Beer Summit Details: Obama Hails "Friendly, Thoughtful Conversation" (VIDEO)

UPDATE:

President Obama issued the following statement after his "beer summit" with Sergeant James Crowley and Henry Louis Gates Jr.:

"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."

Gates released a statement titled "An Accident of Time and Place " on his Website, The Root, in which he praised Obama and thanked police officers: "Let me say that I thank God that live in a country in which police officers put their lives at risk to protect us every day, and, more than ever, I've come to understand and appreciate their daily sacrifices on our behalf."

Here is an excerpt:

Sergeant Crowley and I, through an accident of time and place, have been cast together, inextricably, as characters - as metaphors, really - in a thousand narratives about race over which he and I have absolutely no control. Narratives about race are as old as the founding of this great Republic itself, but these new ones have unfolded precisely when Americans signaled to the world our country's great progress by overcoming centuries of habit and fear, and electing an African American as President. It is incumbent upon Sergeant Crowley and me to utilize the great opportunity that fate has given us to foster greater sympathy among the American public for the daily perils of policing on the one hand, and for the genuine fears of racial profiling on the other hand.

Gates told the New York Times that he first encountered the Crowley family in the White House library before the "summit" as each group was getting individual tours and that he walked over and shook the officer's hand:

"We hit it off right from the beginning. When he's not arresting you, Sergeant Crowley is a really likable guy.

Sgt. Crowley gave a press conference after the drinks, in which he said, "We agreed to move forward."

Watch the press conference:

And here is video of the actual beer-drinking:

**********************************************************************

As a very private "beer summit" gets underway in the Rose Garden, details remain scant since the "teachable moment' is closed to the press.

But, according to this pool report, Sergeant Crowley seems to be doing most of the talking, Henry Louis Gates is listening intently and President Obama seems to be in a good mood. And Vice President Biden has joined them - drinking Buckler, a low-alcohol brew.

But, according to this pool report, Sergeant Crowley seems to be doing most of the talking, Henry Louis Gates is listening intently and President Obama seems to be in a good mood. And Vice President Biden has joined them - drinking Buckler, a low-alcohol brew.

Here is the pool report:

Beers in the Rose Garden

It was, alas, only a photo op. The pool had no opportunity to ask questions as we were roped off about 50 feet from the group.

The big surprise: Vice President Joe Biden was at the table with the men. POTUS invited him to join the group this afternoon.

Clockwise, they sat around the round, white table in this order: Obama, Crowley, Gates, Biden.

The men were drinking beer from clear glass mugs and munching on peanuts and pretzels served in small silver bowls.

The beers:
POTUS: Bud Light
VPOTUS: Bucklers
Gates: Sam Adams Light
Crowley: Blue Moon

In the 30 seconds your pool was out there, Sgt. Crowley was doing most of the talking. Gates appeared to be leaning in, listening intently. At one point, POTUS laughed heartily.

Gates and Crowley wore dark suits. POTUS and VPOTUS were in white shirts, jackets off. POTUS had his sleeves rolled up.

Both Gates and Crowley brought their families to the White House and they toured the East Wing together before the sit-down. Gates brough his kids, fiance and father. Crowley brought his wife and kids. The men met POTUS in the Oval Office before moving out into the Rose Garden.

During the sit-down, the family members were given a tour of the West Wing.

Comments

[clueless JD]

06:55 PM on 07/31/2009

Crowley has made a case for indiscriminate police power all along. I wish we had somebody to represent those of us who saw this a an episode of what is fundamentally wrong with our police state.

[Pema]

06:19 PM on 07/31/2009

Is it me that I noticed the pizza commerical immediatly following the beer sumit. we are sheep, even here.

[pjchubbear]

06:06 PM on 07/31/2009

It's ironic that the talking-airheads at the Fox "opinion" Network complained that President Obama wasn't drinking American beer. Dah! Fox news was founded and is run by a foreigner.

