Obama Comes Out Swinging at Cynical GOP on Health Care, Addresses Race Issues in Prof. Gates Arrest

[dreamdancer 0]

sounding good...

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At a press conference in the East Room of the White House, President Barack Obama came out swinging tonight at Republicans who would aim to make the debate over health-care reform the president's personal Waterloo.

He finished the night with a big bang, when he took a question on a racially charged incident, and responded with ironic humor. In between, he was all wonk.

If the president sought to inspire the viewing public about the need for health insurance reform, he most certainly didn't do that. If he meant to reassure them that he's smart enough to know how to make it work, he may have succeeded. What he seemed to think he was there to do was to answer reporters' complex questions about complicated issues in a way that wouldn't sully negotiations taking place in Congress. And that he did quite well.

In his opening remarks, the president spoke firmly, lightly pounding his lectern, as he stressed the need for reform. Every day, he said, 14,000 Americans lose their health care coverage. Then, without naming names, he said of his adversaries across the aisle, "I’ve heard that one Republican strategist told his party that even though they may want to compromise, it’s better politics to 'go for the kill.' Another Republican senator said that defeating health reform is about 'breaking' me." (Allow me to name names for you: The first reference is to Bill Kristol, and the second, Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina.)

"So let me be clear," Obama continued. "This isn’t about me. I have great health insurance, and so does every member of Congress. This debate is about the letters I read when I sit in the Oval Office every day, and the stories I hear at town hall meetings. …This debate is not a game for these Americans, and they cannot afford to wait for reform any longer."

An early question from David Alexander of Reuters repeated a Republican theme regarding the president's August deadline for passing health-insurance reform legislation. The theme goes like this: "Hey, what's the rush?"

Obama repeated his refrain that nothing happens in Washington without a deadline. But then, citing the bills that came out of two House committees last week, and one in the Senate, as well as endorsements from a range of advocacy groups, representing "doctors, nurses, hospitals, even the pharmaceutical industry and the AARP," Obama got a little cosmic: "I think that means the stars are aligned, and we need to take advantage of that."

http://www.alternet.org/politics/141505/obama_comes_out_swinging_at_cynical_gop_on_health_care%2C_addresses_race_issues_in_prof._gates_arrest/

stay away from moving propellers - they bite
blue skies from thai sky adventures
good solid response-provoking keyboarding

[TomAiello 26]

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"So let me be clear," Obama continued. "This isn’t about me. I have great health insurance, and so does every member of Congress.

Curious them, that the best, easiest, cheapest and highest quality solution (opening up the federal employees plan to low income people and having the government pay their premiums) is not even under discussion, isn't it?
(perhaps Obama just wants to keep the riff-raff out of his doctor's office, the same as he wants to keep the riff-raff out of his daughters' school)

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com

[warpedskydiver 0]

It's an example of how everything is racially motivated if you do not approve of it, and you consider yourself black.

[rushmc 23]

Next battle? September.

Congrats and kudos to all who called their reps in Washington. It does make a difference.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[mnealtx 0]

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"So let me be clear," Obama continued. "This isn’t about me. I have great health insurance, and so does every member of Congress.

Curious them, that the best, easiest, cheapest and highest quality solution (opening up the federal employees plan to low income people and having the government pay their premiums) is not even under discussion, isn't it?
(perhaps Obama just wants to keep the riff-raff out of his doctor's office, the same as he wants to keep the riff-raff out of his daughters' school)

Maybe he and Congress need to be on this 'healthcare' plan they're wanting to push on the rest of us.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[winsor 236]

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It's an example of how everything is racially motivated if you do not approve of it, and you consider yourself black.

He's not black, he's a mulatto. Under apartheid, he qualifies as "colored" at best.

Oddly enough, with a Kenyan father and a US mother, he is a prototypical African/American. He is not, however, a negro.


Blue skies,

Winsor

[warpedskydiver 0]

[idrankwhat 0]

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Next battle? September.

Congrats and kudos to all who called their reps in Washington. It does make a difference.

Good to see you admitting that you favor political gamesmanship over solutions to the problem. But that's not news Marc

But on the serious side, if you really want to see why health care reform will end up being an expensive and ineffective shadow of the necessary reform, read this. Wanna put money on who actually writes the final legislation?

[Gawain 0]

Yeah...he swung so hard, Sen. Reid confirmed no Senate vote until after the recess.

