Obama Walk of Shame?
By LisaB on August 2, 2009 at 5:10 PM in Current Affairs
(bumped up from Saturday early afternoon)
American Thinker has two photos that raise fascinating questions about the relative compassion of Barack Obama vice George Bush.
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.
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?
AT goes on to say this picture could be emblematic of what could happen to seniors in Obamacare. But the real gotcha was a picture of GWB helping Sen. Robert Byrd.
So who is the real class act here?
(Release: November 13)
on sale for only $16.95.
has a spatula.)
8% Off at $11.95, with a rare five-star ranking by 294 customers: 
And check out these: 
("This crazy redhead is on to something. Her pink Rambler story alone is worth the price of the book," writes 
- “Richard Sale’s reportage on Washington, the CIA, the American armed forces, and foreign intrigue has created a perfect background for this account of the steady growth of President Clinton as a master of the game of nations.”--W. Patrick Lang, former head of Middle East Operations, DIA
"Anne C. Heller's stunning biography of Ayn Rand" uses a "plethora of newly unearthed research and fresh insight."
Sorry I don’t jump to conclusions here. Perhaps Obama thought it best to leave Gates and Crowley with each other.
There is no need to stretch like this to criticize Obama.
Seriously! This is a stretch even for Obama-phobes. This is almost as bad as the time the nutters went crazy because Obama likes mustard on his hamburger.
It’s gracious of you to attribute this to ‘nutters.’ It was only Obama’s adoring main stream media entourage that spoke about Grey Poupon.
A thoughtful friend would take the side of Gates, Gates after all has two sides.
As for ‘nutters’ that has to be you two for apologizing for anything and everything Obama, especially the little stuff, and you defend Obama as he is in lock step with Dubya on the abuses of power and civil liberties, escallations of wars we cannot possibly win, his affinity to corporations who have bought him and his lack of transparency. None of us wanted 4 or 8 more years of Bush but we sure got it with Obama!!
You’re so right. It’s a teachable moment. HAHAHA.
He keeps poupon on ya dude. Quit sleeping on Owsley’s floor.
Pathetic.
“When someone shows you who they are. Believe them”-Maya Angelou
Oh he’s so wonderful – NOT Business must love him he’s sure not done anything for AMERICA
You folks will do about anything to make excuses for Obama, but this one won’t work. A picture is worth a thousand words and this tells how detached Obama is from consideration of anyone other than himself or his own.
The few seconds the two gentlemen were alongside each other was hardly time enough to ‘bond’ or whatever the writer was trying to suggest. How much time did they spend together in the White House before they came outside? No bonding time there?
No, Obama just showed that he doesn’t even observe (unless publicly exposed) the simplest act of common decency and compassion.
O-zero sums it up.
It’s not a stretch. A picture is worth a thousand words. This is Obama’s FRIEND. His original statement, plus the non-apology apology revealed an arrogant man who cannot do what honest people do: admit it when they make a mistake.
Just makes you wonder who the real host of this event was.
Give me a break. He didn’t even know this was going on. He got his “arrogant asshole walk” going and never looked back.
Thanks LISA..
This says so much..and leaves such a Deep Impression on My Thoughts and heart..
We don’t need to leap to judgment like people did about Crowley and Whalen.
Who’s leaping – just a swagger
corn cob in butt and all
Even if I were the emperor, a friend of mine who needed assistance to walk down steps would have MY arm.
I think we can deduce who was raised with the best manners.
Even if the photo implies nothing negative against Obama, it certainly says something positive about Crowley. So no matter what, I think the photo proves Crowleys basic decentness.
I think yours is the correct read on it. It does say something nice about Crowley and it’s good he and Gates had this moment.
As far as Obama walking ahead, rather than walking level with his guests, or at least looking to Gates to see that he was all right…
I am also reminded of the day the news broke about Teddy Kennedy being rushed to the hospital last year. Obama’s comment: “He was one of my favorite people.” Umm…was? The man is still alive a year later. Considering Kennedy was and is such a big of champion of his, you’d think he might have “calibrated” his comment a little more carefully.
Yes, notice how carefully he steps–staying right in line with the professor to give him the leverage and balance he needs. This picture is worth a 1000 words.
Why would they go down the stairs when Gates was handicap? Don’t they have a ramp?
Depending on the handicap, ramps can be more difficult than stairs.
Regardless of what this says about Ozero, it shouts loudly that nasty comments that Gates made about Crowley were based on Gates acting badly and not anything about Crowley.
