President, prof, police: 'This one's for you'

Gates also is looking forward to his work on a PBS documentary about racial profiling - which the president maintained was at work in this arrest.

Funny it seems you contradict yourself on this when on another thread you say:

Obama said he did not know what role if any race played in the matter. But he also seemed to welcome the opportunity to teach a larger racial lesson.

So which is it?????

That photo above is going to be as iconic as the one with the hooded prisoner with electrodes standing on a box courtesy of our fine National Guard in Iraq.

Iconic photo.

Elderly diminutive professor arrested for mouthing off to cops.

A bit of an overmatch, I'd say.

Seems it was mid-day and mid-week, so must have been a slow period for those cops.

Nothing more that modern day 'Racial McCarthyism'. Now that everything has been rehashed over and over, even at the point that the Police Sgt determined Prof. Gates was indeed the homeowner, as a policeman, even with the hateful rants and tirade of Gates, he was still obligated to investigate. It had not yet been determined, and it was not outside the realm of reason, that burglars were inside, or that there was an attempt to burglarize the Gates house. Since when do we require our police to tolerate the assaultive behavior displayed by Prof. Gates?

There is absolutely nothing in Sgt. Crowely's background to indicate racial bias, but yet a number of articles exist, wherein Prof. Gates has used the term 'whitey' in a disparaging way, and has often intimated that blacks were somehow entitled to be racists!

I don't think the meeting of the President, Crowley and Gates would be a good idea. It would be two people that grew up on the debate team against an average Joe. It would also be two people that say they are friends against someone that they say acts stupidly and is not their friend. Also it would be two racists again one non-racist. Nothing good would come of this.

AED--another off duty (or not) cop spreading disinformation.

Cops don't have a right to order you out of your own house.

Ever hear of the "Warrant Clause" of the Bill of Rights?

That line "they might have thought burglars were still lurking in the house" won't wash.

Cops are supposed to be trained to withstand "assault" of words from some diminutive college professor.

They're big and tough, right, so "sticks & stones may break their bones but words will never hurt them".

And I really don't care if Prof. Gates used the word "whitey".

He is not given a badge, a taser and a gun.

As another poster said earlier, "Little people given big power".

I think the good Sgt. better get down to the White House for that beer before a full scale investigation of the tick tock of this incident gets launched.

In many comments here and elsewhere I see that many white people just don't get it. I'm white myself, by the way. What makes you think that ANYONE going about their lawful business in this country should have to kowtow to the police? If I'm in my home and the police enter uninvited and there is no evidence of a crime committed I expect them to get the hell out when I tell them to. It's in the Constitution, as so many of you seem to conveniently forget. And you act all high and mighty when a person of color has the effrontery to actually insist on those rights? If we just let the police walk all over us we won't have anything to worry about? The final hypocrisy is pretending to not know that any person of color that is "uppity" enough to stand on those God-given rights will get arrested or a beating or worse. For doing nothing illegal. And you act like you don't know why someone like Parks would be upset. Shame.

It's hard trying to keep track of what exact words did Obama find regrettable. I believe he regret shafting the cop, but did not regret addressing racial profiling. Considering he linked the current events to racial profiling, it's hard to follow whether he maintains racial profiling occurred here or if he doesn't know if racial profiling had occurred here...but regardless this was a good teaching moment. One can ask if we don't know what role race played here then why are we continuing on with this charade of it being a teaching moment? Teaching moment of what then? Personally, the only people who have anything to learn here are the three people involved, not the public whose time is being wasted following a battle of egos. File a lawsuit, have a beer, or move on. (How long before Obama will have distance/disown himself from Mr Gates? Can't wait for the documentary.) (My favorite part of the photo is the black cop in the foreground....)

If all are teaching, who's learning?

Ah yes, the good old R.R.S. (reverse racist syndrom)

It is perfectly acceptable for a BLACK to be racist, but a WHITE, forget it.

If the homeowner were WHITE, and the officer BLACK, the homeowner would possibly be charged with hate speech for calling the officer a N-word.

Equality will only be achived when a black man is charged with a hate crime against a white.

The first and fourth amendment AED. I am sorry that your american civics teacher failed you so miserably in school.

want the Republican base to lap it all up with their hatred of minorities here.

The Republican leadership playing to what's left of their Wingnut base will only alienate swing voters and pound a few more nails into the GOP's Electoral prospects.

This nonsence will only rebound to the Republican's detriment for some time to come....again.