His "tragic" examples during all his speaking last night had nothing to do with anyone not getting care.

The student who switched jobs, let his insurance expire, wake up from emergency surgery with a $10,000 bill. Let's see, emergency surgery, saves your life...looks like our care is the best to be found. ...but they had the audacity to charge for it!!!! How much is your life worth? Not worth enough to enroll in COBRA, which is a safety net.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[TomAiello 26]

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Good to see you admitting that you favor political gamesmanship over solutions to the problem.

The irony there is astounding.

You're using classic political doublespeak (if you don't favor my proposal, then you are against "solutions") to accuse someone of political gamesmanship.

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com

[rushmc 23]

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Next battle? September.

Congrats and kudos to all who called their reps in Washington. It does make a difference.

Good to see you admitting that you favor political gamesmanship over solutions to the problem. But that's not news Marc

But on the serious side, if you really want to see why health care reform will end up being an expensive and ineffective shadow of the necessary reform, read this. Wanna put money on who actually writes the final legislation?

If that is what you "see" then I am not the blind one.

First, I reget the "it is broken" crap.
Second, I know there are problems but what Obama and the Dems propose is not a "solution" but a take over.
Third, the next time you oppose a bill I will know what you called it when I called my reps.

Forth, the reforms that would help considerably are tort reform and relaxation of state mandates in what companies HAVE to cover. Open the borders and allow insurance carriers to compete and build plans that fit what consumers need, want and are willint to pay for.

But Obama's plan is NOT about health care. That is easy to see

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[rushmc 23]

Here is some "gamesmanship" for you...

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Democrats Turn on Each Other as Healthcare Bill Stalls

Thursday, July 23, 2009 12:16 PM

Article Font Size





Democratic divisions in Congress stalled President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul Thursday, with one frustrated senator urging his colleagues to move faster and a member of the House leadership suggesting lawmakers cancel their August vacation to finish a bill.

"It's time for them to fish or cut bait," Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said of members of the Senate Finance Committee, which has struggled to come up with a bipartisan bill to fulfill Obama's goal of expanding coverage to millions who lack it and containing rising costs.

The panel has waited too long and should push out a bill with as much support as it can get, Harkin said.

The second-ranking Democrat in the Senate, Dick Durbin of Illinois, hinted it would be tough to complete the work before August.

"Count the days," he said. "Either we're going to go into overtime or face the prospect of doing it after August."

In the House, Democratic leaders struggled to win over rebellious moderates and conservative rank-and-file party members who are demanding changes to the bill. The dispute has forced Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., to postpone work on the legislation for three straight days while he negotiates.

Waxman's committee is the last of three House panels trying to finish the legislation.

Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., the third-ranking House Democrat, said a 90-minute meeting of the leadership Thursday morning was particularly contentious. He said lawmakers should abandon plans for their monthlong break if the House hasn't passed a healthcare bill.

"We must stay here and get this thing done," he said at a news conference. "I feel very strongly about that . . . I think it will affect our standing with the American people if we don't do this."

Obama's ambitious timetable of votes in the House and Senate before the August recess continues to slip.

The president traveled to Ohio Thursday to deliver a fresh appeal for revamping the nation's $2.4 trillion system of providing medical care, part of his stepped-up, nearly daily campaign. At stake was a massive remake of the system that has been sought for decades, as well as the president's clout.

Obama met Tuesday with moderate and conservative Democrats concerned about the expense of the $1.5 trillion, 10-year House bill, tax increases and the impact on rural healthcare and small businesses.

On Thursday, leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus said they requested a meeting with Obama after watching the president negotiate with the fiscally conservative blue dog Democrats.

"We felt it was important that more than one voice be heard," said Donna Christensen, the congressional delegate for the U.S. Virgin Islands who is leading the caucus' healthcare efforts. "When we hear phrases like squeezing more savings out of the system ... we're concerned that what may be taken out will be provisions that are critical to our communities."

The mostly liberal black caucus wants to make sure that any reform retains core provisions such as a public health insurance option that guarantees coverage for everyone.

"We don't want to see them negotiated or eroded away," said Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill.

Rounding up Democratic votes is crucial for the leadership as Republicans are certain to oppose the legislation.

House Republican Whip Eric Cantor complained Thursday that too much of the burden of bankrolling a new healthcare system would fall on small businesses at a time when job creation is virtually nonexistent.

