Was it happy hour at the Beer Summit?

From left: VP Biden, Prof. Gates, Sgt. Crowley and President Obama (Alex Brandon/AP)

We don't know exactly what was discussed during the highly anticipated Obama-Gates-Crowley Beer Summit near the White House's Rose Garden today.

What we do know is that Vice President Joe Biden participated as well, and that President Obama drank Bud Light, VP Biden chose Bucklers, Harvard Prof. Henry Gates had a cold Adams Light and Sgt. James Crowley stuck to his favorite, Blue Moon. They also nibbled on peanuts and pretzels.

The beers were served in cold mugs.

Crowley and Gates wore dark suits for the occasion, while Obama and Biden kept their coats off.

How's that for award-winning political reporting?

We also know that Obama told reporters this was not a "beer summit."

"I noticed this has been called the 'Beer Summit.' It's a clever term, but this is not a summit, guys," Obama told reporters earlier.

"This is three folks having a drink at the end of the day, and hopefully giving people an opportunity to listen to each other. And that's really all it is. This is not a university seminar," he added, noting that he was"fascinated with the fascination about this evening."

The goal is to lower the temperature on an event that has become too hyped and symbolic, Obama said, noting that they would try to reduce the "anger and hyperbole," and promote "self-reflection."

Reporters stood 50 feet from the Fantastic Four and were escorted out two minutes into the meeting.

In typical politically correct, puritanistic American fashion, there are some--you know, those who get off on finding the negative and offensive in every situation, regardless of how absurd it is to central issue--who are questioning if the Beer Summit is sending "the wrong message" about the use of alcohol. Ugh!

UPDATE: The White House released the following statement from President Obama after the summit:

"I am thankful to Professor Gates and Sergeant Crowley for joining me at the White House this evening for a friendly, thoughtful conversation. Even before we sat down for the beer, I learned that the two gentlemen spent some time together listening to one another, which is a testament to them. I have always believed that what brings us together is stronger than what pulls us apart. I am confident that has happened here tonight, and I am hopeful that all of us are able to draw this positive lesson from this episode."

Sgt. Crowley held a press conference after the event. He said Gates and he didn't spend much talking about the past but "a lot of time discussing the future." Below are some of his statements:

- "What we have here is two gentlemen who agree to disagree." - We had a cordial and productive discussion today." - "It was a private discussion, it was a frank discussion, and I'd rather not go into specifics." - "This was a positive step moving forward for the whole country." - "We do have a venue in mind for a second discussion." - "There was no tension." - "It's business, but discussing it like gentlemen instead of in the physical sense or in the court of public opinion."

As to the so-called "teaching moment" that news anchors are trying to figure out, I think it's quite clear: dialogue. I see learning in the exchange of perspectives on this and any controversial topic. I see value in healthy discussion vs. irrational bullying.

By the way, I think this would've NEVER taken place in Bush's White House. Bush would've chuckled at Crowley's suggestion to have a beer with Gates; said "yeah, sure," and blown it off. Actually, most likely Bush would've never been asked to comment on the matter while giving a press conference on health care. Obama was sucked into it because he's black...if you ask me.

For background info, check out these previous posts:

Obama-Gates-Crowley Beer Summit scheduled, posted yesterday; Cop to Obama: 'Let's have a beer with Gates', posted July 24; Gates accepts invite for beer with Obama, Crowley, posted July 25

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Racial-slurring Boston cop says he's not a racist

Only his mama would believe him.

Justin Barrett (right), the Boston police officer who sent a mass e-mail calling Harvard Prof. Henry Louis Gates Jr. a "banana-eating jungle monkey" has apologized, saying he's not a racist.

Are you fucking kidding me? I'm not racially touchy, and even I can see that that remark couldn't possibly be taken any other way.

"I regret that I used such words," Barrett told CNN affiliate WCVB-TV. "I have so many friends of every type of culture and race you can name. I am not a racist." Sure you're not.

He regrets it because he's about to lose his job. But he's toast. Banana-eating jungle monkey? WTF!

Barrett was placed on administrative leave after allegedly sending the mass e-mail to his National Guard buddies and the Boston Globe (what a dunce!) in which he vented about a July 22 Globe column on the Gates arrest, and he might lose his job as a result.

