This CNN video of two of Officer Crowley’s colleagues — who happen to be black — coming to his defense is pretty powerful stuff.
If only Obama had bothered to get all the facts before he turned this entire local police matter into a national affair:
As Verum Serum notes, “Kudos to CNN for getting the story instead of following the narrative.”
This comment from VS’s comment section is dead on:
When the character of a man of unimpeachable character is assaulted, the response of those he’s served beside is most telling.
The most powerful moments of this video though, are when Officer Kelly King is asked about President Obama’s role in this affair: “It’s unfortunate. I supported him, I voted for him. I will not again.”
I think it’s a refrain you’ll hear from more-and-more people — of all races — on more-and-more issues.
Enjoy your one term as President Barry O. Because it’s the only one you’ll ever serve.
________
OTHERS:
Hot Air: “God only knows how much heat she and Sgt. Lashley will take from the “authenticity” police for this”.
If this were in Houston, these black cops could look forward to being called “house negros”, like the Fire Union Chief was called by black City Councilwoman Jolanda Jones.
Just One Minute posts this:
One of the common-sense rules of life can be summed up this way: Don’t Mess With Cops.
It doesn’t matter if you are right, wrong, at home or on the street, or if you are white, black, Hispanic, Jewish, Muslim or whatever. When an armed law enforcement officer tells you to cease and desist, the wise person (a) ceases and (b) desists.
None of this ever would have happened if Dr. Gates wasn’t such a race-hustling asshole, and would simply have listened to and obeyed the police officer’s orders.
What I don’t get is why the officer would consider a beer with Gates and the Racist-In-Chief!
I doubt he has much choice. I sure wouldn’t enjoy it. But, Crowley is a smart guy and I’m sure that he will not allow Gates or Obama to use it to discredit or patronize him or police officers in general.
Obama can’t walk this back. What is done is done.
I hate to say this Robbie, but this new format sucks. Is there any way you can bold the original comment at least. It’s hard to comment. I get lost in the grey. I know I’m one of your “senior” commentors, but damn.
When I first saw this video, everything I suspected about Sgt. Crowley was verified. He exudes integrity. The colleagues that rose to his defense were a major credit to him. It makes it painfully clear just how hollow Gates’ claims are. It is often hard to see what is at the very tip of your nose when the script in your head tells you something entirely different. Mr. Gates’ script couldn’t have been less appropriate to the situation. He can only redeem himself by admitting as much. If I were a betting man, I’d bet against that happening.
I wouldn’t bank on Obama being a one-termer until the repubs find a viable candidate.
You are wrong, it’s when the Conservatives find candidates on either side of the fence that will wipe up you librat ass-wipes.
As it turns out, the Dems didn’t have a viable candidate in 2008. All that was needed was somebody to ride in on the “anybody but Bush or a Republican” wave. The “anybody but Obama or a Liberal” wave will be just as deciding in 2012.
Keep wishing, it was an awesome strategery for Junior and the gang:
Hahaha. The best Patty can come up with is a poll and a msnbc (b is for bozo) article over two months old!
What’s next, patricia? A newspaper with the headline: Dewey Wins
Anonymous coward/idiot: do you doubt the WSJ’s polling credentials too? Nothing like a pwned conservative using the multiple-out option. So are you saying the GOP is ascendant again? Please elaborate. Let’s see some verifiable facts, not tooth-fairy dreams. Maybe David Broder will come to your rescue like he did for Bush in 2007
Kelly King comes from a Historic American Family that has worked for racial equity for generations. She is a direct descendant of Mary McCleod Bethune and niece of the late Singer/Humanitarian/Negro Spiritual Historian Joe Carter (http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/joecarter/). She is a brilliant woman and if she says that this wasn’t racial profiling, then it wasn’t racial profiling.
It is important to remember that these comments were taped before Obama took any steps to reconcile with Crowley or take responsiblity for his role in igniting racial tension at the expense of a police officer who spearheaded the efforts in Cambridge to create racial profiling prohibitions and policies. Officer King spoke in a very specific context and may have changed her mind about Obama since her comments. Either way that is her right as a Free American.
She carries on the good work of her family in racial reconciliation as a police officer- challenging America to judge a man by his actions and character rather than the color of his skin- and she applied these treasured American and family principles both to Crowley and Obama alike.
What is most disappointing is that the nation is focused on whether or not she will vote for Obama again- and we have lost sight of everything else Officer King spoke about which inspires all of us to the noble goals of racial reconciliation.
The attacks from the Black Community and Black Media that abound against her are misplaced This misplaced priority is shared with the White Media- namely the primary concern has been over her dissatisfaction with Obama and the possiblity that she may not vote for him again- while ignoring the true nature of her comments and motivation. Who she may vote for is the very least of what she communicated.
To ignore the great ideals of the brotherhood and sisterhood of humankind she models for us and calls us to makes us a part of the problem, not the solution to racial tensions in America.