Race Card Politics

Sam,

I thought Mr. Obama was a lawyer. You would think that a lawyer, so smart that he was President of the Law Review, the smartest man alive, this genius we have for a President, would know better than to comment on what might be legal action. Hell man, I am not a lawyer, but I can figure out that comments made by the President could influence a jury. DUH!! You are exactly right, Mr. Obama's comments had nothing to do with right or wrong. Mr. Obama played the race card again to try and save his ass. Even Bill Cosby advised Mr. Obama to keep his mouth shut. LOL - like that is ever gonna happen.

"...that comments made by the President could influence a jury."

What jury? The charges against Prof. Gates were dropped on Tuesday, and Obama made those comments about Gates on Wednesday, so either you are talking about a different jury/trial/comments, or you are an utter moron.

Sam,

You know when you hit a nerve by the way Mike and Iggy react. There's the usual name calling and condescention. But here, Iggy's actually calling for your death.

Far a man to invoke Jesus' name when its convenient, I'm sure this is a violation of at least one of His commandments.

I would like to ask the McCook Gazette to not allow Sam Eldridge to post blogs on their website. I think the contents of his messages are racist, discriminitory and hateful. I feel that it is sad and unfortunate that an individual like Sam is allowed to post views like this on a website the represents the McCook community. Please if others agree with me, post your support. Views like this only breed hate in America.

Iggy huh? Steffanie's Gilly is better.

"But here, Iggy's actually calling for your death."

Is that not okay? I thought that's what this blog was about. Far be it for me to try and push the conversation off topic.

Interesting though CPB, when you wrote, "Far a man to invoke Jesus' name when its convenient, I'm sure this is a violation of at least one of His commandments," that applies to what Sham wrote about Kennedy...right? Right? You aren't a shameless hypocrite with no spine are you?

You can explain your foolishness a million times, it won't make it true, and it won't make you less racist.

Did Obama play the race card? No.

First, he didn't bring it up. The press conference was about healthcare. Someone asked that question at the end.

But let me guess, you'll tell me the "lapdog media" was ordered to ask that question by the ObamaPolice, right? Seriously? Why would he want them to ask that? He held a press conference SPECIFICALLY to talk about healthcare. He would certainly know that topic would derail the media coverage of the press conference, which is obviously not what the administration wanted.

Second, let's look at what he actually said. The quote that everyone keeps repeating is "The Cambridge Police acted stupidly". After a question was asked about the perceived racial bias of Gates' arrest.

Full quote:

"Now, I don't know, not having been there and not seeing all the facts what role race played in that, but I think it's fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry. Number two, that the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home"

Gee, it seems from the first sentence that Obama freely admits that he doesn't know all the facts of the situation between the men, and passes no judgement on whether or not the officer acted as he did because he was racist.

He then goes on to suggest that "any of us would be pretty angry". Would you not be angry if a cop continued to question you about breaking into your own house AFTER you've already provided proof of residence? I would. And my skin color would have nothing to do with it.

And then he says the cambridge police were stupid for arresting someone after they've proved it's their home. Not stupid for arresting someone based on race. He gave a specific reason for why he said they acted "stupidly", and it's dishonest to suggest that he was calling the police racist.

He then made a third point about minorities being hassled disproportionately by the police. Which is an unfortunate truth.

Now seriously, let's be honest with ourselves. If the situation was reversed. What would happen? If Glenn Beck was harassed trying to get into his own house, and the police arrested him for being disorderly AFTER he showed his proof of residence, the right would be going crazy about how government has no right to intrude on people's lives like that, and how the police unfairly trampled his right to privacy in his own domicile, and how this is one more sign the government is taking our freedoms etc. etc. etc. You would be outraged at the situation.

(and in fairness, the left would probably be saying he deserved to be arrested.)

Gates wasn't arrested for a break-in. He was arrested for disorderly conduct. You can be arrested for disorderly conduct anywhere regardless of whether you are in front of your home or not. The police will warn you and if you refuse to heed that warning then you are responsible for what follows.

Obama didn't even know what Gates was arrested for. Whether it was his home or not had nothing to do with his arrest. His arrest came after he was warned by the officer to calm down and he refused. By not addressing the disorderly conduct Obama makes it appear that Gates was arrested for no reason which is not the case. Once again, if you don't have all the facts then how can you say they acted stupidly?

Also, if an officer knocked on my door, told me he had a similiar call and needed my ID, I wouldn't be angry. I'd present my ID, probably explain why I was busting down my own door and wish him a safe night. Gates was spewing hate filled racist accusations at this officer from the second he arrived. So Obama is wrong to say we'd all be pretty angry. No, I think we all would have acted a lot more responsibly instead of automatically assuming the worst about people.

This is a copy of the actual police report in case anybody wants to read it.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/yea...

to nation of change: If you want to see an actual racist: look in the mirror.

Steffanie-do you have a job??? It seems like you spend an awful lot of time on this website writing your bs comments.