Yesterday I said that putting the racial issue aside, this guy should get fired for being this stupid. No one this dumb should carry a weapon and be in a position to arrest people. (See Dumb Boston cop fired for racist email re: Gates.)

I can't wait to see him explain how his jungle-monkey remarks are not racist tonight at Larry King Live. Surely, a lawyer will be sitting next to him or off camera.

I used to live in Massachusetts. I've heard about the monkeys, which were usually described as "swinging off trees" by the "non"-racist people when talking about black people. Trust me--it's 100% racial.

In a news conference held Thursday morning, Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis denounced the e-mail, CNN reported.

"We have a relationship to maintain with the community," he said. "Police officers certainly have First Amendment rights, but they can't cross the line. I believe this crosses the line."

Davis said he spoke with Gates, who was "gracious and incredibly thankful that we took action."

Gates, a top African-American scholar, was arrested on July 16 by Sgt. James Crowley of the Cambridge Police for disorderly conduct after the officer responded to a 911 call reporting a possible home invasion of Gates Cambridge home. The charge later was dropped.

The controversial incident sparked a national debate about racial profiling in which even President Obama got involved. (See Obama-Gates-Crowley Beer Summit scheduled, posted yesterday. For background and additional information, click on the links for earlier stories at the end of the post.)

Globe columnist Yvonne Abraham supported Gates' actions, asking readers, "Would you stand for this kind of treatment, in your own home, by a police officer who by now clearly has no right to be there?"

In Barrett's e-mail, which was posted on a Boston TV station's website, he stated that if he had "been the officer [Gates] verbally assaulted like a banana-eating jungle monkey, I would have sprayed him in the face with OC [oleoresin capsicum, or pepper spray] deserving of his belligerent non-compliance."

Barrett used the "jungle monkey" phrase four times, three times referring to Gates and once referring to Abraham's writing as "jungle monkey gibberish," CNN reported.

One time and he might have been able to tip-toe around with some insanely concocted excuse. But four times? He's toast.

Barrett also said that he was "not a racist but I am prejudice [sic] towards people who are stupid and pretend to stand up and preach for something they say is freedom but it is merely attention because you do not get enough of it in your little fear-dwelling circle of on-the-bandwagon followers."

And he apologized last night? What for? An apology alone does not change a man's character.

Barrett's comments were taken out of context, said his attorney, Peter Marano. So it's my and everyone else's fault because we're idiots who either can't read or can't understand what we read. Right.

"Officer Barrett did not call professor Gates a jungle monkey or malign him racially," Marano said. "He said his behavior was like that of one. It was a characterization of the actions of that man." Or a monkey...

Um...I don't think that will fly.

Davis wants Barrett, a two-year member of the Boston police, fired, a source close to the investigation said. But he will continue to be paid while on leave, and no date has been set for his termination hearing, CNN reported.

UPDATE: As expected, Barrett appeared on Larry King Live sitting closely to his lawyer, who took it upon himself to answer for the cop several times until Larry cut him off.

Before answering any questions, Barrett again repeated what he had memorized of the apology given earlier today. It sounded rehearsed. "I'm not racist," he said once or twice during that introduction.

Alrighty. Then, why did you apologize for what you said if it wasn't a racist comment?

Larry asked one really smart and crucial question: "Have you ever used that language before."

Take a guess at what the cop said. You got it.

"No, I have never used those words before."

There's no way he hasn't, and now he's fucked because someone will come out of the woodwork and show up on Larry King to reveal that he or she has heard Barrett use that term before.

After another interruption from the lawyer, Larry wisely pressed on, asking the cop what then made him choose those words--"banana-eating jungle monkey"--if he's never used that kind of language before.

"I don't even know ... I couldn't tell you ... I have no idea," Barrett said.

Are you kidding me? How can he not know whether or not he's ever said something like banana-eating jungle monkey? He has no idea? Right. I tell you what, if that's the case, then in addition to racist and dumb, he's also a forgetful flake--another reason to keep him off the force, if you ask me.

This dunce sat down and composed a letter he expected an editor at the Boston Globe to take seriously and possibly publish. He was so proud of it, he also sent it out via a mass email to friends at the National Guard.