Oh yes, I forgot. Someone captioned this photo as:
“A cop, Skip and a Chump from the White House”.
Best caption ever!
i was JUST going to add that. I saw that on HA I think. SOOO funny!!!
rotfl.
I was thinking of the caption:
But I wouldn’t want to offend anyone so I retract the thought.
To me it says more about Crowley than Gates.
Throught out this whole ordeal Crowley has remained the calm one, even at the house.
I really am surprised that the WH crew didn’t think about the impression this image suggests. I mean they’re all about “image” and massaging the message.
Somewhat OT but I read this morning that Professor Gates sent Whalen flowers and a note. A decent thing to do under the circumstances. She definitely got the dirty end of the stick.
And in my mind, it suggests that even Gates realizes that this whole dustup had unintended consequences, and that it didn’t necessarily make him look terribly good.
But I give him a point for a good gesture.
PS, I am with you. Setting aside any other aspect of this occasion, this is what really struck me about this photograph. That is, is this the caliber of staff he has, who would fail to discern the problematic nature of this picture, on its face? Yes, of course, the circumstances could have been completely innocuous. But on the other hand… This was a WH photograph, issued by the WH. Didn’t anyone think, even for a second, people could get the wrong impression?
Maybe not everyone on his staff likes his oneness
Wasnt one of his agents recently fired…well not recently but about 4 weeks ago…
Strange I found in on Yahoo and it disappeared
I heard on a local talk radio station that one of the secret service men asked to be reassigned because he was tired of hearing inappropriate racial comments being made by family members.
I don’t know if this is tru or not, but it certainly bears investigating.
How embarrassing would it be for the Obamas to be found saying anti-white slurs in our White House?!
And how NOT surprising?
Maybe Rev Wright was visiting
Perhaps his staff was too busy making sure the entire press corp reported that Joe Biden ordered a non-alcoholic beer?
jbjd, I wonder if White House staff sees this “apartness” as emblematic of Obama’s superiority over the rest of the human race. I’d be willing to bet they barely looked at Gates and Crowley…that all they saw in this picture was a symbol of Obama “leading the way”.
The inability of this administration to think beyond the next five minutes is depressing. It may ultimately be the reason Barack Obama is a one-term president.
It would seem to an ordinary person that a friend would help a friend with a disability. Just sayin…
That seems how it should be to me. And I’m quite ordinary, as it were.
Maybe it was that moron Gibbs who chose the photo? Or “what’s his name” the groper.
Geesh. Where do they find these folks?
Wow. Um… Gates was already being helped down the stairs? Wouldn’t have been kind of strange for Obama to be helping too? Plus don’t you think the photo of Gates being helped down by the police officer was exactly the moment that Obama was hoping for? This wasn’t about Obama – it was about Gates and Crowley.
It’s really getting disgusting the things that Obama-haters will complain about. Seriously, get a hobby.
Your hobby is trolling here. Or do you still get paid for it?
I think they still get paid. It’s part of the stimulus package.
Now we know were the money’s going
No, as always it was all about Obama – attempting to repair the damage he did by bulldozing his way into a local case and inflaming the situation – while not in possession of the facts. Gates and Crowley were merely props in the whole ridiculous “Beer Summit”
So, you’re saying that Obama, having noticed that Crowley was helping Gates, decided to rush ahead of the two of them to get out front? Wow, that doesn’t speak well to The One’s character either.
Or, are you saying, that Obama was out in front knowing that Crowley would help Gates down the stairs and offer them a moment together to help heal the situation? You’ve got to be kidding me!
Maybe, it never crossed The One’s mind to help his disabled friend because he has no capacity to think beyond himself. Any appearance to the contrary is only a means to a goal and is usually scripted. His true self shines in these unscripted moments and casts an ugly shadow.
Anonymouse doesnt know what hes saying, hes a grade B troll.
Somehow Obama magically warped in front of Crowley as he helped Gates down the stairs. As Crowley had rudely rendered Obama’s help redundant, Obama decided to walk ahead and make sure the path was clear and safe for the professor. Thats his story, and hes sticking to it.
Obama is all about the Obama, and this is yet another picture to illustrate it. Like when they catch Michelle making dagger eyes at France’s first lady. Its hard to keep up the facade 24×7.
As the Glorious One always reminds us, He is the President ya know
“Maybe, it never crossed The One’s mind to help his disabled friend because he has no capacity to think beyond himself.”
BINGO!
