Thank God Joe Biden was at the beer summit.


Contra Allahpundit.  As one of Jake Tapper’s commenters noted, that way nobody else would have been able to get a word in edgewise.  Looking at the body language, that might have been for the best.

This really is iconic for Dizzy City, isn’t it? Four guys sitting around trying to pretend that their casual meet-and-greet-with-smiles-that-don’t-reach-the-eyes aren’t being filmed by umpteen billion different members of the media. No wonder the cameras kept moving around: the people that weren’t having cold beer were just as much part of the story as the people that were.

Crossposted to Moe Lane.


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The next time The One needs to know what "stupid" is

JustLeaveMeAlone (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 7:46PM EST (link)

he should look at this video.

“To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.” Thomas Jefferson

 

Beer Pong Health Care Policy Tournament

jeannieology (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 7:48PM EST (link)

http://www.redstate.com/jd11756/2009/07/30/beer-pong-health-care-policy-tournament/

 

When Bush was in office the world was mad at us.

NightTwister (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 7:55PM EST (link)

Now, they just laugh at us. I distinctly remember that was the same reaction during the Clinton years…there could be a trend here.

The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill

 

Seriously?

briann (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 7:58PM EST (link)

What was that!?! It looks like my daughters’ imaginary tea time in the back yard.

I guess it goes with the Mom jeans, but wow. It’s tea time with Obama!

-Bri

LOL nt

AceInTX (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:06PM EST (link)
The “Big Tent” analogy isn’t the correct one…the correct one is a MAGNET…we need to be a MAGNET that draws these independents in who are sick and tired of what’s going on in WashingtonFred Thompson
 

Yep...Tea Party is about right.

blooch Thursday, July 30th at 8:06PM EST (link)

Police in Wonderland, with the Mad @$$Hatter, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee.

“Lieutenant Dike wasn’t a bad leader because he made bad decisions. He was a bad leader because he made no decisions.”

Never in my life

eliminatedebt Thursday, July 30th at 11:35PM EST (link)

Have I got together with 3 other men and drank beer in the middle of the garden. That really is awkward. They needed to do that inside, on a couch, with a television on.

Independent, fiscal conservative.

LOL eliminatedebt! nt

mom2oneson (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 11:37PM EST (link)
 
 

Thanks for the laugh Briann

mom2oneson (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:56PM EST (link)

I was LOL at the pic and then I saw your post !!!!! It does resemble the ladies hospital auxiliary luncheon. Don’t they have like a more casual dining type of room at the WH? Couldn’t they rent out a bar for a few hours?

I wonder if Obama made them pay for their beers

JustLeaveMeAlone (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 9:24PM EST (link)

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25627.html

“To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.” Thomas Jefferson

 

Michelle wouldn't let them do it in the house.

blooch Friday, July 31st at 11:23AM EST (link)

Sergeant Crawley should have brought a pack of Marlboros and laid it on the table, just to see Obama sweat bullets.

“Lieutenant Dike wasn’t a bad leader because he made bad decisions. He was a bad leader because he made no decisions.”

 
 
 

Biden is a Good Ole Irish Boy

Swamp_Yankee (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 7:59PM EST (link)

You know he’s going to show up for any swill session on White House grounds.

He and Crowley arent faking anything. If were just the two of the off camera, they’d be falling off there chairs by now.

 

Sgt Crowley very impressive

SteveLA (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 7:59PM EST (link)

Just caught the post Beer Summit news conference staring Sgt Crowley, boy was he impressive.

______________________________________

Competency over ideological purity and litmus tests

I'm going to just get this out of the way.

NightTwister (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:01PM EST (link)

Palin/Crowley 2012

You just know someone was going to come up with that, so I figured I’d just get it done…

The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill

Better Than Palin/Joe The Plumber n/t

Swamp_Yankee (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:03PM EST (link)

Smack you with a fish or something

SteveLA (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:03PM EST (link)

A salmon maybe

______________________________________

Competency over ideological purity and litmus tests

Make sure it's a rotten fish....seriously...LOL nt

AceInTX (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:07PM EST (link)
The “Big Tent” analogy isn’t the correct one…the correct one is a MAGNET…we need to be a MAGNET that draws these independents in who are sick and tired of what’s going on in WashingtonFred Thompson
 
 
 
 

Could they have been any further apart?

bk (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 7:59PM EST (link)

Sheesh the body language speaks volumes. Even Obama was shoved back as far as he could get.

