Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Beer flows as Obama tries to cool down a hot furor
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Beer flows as Obama tries to cool down a hot furor
AFP - Friday, July 31
WASHINGTON (AFP) - - US President Barack Obama sat down for beers with an eminent black scholar and a white police officer, in a White House happy hour designed to quell a countrywide furor over race.
ADVERTISEMENT
Obama welcomed Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates and police sergeant James Crowley for 6:00 pm (2200 GMT) beers around a white patio table in the White House Rose Garden, hoping to turn the page on a race row that erupted during a July 16 incident at the scholar's home.
The contretemps occurred when Gates -- arguably the foremost US scholar on African-American affairs -- was arrested after police received a call that two men might be attempting a break-in at a house in Cambridge, Massachusetts, home to Harvard University.
As it turned out, Gates was merely attempting to enter his own home when the door jammed. But Gates and Crowley exchanged heated words, and the professor was ultimately arrested for disorderly conduct -- charges that the Cambridge police department later dropped.
The arrest set the stage for one of the most highly anticipated White House happy hours in recent memory, which the president described as a "friendly, thoughtful conversation."
Obama suggested it was time to move on, saying in a brief statement that he hoped "that all of us are able to draw (a) positive lesson from this episode."
Earlier the president had downplayed the significance of the meeting, which has been dubbed a "beer summit" by the press, saying he was "fascinated with the fascination about this evening."
"I noticed this has been called the beer summit. It's a clever term, but this is not a summit, guys. This is three folks having a drink at the end of the day and hopefully giving people an opportunity to listen to each other. And that's really all it is," Obama told reporters in the Oval Office.
The comments did little, however, to quench the media's thirst about the trio's beer bash, which grew to a foursome with the surprise addition of Vice President Joe Biden.
But the White House media pool was kept at bay, shuttled to the far side of the Rose Garden for a 30-second photo opportunity that yielded no chance to ask questions or listen to the conversation.
Crowley addressed reporters after the meeting at a nearby office building, where he said the group "had a cordial and productive discussion," but when asked if anyone apologized over the incident two weeks ago, the sergeant said "No."
"I think what you had today was, two gentlemen agreed to disagree on a particular issue," Crowley said.
Obama, the nation's first African-American president, had earlier become enmeshed in the controversy, saying police had "acted stupidly" by arresting his friend after establishing that Gates had been in his own home.
Gates, in a statement, said the furor and the subsequent White House meeting have provided an opportunity "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."
"The national conversation over the past week about my arrest has been rowdy, not to say tumultuous and unruly," he said.
"But we've learned that we can have our differences without demonizing one another."
The arrest sparked an intense national discussion as to whether police rushed to stereotype a black man as a potential criminal -- even a bookish middle-aged one such as Gates -- solely based on his race.
But public outrage also swelled over Obama's choice of words, and his hasty characterization of what had happened.
It provided an opening for right-wing commentators to criticize the president as well, including one who accused Obama of being racist against whites.
The president also has suffered in opinion polls because the flap, especially with white and independent voters.
A poll Thursday by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center found that, overall, 41 percent of Americans disapprove of Obama's handling of the situation, while fewer than three in 10 approve.
Some critics say the president maligned Crowley, a well-regarded officer in Cambridge who trained others in his department on the perils of racial profiling.
The controversy ends the first six months of Obama's presidency in which he managed not to be defined by his race, but Obama said he hoped the chat would offer a chance for reconciliation.
In the Rose Garden, Crowley and Gates, dressed in dark suit jackets, sat next to one another while Obama, in white shirtsleeves, sat next to the sergeant and Biden alongside the professor.
According to the White House, Obama drank Bud Light, Gates was served Boston local brew Sam Adams Light, and Crowley drank Blue Moon. The vice president drank a low-alcohol Buckler.
Crowley said he and Gates agreed to meet again in the near future, although he declined to provide a location and hinted that alcohol would not be involved.
Even as beer diplomacy was in full swig, Americans were left wincing over a related race scandal.
Boston police have suspended officer Justin Barrett, who wrote a racist e-mail rant about coverage of the Gates-Crowley clash in which he compared Gates to a "banana-eating jungle monkey."
