This picture truly is worth at least a thousand words.
I am stunned that the official White House Blog published this picture and that it is in the public domain. The body language is most revealing.More at the link.
Sergeant Crowley, the sole class act in this trio, helps the handicapped Professor Gates down the stairs, while Barack Obama, heedless of the infirmities of his friend and fellow victim of self-defined racial profiling, strides ahead on his own. So who is compassionate? And who is so self-involved and arrogant that he is oblivious?
In my own dealings with the wealthy and powerful, I have always found that the way to quickly capture the moral essence of a person is to watch how they treat those who are less powerful. Do they understand that the others are also human beings with feelings? Especially when they think nobody is looking.
See also, Ron Radosh, "Lessons of the Teaching Moment." And Memeorandum.
Added: See the great post from Dana at Common Sense Political Thought, "The Beer Summit."
As is often said, a picture speaks a thousand words.
ReplyDeleteAnd, Sgt. Crowley is the one they tried to label a racist recently?
what's even sadder is the way the media built up this story. obama proved himself as divisive as we knew he would be.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else see what I see in Obama's posture at the table? Sitting in shirt-sleeves to look appropriately "casual", he slumps in the chair -- as if playing a role of "guy sitting out on his patio having a brew with a few buddies".
ReplyDeleteWhat irks me more than the scripted nature of this whole thing are Obama's "rolled up" shirtsleeves -- showing just how "normal" a guy he supposedly is. Its such an act and so transparent. Just a hard working white collar guy trying to do the people's business! Please, spare me!
I've seen other pictures of him sitting at his desk in the Oval similarly attired. Makes me think of Ronald Reagan, who so respected the office he held that he never entered the Oval Office without a coat and tie on...
I look at Obama and listen to him speak and I think "this has to be a bad dream"...
Will someone wake me up, please?
Obama has FUBAR'd this about as bad as it could be FUBAR'd.
ReplyDeleteI (almost) feel sorry for him at times, because he clearly doesn't get it.
-Dave
It is rather interesting that one can put a finger in a dike to stop leaks, but there comes a point where one runs out of fingers. I think that point has been reached for Obama. Also it has already manifested itself for the Congress and Democrats especially. Pretty soon most people will note the emperor has no clothes, the sycophants are corrupt and even the littlest of things are picked up.
ReplyDeleteRather interesting play of the power game during most of the beer summit. Power denotes that you have to be properly attired and the powerful one dresses as he sees fit. You have to care about others and power does not. Respect, demonstrated by protocol and decorum is a one way street demonstrated by the sloppy demeanor extended by the one in power to both attendees and to the American public.
The scales are falling from the eyes.
Anyone else notice Crowley's name and what it could be shortened to Im suprised no one on the left has noticed yet.
ReplyDelete