[Harmony1812]

05:54 PM on 07/31/2009

If world leaders sat got together for a casual gatherings outdoors the world would be a nicer place. People in general are more receptive and less defensive in a natural setting.

[lyvwyr101]

05:39 PM on 07/31/2009

Recently I spoke to the ACLU, regarding police brutality.

They said-

(Paraphrasing) 'There is no job or profession in the US that automatically entitles you to "respect."

US citizens sign-or take no oath-requiring them to respect members of law enforecement. Not a legal requirement for anyone in the US.

If a cop feels that he/ she is entitled to respect, based on the badge-that may be a cop who MAY cross the line in future..

Further- an ACLU attorney-the speaker did not feel that HE was entitled to respect, by virtue of profession.

It's not a "given" for anyone in the US, based on profession..

No job or profession in the US "requires" respect.

American citizens have no legal requirment. No one takes oaths.

No one is "required" to respect members of any profession.

Also, the ACLU attorney stated 'he was completely-STILL-capable of doing his job-whether or not the public respected him.

Everyone should be-since US citizens "sign" or "swear to" no oaths like this.

Not a legal requiremen-not required to demonstrate it.

Law enforcement should still be capable of doing their jobs-even if not given the respect they may feel they're entitled to; but for which there is no legal requirement-that is binding on US citizens.

[lyvwyr101]

05:20 PM on 07/31/2009

Cops wear the uniform, the badge, take the oath?

They understand the requirements?

They understand the risks.

Cops:required to protect citizens.

That's why they wear a badge.

If their lives aren't supposed to be at risk to protect -then they're making "on the spot" judgement calls-shooting, tasering, or beating anyone looking suspicious.

That would also make them-on the scene-spur-of-the-moment-judge-jury-and executioner.


Quick list of people on the short end of judgement calls:

Sean Bell
Andrew Meyer
Brett Elder
Amadou "Ahmed" Diallo
Parnell Smith
Bernard Monroe
Antonio Love
Emily Delafield



A "judgement call" denies another man justice?

Denies him life or health?

No trial-a coffin-lifetime of disability caused by beating or tasering?

Many innocent people have been shot, killed, tasered, severely beaten-because cops consider themselves in danger.

If the fear level is this high.........................


Were all these people armed?

Or re:tasers-how many times have victims proven to be mentally, physicaly disabled-a language barrier?

Cops have tasered handicapped children, people in wheelchairs-the mentally ill-and physically disabled.

"Shoot, taser, or beat first-ask questions later?"

Happens a lot.

When did their lives-health and well-being become more valuable than ours?

Is't it their job to protect us-at sacrifice of their own lives if necessary?

Now, their lives are so much more valuable than ours, that they shoot, taser, or beat first-then justify the act?
A poor mentality-and a dangerous one for the public.

[lawrencemuh]

03:32 PM on 07/31/2009

i'm glad this guy reporting on MSNBC in not always on, can't stand the accent

[captaindoug]

02:42 PM on 07/31/2009

Leon K. Lashley

Would you be so kind as to mention the following to Mr. Gates and President Obama during your meeting with them:

One of the major problems stemming from the events of July 16 is that I, now known as 'the black Sergeant', have had my image plastered all over the Internet, television and newspapers. Subsequently, I have also become known, at least to some, as an 'Uncle Tom.'

I'm forced to ponder the notion that as a result of speaking the truth and coming to the defense of a friend and collegue, who just happens to be white, that I have somehow betrayed my heritage.

Please convey my concerns to the President that Mr. Gates' actions may have caused grave and potentially irreparable harm to the struggle for racial harmony in this country and perhaps throughout the world.

In closing, I would simply like to ask that Mr. Gates deeply reflect on the events that have unfolded since July 16 and ask himself the following questions:

'What can I do to help heal the rift caused by some of my actions?; What responsibility do I bear for what occurred on July 16, 2009? Is there anything I can do to mitigate the damage done to the reputations of two respected Police Officers?'