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Obama's Presidency
Beer flows as Obama tries to cool down a hot furorAFP - Saturday, August 1
As indicators point up, Obama sees end of slumpAFP - Thursday, July 30
Senate panel to approve Obama Supreme Court pickAFP - Tuesday, July 28
Obama calls for US, China to shape futureAFP - Tuesday, July 28
Related Articles: World
Over 1,000 Afghan civilians killed this year: UNAFP - Saturday, August 1
Iran to try 30 'rioters' SaturdayAFP - Saturday, August 1
Eurozone deflation deepens as prices fall 0.6%AFP - Saturday, August 1
Afghan clash 'kills 11 militants, one policeman'AFP - Saturday, August 1
Organic food not healthier, says British studyAFP - Saturday, August 1
Enlarge Photo
The three beers on the menu for the so-called White House "Suds Summit" are seen in this photo illustration in Washington, DC. President Barack Obama sat down for beers and snacks with a white police officer and an eminent black scholar at the White House Thursday in a bid to quell a national furor over racial profiling.
Related Photos
Slideshow US elections 2008
Related Full Coverage
Obama's Presidency
What change will Obama bring? Will it affect the rest of us globally?
All Full Coverage
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Custody deal agreed for Jackson's children
Sunbeds elevated to top cancer risk level: WHO
Beer flows as Obama tries to cool down a hot furor
Comets probably won't cause the end of life as we know it: study
Doctor gave Jackson drug that killed him: CNN
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Friday, 31 July 2009 British Iraq war inquiry will call Blair: chairman
Majorca lockdown after car bomb kills police
Iran police clash with protesters on mourning day
New jobless claims higher in past week
With a few beers, Obama tries to patch up a race furor
Energy giant Shell profits slump on weak oil prices
Taliban call for boycott of Afghan polls, 'jihad'
Custody deal agreed for Jackson's children: statement
Taliban threaten Afghan poll, deadly month nears end
| International
|
ExxonMobil profit slumps 66%
China committed to enforcing North Korea sanctions: U.S.
| International
|
Israel says investigating 100 Gaza war complaints
| International
|
Airbus recommends speed sensor switch after crash
| International
|
Nigerian Islamic sect leader killed in detention
| International
|
Cuba to create agency to fight corruption cancer
| International
|
Iraq acknowledges deaths at Iran exile camp
| International
|
Motorola rebounds, posts profit
Videogame industry looks for second-half comeback
| Technology
|
iPhone vulnerable to hacker attacks: researchers
| Technology
|
US to release young Afghan detainee from Guantanamo
Yahoo gets hard look from investors following deal
| Technology
|
New jobless claims higher in past week
Senate passes energy and water bill
American Samoa gov. seeks help with minimum wage
Correction: Hawaii Health Insurance-Glance
Jury hands man life sentence in Arizona shootings
India inflation in negative terrain for 7th week
Taiwan's TSMC Q2 net profit soars
Mazda posts net loss in Q1, but cheers record China sales
Pakistan's forex reserves fall to $11.77 bln
Japan's NEC announces Q1 loss
Japan's Fujitsu sees red
Softbank outshines DoCoMo in Japan's cellphone battle
Pakistani c.bank closing forex window for diesel
Just A Minute With: Ashley Tisdale on her rising career
| Entertainment
|
Moore's credit crunch film tops bill in Venice
| Entertainment
|
Albania to allow gay marriages: PM
Photographer Leibovitz sued for breach of contract
| Entertainment
|
Singapore visitor arrivals down 11.5% in first half: govt
Taiwan bans international match-making services
Update: Baby Cut From Mother's Womb Found Alive In New Hampshire, Robber-Killer Arrested
Rain, smoking bans dampen German beer sales
White House Beer And Chat Moved To Rose Garden
Reconciliation falters in Kenya's explosive Rift Valley
NASA Defends New Moon Mission Rockets Before Panel
East German Stasi feared Michael Jackson Berlin gig
| Entertainment
|
Pregnant Women To Get First Shot At Swine Flu Vaccine
Obama's Approval Rating Slipping; Economic, Healthcare Approval Declines
Wanting Clean Bathroom, Man Gets Hazmat Team, Trip To Hospital
White House Names Stephen Hawking, Jack Kemp, Sidney Poitier As Medal Of Freedom Recipients
Men at Work loses first stage of copyright lawsuit
Report: Goods In Canada Only 6.8 Percent More Expensive Compared To U.S.