 

Crowley Was Actually Boozing When Obama Called Him

Swamp_Yankee (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:02PM EST (link)

Actual pic. True Boston Irish right there

http://www.tommydoyles.com/blog/2009/07/president-obama-calls-seargant-james-crowley-during-lunch-at-tommy-doyles/

 

This is likely the silliest thing I've ever seen...

AceInTX (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:04PM EST (link)

Office Crowley ended up being used as a prop to show everyone what a real guy Obama is…Gates gets to continue the lie that he was racially profiled…Biden gets face time….and increasingly irrelevant press gets an easy paycheck for taking pictures of four guys drinking beer and what does Corwley get out of it?

He walks away looking like he had something to apologize for after all!

I can tell you without a doubt…I’d allow myself to be staked out on top of a fire ant pile for three days before I’d have appeared at this sycophantic exercise in foppery, irrelevance and pathetic grandstanding!

Crowley disparately needs someone to explain to him how he’s being used and played for a sucker!

The “Big Tent” analogy isn’t the correct one…the correct one is a MAGNET…we need to be a MAGNET that draws these independents in who are sick and tired of what’s going on in WashingtonFred Thompson

Wrong

SteveLA (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:07PM EST (link)

You obviously did not catch Sgt Crowley’s post conference press conference. This gentleman will not be used and knows how to speak before a camera.

Heck, someone run this man for public office, we need more cops in elected office.

______________________________________

Competency over ideological purity and litmus tests

You're right...I didn't see the post photo-op conference

AceInTX (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:11PM EST (link)

and you may be right…I certainly hope so…but how many people out there are like me who will never see the press conference who will be left with the impression that he was called up there because he did something wrong to begin with?

I’ll try to catch the press conference somewhere…do you have a link?

The “Big Tent” analogy isn’t the correct one…the correct one is a MAGNET…we need to be a MAGNET that draws these independents in who are sick and tired of what’s going on in WashingtonFred Thompson

On CNN, so sure it will repeat (nt)

SteveLA (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:14PM EST (link)

______________________________________

Competency over ideological purity and litmus tests

I wouldn't bet on it if it makes Obama look bad...nt

AceInTX (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:17PM EST (link)
The “Big Tent” analogy isn’t the correct one…the correct one is a MAGNET…we need to be a MAGNET that draws these independents in who are sick and tired of what’s going on in WashingtonFred Thompson

Go here

djemi (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 10:42PM EST (link)

http://hotair.com/archives/2009/07/30/disaster-strikes-beer-summit-biden-decides-to-attend/

its at the update at the end.

“If I can’t shoot rabbits,then I can’t shoot fascist”
“With age, comes Wisdom, but only if you are paying Attention, son” my ‘Old Man’
RS Help files (h/t JLenardDetroit) Grassroots in Michigan
Moes Strategy

 
 
 
 
 

yeah but....

LISA BULLOCK-HOCK (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 10:58PM EST (link)

If he didn’t go, then the loonies would have said that he really is a racist because he doesn’t want to drink beer with the President and Professor
Gates. I think this was the easiest way for him. I don’t think this guy (Crowley) was intimidated at all and seem quite confident. I don’t agree with your assessment.

Cut, Cap, and Balance–Imagine that, living within your means. What a concept

 
 

Ohh...and I still say it's silly...someone above described it to one of his daughter's tea parties

AceInTX (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:12PM EST (link)

it definitely has that feel…

What a joke!

The “Big Tent” analogy isn’t the correct one…the correct one is a MAGNET…we need to be a MAGNET that draws these independents in who are sick and tired of what’s going on in WashingtonFred Thompson
 

This One's For You Gates:

Swamp_Yankee (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:12PM EST (link)

LOL...that's just too rich Swamp!!! nt

AceInTX (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:18PM EST (link)
The “Big Tent” analogy isn’t the correct one…the correct one is a MAGNET…we need to be a MAGNET that draws these independents in who are sick and tired of what’s going on in WashingtonFred Thompson
 
 

Breaking: Photo Leaked of Biden After The Summit Buzzed

Swamp_Yankee (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:21PM EST (link)

Thanks, Swamp_Yankee. Now I'll have to purge that disturbing image from my mind. nt

Xasteius (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:24PM EST (link)

Don’t leave the party, hijack it back!

The only poll that counts is the one at the ballot box.

I don’t want to be Reagan. I want to be a Chance/Soros hybrid.

 

Yikes! Now I need a beer. n/t

cookcountyconservative (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:41PM EST (link)

He looks like a ... never mind!

Rod_Patrick (Diary) Saturday, August 1st at 2:52PM EST (link)

I promised myself not to say bad words.

