Rep. McCotter to introduce resolution demanding Obama ‘apologize’ to Cambridge police.
Rep. McCotter to introduce resolution demanding Obama ‘apologize’ to Cambridge police.
Despite his state’s unemployment rate topping 15 percent, Rep. Thaddeus McCotter’s (R-MI) highest priority right now isn’t the economy. On Friday, the Michigan Republican announced he will introduce a bill calling on President Obama to formally apologize to Sgt. James Crowley, the Cambridge Police officer who arrested Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates. McCotter said he would introduce the resolution unless Obama issues a public apology — a transparent attempt “to keep the Gates controversy alive”:
“He has said he will introduce the legislation if the President does not retract and apologize for his comments,” said Jameson Cunningham, press secretary for McCotter, when asked if Obama had already addressed his concerns. “As of now, no apology has been issued.”
On Friday, Obama called the arresting officer an “outstanding police officer” and said he should have “calibrated” his words differently. A statement by the Cambridge police said, “It is clear to us…that the president respects police officers and the often difficult and dangerous situations we face on a daily basis.”
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Hardly a Congressional matter.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:15 amDoin’ the People’s Work, Rep. McCotter.
Your district must be awful proud.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:16 amRep. McCotter to introduce resolution demanding Obama ‘apologize’ to Cambridge police.
– - Dead On Arrival. Move on, Congressman.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:16 amUm…I thought this kerfuffle was resolved, and President Obama and the Cambridge police were buddies again?
The only possible reason McCotter has for this silliness is to advance a “bash Obama” agenda. How transparent can one get?
July 27th, 2009 at 11:17 amWhat a huge waste of time.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:17 amSomeone should tack an amendment onto this resolution recognizing the legitimacy of Obama’s birth certificate.
Republicans will literally be exploding in the chambers of Congress as they try to decide how to vote on it.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:20 amThink of this clown when the fall elections are here. This is what you get if you vote for any repiggie, even for local office. They are all in on this crap, no matter what they may tell you.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:20 amtypcial. GOP kangaroo court now in session.
With no fresh ideas to help move the country forward, might as well obstruct and feed red meat.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:21 amThe Republican Agenda:
Politics over People
July 27th, 2009 at 11:22 amOnce again the Repignofascist Party focuses on issues that are really important to the fabric of the nation. This clown voted against the stimulus bill, won’t vote for health care reform, no doubt resuses to support legislation to work on global warming. However he has time to have his staff draw up a bill that doesn’t even involve a resident of his state. What pathetic dickwad’s these Repignofascists are. Is it the 2010 eleciton yet?
July 27th, 2009 at 11:26 amOnly to even be considered if Bush, Cheney, etc. apologize to all Americans and Iraqis for lying to the public & starting an illegal war. That’s an apology that should be demanded.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:26 amWhy doesnt he get bush to apologize to all the family`s he has destroyed with his war in Iraq. While bush is at it he can apologize to the whole country for putting us in such a mess with all his ridiculous policies.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:27 amThaddeus should apologize for being an idiot.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:27 amIt seems like the sole purpose of the Republic party today is to do everything in their power to block, diss and embarrass the President of the United States. What does that say about them? It’s no wonder only 21% of Americans call themselves Republics these days and that the Republics in Congress have an approval rating in the low teens.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:28 amdasm says:
Only to even be considered if Bush, Cheney, etc. apologize to all Americans and Iraqis for lying to the public & starting an illegal war. That’s an apology that should be demanded.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:26 am Vote Up | Vote Down | (0) | Report Abuse
I think a resolution for every dead Iraqi would be fair.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:29 am…Michigan Republican announced he will introduce a bill calling on President Obama to formally apologize to Sgt. James Crowley…
Because there’s nothing else on the whole planet that’s more important.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:29 amHmm.. I thought this was over? Aren’t the cop and Gates going to have a beer together? I find it ironic. After all the stupid crap Bush would spew from his piehole. NONE of these as*holes would ever, EVER demand HE apologize. Time to move on pal. But you can’t, can you? You are just another downtrodden, poor old white guy. Lord knows, you know misery.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:29 amI disagree with this resolution, Obama has pretty much already apologized.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:30 amGo back to the Sweathogs, McCotter.
PEACE
July 27th, 2009 at 11:30 amMaybe McIDIOT is waiting to get invited to Camp David when the Professor, the Sgt. and Mr. Obama get together for a BEER they talked about having together . .
Michigan VOTERS, what the hell were you people thinking with this jerk?