Sam-If I want to see an actual racist...look in the mirror?.? Have you ever lived outside of the McCook Community? I would guess...probably not. Your writings, beliefs, and commentary defenitely fill the stereotype of a "small town mentality". So, if I have formed a discriminitory opinion of you. Ya got me! I am slated in that I don't agree with you and your slanderous narrow minded ways. You know, I have read your comments about this new administration off and on for about a year now. I am just disappointed that you and all your friends lit your torches and put your bed sheets on before you even gave the man a chance. I voted or Obama. I think he was the best man for the job. Right now, he is shoveling through all the crap that the last administration left behind. Sam, I am guessing that you have shoveled your fair share of dung in your days. It takes time...doesn't it?!?

Folks, I have a life to get back to!

Mr/Mrs/Miss/MS Nation of Change,

You give a perfect example of why race is hard to talk about. I have known Sam all of his life, a redneck he is, a racist he is not. Sam often jokes that he doesn't know what race he is, and Sam and his brothers call themselves mutts. For you to come on this forum and call Sam a racist, is really a very stupid thing to do. How are we to even talk about race issues when people like you are hypersensitive, and doing you're own racial profiling? Sam is not black, so he must be a racist if he discusses race?

Steffanie,

I do not think Sam said that Gates actions with the police were part of a set up, the set up was the question at the press conference. The question was asked so Mr. Obama could engage in hateful race politics, at a time when he needs his 95% black support. (Sam will most likely answer that, don't mean to speak for him). I must tell you how much I enjoy you exposing Mr. Hendricks for the foolish little boy he really is. Thanks.

Sam,keep up the good work. You are hitting nerves.Truth Hurts.

SAM,

ONE SLIGHT FLAW IN THE ARRESTING OFFICER'S CLAIM.

Gates was not in public, creating a disturbance.

The official report--Gates was on his front porch, after having fully identified himself as the owner of the house with MASS. Drivers License and with Harvard Faculty credentials.

The officer still demanded he step onto the porch.

He did so, within arms length of his front door.

At no point did he leave his PRIVATE property.

At no point did he enter ANY PUBLIC AREA.

The citation -- PUBLIC DISTURBANCE.

ITEM -- Having carried a badge with more police departments and with more County Sheriff's Departments than I could possibly remember -- it is not remotely conceivable that a ranking officer in Cambridge, Mass. -- and department "Expert in racial profiling" -- could not and did not recognize on first sight -- Professor Gates.

Gates is and has been for well more than a decade recognized locally, nationally and internationally, been a widely known TV host and ranked as one of the TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL AMERICANS.

Gates has been on more different magazine covers than the officer has been in Cambridge bars.

Yet a ranking officer of that local police force claims he did not recognize Gates.

Total BULL.

He not only recognized Professor Gates, but clearly set out to agitate and attempt to develop an excuse to arrest him.

I helped arrest the "graveyard shift regular" in one Southwest department after the chief received a tip that the officer was routinely dragging minority individuals (male and female) from "blue collar bars", hauling them just outside town and hanging them by their wrists or ankles from a beam -- and then beating them senseless with his baton.

The chief, a captain, criminal investigator and I staked out the location. Less than 20 minutes after the officer started his shift, he had two minority adults hung from the crossbar.

His explanation -- Just teaching them their place.

Using the badge to exercise any form of corruption, or racism is contemptible.

But the fact is, a high percentage of urban center vice, narcotics and burglary detectives are on the "pad" or "book". In 1967, two NYC detectives in the southwest to extradite a suspect told three of us over lunch, "A detective's shield is worth at least $250,000 a year in side money. For a vice or narc shield, a 'mill' is about average."

Official corruption is a way of life along the

Eastern Seaboard -- Today's News -- at a time when three former mayors of Newark, N.J. are in prison with corruption convictions, the FBI and state officials arrested more than 30 people on major corruption charges, including mayors and rabbis."

Unlikely that a Mass. police sergeant would manufacture a PUBLIC DISTURBANCE charge against an internationally known, middle aged black professor -- in the man's own home.

Name me one Nebraskan, or Kansan, or Okie, or Dakotan, or Iowan, or Missourian -- who would declare that inside his home, or standing on the front porch within arms length of the front door, IS NOT PRIVATE.

There was no way Professor Gates was guilty of a PUBLIC DISTURBANCE.

Myself, if I were in my own home, shortly after arriving there after a 24-flight from half-way around the planet -- and some uniform came up to demand to know what I was doing in that house where I had lived for years and was well known in the neighborhood, the city, the entire county, nationally and throughout the world -- I would have been more than outraged.

The officer admitted that before and after Gates produced his I.D. in his own home, fully establishing that identification and residency - Gates asked for the officer's I.D. and credentials repeatedly.

Those requests were denied, as admitted in the officer's report -- IN DIRECT VIOLATION OF STATE LAW, as the officer knew.

The contents of the officer's report convict him of racism and abuse of authority.