 
 

What an absolutely ridiculous stunt.

Crowe (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:22PM EST (link)

At least Sgt. Crowley was there so there was one man present who knows what’s what and how to be real. The other three posers? Well Ol’-Ephus-Pitch-in-Mom-Jeans and Do-You-Know-Who-You’re-Messin’-With have taken Cartesian narcissism to undreamed of levels; and God-Love-Those-Teeth was just happy to be invited. At the last minute. (Or maybe he wasn’t… Maybe that’s the table he sits at and drinks beer all day, reading the paper, SCOURING it to find wasted Stimulus moneys!… and the other three joined HIM for brews…)

“We sleep soundly in our beds only because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm Dear Leader Obama gives us leave to do so.”

 

Hope the embed works - The Post PhotoOp Press Conference

mobius2702 (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:47PM EST (link)

Worked fine...thank you for posting (nt)

SteveLA (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 8:54PM EST (link)

______________________________________

Competency over ideological purity and litmus tests

OK...having viewed the conference I agree with you in part Steve

AceInTX (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 9:43PM EST (link)

But I still say by agreeing to the first meeting…there is an admission that Gates has a point about being racially profiled when the evidence shows gates to be nothing more than a tenured professor with a specialty in race baiting when he most definitely does not have a point at all!…and agreeing to meet further with Gates only adds to the perception that Gates has a point!

That said, I especially agree with you in that Officer Crowley handled himself brilliantly and worked the reporters better than most politicians I’ve seen. I think he’d be very impressive as a candidate…I just wonder what his political affiliation is?

The “Big Tent” analogy isn’t the correct one…the correct one is a MAGNET…we need to be a MAGNET that draws these independents in who are sick and tired of what’s going on in WashingtonFred Thompson

Evil RINO

Swamp_Yankee (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 9:56PM EST (link)

Boston: Irish: Cop: Union

A conservative Democrat or a RINO. Guys like that are god guys, but the are usually Democrats, not liberals, but Democrats. And yes, there are some good Democrats out there.

I'll hold judgement till I know...

AceInTX (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 11:39PM EST (link)

He seems to have it together though…and I’d like to know more about Sgt Lashley because he seems like he’s got it going on where it counts in this case!

The “Big Tent” analogy isn’t the correct one…the correct one is a MAGNET…we need to be a MAGNET that draws these independents in who are sick and tired of what’s going on in WashingtonFred Thompson
 
 
 
 
 

To those who believe Obama is a closet Muslim ...

SoulEspresso Thursday, July 30th at 9:48PM EST (link)

… a beer summit ought to indicate he isn’t an observant one, at least.

Unless it's near beer. :) nt

Vegas_Rick (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 9:55PM EST (link)

“God is great, beer is good and people are crazy.”- Billy Currington

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” Calvin Coolidge.

 
 

its was great and achieved nothing according to obama's backyard

lholsenbeck (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 10:41PM EST (link)

WGN, Obama’s backyard; put a poll up if the beerfest would make people more comfortable discussing race relations.

it’s currently 65/35 no.

while its no rasmussen, you would think faithful chicagolanders and chicago’s station would have it native president’s back if the beerfest had any positives, but it doesn’t; it was just a photo-op.

Eat ‘em up Houston Cougars !

 

How Ridiculous

smitch61 Thursday, July 30th at 10:51PM EST (link)

And the noise of all the cameras going off. Who paid for the plane fare to get to DC? Just wondering..

union?

LISA BULLOCK-HOCK (Diary) Thursday, July 30th at 10:53PM EST (link)

hopefully the union. I guess it is a good question to ask.

Cut, Cap, and Balance–Imagine that, living within your means. What a concept

 
 

Will Hannity be invited to the next beer summit?

TNJim (Diary) Friday, July 31st at 1:30AM EST (link)

Would Obama still be able to say something like what he said after yesterday’s “beer summit”?

I have always believed that what brings us together is stronger than what pulls us apart.

If he really believes that he could also invite Limbaugh and Levin…

Activism: What to do after the TEA party rally. Unified Patriots

 

At first I thought it was a bad idea for Crawley to accept the invite

Scope (Diary) Friday, July 31st at 7:06AM EST (link)

but, after seeing his presser after the beer fest, I like him even more. Had he not gone, he would have been looked at as being stubborn, a racist, and not showing the proper respect for authority (though Obama doesn’t deserve respect). He was very much in command of the presser, answered the press questions with authority and intelligence, and displayed leadership. I loved when he said that he and Gates agreed to disagree. I think that showed that Gates is the racist, and, he is unwilling to change his ways/views on profiling. Crawley didn’t back down and allow himself to be the stooge.

