Obama regrets choice of words in scholar's arrest

**lewisipso** · 07-24-09, 04:06 PM

9 mins ago
WASHINGTON – Trying to tamp down an uproar over race, President Barack Obama said Friday he used an unfortunate choice of words in commenting on the arrest of black scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. and could have "calibrated those words differently."
The president said he had telephoned the white policeman who arrested Gates, and he said the conversation confirmed his belief that the officer was a good man and an outstanding officer.
Obama said later that he had spoken to Gates as well, but he didn't say any more about that conversation.
The president caused a stir when he said at a prime-time news conference earlier this week that Cambridge, Mass., police had "acted stupidly" by arresting Gates, a Harvard scholar and friend of the president's, for disorderly conduct.
On Friday, Obama made an impromptu appearance at the daily White House briefing in an effort to contain the controversy. 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." (I'm sorry America. What I should say here is that I should have kept my mouth shut and my true feelings would have never been known. My spokesperson is recovering from a heartattack over what I originally said and made me say this so he could recover from the shock.)

The incident began when police went to Gates' home last week after a passer-by reported a potential break-in. It turned out that Gates had tried to jimmy open his own door, which was stuck, and there was no intruder. Gates protested the police actions and was arrested, although the charges have since been dropped.
Before Obama's appearance Friday, a multiracial group of police officers stood with Crowley in Massachusetts and asked Obama and the state's governor, Deval Patrick, to apologize for comments they called insulting. Patrick has said Gates' arrest was "every black man's nightmare."
Dennis O'Connor, president of the Cambridge Police Superior Officers Association, said Obama's remarks were "misdirected" and the Cambridge police "deeply resent the implication" that race was a factor in the arrest.
Sgt. Leon Lashley, a black officer who was at Gates' home with Crowley at the time of the arrest, said he supported his fellow officer's action "100 percent."
Gates has said he returned from an overseas trip, found the door jammed and he and his driver attempted to force it open. Gates went through the back door and was inside the house when police arrived. Police say he flew into a verbal rage when Crowley asked him to show identification to prove he should be in the home. Police say Gates accused Crowley of racial bias, refused to calm down and was arrested.
Gates, 58, maintains he turned over identification when asked to do so. He says Crowley arrested him after the professor followed him to the porch, repeatedly demanding the sergeant's name and badge number because he was unhappy over his treatment.

My first question would have been "WHO THE F*** GAVE OUT MY NUMBER?!"

**countybear** · 07-24-09, 04:16 PM

And I could've calibrated those words differently.

... and fail to give the American people (yet another) indication of your true character?

That's ok. We got the message... loud and clear.

**Five-0** · 07-24-09, 04:39 PM

Obama is going to back pedal to the point just short of saying he was wrong.

**Captain America** · 07-24-09, 06:46 PM

Messiahs can't be wrong.......

**2 Blue 4 U** · 07-24-09, 07:47 PM

The president said he had telephoned the white policeman who arrested Gates, and he said the conversation confirmed his belief that the officer was a good man and an outstanding officer.

Why couldn't he just say he telephoned the Policeman? Adding White to the equation is adding race into the equation again. Race never should have been dragged into this and B.O it seems the only one who made it a racial incident was your damn friend the Professor. And another thing B.O, the Harvard Scholar is the only one who "Acted Stupidly" and the Officers involved acted Professionally, above and beyond!

Originally Posted by lewisipso

My first question would have been "WHO THE F*** GAVE OUT MY NUMBER?!"

exactly!

**pgg** · 07-25-09, 12:06 AM

In the words of Countybear.... Fucketh himmeth

**Wolven** · 07-25-09, 12:26 AM

Originally Posted by pgg

In the words of Countybear.... Fucketh himmeth

+1

A little too late to back pedal now...seriously...how could you take "acted stupidly" in any other way except as it was taken...please...cant take it back now.

**Morris** · 07-25-09, 03:50 AM

Asshole.

No apology. Upset that this event pushed socialis healthcare off the front pages for a few days.

Hope the sergeant sues Gates.

**countybear** · 07-25-09, 06:46 AM

Well, it seems now that White House Press Secretary Gibbs has chimed in. Thank goodness for this man's eloquence and substance of character. We are truly blessed to have such a fine gentleman, with such rapier wit and candor. I mean, this dude is just the brightest bulb ever to appear on a White House Christmas tree...

Are you ready for his comment?

Here it comes...

Hot off of the presses...

I mean he really explains it all...

I think the Fraternal Order of Police endorsed McCain, if I'm not mistaken.

Isn't that just worth a 'holy shit' or two?

Ladies and gentlemen, this man is the very definition of the term "douchebag".

**Twan007** · 07-25-09, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by lewisipso

My first question would have been "WHO THE F*** GAVE OUT MY NUMBER?!"

I agree Lew... who gave it out... and why the f*** are you calling me at my home... matter of fact - why the eff are you calling me at all...

**Twan007** · 07-25-09, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by Morris

Asshole.

No apology. Upset that this event pushed socialis healthcare off the front pages for a few days.

Hope the sergeant sues Gates.

hope the Sgt sues the pres...

**Terminator** · 07-25-09, 12:47 PM

FUCK HIM AND HIS PRESS SECRETARY!!! As far as I'm concerned, this so-called "retraction of words" is a load of horseshit and is not accepted. He has already burned his bridge to the law enforcement community FOREVER!

**lewisipso** · 07-25-09, 01:23 PM

Damn skippy.

**Jks9199** · 07-25-09, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by Twan007

I agree Lew... who gave it out... and why the f*** are you calling me at my home... matter of fact - why the eff are you calling me at all...

Somehow I bet that Sergeant Crowley got told to report to the station at a particular time that actually fit into President Obama's schedule. 'Cause you know damn well that it wasn't done at Sgt. Crowley's convenience!

**JSO85360** · 07-25-09, 05:15 PM

I believe "The President" should read the six o'clock rule in my signature line........

**depusm12** · 07-25-09, 05:16 PM

Personally I would have refused to speak with BO. I ain't got nothing to say to the man. Nothing good anyhow, and momma said "If you can't say anything good don't say nuttin at all". Does Sgt. Crowley have a case for defamation against Gates?

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