outpatient shoulder surgery my doctor billed $5,900, insurance paid $1,800 under their agreed pricing. My cost was $180. The surgery center fees were $31,000 and the agreed pricing fee was $14,500.
Yeah jimmy, I have. ’tis the reason many doctors just flat-out stop taking insurance from certain companies…if you’re pricing reasonably to begin with and the company will only pay you half of that, it makes it kind of hard for you to pay your receptionist, your rent, your electric bill….