Writing such a letter forces the writer to pay more attention to word choice than when merely speaking the words, which often happens a bit too soon after thoughts emerge, so we "speak before we think" and end up regretting our words. It happens to all of us. It happened to Obama when he said, "the Cambridge police acted stupidly" arresting Gates in his own house.

"There was no intentional racism or bigotry in my words," Barrett said. "I did not intend that."

Then, what exactly did you intend, and what did you think those words would communicate?

The truth is he does know, he could tell us but chooses not to, and he does have an idea. Of course he does. But what is he gonna say--"yes, I've used that language before"? Of course not, because that would mean he's a racist, which he vehemently denies.

If he tells the truth, he's fucked. If he lies, he's fucked. Basically, he's toast.

"I treat people with dignity and respect ... I'm not a racist."

This guy could use his own "teaching moment," if you ask me.

Source: CNN
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Obama-Gates-Crowley Beer Summit scheduled

Event: Beer Summit
Time: 6 p.m. Thursday, July 30
Place: Picnic table next to the White House's new swing set
Attendees: The Cop, the Prof. and the President
Agenda: Smooth over racial issues over beer
_______________________________________________

The question, for me at least, has been what kind of beer would the the cop, the professor and the President would choose for the White House's first Beer Summit.

Today, White House Press Secretary Gibbs told reporters that Obama will drink Bud Light, Harvard Prof. Henry Louis Gates Jr. has said he likes Red Stripe, and Sgt. James Crowley told the President he prefers Blue Moon.

Red, Lite and Blue...interesting...

“There’s no formal ... agenda other than cold beer,” Gibbs said.

Crowley reportedly plans to bring his family and take pictures. Gibbs said that as far he knows the cop and the professor will pay their own way to Washington.

Crowley arrested Gates, an eminent professor of African American Studies at Harvard, for disorderly conduct after a 911 call from a neighbor indicated a possible home invasion. News of the controversial arrest spread like wildfire, and when Obama was asked to comment on the matter, he said the Cambridge police acted stupidly arresting Gates in his own house. Well, the shit really hit the fan after that comment--hence the Beer Summit.

_______________________________________________

For additional information, check out my previous posts on this subject:

Cop to Obama: 'Let's have a beer with Gates', posted July 24.

Gates accepts invite for beer with Obama, Crowley, posted July 25.

Sources: ABC News
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Dumb Boston cop fired for racist email re: Gates

Not this time, you're not!

How stupid does a cop--in Boston of all places--have be to send a mass email calling Prof. Gates a "jungle monkey"?

While he's getting fired for the racial slurs, he might as well be fired for being such a monumental dunce. Someone with such lack of common sense, shouldn't be in a law enforcement position, if you ask me.

Police officer Justin Barrett has been put on administrative leave after using racist slurs to describe Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., who has been at the center of a controversial and highly publicized arrest in which even President Obama has gotten involved.

The 36-year-old cop was stripped of his gun and badge on Tuesday afternoon when Boston Police Commissioner Edward David learned that Barrett was the author the email.

Barrett, who has been at his Boston police job for two years, is also a member of the National Guard, and the e-mail reportedly was sent anonymously to his fellow guard members and to the Boston Globe.

The leave is pending the outcome of a termination hearing, said Boston Police Department spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll. “There is no room on the department for someone who uses those words,” she said, declining to provide the specific text of the letter.

Boston Mayor Tom Menino described Barrett as a "cancer in the department" and said he should be fired immediately.

Barrett has no prior disciplinary history. An investigation on the matter is underway.

Gates, a 58-year-old preeminent African-American scholar, was arrested at his Cambridge home July 16 by a white Cambridge cop, triggering a national debate on race that reached all the way to the White House.

Gates and his arresting officer, Sgt. James Crowley, 42, are scheduled to "have a beer" at the White House with Obama tomorrow night to discuss the incident. The President became involved in the controversy when he said that “Cambridge police acted stupidly” when arresting Gates.

Sources: BNO, Boston Herald
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Gates accepts invite for beer with Obama, Crowley

Harvard University Prof. Henry Louis Gates Jr. is working on a PBS documentary about racial profiling. (Senne/AP)

Henry Louis Gates Jr. has accepted an informal invitation to have a beer with his arresting officer Sgt. James Crowley and President Obama.

And, if you ask me, they all could use a few cold ones...

