Obama and his administration seems to be woefully underestimating his support and personal participation of a racially motivated attack against white persons and law enforcement.
Even yesterday, after talking to Crowley by phone and emphasizing what an "outstanding police officer he is," Obama couldn't bring himself to concede the full extent of his error. He suggested both men were equally to blame, and cited "the fact that it has garnered so much attention" as proof racial issues "are still very sensitive here in America."
Baloney. The case got so much attention only because a reporter asked Obama about it on national television and he foolishly took the bait to give a long, somewhat angry answer.
Until then, the case was a mild curiosity largely because Gates, whom I know and admire, is a celebrity academic.
Obama's second mistake yesterday was insisting that weighing in is part of his "portfolio." Nonsense. Stripped of Gates' status, the case would never rise to White House comment.
In fact, there is no evidence of a racial component other than that Gates is black and Crowley is white. Not every mixed-race argument, even one involving the police, automatically qualifies as a racial incident.
Obama, by linking the case to the historically legitimate issue of police abuse of minorities, gave it a gravity it doesn't deserve. Even worse, making that linkage suggests he buys Gates' unsupported claim that Crowley's actions were racist. On what evidence?
Obama said yesterday the incident was a "teachable moment." It could be if the President sets the right example on how to clean up a mistake.
He should just admit he was wrong to get involved in the first place.
Nobody is living in this world without large groups of people in America (and throughout the world) hating them for one reason or another in an undertow. Pretending America is still a place where there is a conspiracy to oppress blacks as part of the President's "portfolio" is malignant and unjust. Especially when it is coming from two highly succesful and elite black people throwing daggers at a 40 thousand dollar a year cop.
I have fought for civil rights against the oppressed all my life. Upon inspection, I have solid credentials for fighting for a better life for people who are economically and socially disadvantaged - of all colors, shapes and sizes. Though my work on this blog is solely about the civil rights of the unborn - I am highly involved in other things. Therefore, I can confidently speak out when injustice and prejudice happens to white people -and give courage for others to do so.
Unless the President clarifies that calling the police is justified when we see somebody busting down the doors to their homes and picking locks, regardless of color and creed - and until he clarifies that police who arrive on the scene are justified to arrest a caustic individual who refuses to identify himself while making salacious allegations and threats motivated by the color of the policeman's skin - this incident is going to be catastrophic to his career.
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