Maybe TBP Obama knows that Gates isn’t really “crippled”, but is in fact using the cane as prop for his “unthreatening, little , old man” act. The more to make Crowley look like a bully.
excuse me, a-Nony-Mouse, but it’s ALWAYS about Obama, just ask him.
Oh PUH-LEZE …. it’s ALWAYS about 0bama. First, last, always about 0bama …. I snorted my coffee out my nose at the suggestion otherwise.
Mouse, you have a long history here of excusing absolutely anything Obama says or does, so you have zero credibility.
Obama walked ahead of them. HE is the one who could have and should have stayed in line with them and helped. Two hands are always better than one!
Everyone knows that the king always walks several paces ahead of his subjects.
The picture says that Obama cares more about himself than any one else. This is his “teachable ” moment.
Yes; and let’s hope the millions saw this, learned.
You’re right about that. However, it would have been more polite, more appropriate, and more hospitable if Obama had calibrated his pace and walked together with his invited guests. To race ahead, even if he wanted them to “have time together,” was just boorish. If he wanted them to have time together he could have left them alone at the table for awhile.
I don’t necessarily ding Obama for not helping, but I do credit Crowley with being considerate and kind to Gates. As it was, Obama was on the cane side, so he would have been of little help. That said, the boorish Obama needed to walk with his guests, not leave them in the dust.
I think it was more of the one seeing the pretty sparkling camera; so shiny. As usual he was attracted to it, like a moth to a flame.
Sorry but walking behind the President…????
Reminds of how poeple/peasants had to walk behind rulers or those of higher social standing in the old days. Actually I think there are some countries that it still holds true.
It’s good to be king. The time-honored traditions associated with walking with a monarch are well codified:
Thee One was simply being courteous to His guests, who may have been unschooled in royal protocol, by keeping a few steps in front, so as not to embarrass them.
We know that O is familiar with these customs, as he showed by his deep bow before King Abdullah of Saudia Arabia:
http://www.latourdulac.com/manners/Elizabethan.html
Anyone who honestly thinks Crowley is a racist after seeing this photo is an idiot.
walking the talk lol,
Our President seems to lack empathy.
Among a multitude of other human characteristics of which he is sorely lacking.
If he had intelligence, he would have at least simulated empathy.
Truer words have never been written.
This photo once again proves that OZero is all about himself. He’s never opened a door for himself in his adult life; why should he start helping others now? And the pathetic, blind Obots who keep posting their nonsense and making up excuses for his boorish behavior must be of the same caliber.
To paraphrase one rock song, we are part of 0bama’s and Mechelle’s fantasy. They are living the fantasy life they have always believed they deserve.
The picture certainly had a mild but telling effect on me. I saw it without caption right out of the chutes.
My first thoughts weren’t what the other guys were doing but what Crowley was doing with genuine concern and that he’s a big league standup guy.
This picture told me this is an example I have tried but failed at times to emulate.
My second thought was what the hell is Obama, then like a switch thought ya know? It’s very sad that as of the last two or three years I’ve had no choice but to develop an unjust racist defense mechanism after being targeted genetically, geographically and collectively as a racists with such repetition when I most certainly am not. A few short years ago I would have thought nothing of this situation other than Officer Crowley doing the decent and right thing with maybe an awkward photo-op for Obama with just a pinch of self import sprinkled about. But now? IMO Obama has taken race relations back 40 years.
I feel fortunate in having had that rare but wonderful time early in my career to create, work and play with a great team with diverse backgrounds. We all came together because we were and are good at what we did and do. We’re either still working together or on the whole remain good close personal friends. We carry on as before and have great times all the while know in our hearts…..the world is changing, great social/political pressures are being applied aggressively on all sides of this complex dynamic but ya know what? This Welshman was very fortunate to meet and marry a Yucatan Princess and to have assembled innately and naturally such a diverse ensemble of close friends.
Administrations come and go but after about six elections together we understand true friendships last a lifetime.
Only Obama knows his heart, so the photo may or may not be an indictment of compassion. Walking in front of people who are his guests, Gates and Crowley, is impolite and shows clearly, Obama’s bad manners. But then, Obama demonstrated his low class behavior, e.g. giving the finger to Hillary, during the campaign. Not that GWB was any better. GWB was born rich and in an upper crust environment, but he too demonstrated that he had no class.
“Not that GWB was any better. GWB was born rich and in an upper crust environment, but he too demonstrated that he had no class.”