Poll Finds Californians Turning Away From Schwarzenegger, Obama
Alexander Becomes First Republican Leader To Support Sotomayor
Computer giant Dell fined in Taiwan over consumer dispute
Fast new Internet link slow in reaching African users
Motorola rebounds, posts profit
British govt: we did not do enough for troops
Briton wins landmark ruling on assisted suicide
Myanmar court delays Suu Kyi verdict to August 11
| International
|
US military reviews use of social networks
Eurofighter deal to be inked: sources
Japan LDP tries to steal opposition policy thunder
| International
|
Iran police clash with protesters on mourning day
MySpace launches myspace.com email
German regulator says HRE rescue saved banks worldwide
U.S. envoy says Sudan sanctions should be eased
Microsoft CEO 'surprised' by market reaction to deal
Iran police break up memorial for protest victims
| International
|
Pfizer, Nigeria sign $75 mln settlement in drug suit: official
Pirate Bay website banned in Netherlands
Iraq says 11 dead in Iran camp as Amnesty seeks probe
Israel military holds criminal probes over Gaza war
Honduran rulers insist Zelaya cannot be president
| International
|
Presidents meet for security summit in Tajikistan
Comets probably won't cause the end of life as we know it: study
Nigerian militant leader shot in police custody
| International
|
U.N. council extends mandate of Darfur peacekeepers
Police car blown up during summit in Tajik capital
| International
|
CORRECTED
Japan kid payouts may win votes, not up birthrate
| International
|
US insists on six-way talks for NKorea
Myanmar delays Suu Kyi verdict to Aug 11
Drum roll for the first robotic gamelan orchestra
| Technology
|
Yahoo gets hard look from investors following deal
| Technology
|
Obama backs Philippine peace push
YouTube wedding video sends Chris Brown to charts
| Technology
|
US envoy warns of possible new sanctions on North Korea
Hazardous Chemical Fire Causes Evacuation Of Bryan, Texas
Microsoft CEO surprised at Yahoo deal reception
| Technology
|
U.S. jobless claims rise, but trend seen slowing
Schipper snags fly gold ahead of Olympic champ Liu
Judge Orders Release Of One Of Youngest Gitmo Detainees
GOP senator tamps down hopes for health care bill
EBay says no changes to Skype IPO plans
| Technology
|
U.S. Treasury sanctions North Korea trading firm
Update: White House Four-Way Beer And Chat Takes Place
Foxconn suicide turns spotlight on China counterfeiting
| Technology
|
Heavy rains flood Shanghai: state media
House panel goes back to work on health care
Thai PM warns against royal pardon petition for Thaksin
SD court overturns Alaska man's death sentence
Australia's Watson lands opening blows
Taiwan reports first death from swine flu
Japan's Mizuho Financial posts small Q1 loss
Japanese unemployment hits six-year high
S.Korea buys dlrs to cap won's gains -traders
Korea Hot Stocks
South Korea bonds steady early as key data awaited
Japan's jobless rate hits six-year high of 5.4 pct
Seoul shares rise; Samsung Elec up, eyes on data
Suzuki says no plans to exit Canada plant venture with GM
Jackson mother gets custody, Rowe gets visits
| Entertainment
|
Funny People laughing loudest at box office
| Entertainment
|
Swine flu scanner at Indonesian president's house
Hamas sponsors mass wedding in Gaza
Hollywood stars visit Havana amid U.S.-Cuba thaw
| Entertainment
|
New Michael Moore film in Venice film fest line-up
HBO renews Hung, True Blood, Entourage
| Entertainment
|
Organist wins share of 'Whiter Shade of Pale' royalties
Zuma's daughter lands role in South African soap
Last minute concert tickets hot items in recession
| Entertainment
|
Gaza kids seek kite world record in uplifting moment
YouTube wedding video sends Chris Brown to charts
| Entertainment
|
Black Eyed Peas set record on U.S. singles chart
| Entertainment
|
Bald Songbird Discovered In Remote Area Of Laos
'Radical' Jet To Take Tourists To Space
Wanting Clean Bathroom, Man Gets Hazmat Team, Trip To Hospital
Amy Winehouse's Father Faked A Heart Attack In Attempt To Scare Her Off Drugs