At the same time, the Virginia Republican said he doubts that a version of the plan in the House can win passage before members of Congress leave for their August recess. "If they're going to get this passed next week, it's going to have to be a changed bill," he said.

Cantor and Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., who is acting chairman of a Senate committee that has a key role in shaping the legislation, appeared on morning network news shows. Dodd said Congress must "stick with this." Senior White House adviser David Axelrod reiterated Obama's plea for lawmakers to act now.

"The bottom line here is right now healthcare premiums have doubled over the last decade. Out-of-pocket costs up by a third," he said. "Healthcare costs are growing three times the rate of wages."

"It's an unsustainable path," Axelrod added, "and the government is being crunched by it, businesses are being crushed by it. We have to respond."

Cantor and Dodd were interviewed on NBC's "Today" show and Axelrod appeared on CBS' "The Early Show."



© 2009 Associated Press.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[rushmc 23]

A little more maybe?

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sponsored by



Democrats Block GOP Health Care Mailing
July 23, 2009
By Jackie Kucinich
Roll Call Staff


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Democrats are preventing Republican House Members from sending their constituents a mailing that is critical of the majority’s health care reform plan, blocking the mailing by alleging that it is inaccurate.
House Republicans are crying foul and claiming that the Democrats are using their majority to prevent GOP Members from communicating with their constituents.

The dispute centers on a chart (view PDF) created by Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and Republican staff of the Joint Economic Committee to illustrate the organization of the Democratic health care plan.

At first glance, Brady’s chart resembles a board game: a colorful collection of shapes and images with a web of lines connecting them.

But a closer look at the image reveals a complicated menagerie of government offices and programs that Republicans say will be created if the leading Democratic health care plan becomes law.

In a memo sent Monday to Republicans on the House franking commission, Democrats argue that sending the chart to constituents as official mail would violate House rules because the information is misleading.

In their eight-point memo, which was obtained by Roll Call, Democrats identify a litany of areas where they believe the chart is incorrect.

For example, Democrats argue that the chart depicts a “Health Insurance Exchange Trust Fund” that is “simply a recipient of IRS funds, with no outflow. ... This is false.”

The chart’s illustration of low-income subsidies is also “misleading and false,” Democrats argue.

Congressional rules for franked mail bar Members from using taxpayer-funded mail for newsletters that use “partisan, politicized or personalized” comments to criticize legislation or policy.

The dispute over Brady’s chart is being reviewed by the franking commission, which must approve any mail before it can be sent. No decision had been made on the matter by press time.

Brady adamantly denied that the chart was misleading and said Democrats are simply threatened by the content of the graphic.

“I think their review was laughable,” Brady said. “It’s ... downright false in most of the cases. The chart depicts their health care plan as their committees developed it.”

“The chart reveals how their health care bureaucracy works, and people are frightened by it,” he added. “So this is their effort to try and discredit” the chart.

Republican Members have made 20 requests to mail a version of the chart to their constituents and have been told that the requests are being delayed while the commission reviews allegations that the chart is misleading.

“Hiding the truth about wildly unpopular policies is a Democrat specialty,” said one GOP aide. “I’d like to see the flow chart on how Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi plans on implementing the open and transparent government she keeps promising everyone.”

“We have initiated discussions with the minority to try and resolve current differences and are operating in good faith to achieve that goal,” said Kyle Anderson, a spokesman for House Administration Chairman Robert Brady (D-Pa.). The committee has oversight of the commission.

Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.), ranking member of the committee and a member of the franking commission, said through a spokeswoman that he is also aware of the situation and is working with the members of the franking commission to resolve the differences, but he added that he believed Democrats on the commission were overreaching.

“He strongly believes that the franking commission does not have the authority to deny Member communications based on partisan differences of pending legislation,” said Salley Collins, a spokeswoman for Lungren.

The franking commission is made up of three Democrats and three Republicans.

Republicans quickly embraced Brady’s chart, and over the past week about 50 Members have posted it on their Congressional Web sites or used it in a floor speech. It has also been posted on the home page of the Republican National Committee.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[rushmc 23]

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Yeah...he swung so hard, Sen. Reid confirmed no Senate vote until after the recess.

His "tragic" examples during all his speaking last night had nothing to do with anyone not getting care.

