The Thread on Politics

[Why did Sarah Palin resign?]

Why did Sarah Palin resign?

Personal scandal

 5 (17.2%)

Probable indictment

 7 (24.1%)

Just plain craziness

 3 (10.3%)

Looooong lead up to 2012

 4 (13.8%)

Something else

 2 (6.9%)

Some combination of the above

 8 (27.6%)

Total Members Voted: 29

[A.]

Topic: Was it wrong for Obama to have chimed in on the Gatesgate altercation? 

Discuss.

No, I don't think it was wrong; it was absolutely right to comment (especially since he was asked).  Unfortunately, it looks bad since he generally shies away from talking about race and racism and admittedly only jumped in here because "Skip" is a friend.  Also, let's face it, his commentary about the officers' "acting stupidly" is not going to go down well with the racial resentment folks (who are really the stars of the week, what with the Ricci testimony), particularly given Dr. Gates' "You don't know who I am" sense of entitlement.

Yeah, given the hedging (and joking) in his full statement, I don't think his expression of his opinion was wrong.  That said, the soundbite itself, which is all most Americans will hear, is a bit damaging.  But I don't really see how this will come back to bite him later on.

And I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that Gates, undeservedly or not, comes across as a pompous ass.  That said, I still think the police were wrong to arrest him.

Gatesgate

p.s. This and Elie Mystal's "huge and powerful lips" have definitely been the best things to come out of the incident thus far.

lol indeed

[Miss P]

And I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that Gates, undeservedly or not, comes across as a pompous ass.  That said, I still think the police were wrong to arrest him.

TITCR.  It's not a crime to be a pompous ass.  I thank my lucky stars every day.

[Burning Sands, Esq.]

And I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that Gates, undeservedly or not, comes across as a pompous ass.  That said, I still think the police were wrong to arrest him.

TITCR.  It's not a crime to be a pompous ass.  I thank my lucky stars every day.

LOL 

I also don't think the Prez was out of line to comment, especially given the fact that he was asked directly to comment. 

As he clearly stated, aside from the Gates case, these issues exist and need to be addressed.

[A.]

The 911 tape:

http://gawker.com/5323874/the-911-call-that-got-henry-louis-gates-busted?autoplay=true?skyline=true&s=i

Is it just me, or was the 911 operator the first one to suggest race?

[Julie Fern]

you not wrong.  but not this legitimate attempt get description of men going into house?

[Rudy Huckleberry]

Just making sure you doods saw this.

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/cop_suspended_for_racial_slur_in_Gates_email_072809

You MUST read the email. It isn't to be missed. This right here is why police officers make me uncomfortable.

[A.]

Yeah this idiot needs to be fired.  The original officer...not so sure.

[Kirk Lazarus]

Yeah this idiot needs to be fired.  The original officer...not so sure.

Why the original officer? The Officer abused his discretion, but I'm not sure he engaged in misconduct or anything that would suggest he be fired.

[A.]

Yeah I said I'm not sure he should be fired.

[A.]

you not wrong.  but not this legitimate attempt get description of men going into house?

Sorry, I missed this...while perhaps legitimate, a better approach would have been to ask the caller about the men's races generally, or at least to throw "white" in there too.