"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."
A huge media uproar immediately ensued. Police organizations all across the country, rank and file cops and the GOP viciously attacked Obama's comments, and his handling of the matter. Reverend Jeremiah Wright's "God Damn America" sermon was cited as proof that Obsma was anti-American.
As a result of all the media attacks, and the police unions accusing him of being anti-police, Obama had to issue another public statement, apologizing for his comments and saying he hoped the situation could become a "teachable moment". Later President Obama held that famous "beer summit," with both the cop and Professor Gates, on the White House lawn, in full view of the corporate media cameras.
= new reply since forum marked as read