The student who switched jobs, let his insurance expire, wake up from emergency surgery with a $10,000 bill. Let's see, emergency surgery, saves your life...looks like our care is the best to be found. ...but they had the audacity to charge for it!!!! How much is your life worth? Not worth enough to enroll in COBRA, which is a safety net.

I cant even imagine the talk if Bush had spoken as "brilliantly" as Obama did last night. He looked very stupid over all.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[dreamdancer 0]

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It's an example of how everything is racially motivated if you do not approve of it, and you consider yourself black.

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Gates was arrested for disorderly conduct after neighbours called the police when they saw him and a black taxi driver attempting to force the jammed front door of his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

What transpired is disputed but after producing identification to show that he was at his own house, a row ensued in which Gates demanded an officer's name and badge number and accused him of racial profiling. The police sergeant then arrested him for disorderly conduct.

"This is what happens to black men in America!" Gates yelled to a crowd outside his house as he was handcuffed. Charges were later dropped.

The president, responding to a question at a press conference about the arrest, said Gates was a friend and that he was uncertain what role race played in the dispute. But Obama condemned the police and said the incident is "a sign of how race remains a factor in this society".

"The Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home," he said. "What I think we know, separate and apart from this incident, is that there is a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately. And that's just a fact."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/23/obama-race-henry-louis-gates

stay away from moving propellers - they bite
blue skies from thai sky adventures
good solid response-provoking keyboarding

[rushmc 23]

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It's an example of how everything is racially motivated if you do not approve of it, and you consider yourself black.

Quote

Gates was arrested for disorderly conduct after neighbours called the police when they saw him and a black taxi driver attempting to force the jammed front door of his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

What transpired is disputed but after producing identification to show that he was at his own house, a row ensued in which Gates demanded an officer's name and badge number and accused him of racial profiling. The police sergeant then arrested him for disorderly conduct.

"This is what happens to black men in America!" Gates yelled to a crowd outside his house as he was handcuffed. Charges were later dropped.

The president, responding to a question at a press conference about the arrest, said Gates was a friend and that he was uncertain what role race played in the dispute. But Obama condemned the police and said the incident is "a sign of how race remains a factor in this society".

"The Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home," he said. "What I think we know, separate and apart from this incident, is that there is a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately. And that's just a fact."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/23/obama-race-henry-louis-gates

It appears (and I am sure there is more yet to come out) the guy was an idiot and now he is throwing the race card to divert the shame from himself. Typical tactic used by those who think like Obama. (when it comes to race)

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[TomAiello 26]

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It appears (and I am sure there is more yet to come out) the guy was an idiot and now he is throwing the race card to divert the shame from himself. Typical tactic used by those who think like Obama. (when it comes to race)

I think this is probably one of those cases where both guys fucked up, and neither is willing to admit it.

Professor Gates probably was confrontational with the police officer, but his extremely eminent place in Black Academia (and Black America) means that no one is willing to admit that.

The cop definitely went overboard. Gates is practically an invalid. Handcuffing him was totally unnecessary, even if you wanted to take him in. And frankly, taking him in after you've established that it's his residence is just dumb.

If both men could have just looked each other in the eye at the time and said "shit, man, I fucked up, sorry about that..." They both would have gone their ways and no one would be worried about it.

As it is, we've got a giant, overblown political mountain being made out of a particularly silly molehill.

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com

[rushmc 23]

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It appears (and I am sure there is more yet to come out) the guy was an idiot and now he is throwing the race card to divert the shame from himself. Typical tactic used by those who think like Obama. (when it comes to race)

I think this is probably one of those cases where both guys fucked up, and neither is willing to admit it.

Professor Gates probably was confrontational with the police officer, but his extremely eminent place in Black Academia (and Black America) means that no one is willing to admit that.

The cop definitely went overboard. Gates is practically an invalid. Handcuffing him was totally unnecessary, even if you wanted to take him in. And frankly, taking him in after you've established that it's his residence is just dumb.

If both men could have just looked each other in the eye at the time and said "shit, man, I fucked up, sorry about that..." They both would have gone their ways and no one would be worried about it.

As it is, we've got a giant, overblown political mountain being made out of a particularly silly molehill.