July 27th, 2009 at 11:30 amThis kind of resolution shows the utter lack of seriousness of the Republican congress people. Resolutions stating the sense of the House on important issues might be justifiable, even if they are basically fluff, but a resolution like this is just stupid. One wishes that the clown’s constituents would start howling, but they are probably too dim to care.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:31 amWhat an ass.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:31 amAnd Republicans wonder why they are more unpopular than the Clap.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:32 amThese wingnuts accuse President Obama of appionting all kinds of czar`s. I think Obama needs to appiont a whole team of czar`s` to deal with all the stupidity that the repugs keep throwing at him. How can anyone support a party thats only mission is to disrupt the POTUS.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:33 amLet’s see how fast this bill is NOT brought to the floor by Speaker Pelosi, or if somehow it is, is quickly voted down.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:34 amSo Obama is set up with a question intended to distract from the healthcare issue and take us into the realm of cultural and political division. Not only was the question a diversion, but I cannot see that Obama had any other option than to answer it. If he chose not to field that particular question or give some nonanswer, he would have appeared to be another weak minded, spineless political hack (George Bush comes to mind) with no courage to brave these dangerous waters. But instead he confronted this issue head on, and in particularly interesting language. He did not call the police officer a racist,nor did he call his behavior racist. He qualified his stand as biased before he began, at least as far as the personalities were concerned, his other biases made clearly obvious by racist wing nuts and supposedly educated republican pols. He said that the police acted stupidly. That, actually has been my experience with the p[olice. They are heavy handed, quick to unjustly punish disrespect (or cowering fear) with unjustified arrests which cause the victim uncalled for expense, aggravation, and uncertainty. In short, they choose to terrorize.
That was what, at the very least, the cop did. His motivations are still up for grabs as they always will be, but in this instance, by choosing the wrong victim, the police certainly did act Stupidly. They should learn from their mistakes. In my mind, no apology is necessary, and I’m certain, no apology will be coming. Obama is not some weak victim of the Right Woing. If only the Democrats in congress could figure that out for themselves.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:37 amLet’s get past this nonsense of the right wing, and let’s accomplish HEALTHCARE.
Did the repugs apologize for outing a CIA operative and operation?
July 27th, 2009 at 11:39 amThis is one of the most ‘Manufactured’ controversies I have ever seen. The time and effort MSM put into this is amazing. I guess anything is better than to actually ask about ‘C-Street. Or Health Care. MSM likes to keep it simple. Is their another story about the ‘Birther’s’ I’m sure MSM will find a way to exploit it.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:39 amUNREAL! This idiot McCotter has time to dedicate to this petty project but no time to dedicate to healthcare reform! Fugging unreal!
July 27th, 2009 at 11:41 amStupid is as stupid does, but stupidity is not illegal.
This Cop was stupid.
Prof. Gates acted stupidly.
Obama commenting on a domestic incident was stupid.
Can we move on now, please?
July 27th, 2009 at 11:41 amGood luck with THAT, Thaddeus “nutjob” McCotter.
What really upsets you repubs about Obama is that you cannot get under his skin and try to validate your bias regarding the fallacy of “the angry black man.” He will continue to ignore you, which is what he should do. If you deserved his attention, he’d be the first to say so.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:41 amRep. McCotter to introduce resolution demanding Obama ‘apologize’ to Cambridge police.
Its not like there are more important things for a Republican congresscritter to worry about, like a war going on, people without health insurance and an economy going bust because of crooked Wall Street…
Oh, wait… there is, doh!
I wonder if McCotter is a “birther” too, he seems dumb enough.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:43 amCongress has no authority to demand anyone make an appology. Besides Obama was right. The cop did something stupid. It was a simple statement of fact. Of course we all know how much republicans HATE facts.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:46 amI propose a resolution demanding that all republicans apologize to the world for electing Bush and Cheney into office, and demanding that the SCOTUS apologize for overstepping their authority in appointing Bush the first time around.
that’s a start, anyway.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:50 amI’m scared for this country. Like millions of others, every day I go into work, I wonder if this will be the day I get my ‘pink slip’ while this is what the repukes are doing in Congress.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:50 amI propose another resolution, demanding that McCotter apologize for advancing frivilous bills in congress.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:51 amHe’s sticking up for the officer who wasted time and public money by wasting time and public money.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:51 amBirth certificates?
How about certificates of sanity? McNut is in the Republic Party of juvenile attention getting. Aren’t we paying him to treat the public’s business seriously?