"I am pleased that [Obama] is eager to use my experience as a teaching moment, and if meeting Sgt. Crowley for a beer with the President will further that end, then I would be happy to oblige," the Harvard professor said in a statement posted on the website TheRoot.com, of which he's the editor in chief.

At a daily press briefing yesterday, Obama said Crowley suggested beers at the White House during a telephone conversation that took place soon after the Cambridge Police Department and police unions held a press conference to announce they supported Crowley's actions on the day of the arrest.

Sgt. James Crowley (left) was surrounded by fellow officers offering support at a press conference Friday. (Spencer/Getty Images)

Gates said Obama phoned him on Friday, reportedly after the press briefing, to discuss his July 16 arrest outside his Cambridge, Mass., home after a neighbor reported a possible break-in. The intruder turned out to be Gates trying to open a jammed door, but a (totally unnecessary and stupid, if you ask me) confrontation between him and Crowley ensued, and the cop arrested Gates for disorderly conduct.

Though the charges were later dropped, the bust ignited a fierce debate about racial profiling. Fueling the controversy was Obama's remark that the Cambridge police "acted stupidly" by arresting Gates in his own house after he had produced and ID showing he lived there.

Right: This photo, taken by a neighbor July 16, shows when Henry Louis Gates Jr. was arrested at his home in Cambridge, Mass.

The issue has competed with healthcare reform to dominate the news cycle for the past week. Gates said he apologized to the President for the arrest becoming a distraction from more important matters.

"I told the President that my principal regret was that all of the attention paid to his deeply supportive remarks during his press conference had distracted attention from his health care initiative," Gates wrote.

In the same statement, Gates said he looks forward to studying the history of racial profiling for a PBS documentary.

"If my experience leads to the lessening of the occurrence of racial profiling, then I would find that enormously gratifying," he said. "Because, in the end, this is not about me at all; it is about the creation of a society in which 'equal justice before law' is a lived reality."

____________________

For background and additional information, check out the following post:

Cop to Obama: 'Let's have a beer with Gates' - posted July 24

Sources: TheRoot.com, NY Daily News
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All Rights Reserved

Cop to Obama: 'Let's have a beer with Gates'

President Barack Obama made an effort today to contain the controversy he admittedly helped fuel by his comments yesterday on the subject of Prof. Henry Louis Gates' arrest by a Cambridge, Mass., police officer last week. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

And the controversy about the arrest of Harvard Prof. Henry Louis Gates by a Cambridge, Mass., police officer continues.

Gates claims he was arrested by a racist cop. The cop claims Gates was uncooperative and hostile. The police report shows Gates immediately jumped on victim-of-racism-bandwagon, which given what he does for a living wouldn't be surprising. But, then again, the cop gets to write the report.

However, an African-American cop who was present during the arrest said he supports what the arresting officer did "100%."

Yesterday, President Obama said the police "acted stupidly" in arresting Gates in his own house after he had produced an i.d. showing he lived there. However, that's not exactly what happened according to the police report.

During a radio interview yesterday, Sgt. James Crowley explained the circumstances under which he arrested Gates for disorderly conduct, noting that he followed standard police procedure and that he would not apologize for doing his job.

Earlier today, the Cambridge Police Department held a press conference during which heads from several police groups and unions expressed their support for Crowley. One of the chiefs asked Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and President Obama to apologize for their remarks.

An hour or two after the press conference, Obama made an impromptu appearance at the daily White House briefing to say he had spoken to Crowley and that he still believed both Crowley and Gates overreacted during the incident.

The President, who said the incident could be "a teaching moment" for the nation, also admitted he used an unfortunate choice of words when he said the police "acted stupidly," noting he wished he had "calibrated those words differently."

Like a true Boston man, Sgt. Crowley told Obama he would be happy to go to the White House, sit down with the President and Gates and have a beer.

Below are links to some of the stories on the subject and the actual police report filed by Sgt. Crowley.

Obama regrets choice of words in Prof. Gates' arrest, from The New York Times

Crowley pleased by president’s phone call, from The Boston Globe

The Gates 'teaching moment', from Anderson Cooper (AC360)

Below is a link to the police report of Gates arrest as well as an embedded copy: Gates Police Report



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All Rights Reserved