***
Bush may have been born rich, but I don’t think he was rude or impolite to anyone (that was captured on film/pictures, anyway).
Obama is all about the “Big O” – he doesn’t seem to realize that anyone else is around; in his mind, NOBODY is as mportant as he is. He probably just bolted out the door (of course being opened for him by someone) with his ‘me first’ attitude and the two men followed behind. Since Obama was a mile ahead of them, when they approached the stairs, Crowley politely helped Gates. Obama probably didn’t even look around to see how his ‘friend’ was navigating the stairs!
If Obama treats his ‘friends’ this way, just think how he feels about US – his peon, non-worthy subjects???? Look out – the Obamacare Health Care Disaster is looming ahead….
A picture’s worth a thousand words. Or in this case, more like a million.
Obama looks inelegant with his wrinkled white shirt and his bunched up sleeves. What an ungracious host. He looks like he’s running away from his guests.
Or he looks peevish, as if Gates asked Obama to go bring the car around for him. Obama’s thought bubble says “God damn, I hate old people!”
LOL!
If backtrack went to exclusive schools who ever paid for his schooling got ripped off.
His manners are bad, he was never taught how to act among people of all walks of life.
Class is making others feel comfortable and important to you, it is knowing how to handle different situations well.
You can be poor and have class. You can be rich and have none.
He has no clue on how to interact unless he wants to use someone and it shows.
I really believe that those who selected him do not respect him and he cannot see that. He is useful for a time and then he will be thrown under the bus and his usefulness in ending sooner than expected as more and more people wake up. 2010 elections will most likely end his usefulness as people throw the bums out.
WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS
PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE
Someone must have yelled….”last one to the table pays”.
Ha ha!
My caption: he’s not heavy, he’s my brother.
Actually, I found the part of the picture that shows Gates and Crowley to be touching. Crowley is being his normal considerate and kind self; Gates is actually leaning on Crowley and I think that shows that he completely trusts him. I would say the teachable moment took place in Gates’ heart.
I would say so too. He put out a fairly good comment on the meeting afterward.
Love that the trolls have rushed to the scene. I’m waiting for one of them to blame Hillary or, at the very least tell us that Hillary would have done the same thing!
“Will troll for Obama for food.”
I don’t think the trolls are being paid in cash any more. They get food pellets.
Soylent Green?
By the way, where is Markie?
Getting recalibrated.
my take on how the white house staff allowed this picture to be published is that they are a prime example of ” The Peter Principle”.
Everyone got promoted to their level of incompetency.
My favorite caption
a cop,skip and a chump in the white house.
that says it all
WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS
PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALIST AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE
Crowley is a great guy. He’s doing what most of us would have done.
Ozero, on the other hand, is all about Ozero. Hasn’t this been crystal clear for a long, long time now? The only interest he had in the stupid “beer summit” was to get himself out of the mess he made.
The surprising thing, even shocking, is that the WH would have posted it on their web site. I think we could start a count down until it disappears……
Here’s two more official white house photos. You judge what they mean (look at Obama’s, err, “reaction” after the first photo):
http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Obama+Meets+Over+Beer+Harvard+Prof+Gates+Cambridge+cM_wSiAhJKJl.jpg
http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Obama+Meets+Over+Beer+Harvard+Prof+Gates+Cambridge+qxIx3cU3UYql.jpg
Wow, those are two interesting photos!
Photo #1 Obama leans into Crowley’s space (common ploy on Obama’s part)
Photo #2 Obama has recoiled as far back in his chair as possible to get away from Crowley
Nah, that’s not what I was referring to. Without getting this deleted, take another look.
They’re all staring at the only real man in the group?
Crowley is clearly the commanding presence in these two shots. And the subject photo for this blog, shows his considerate, civilized side. So… who came out of this looking good? Wasn’t TBP Obama or Gates,(and it’s never Biden!)
is that a teleprompter in my pants or am I just glad to see ya!
ROTFLMBO! Good one Indigogrrl.
What are you seeing, bho boo? The only thing I notice, beyond Obama suddenly recoiling from Crowley, is his clenched fists.
Everyone chill, Obama will have his hands full at the last two weeks of August when he is vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard with Gates.
Darn the WH likes to tote that Obama is paying the $35 grand a week rental on the property, how nice of Obama! But who is paying the fortune in Secret Service costs to secure the place, investigate the locals and set up temporary safeguards there to protect the POTUS?
