Guest Commentary : A wasted opportunity

Reasons why the 'beer summit' was a bad photo-op

By BY ANNE BRITTON

Posted: August 6, 2009 at 6:26 a.m.

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WASHINGTON — President Obama ignited a controversy when he took a loaded question from Chicago Sun-Times reporter Lynn Sweet during his recent press conference abouthealth care reform. She asked the president about the arrest of Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates. After stating that Gates is a friend, Obama went on about the case without knowledge of all facts, saying the police officers involved "acted stupidly."

This is outlandish behavior for a president. We actually have the chief executive officer of the United States calling a policeman stupid. What a way to demoralize all law enforcement. (Let us not also forget that Speaker Pelosi claims the CIA lied to Congress.)

I agree with Bill Cosby. It is the kind of question to which a president should reply: "That's a local police matter." "When life begins" is above Obama's pay grade, but this police situation is right up his alley? Please!

Any good cop who is doing his job will be criticized by some - but the president? If Sgt. James Crowley had looked away and it was a burglary in progress, then it would be the police not protecting a member of the minority community.

Obama's implication was clear: Crowley had racially profiled the professor. Gates doused added combustion to the fire by allegedly calling Crowley a racist during the incident. Afterward, Gates reportedly claimed that Crowley was a "rogue policeman" and threatened a lawsuit.

Crowley's fellow cops, including some black officers, rushed to his defense. Crowley provides racial-profiling instruction for young cops. In fact, years ago, Crowley had valiantly tried to revive former NBA star Reggie Lewis (an African-American man) with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Sgt. Crowley told WHDH-TV that Gates was "agitated" when he was arrested for disorderly conduct. Crowley said, as he tried to speak with him, that Gates allegedly responded, "Why, am I a black man?" Crowley wasalso called a "racist." As the situation progressed, Gates became increasingly angry. As Crowley was leaving, Gates allegedly threatened that he "picked the wrong guy to mess with" along with "I'll speak with your mama outside." Crowley said this response is not what he would expect from a reasonable person.

President Obama had his own problem with the Cambridge police. He reportedly racked up 17 parking tickets from 1989-1991 totaling $375. He never paid the fines and penalties until before announcing his bid for the presidency. Apparently the tickets were for parking in a bus stop, parking without a resident permit and failing to pay the meter. Did the unexpected diatribe at Wednesday evening's press conference reveal a long-standing and, perhaps, deep-seated attitude toward the Cambridge police - and toward authority in general?

During the meeting with President Obama, Vice President Biden, Sgt. Crowley and professor Gates, we are told that no apology was made. Why not? Obama and Gates owed that much to Crowley. The "beer summit" accomplished nothing. It was a photo-op that ended badly for Obama. He walked down a set of stairs ahead of both Crowley and Gates, completely oblivious and uncaring about the needs of his handicapped friend.

The only person concerned about Gates is Crowley. The natural instinct of a good police officer is to help those in need regardless of the circumstances. Crowley offered a helping arm for Gates to steady himself down the steps, the professor leaning onto Crowley while using his cane on the other side. Obama's lack of concern for a friend with a disability was obvious in one picture.

Anne Britton is a conservative, avid hunter and a mental health advocate. She lives in Fayetteville.

Opinion, Pages 4 on 08/06/2009

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