 

At first I thought it was a bad idea for Crawley to accept the invite

Scope (Diary) Friday, July 31st at 7:06AM EST (link)

but, after seeing his presser after the beer fest, I like him even more. Had he not gone, he would have been looked at as being stubborn, a racist, and not showing the proper respect for authority (though Obama doesn’t deserve respect). He was very much in command of the presser, answered the press questions with authority and intelligence, and displayed leadership. I loved when he said that he and Gates agreed to disagree. I think that showed that Gates is the racist, and, he is unwilling to change his ways/views on profiling. Crawley didn’t back down and allow himself to be the stooge.

Agreed, but wrong on one count

CincoSolas_del_Bronx (Diary) Friday, July 31st at 7:25AM EST (link)

The office, and yes, by virtue of this strange conservative doctrine of federal headship, the person holding the office as well, does indeed deserve respect, honor and, subject to the law of God in particulars, the obedience of those under his authority.

Those dreading urbanization should remember that though the Kingdom of God first appeared in a temporal Garden, at the end of the book it is established in an eternal City. (paraphrase, James M. Boice)

soli Deo gloria

The office, etc

Warrior (Diary) Saturday, August 1st at 2:40PM EST (link)

of the POTUS deserves respect, but certaimly not obedience from anyone not under his authority, which is anyone not in the Fed govt or military. For crying out loud, the man works for US. He is OUR employee. WE hired him….

“Racial criteria are irrational, irrelevant, [and] odious to our way of life.” — Thurgood Marshall for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in the 1950 Supreme Court case of McLaurin v. Oklahoma

Not wanting to tangle over the intricacies

CincoSolas_del_Bronx (Diary) Saturday, August 1st at 3:48PM EST (link)

of dispersed authority in a constitutional republic, but if as you say the President has authority over the Federal government and the military, then the obedience owed by citizens to those arms of the government is ultimately owed to the President.

Back to Scope’s use of “the proper respect for authority”, had Crowley refused the invite for any reasons other than conscience in light of a clear law of God, that refusal would have ultimately undercut his own delegated authority.

Those dreading urbanization should remember that though the Kingdom of God first appeared in a temporal Garden, at the end of the book it is established in an eternal City. (paraphrase, James M. Boice)

soli Deo gloria

The president exercizes

Warrior (Diary) Sunday, August 2nd at 6:03PM EST (link)

authority over the military and federal employees. The average citizen does not owe obedience to the President or to the military or to officials of the federal govt unless codified by law in direct execution of their official duties, e.g. the FBI, the IRS, etc.. The POTUS owes obedience to us since he is (supposedly) our representative and they are our civil servants (this is a quaint sounding phrase precisely because of the widespread belief that we owe them “obedience”.) A time of war may mitigate that somewhat, but only insofar as we owe our country allegience which is personified in such times by the POTUS and other govt reps like the draft board.

Sgt. Crowley had every right in the world to refuse to meet with the president, as many others have done before him. I agree it was likely far wiser for him to assent to the invitation, but not required. Whether or not that might have “ultimately undercut” his authority is academic at best. If he meets you on the street while carrying out his duties as a police officer, and he orders you to do something, you are responsible to obey him whether he posed for a photo op or not.

So far as I know, we still do not live in a police state. I can refuse an invitation from ANY elected official. They work for us. I’m afraid your point of view is the reason or country has reached such a sorry state. Citizen obedience to the military is a feature of Daniel Ortega’s Nicaragua and other banana republics, not the United States. We’re not there—–yet.

“Racial criteria are irrational, irrelevant, [and] odious to our way of life.” — Thurgood Marshall for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in the 1950 Supreme Court case of McLaurin v. Oklahoma

2-kingdoms issue

CincoSolas_del_Bronx (Diary) Monday, August 3rd at 12:18AM EST (link)

I have very little disagreement with your breakdown of the issue of obedience viewed from within the Constitution; I thought I had given enough indicators that I was speaking from a more fundamental set of assumptions.

Analogously, while our legislation attempts to keep me from doing my neighbor minimal harm, and in certain areas attempts to extra from me provision for my neighbor’s (and my common) good, I am fully aware that it commands neither me nor my neighbor to love each other.

Yet we are in fact so commanded.

As an aside, I have never been credited with such influence as you have by saying “(my) point of view is the reason or (sic) country has reached such a sorry state.” Thanks for according that dubious honor to little old me!

Not sure I readily can see exactly how we have been suffering from a surfeit of godly obedience to authority, though…

Those dreading urbanization should remember that though the Kingdom of God first appeared in a temporal Garden, at the end of the book it is established in an eternal City. (paraphrase, James M. Boice)

soli Deo gloria

k1 extra from me sb extract from me

CincoSolas_del_Bronx (Diary) Monday, August 3rd at 12:23AM EST (link)

nt

Those dreading urbanization should remember that though the Kingdom of God first appeared in a temporal Garden, at the end of the book it is established in an eternal City. (paraphrase, James M. Boice)

soli Deo gloria

 

Cinco dude

Warrior (Diary) Monday, August 3rd at 10:10AM EST (link)

I really didn’t mean to accuse you of running our country into the ground. Sorry, sometimes I get a little worked up over this stuff.

Now, my original response began with the words, “The office of the POTUS deserves respect…” I am all for a more respectful and civil society. Don’t read me wrong here. But slowly and surely, our civil servants are becoming our uncivil masters in many areas, or at least they think they are. Also, many of our more unsophisticated citizens have come to believe that out government rules us, rather than governs us. I simply don’t wish to throw any fuel on that fire.

Furthermore, I hold the tteachers unions to account for producing such an unaware and unschooled populace. Many people cannot place WWII in the right century. And US kids are just as smart as other kids in the 3rd or 4th grades. However, by the time they finish high school, they are scoring below students in such countries as Sri Lanka and Mozambique. And we spend as much or more money per student as any school system in the world.

And if you are or know a public school teacher, don’t take offense. My mother, aunt, cousins and many friends are teachers. There are mant dedicated and skillful public school teachers. For the most part, it’s not the teachers, it’s the system…

“Racial criteria are irrational, irrelevant, [and] odious to our way of life.” — Thurgood Marshall for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in the 1950 Supreme Court case of McLaurin v. Oklahoma

No offense, except for giving me brief delusions of grandeur!

CincoSolas_del_Bronx (Diary) Tuesday, August 4th at 2:24AM EST (link)

As for my possibly being a public school teacher, don’t worry–my wife and I are about to begin our 19th year of home-schooling!

Those dreading urbanization should remember that though the Kingdom of God first appeared in a temporal Garden, at the end of the book it is established in an eternal City. (paraphrase, James M. Boice)

soli Deo gloria

 
 
 
 

Obedience to the Constitution

Warrior (Diary) Sunday, August 2nd at 7:33PM EST (link)

“We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.”
Abraham Lincoln

“Racial criteria are irrational, irrelevant, [and] odious to our way of life.” — Thurgood Marshall for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in the 1950 Supreme Court case of McLaurin v. Oklahoma

 

Obedience to the Constitution

Warrior (Diary) Sunday, August 2nd at 7:33PM EST (link)

“We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.”
Abraham Lincoln

“Racial criteria are irrational, irrelevant, [and] odious to our way of life.” — Thurgood Marshall for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in the 1950 Supreme Court case of McLaurin v. Oklahoma

 
 
 
 
 

I bet Biden was there to provide balance

Scope (Diary) Friday, July 31st at 7:11AM EST (link)

Otherwise white Crawley would have looked outgunned. I can’t wait to hear Bidens comments on the beer summit, he never lets down.

 

I bet Biden was there to provide balance

Scope (Diary) Friday, July 31st at 7:11AM EST (link)

Otherwise white Crawley would have looked outgunned. I can’t wait to hear Bidens comments on the beer summit, he never lets down.

Exactly!

Rod_Patrick (Diary) Friday, July 31st at 7:30AM EST (link)

Crowley had to leave his firearms in attending this VERY IMPORTANT PHOTO-OP.

And for what? To Get drunk between two bullies who have subtle (if not obvious) anger/animosity against his kind (read: color)? Crowley’s not a fool.

Thanks to VP Biden. He’s useful in this case. A very useful tool, in fact.

 
 

It's a no win for

Warrior (Diary) Saturday, August 1st at 2:45PM EST (link)

Sgt Crowley–if he goes he’s a stooge and if he doesn’t he’s a racist. It’s all a huge waste of time.

Maybe the up side of NObama’s administration is that after four years of this nonesense no one will believe politically motivated cries of “racism” anymore. Godspeed the day…

“Racial criteria are irrational, irrelevant, [and] odious to our way of life.” — Thurgood Marshall for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in the 1950 Supreme Court case of McLaurin v. Oklahoma