Thank you in advance,

Your friend,

Leon K. Lashley

[Astroboy]

03:29 PM on 07/31/2009

"Please convey my concerns to the President that Mr. Gates' actions may have caused grave and potentially irreparable harm to the struggle for racial harmony in this country and perhaps throughout the world."

*************************

LOL! You must have written that in a hyperbolic chamber.

[Derelict outlaw]

07:09 PM on 07/31/2009

Too funny you should be writing for the Onion.

[RedSoxGator]

02:32 PM on 07/31/2009

Lou Dobbs is questioning whether Obama is old enough to be drinking beer.

[WillT]

02:49 PM on 07/31/2009

HAHAHAHAHAHA Nice!

[cinemabon]

02:32 PM on 07/31/2009

I'm so glad the nation can ignore its energy dependence, crumbling infrastruction, and over priced medical system along with a banking system on the verge of collapse to focus on a phoney arrest in Cambridge... because we all know what is important... mindless chattle.

[WillT]

02:08 PM on 07/31/2009

Good stuff, i'm glad everyone got a chance to sit down and actually TALK to eachother and clear up any issues. It's unfortunate this got turned into some race issue between Police Officers and African Americans. Those, like any issues, are usually reflective of a minority, be it of "bad cops", or "disorderly African-Americans". Based on the Police Report i've seen Mr. Gates was being a handful (as anyone would be after all the traveling he did, to come home and not be able to get inside for some much-needed rest), but the fact that the issue is resolved and all parties are satisfied is good enough for me (since it's good enough for the parties envolved).

It would be good if that "hardline", "racially-biased" minority would make a bit of progress as well, and take a step into modern times lol.

[kicksave7]

02:00 PM on 07/31/2009

ENOUGH! In the words of our President...can we move on to other topics that are of concern? The media is fixated on this. After weeks of non-stop Michael Jackson coverage now we have to have weeks of coverage of this? Hey media, left and right, MOVE ON!

[paulbikes]

01:46 PM on 07/31/2009

POTUS drinks bud light?

really?

[jonez]

08:42 PM on 07/31/2009

Me too, can't help, hold over from the Navy.

[Don Quixote]

01:15 PM on 07/31/2009

What Gates wrote is absolutely brilliant. Metaphors indeed!

I was disgusted watching Crowley at our White House with that sh*t-eating grin on his stupid face. He commits a false arrest, racially profiles a distinguished scholar, puts a stain on his department and white officers as a whole, and instead of a reprimand or a lawsuit against him, he gets rewarded with the honor of personally meeting with the President at the White House. The teachable moment is what Faulkner once said:

"The past isn't dead and buried. It isn't even past."

[Michele Himmel]

03:57 PM on 07/31/2009

You have proof of all of your accusations? Didn`t think so.

[manahans]

10:46 PM on 07/31/2009

Just wait, Don Quixote, just wait. Sooner or later, it'll all come out in the wash.

[AcitizenNJ]

11:00 AM on 07/31/2009

I'd like to take this further as to the current relationship we as a whole have with the law enforcement at all levels we have today. Let's put aside the obvious here in that the women or man that puts on the badge of law enforcement should be given the respect they deserve considering the the duties they serve.

Which brings me to the point of law enforcement's mantra of " To Protect and Serve". Law enforcement's task by law is not to serve or protect you at it's foundation because they have no liability for any of their actions when performing these tasks. This has been re-enforced many times by the U.S. Supreme Court. We now live in many ways due to the events of 911 and even prior in a Police State. I ask this question, how many of you when going through your day and encounter law enforcement do an emotional self check to ensure that your doing nothing that can cause an engagement with them. ?

I'll end with and in my opinion this is all due to law enforcement's mission is to serve the state financially with every encounter they have with the public. My mantra is be nice to law enforcement because it just costs to much not too.

[dhinds]

12:08 PM on 07/31/2009

You are saying that the only guarantee one can have for being secure in one's home is to become a cop.