This Cap and Spend POTUS is rediculous, house in chicgo under constant protection at taxpayers expense, vacations in a place he’s never vacationed before and in a mansion he normally would never afford the rent on, date nights in NYC that costs him a hundred bucks and taxpayers 1000 time that in protection, all this from the community organizing POTUS. But hey it is free for him so WTF!
Mel,
WE THE PEOPLE are also paying for his Chicago buddies in the WH to be on Martha’s Vineyard.
Hillary and Bill stayed with friends, and other than Secret Service never cost WE THE PEOPLE a damn dime.
Now that is an interesting “Do as I do not as I say”,
How fugral have Presidents been with thier “living expenses” while in office?
All those pies.
what are you talking about???? the taxpayers are paying no more for Obama (security) than we did when Clinton went to Martha’s vineyard. Obama is paying his own rent on the home he will stay in – the other places are for secdurity and WH staff, which is always the case when a sitting President vacations. On the other hand, Clinton mooched off every friend for freebees for 6 summers straight – he was a master at getting the good life free of charge by schmoozing and promising.
You Obama haters are just too much – what weird minds you have to be spending your time grasping at whatever negative you can spin on this man or his family.
No, Obama is paying a third and the rest is being picked up by you and me!
Obama is paying 1/3 of the 50K a week. SS is paying 1/3 and the taxpayer is paying 1/3.
Obama also caused taxpayers to pay months ahead of any other candidate for SS while running for office. Some made up threat I think. No one was ever arrested, but he got the SS.
The taxpayers are picking up 2/3 of the cost, unless they started funding the Secret Service with something other than tax money. If the SS is paying for it, WE are paying for it.
First of all, people are THRILLED to have a President stay with them or in their residence. Clinton haters, can always smell them. He shows up your Twinkie boy every time and you can not stand it.
Obama’s body language and stroll ahead tells me he’s thinking “let’s just get this over with”.
Gates to his credit seems a lot classier than his friend BHO, and may want this whole incident to go away also.
Crowley comes across as professional.
The first things I noticed about Obama, early in the primaries when I had not decided who to support yet, was his arrogance and obvious inexperience. Those impressions have been confirmed again and again. There is something missing in this man. That’s why his “rhetoric” has always struck me as mimicry of other great men who spoke from their souls. He says, “This is not about me.” It’s all about him.
Intereseting contrast, LisaB, There was an interview with Bush during the primaries, where Bush stated theat between the two, Hillary would do better “under the klieg lights”, as she understood the pressures and what was required.
Telling.
Bush has been proven correct on this assestment. Imagine that.
yes, imagine that. Dubya and I actually agree on something.
My Proudest political decision was writing in the Name HILLARY CLINTON on my Ballot..
Just saying..
0bama suffers from only child, spoiled brat syndrome. Raised and doted on by his white grandparents he is impossible of having consideration for anyone other than himself. Usually once a cretin like this attends school he is shunned by his peers for his inconsideration. However, 0bama is the perfect example of how Affirmative Action went wrong. There were plenty of indigent Afro-Americans that should have gotten his Affirmative Action space before some little spoiled brat raised by whites who was not in need.
WOOHOO! Captured! Well said.
The news I am hearing is that Obama is the champion of race relations for bringing together Crowley and Gates. However the picture definitely says that both Crowley and Gates shows the best image of good race relation.
Of course MSM controlled by big corporation would never dare criticize the ONE because as POTUS, he gives bailouts generously.
Good thing he got the dog, at least the dog can take the idiot for a walk and teach him some manners.
Media Matters desperate to discredit embarrassing Obama photo
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/08/media_matters_desperate_to_dis.html
FOLKS, head on over to WND, they got Obama’s real Kenyan birth certificate.
That usurper wasn’t even born here!
OBAMA DEFINITELY BORN IN KENYA!
Folks, the document is REAL.
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=105764
Good work Orly!
Lots of chatter, questions and comments on the Birth Certificate Lying Still [Updates] thread. Was a good addition to the thread.
http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2009/07/31/birth-certificate-lying-still/#comments
Kenya was a republic from December 1963. Here is their COnstitution:
http://www.constitutionnet.org/files/KEL63-002.pdf
Actually, Kenya started work to become a Republic in 1957. It was known as a Republic before 1963. It went by several different names, but each was a Republic.
I think it was a set up. They wanted you to think “How could this poor old crippled Black man been a threat, he must of been telling the truth and Crowley is a Racist lying Cop. Look, he can’t even walk down the stairs, what kind of threat is that”!