Yet more ugly racism from the racially-biased blogger Dennis Marks (AKA dmarks), this time in regards to comments made and actions taken by President Barack Obama in response to the Henry Louis Gates arrest controversy.
However, before I get what Dennis said that was racist, let me refresh your memory regarding the Gates controversy.
| On 7/16/2009, Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates Jr, was arrested at his Cambridge, Massachusetts home by a local police officer responding to a 9-1-1 caller's report of men breaking and entering the residence. ...Gates was arrested by the responding officer, Cambridge Police Sgt. James Crowley, and charged with disorderly conduct. On July 21, the charges against Gates were dropped. The arrest generated a national debate about whether or not it represented an example of racial profiling by police. On July 22, President Barack Obama said about the incident, "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, and, number three, what I think we know separate and apart from this incident is that there's a long history in this country of African Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately". Law enforcement organizations and members objected to Obama's comments and criticized his handling of the issue. In the aftermath, Obama stated that he regretted his comments and hoped that the situation could become a "teachable moment". (Henry Louis Gates arrest controversy). |
Note that Gates was arrested after showing the officer his ID, thus proving that he was in his own house. Also, when someone is charged with disorderly conduct, it is usually in regards to conduct in public. Which is why the officer asked Gates, who was inside his own home, to step outside. The charges were obviously bogus, in other words. Which is why they were later dropped.
If no racial biases were at play, I think this was clearly harassment. No matter how Gates reacted (the officer says he yelled at him, while Gates denies this), it is up to the police to de-escalate. Or should be, although it seems that MANY police officers are seriously lacking training in this important tactic.
As for what Dennis had to say about this incident, well, he had a problem with Obama's involvement, remarks and actions. And he used a term to describe Obama's involvement that does not apply.
| Dennis Marks: ... the Henry Louis Gates Jr flap comes to mind. The less demagogueing, the better. (7/12/2015 AT 08:46:00 AM EDT). |
Next, after Jersey McJones pointed out "Obama and Gates happened to be personal friends in the first place", Dennis replied with the following...
| Dennis Marks: That makes it even worse. That not only would Obama be "demagoguing it up", but he would be doing so to help out one of his cronies. That is, pardon the expression, piss-poor Presidential leadership. Not good for a leader of all the nation. To justify this, Jersey, would imply you think that is is OK that a President use his power to bend the executive branch to help one of his buddies. And it is also an admission that this whole "beer summit" matter had nothing to do with any issue of national importance (as it would not have happened if Dr Gates wasn't one of his buddies). It was all personal. Like something a mafia godfather would do. (7/14/2015 AT 08:13:00 AM EDT). |
A "demagogue" is a person, especially an orator or political leader, who gains power and popularity by arousing the emotions, passions, and prejudices of the people. "Demagogueing" involves "treating or manipulating (a political issue) in an attempt to obscure or distort with emotionalism or prejudice".
This is NOT what the president did. It was entirely appropriate that Barack Obama, as our first African American president, say something concerning a situation that has something to do with race relations. To use it as a "teachable moment", as Obama said, which would be the opposite of obscuring or distorting, you dipshit!
In any case, it was NOT Obama who instigated his involvement in this controversy, but columnist Lynn Sweet (the Washington D.C. bureau chief for the Chicago Sun-Times), who asked Obama "recently, Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. was arrested at his home in Cambridge. What does that incident say to you? And what does it say about race relations in America?".
Obama was directly asked to comment on race relations! Later he said he "regretted his comments". Comments that were extemporaneous, as opposed to being thought out.
Wikipedia notes that "An opinion poll released by Pew Research found that 41 percent disapproved of Obama's handling of the situation, while only 29 percent approved, and support from white voters dropped from 53 percent to 46 percent".
Obviously the Beer Summit was an attempt to clean this up (the negative reaction to Obama's comments). There was zero "demagoguing". Obama was arbitrating or acting as a peacemaker (with the Beer Summit), which, again is the OPPOSITE of demagoguing.
Also false (and utterly ridiculous), is Dennis' accusation that Obama did something to "help out one of his cronies", or that he used "his power to bend the executive branch to help one of his buddies"... as the disorderly conduct charges were dropped! No helping of any kind occurred. Obama was trying to help himself (re the public perception problem) and help in the area of race relations (the "teachable moment").
In regards to the Beer Summit not happening "if Dr Gates wasn't one of his buddies", and it all being "personal"... this might be correct. The reporter might not have asked the president the question if Gates were not a friend. Then again she might have anyway. But the "personal" aspect is not relevant. Is Obama not supposed to have friends? Should he have refused to answer the question because (either) Gates was a friend or because he (Obama) is Black? If a White president has made the same comments would Dennis be accusing him of "demagoguery"? I very much doubt it.
In any case, the Beer Summit occurred because of the public perception problem. It was an attempt to fix that issue, although, with Dennis, it obviously had the opposite effect. Because of Dennis' strong racial biases, I believe. Anything Obama does in regards to the issue of race relations is likely viewed by Dennis (as it is by many racist Republicans) as "demagoguery". Apparently the very fact that Obama is Black is why he can't say anything on this topic (in the minds of racists like Dennis).
Image Description: Gates, arrested on the porch of his Cambridge home, with Sgt. Crowley (right) and Sgt. Lashley (foreground), 7/16/2009.
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