President Obama Mouths Off About Henry Gates Arrest in Cambridge, MA, and Sidelines His Own Healthcare Bill

Several nights ago, Professor Henry Louis Gates was arrested in his home in Cambridge, MA and charged with disorderly conduct. The arresting officer, James Crowley, had been called to the scene after a report saying a break-in was in progress at the residence. When Professor Gates answered the door and was asked by Officer Crowley if he would step out onto the porch of his residence, Gates said he would not and then began shouting. Apparently, according to the police report written by a Latino officer, Gates then became rude and abusive, accusing Officer Crowley of racism and threatening him. But, as if this wasn't enough, President Barack Obama then weighed in on the incident because Gates was a personal friend. Without even seeing the police report, he called the police officer's action "stupid". In many people's minds though, what's "stupid" is a president who sidelines his own healthcare debate by mouthing off about a personal friend's minor incident with the police.

Why Professor Gates felt it necessary to be abusive to a police officer who was only trying to make sure his home wasn't being broken into is unclear. What's even more unclear is why President Obama jumped to the conclusion the incident was racist without reading the police report or having any of the facts. In fact, according to CNN News on television today, Officer James Crowley spends much of his time on the Cambridge police force working with African Americans in the community, talking about why racism won't be accepted. So 'racism' is the least likely cause of this whole embarassing (for Gates and President Obama!) incident.

At the moment, however, one of the biggest issues facing America and one of the things most Americans are now worrying about is healthcare. With almost 25% of Americans uninsured, Obama would have been better commenting on that and not on a small incident involving a personal friend. When President Obama stood on national TV a few nights ago and talked about how his healthcare bill was going to help change America, Americans sat up and listened. But now, the only thing most Americans are listening to is why the President of the United States is using his bully pulpit to try to sway the Cambridge police force to not continue with charges against Gates.

From most of the chat floating around the internet, it's pretty obvious most of us couldn't care less that some idiot African American Ivy League professor was arrested in his own home because he thought mouthing off to a cop was acceptable. Write the guy a ticket, send him to court and let him plead innocent or guilty. Most of us are far more interested in whether or not our familes and ourselves are going to have access to better healthcare. And President Obama probably should be too.

SOURCES: Obama, Race and Henry Louis Gates - Capitol News Company LCC