Transpose the situation -- A minority officer in McCook, NE receives a radio dispatch that a jogger saw two people entering a home by a side door in one of the better sections of McCook.

At the home, both people identify themselves with faculty credentials from McCook College and their drivers' licenses. He decides to push the matter and aggressively challenges their credentials -- in their home. Carries it to the Gates case conclusion and hauls them in handcuffs to jail.

HOW LONG DO YOU THINK HE WOULD REMAIN EMPLOYEED??

No rational cop identifies someone as being the legal owner and resident of a property and then because he had a civilian call, pursues the matter to the point of this case.

That officer deserves a suspension at best, reduction to foot patrolman would be more fitting.

Then he would have no excuse for not knowing the people and the buildings within his beat.

If the police would have showed up at my house and demanded proof that I lived in my home after I used a crowbar to enter my home............I would say "thanks for looking out for me".

Iggy,

Sorry about being late, but I must plead ignorance, I was not aware of what Sam had said about some Kennedy. Sam, if you said something about a Kennedy, pray, repent, and ask for forgiveness.

jhat is the only decent liberal poster on these blogs. g.i. wasnt too bad until he, as far as i'm conerned, broke/went back on his word. am i to consider all liberals the same as him? probably not

Sam,

Spin Master? What facts have I "spun"?

"If a man is breaking into your house, threatening to kill everything you hold dear, do you fight, or do you try and engage in constructive dialog?"

I'm not sure what kind of point you're going for here? The answer is obviously 'no'. But I struggle to understand how that analogy applies to the more complex matters of domestic and international politics?

"We conservatives have gone out of our way to try and engage you on the left with constructive dialog, the Republicans have as well, and we always get kicked in the teeth for it."

Sam, this is obviously a "point of view" problem. Because I feel exactly the same way, except I think it's the liberals/democrats who have been more open to discussion than the conservatives. And that it's the republicans who would rather grandstand politically than actually contribute to the national discussion.

"John McCain tried constructive dialog, and refused to go after Hopey Change for his extreme leftist points of view, and what did that get us? That got us a Media and a Democrat Party that was left free to smear and slander Sarah Palin, and her family. "

Obama does not have 'extremist' leftist views. I know people with extremist leftist views, he is not one of them. I guess this is another problem of "point of view". I can see how it would seem he had 'extremist leftist views' when you're looking at him from all the way over on the extreme right.

"Now, as you jhat, and your fellow leftists try and destroy this country, and destroy values and principles this country was founded upon, you whine for constructive dialog."

Well, I don't think that's what's happening. I feel that the country is getting better. I (and the majority of the population) decided that I like the direction the Democrats want to take us better than the direction the Republicans want to take us.

"You are still the sweet-talker jhat, trying to con us with civility, while you work for and support those who would rob my grandchildren for your political gain."

I think you only see my dialogue as "sweet talk" because you seem to be more used to a more violent and angry discourse. But if speaking in a civil manner and attempting to show respect for people who do not share my opinions is "sweet talking", then count me guilty. (and if you want to blame somebody for the national debt, look no further than Reagan, Bush Sr., and Bush Jr... but I digress)

"You jhat, want the government to destroy the best health care system in the world, and you want to ration care, tell old people when it time to die"

You see Sam, I don't think we do have the greatest health care system in the world. And millions of other Americans agree with me. We certainly do have some of the most ADVANCED health care technology in the world, partly due to the NIH, who spends about $30 billion of our tax dollars every year to fund emerging medical research (and also the best universities on the planet, cranking out the worlds top doctors.

"You jhat, have aligned your self with the enemies of America. That is not very constructive."

"You jhat, seem to have the same contempt for America that Bin Laden does. That doesn't seem constructive to me."

"You ask for constructive dialog at a time when your party seeks to destroy our country, our heritage and our way of life."

This is the sort of talk that really breaks my spirit. It killed me all through the Bush years when liberals/progressives were labeled 'treasonous' and 'america-haters' because they had the temerity to disagree with the status quo.

Sam, we don't hate America, we love America. We want to see America become better. We want to see it be a world leader in industry, education, and quality of life. And we know you want that too. We simply disagree with you on how to achieve this.

I recognize this, that you are simply a man who does not share my point of view. I would certainly never label you a traitor for your ideas, nor would I say you hated your country. This seems to be something that many on the far-right can't seem to grasp. We actually want America to succeed. We're not secretly plotting its downfall. We're not rooting for it's collapse, quite the opposite. And I understand that until your realize this, constructive dialogue is impossible. Which is a shame. Because that's the only way we're all going to be able to work together on this. That's the only way that the country is going to be able to get over this red/blue divide. Rhetoric like yours only widens the chasm. It makes liberals dislike conservatives more, and it makes conservatives dislike liberals more.

That is why I call for more constructive dialogue, because it's the only option we have left.

"In a way, bureaucrats and politicians within Socialist systems are always fighting a war against each other for more turf"

Yeah! Why can't those darn socialists be civilized like us and have a political system where parties aren't fighting each other and trying to get more power?