I am not willing to throw the cop under the bus yet. As I said, I am sure there is more to come. The video of the idiot they arrested gets me suspect he got what he had coming but. on one point we agree, Obama's comments made a shit mountian out of an ant mound

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[Gawain 0]

Quote

Quote

It appears (and I am sure there is more yet to come out) the guy was an idiot and now he is throwing the race card to divert the shame from himself. Typical tactic used by those who think like Obama. (when it comes to race)

I think this is probably one of those cases where both guys fucked up, and neither is willing to admit it.

Professor Gates probably was confrontational with the police officer, but his extremely eminent place in Black Academia (and Black America) means that no one is willing to admit that.

The cop definitely went overboard. Gates is practically an invalid. Handcuffing him was totally unnecessary, even if you wanted to take him in. And frankly, taking him in after you've established that it's his residence is just dumb.

If both men could have just looked each other in the eye at the time and said "shit, man, I fucked up, sorry about that..." They both would have gone their ways and no one would be worried about it.

As it is, we've got a giant, overblown political mountain being made out of a particularly silly molehill.

He wasn't arrested for trespassing or B&E, he was arrested for disorderly. Neighbors reported seeing him following the cop out in front of the house as he was leaving the scene.

Prof. Gate's house had been broken into before. He should be grateful that a) a neighbor called the police; and b) that the police showed up and verified everything was okay.

Instead, Prof. Gates chose to play a card and lost. What sent this overboard, was when the President played the race/victim card. This issue will grow legs and brings to light many of the ideas that people suspect that the President does indeed harbor some racially biased ideals (all the Rev. Wright stuff should've done that already, but the press can't contain things as well now that there's no campaign).

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[idrankwhat 0]

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Here is some "gamesmanship" for you...

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Democrats Turn on Each Other as Healthcare Bill Stalls

Are you implying that the Dems should all march in lock step with the President? I know we saw a lot of that with the R's over the last decade but look where it got us. This is a difficult issue and I want it to be worked out through constructive debate. The last thing I want is for it to be rammed through on a short, artificial timeline. That's how we end up with things like the medicare drug bill. On the other hand, the longer it takes to build a strong bill the more time PHRMA has to beat/buy down Congress with $3 million a week. I suppose, in all fairness, we should find out how much the uninsured are donating to Congress.

[idrankwhat 0]

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A little more maybe?

So there are rules on using taxpayer money to send partisan misinformation to constituents?
Cool!

[rushmc 23]

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Here is some "gamesmanship" for you...

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Democrats Turn on Each Other as Healthcare Bill Stalls

You are allowed to take away from these articles anything you want. As for me, I am not implying anything.

Fact reamains Obama lost this round. I hope this is the start of a trend (based on what he has tried to accomplish to date)


Are you implying that the Dems should all march in lock step with the President? I know we saw a lot of that with the R's over the last decade but look where it got us. This is a difficult issue and I want it to be worked out through constructive debate. The last thing I want is for it to be rammed through on a short, artificial timeline. That's how we end up with things like the medicare drug bill. On the other hand, the longer it takes to build a strong bill the more time PHRMA has to beat/buy down Congress with $3 million a week. I suppose, in all fairness, we should find out how much the uninsured are donating to Congress.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[idrankwhat 0]

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Fact reamains Obama lost this round. I hope this is the start of a trend (based on what he has tried to accomplish to date)

Not agreeing, but tell me, who is it that loses if we don't reform health care?

Over the full projection period (2008-2018), average annual health spending growth is anticipated outpace average annual growth in the overall economy (4.1 percent) by 2.1 percentage points per year. By 2018, national health spending is expected to reach $4.4 trillion and comprise just over one-fifth (20.3 percent) of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

[TankBuster 0]

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The cop definitely went overboard. Gates is practically an invalid. Handcuffing him was totally unnecessary, even if you wanted to take him in. And frankly, taking him in after you've established that it's his residence is just dumb.

I would think handcuffing is standard procedure, with any arrest. Maybe some police officers on here can shed light on that - do they have a choice? Based on what's come out, with the hesaid hesaid nature of all this, I don't see how anyone can draw conclusions. Thats why the Buffoon in Chief should have stopped at "I don't have all the facts." He showed his true colors yet again ala Rev. Wright, by making sure to get in a jab about racial profiling, when it is simply not applicable in this case. The cop was called to investigate a possible break-in.

The forecast is mostly sunny with occasional beer.

[rhaig 0]

different games.

--
Rob