I'll Give Ya a Teachable Moment

Dear Mark: The confrontation between Harvard professor Henry Gates and Cambridge Police Department Sgt. James Crowley was unfortunate. President Barack Obama tells us that this incident represents a "teachable moment." Racial profiling is a serious problem, and the president is right to highlight this injustice. I especially like the president's idea for the three gentlemen to discuss race over a few beers. What can we learn from this regrettable episode? — Removing Racism in Raleigh

Dear Removing: Beers? Do those two Ivy League elitists even drink beer? First of all, the incident at professor Gates' house did not become a racial issue until President Obama "stupidly" opened his mouth before he knew the details. President Obama, who rode into office as the great unifier, chose the most divisive route by immediately blaming the police officer while assuming his Harvard buddy "Skip" was racially profiled. President Obama, who was an attorney and was elected for his oratory ability and supposed intelligence, used none of those skills in answering a simple question during a press briefing. Now that the president has had his kegger with Sgt. Crowley and professor Gates to give America its "teachable moment," watch for the media to overblow the event as if Obama brought together George Wallace and Martin Luther King.

As for "teachable moments," the president should learn to check his facts before speaking. (He should have learned that lesson by simply watching his vice president screw up.) Professor Gates should practice what he preaches and learn not to racially profile his fellow humans. Sgt. Crowley should learn that he and other law enforcement officers have tremendous support across the country for the difficult jobs they bravely perform every day.

Dear Mark: The Obama administration is apologizing for the United States again, this time through Hillary Clinton.

During a recent visit to India, the secretary of state urged our ally, in the words of The Associated Press, "not to repeat American mistakes in contributing to global pollution." Is there anything at all the Obama administration likes about our country? — Dave in Duncan

Dear Dave: Apparently not. President Obama uses a two-pronged strategy for his foreign and domestic policies. First, blame former President George W. Bush for everything. Second, apologize to the world and hope that people like us because we've lowered our stature. Personally, when it comes to foreign policy, I rather would be respected than liked.

The bottom line is that I am tired of the way our bleeding heart president and his surrogates go around the world begging for forgiveness. Should the Pittsburgh Steelers apologize for winning the Super Bowl? Neither should the United States apologize for its strength, innovation, leadership and overall greatness. The universal good our country produces through its prosperity easily counters any imagined damage to the planet the global warming fanatics continue to dream up.

Dear Mark: According to CongressDaily, the Senate Finance Committee is considering a 10 percent excise tax on cosmetic surgery that is medically unnecessary. Democrat Max Baucus, chairman of the committee, said he had heard some "interesting," "creative" and "kind of fun" ideas. Please tell me they are not seriously considering this new tax. — Botox Beauty in Boston

Dear Botox: Only in Washington would the words "interesting," "creative" and "kind of fun" be used to describe new ways to tax citizens. Don't fret; Nancy Pelosi will foot most of this tax burden. The way her popularity is declining along with the demise of her health care bill, plastic surgery is the only way to keep a smile on her face.

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