July 27th, 2009 at 11:52 amThis keeping the Black Man in his proper “place” when it comes to dealing with White Folks is straight out of the Sen. Sessions handbook. It is clear to anyone with eyes (to include Stevie Wonder) that the Repuppetcans are not a serious group. Where is the resolution about the lie told about Jessica Lynch’s “rescue”, what about apologizing to all of the families whose loved ones died for a LIE!
Where is the resolution calling on the former POTUS to apologize for playing guitar while AMERICAN citizens drowned in NOLA? Where is the resolution calling for Sen. Vitter to apologize for his scene at the airport? You know if there ever was such a thing as true justice, White Men would be rounded up by the hundreds everytime one of them committed a crime, no matter the description pick him up harrass him only because you were White. There would be outrage, and Congress would take severe umbrage at the notion that good ol red blooded American Boys were being treated as such. But hey its just us n-words, regardless of class, status, accomplishments, now even in your own house.
And yes where is the resolution of apology for Ms. Eleanor Bumbers I know, not important, and not newsworthy, but the media has a liberal bias, my ass. This story is over, profiling exist, and the right getting all riled up over it while they call the POTUS every name in the book and throw every sterotype at him daily have the effin nerve. Its now being said that he is showing his “blackness” now, this is just straight BS, and I wish the grownups would take charge again but there seems to be no hope, because the inmates own the asylum.
RIP
SGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 IN (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
I apologize for the emotion, no resolution needed.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:55 amThe time the press is spending on this thing is getting damn close to the time spent on lipstick on the pit bull. What’s the record? Two weeks?
July 27th, 2009 at 11:58 amYou know, I hope the people in these districts are paying attention to these idiots. If this guy and Michelle Bachman get re-elected, I have lost all faith in mankind.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:03 pmFinally, I propose a resolution demanding that all future frivious resolutions are held until a preemptive resolution to place the frivilous resolution on the floor is passed.
And I firmly resolve to not propose any more frivilous resolutions today until the issue is resolved resolutely.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:03 pmLizCoro says
July 27th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Michigan VOTERS, what the hell were you people thinking with this jerk?
___________________________________________________________
Oh, probably the same as Minnesota voters when they elected Bachmann. Or North Carolina voters when they elected Foxx. Or Iowa voters when they elected King. Or — I could go on and on, unfortunately.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:04 pmI’d expect nothing less from the Clown Party. I’d suggest that the Republican Party collectively hold their breathe and await this apology.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:05 pmFor god’s sake — Obama did NOT say the police officer was stupid. He said he acted stupidly. A subtle difference but a big difference none the less. Republicrats don’t seem to be able to comprehend nuance and wording very carefully. I’ve seen a picture of the police officer involved and of Professor Gates. It’s hard to believe a big armed police officer could be intimidated verbally by a man as small as Gates. Besides a police officer is supposed to know how to defuse situations like this. The real kicker? This particular police officer has taught diversity training for several years to other police officers. He should be an expert and know WHAT to do. He screwed up.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:20 pmHappy Hussein says:
Thaddeus should apologize for being an idiot.
His mother should apologize for shitting him out.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:21 pmWhat is it with the damned GOP and the demand for apologies? Are Bush and Cheney going to apologize for an immoral war that has cost thousands of deaths and 700 billion in spending?
July 27th, 2009 at 12:26 pm#40 — I’ve done some travelling and met lots of people of different cultures, colors, religions, orientations, preferences. What I have learned is that beneath all of those “superficial” differences, we are all pretty much alike. First of all, we all breath air, bleed red blood, and have many of the same expectations and goals — to live a fruitful life, to be able to take care of family and to do good. This isn’t to say there aren’t “bad” people — there are. Perhaps I’ve been lucky that most of the people I have met and gotten to know are good.
I am a caucasian female (boomer and Army veteran) and there are times I am so disgusted by what some of “my kind” have said and done, that I am ashamed to be caucasian.
I am appalled and repulsed by the overt racist behavior I have seen coming from people who keep making these derogatory comments about not only President Obama but other people “of color.” BTW, I hate the phrase “of color” — we ALL have color.
BTW, who is Eleanor Bumbers? I have not heard of her.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:30 pmFunny that Rep McCotter would use the words “abuse of power.” Just what I was thinking about the police officer’s actions.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:30 pmObama made a dumb statement, as Presidents and other politicians do from time to time. He apologized. He and the involved parties have moved on. If a resolution was introduced every time a President made a dumb statement, Congress would’ve ground to a screeching halt in the last administration (you know, more than usual).
McCotter really should watch his actions. His district may not have voted a Dem into office since ‘64, but the 11th DOES have a Cook rating of Even. In tough economic times, the people of MI head on home to unions and government intervention. Two GOP incumbents lost in ‘08…McCotter’s not looking so hot for next year.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:30 pmSomeone should tack an amendment onto this resolution recognizing the legitimacy of Obama’s birth certificate.
Republicans will literally be exploding in the chambers of Congress as they try to decide how to vote on it.
Second this.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:36 pmMy first impression Thud McCotter(from his Congressional photo) is that he must be a born-again,in-the closet-gay birther,combined with being a pamper-wearing bible-thumper, on the short list to take up residency with the “C Street Family” in the very near future!
July 27th, 2009 at 12:40 pmThat’s just my first opinion of the lout, all gained from his picture!
Helen Rainier
Good day to you, its always good to see meet another veteran.
Here you go.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_Bumpurs
My point is that when cops and blacks meet the results arent that good, even the white supremacist that killed the three cops in Pittsburgh was “arrested”. This cycle will never end.
RIP
July 27th, 2009 at 12:49 pmSGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 In (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
A repugniscum charges abuse of power against Obama for saying balcks are mistreated in America — that’s rich! Coming after the repugs administraiton who set the record for abuse of power – against all Americans in one form or another.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:50 pmCongress doesn’t have anything beter to do?
July 27th, 2009 at 12:53 pmThey didn’t have time in 8 years to investigate crimes committed by the Bush cabal, but they have time for this nonsense?
I hope he does introduce this bill. Since he is in the minority, the majority will be able to modify it by tacking on lots of interesting amendments and riders, and there is nothing the wingnuts can do about it except vote against the bill they proposed. If the Democrats wanted to make this bill more interesting, they could utterly destroy the Republican Party with it.
They should tack on amendments that Bush and Cheney and lots of other Republican fascists get to apologize for their misdeeds. Things like lying to start a war, torturing prisoners, ruining the economy, destroying our relations with the rest of the world, just to name a few. I suspect that the list of which Republicans that would be legally obligated to apologize for what misdeeds would be about as much work to put together as a public option healthcare plan, but I suspect the blogosphere might be willing to help.
They can specify how and when each and every Republican gets to make that apology, including exactly what they must say, and on what date. They can also stipulate that it be carried live on FOX news in continuous coverage for a year. In fact, they could stipulate the billo and limpballs make long apologies, to be read verbatim.
If any Republican refuses to comply with the apology law, they are to be arrested immediately, and imprisoned indefinitely where they will be waterboarded frequently.
Oh, and they can also decide that, because Obama has already apologized for calling the behavior of the police “stupidity”, he will not have to apologize again.
This is how you use a super majority you stupid weak-kneed Democrats. Throw Republican propaganda right back in their faces and play hardball.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:55 pmMcCotter must be looking for an apology the repugniscum way —
“I am sorry if anyone was offended.”
False sincerity is the hallmark of repugs – that is all they understand.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:55 pmIf this is the best the GOP has to offer, they deserve to become extinct.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:03 pmI got to tell you I’m not happy with the concessions that Obama has already made in this matter.
He was absolutly right in what he said and he is the head of the “executive” branch.
His backing off has given the bigots the impression that racism like this is ok.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:09 pmFact is that Gates committed the worst offence that exists in the policeman’s handbook: Contempt of Cop.
Credit where credit’s due, I got that from Joe Wambaugh’s “Blue Knight”. Bumper Morgan uses it quite often.
The cop that arrested Gates was no Bumper Morgan, but subscribed to the handbook.
This is a dead issue–too bad the media won’t see it that way.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:24 pmThe bill should be sent to a subcommittee to die.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:48 pmJust another lame Republican attempt to distract people’s attention from the real issues that are affecting the American public.
The 4 D’s of the Republican strategy during the Obama years: Delay, Distract, Distort, Deceive.
July 27th, 2009 at 2:06 pmNow that we know Sgt. Crowley is a liar, I think that the Democrats need to introduce a resolution for Crowley to apologize to the entire nation. The Cambridge police released the 911 call by the neighbor that never even mentioned race. Sgt. Crowley put in his report that he talked to the person reporting and that she said it was two black men with backpacks on their backs. The person reporting the crime never talked to Crowley and never said anything about black men and backpacks. She did mention suitcases on the porch, though.
Apparently Crowley wrote a false police report in a desperate attempt to cover up the fact that he overreacted and blew it by arresting Dr. Gates.