London Fog Airbrushed Gisele Bundchen's Baby Bump Out Of Her Latest Ad Campaign
Queen Elizabeth Delighted By School Kids' Underwear Designs For Her Majesty
Saudi Bank Officials Get Flack For Dance Video
Officers Suspended For Running Background Check On Obama
Energy-Burning 'Brown Fat' Discovery May Help Combat Obesity
Strong Perfume Prompts Panic At Texas Bank
Medvedev in Central Asia to bolster Russian clout
Bombs kill at least 28 near Baghdad mosques
| International
|
Afghan clash 'kills 11 militants, one policeman'
Organic food not healthier, says British study
Eurozone deflation deepens as prices fall 0.6%
US drones to target Taliban in Afghan war: report
U.S. troops killed in deadliest month of Afghan war
| International
|
Michael Jackson's Autopsy Results Delayed Indefinitely
BA announces £148m loss, says outlook uncertain
Iran's Ahmadinejad warns rivals their plans will fail
| International
|
Men Arrested Over Home Sneak-In Of SJP And Matthew Broderick's Surrogate
Cuba's Communist Party postpones key congress
| International
|
Sony Taps Google To Offer 1 Million E-Books
Bus crash involving Dutch tourists kills six in Spain
Katherine Jackson Gets Custody Of Michael's Kids; Debbie Rowe Agrees On Visitation Rights
Pakistani court says Musharraf trampled constitution
| International
|
China says Xinjiang riot media openness a success
| International
|
Men At Work Loses First Round Of Plagiarism Lawsuit
Ex-Soviet states meet for 'Russian NATO' summit
Former Jaipur Queen Gayatri Devi Dies At 90
U.N. experts ask Azerbaijan to stop free speech curbs
| International
|
Afghan war spreads to residential areas: U.N. report
| International
|
Nepal Gurkhas name beauty spot after 'Ab Fab' star
British hacker loses bid to avoid US extradition
Japanese unemployment hits six-year high
Beer flows as Obama tries to cool down a hot furor
British hacker loses U.S. extradition appeal
| Technology
|
One-child policy debate reignited in China
Texas chemical fire forces evacuation of 72,000
Emotional reunion for long-lost mongrel 'Muffy'
Reid says more cuts ahead for Yucca Mountain
Australia says Uighur leader is no 'terrorist'
Future of McNair's charity work is questionable
Indonesian 'sex cult' leader jailed: report
Obama to award Presidential Medal of Freedom to 16
US mulling European missile defense alternatives
S.Korean fishermen face N.Korea probe
Russia starts building major Asian gas pipeline
Japan's MUFG first quarter profits soar 48%
US GDP will offer clues on end of recession
23 films vie for Venice's Golden Lion
Seoul shares up 1.5 pct, post 12 pct rise in July =2
China July new loans below 500 bln yuan: report
Thailand's wine gets a woman's touch
Japan's ANA flies into red with $300 mln loss
Fall in SKorea industrial output eases in June
Pakistani stocks up over 3 pct on IMF loan hopes
S.Korea won at 9-1/2-mth closing high on stocks
Meryl Streep emerges as summer box-office sensation
| Entertainment
|
'Gilligan's Island' actress has auction in Idaho
Ashley Tisdale breaks out of 'High School' mode
Ang Lee attends NY screening of 'Taking Woodstock'
Photographer Leibovitz sued for breach of contract
| Entertainment
|
UK court rules in favor of Procol Harum organist
Update: Space Shuttle Endeavour Lands Safely In Florida
ESPN reporter complains of harassment in 911 call
Update: Space Shuttle Endeavor Cleared To Land; Begins Deorbit
Amid Declining Approval Ratings, Obama Holds First Cabinet Retreat
Emmy changes: Some awards to be taped
U.S. Economy Shows Sign Of Recovery As Q2 GDP Contracts By 1.5%
Ruling delayed on `Brutal Legend' release
House Panel May Finish Healthcare Bill Friday; Progressives Warn Against Compromise With Blue Dogs
Space Shuttle Endeavour Prepares For Friday Landing
Americans Spending Billions Out-Of-Pocket On Alternative Medicine
Update 2: After White House Beer Summit, Prof. Gates And Sgt. Crowley Agree To Meet Again
House Passes $636B Defense Budget Without F-22 Funds
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights