'Teachable Moment' or 'Non-Teachable Moment': That is the Question

"My hope is, is that as a consequence of this event this ends up being what's called a 'teachable moment'."
Barack Obama commenting on the Crowley/Gates squabble. - July 24, 2009

"This is not a university seminar... It's an attempt to have some personal interaction when an issue has become so hyped and so symbolic."
Barack Obama, July 30, 2009, commenting on his much-anticipated meeting with Sergeant James Crowley and Professor Henry Gates Jr.