July 27th, 2009 at 2:13 pmThe president talks about a teachable moment. As an affirmative action admission to Harvard Law and a holder of scholarships (including one from a Saudi businessman), he has enjoyed the benefits of race and by not having African American roots has not suffered from historical prejudice. Michelle Obama has American roots but also has benefit from an elite status and admission to top schools. Reverend Wright also benefited from a good education and like Gates capitalized on Race. Obama unlike Barbra Jordan has chosen to hurt Afro American by supporting a cheap labor immigration policy. This has extended to Amnesty + for illegals that directly displace less educated Americans (including Afro American ) workers. Their complaint about police arrogance should be cast in a more race neutral way.
July 27th, 2009 at 2:58 pmI am sad to say I live in Thads district. :( But there is hope! Natalie Mosher is gearing up to take on Thad! Here is a link to her site. http://www.mosherforcongress.com/ She needs donations. We can’t defeat this guy! Even $5.00 would help. Throw this bum out!
July 27th, 2009 at 3:31 pmDear Rep. McCotter, Will you get your ass BACK TO WORK on some of the” major “issues we have going on now in this country! You are a disgrace and if you were working in the private sector you would undoubtedly be fired. Hey Thad, Do you have that quarterly report done yet? Uh, no boss I’ve been working on the brackets for the company badminton tournament! NOW GET THE F**K BACK TO WORK!
July 27th, 2009 at 3:35 pmIt’s can’t be any worse than the stupid house resolution by Democrat Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee honoring Michael Jackson.
July 27th, 2009 at 5:22 pmconservative guy says
July 27th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
It’s can’t be any worse than the stupid house resolution by Democrat Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee honoring Michael Jackson.
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I don’t think you’re going to get a whole lot of people claiming a resolution honoring Michael Jackson is important legislation.
Resolutions of this type are frequently introduced by members of both parties, and while I see them as time-wasters, they are pretty harmless (and I suspect are mostly done to give warm fuzzies to constituents).
But there’s a significant difference between a resolution honoring someone or something (a person, an organization, a holiday, or other entity) and a resolution demanding something of the President. If you’re going to demand the President do something, it’s prudent to make sure it’s something important and necessary, and not something destined to make you look foolish.
July 27th, 2009 at 5:34 pmWill this resolution mention the fact that the people responsible for keeping this story alive are the “Being driven around by others” Media like Rush-Hannity-Beck-Savage-O”lliey-that loud blonde lady-and the rest of the interchangeable right.
July 27th, 2009 at 6:59 pmTo mercantilist,
First, please stop embarrassing yourself and others with the reliving of the Rev. Wright. For every Rev. Wright we can throw up 3-5 right-winged, fanatical, preaching that lynching is ok, kkk card carrying, sleeping with little boys and girls, Republican “preachers”.
Secondly, affirmative action was perfected by your side, its just called something else, you know, nepotism, favortism, narcissim, being a Republican, and I dont think Mr. Steele and Mr. Thomas would take to kindly to that. But to be factual, the #1 recipient of AA is White Women.
Lastly, AFRO-AMERICAN, are you serious? I mean why dont you just say colored or go for the gold and say it N!@@er.
And if you dont believe that the police target Black males, not only are you dense, but maybe you could/should be the next Governor of Alaska.
http://fort-greene.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/prayers-for-shem-walker/
RIP
July 27th, 2009 at 7:16 pmSGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 IN (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
Thankfully McCotter isn’t my representative, but he is from my state. He only got 51% of the votes, and I think any decent opposition could knock him off in 2010.
However, even if he wins, he is a prime candidate for losing a seat due to redistricting (new census and Michigan likely losing a seat again) considering he only has his seat because in the last redistricting Rivers and Dingell were basically combined.
And yes, the Republicans here are just as crazy as elsewhere. Kind of a shame considering my mother considers Miliken and Romney (the dad of the toerag Mitt) some of the betyter governors in her lifetime, and they were Republicans.
July 27th, 2009 at 8:21 pmconservative guy
Yes it can be worse since it has been proven Obama was born in Hawaii so the Jackson amendment is connected with reality and this one isnt. Then again since you are way to stupid to even recognize reality I get why you cant tell the difference
July 27th, 2009 at 8:26 pmI mixed up what thread I was in but still McCotters resolution is NOT based in reality since the cop DID act stupidly and Obama has nothing to appologize FOR.
July 27th, 2009 at 8:54 pmThis gem of society must be channeling a kindergarten teacher.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:53 pmHere’s someone trying to make a difference & get Rep. McCotter out of office, Natalie Mosher. Donate to her here via ActBlue.
July 28th, 2009 at 10:32 am