The GOP fake outrage over this non issue is typical and hilarious. Ever since Republican hero Joe McCarthy started hunting for "Commies" (that only existed in his head) during the 50's, the GOP has been pushing to replace democracy with a police state.

The lunacy that passes for conservatism nowadays is astounding. It's unAmerican, anti-democratic, wrapped in a flag and presented to the Wingnut deadenders by Faux News and AM Hate Radio/Boss Limbaugh as "patriotism".

If Professor Gates would have had a gun and had started shooting up things, all the while claiming that he was "defending his house", the Wingnuts would be drooling all over him with praise.

don't know what the radical right (Rush) thinks they're accomplishing by constantly trying to stir up racial hate around Pres Obama.

Do Republicans think they can win elections with the KKK vote or something?

One interesting phenomenon of racism/Republicanism in America is the most virulent racists (Limbaugh, Bill-O, Hannity etc) structure their lives and work to ensure that they encounter or deal with minorities to the least extent possible so they have the fewest experiences upon which to base a sane opinion, which is also why they sound like asses when they open their mouths.

In the minds of what's left of the low IQ Republican base - to be a "patriot" (which these clowns all claim to be), you have to be immovably loyal to the Commander in Chief (Reagan, Bush I and Bush II etc) and cheerlead all of his policies including misguided wars and nineteenth century social policies. Saying "no" outs you as a traitor to the cause.

Unless he's a Democrat (Clinton, Obama), and ESPECIALLY not if he's black (Obama).

In the deluded minds of the Republican base they actually believe that the office of President is the god given right of the Republican party.

Bush destroyed our economy and got us into an unnecessary war because of his "gut" reactions.

I'll take the occassional off the cuff remark from Pres Obama that is not quite correct. Bush had plenty of those moments too, when he wasn't dodging the questions, that is.

At least Pres Obama has the courage and class to admit a mistake.

We're still waiting for Bush to apologize to the families of those killed in his fake war in Iraq. They shouldn't hold their breath, though.

With respect to the professor Henry Louis Gates. Jr story. The comments given by the President of the United States was grossly irresponsible and disgusting with respect to assuming that this was stupidity of the part of the Police Department. To actually believe that he wants to close the rift of racisim in the U.S.A is absolutely untrue. He has hired a RACIST Supreme Court Judge and has showed the world that his short tempered comments given about a situation that he had not witnessed is without a doubt a racist, short fused, weak leader. His UN thoughtful irresponsible comments has in fact worsened the racial issue and provided even more ammunition for citizens to distrust the law.
A law enforcement officer called to a potential crime scene always asks individuals at the scene to lie down on the ground so that he or she can assess the situation and to gain control of a situation which can potentially go wrong. The officer can then sort out the problem at a later time.
I believe that when confronted by the Police at his own home, the professor become enraged with anger and refused to comply with the police officer. The office then arrested the professor acting accordingly. This is done if the person was wearing a blue suit and was white, yellow, green, brown or black.
The professor became enraged with anger and wanted to retaliate by using “THE CARD” and of course by calling his buddy in the oval office.
This situation isn’t about anything more that the oppressed becoming the oppressor.
SHAME ON THE INTELLIGENT PROFESSOR AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES… SHAME ON THE HOMEBOYS!

AED says "Now that everything has been rehashed over and over..." and then proceeds to make up some new material. Assaultive behavior? Did he threaten someone with his cane? The charges were dropped for good reason. We need to have a beer and talk about this.

I'd like to join them for a beer at the White House. A cold beer at the White House might solve the current issue. And if it works, President Obama can invite the Israelis and Palestinians for a cold beer the following week. Then the Honduran coup general and deposed president could be brought in to solve their differences. Follow up could be established with the Myanmar trial for a change of venue to a cold one at the White House. "Cold Beer Diplomacy" could replace the last lingering vestiges of "Cold War Animosity" if he invites Medvedyev and Putin to a "Beers Without Borders" event. Before you know it, everyone will be booking flights for a "Beer Summit" at the German Oktoberfest, and we could finally have true "World Peace" instead of beauty pageant contestants merely talking about it in their swimsuits. I'm serious. World problems solved! Now can I please join the fun as well for the inaugural beer party at the White House?

SHAME ON THE INTELLIGENT PROFESSOR AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES… SHAME ON THE HOMEBOYS!

Posted by: Stevie Mateo | July 25, 2009 12:57 PM

You seem so worried about racists. They all are getting jobs w/government. Stay by the phone I believe a call is coming for you. Homeboy!

SHAME ON THE INTELLIGENT PROFESSOR AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES… SHAME ON THE HOMEBOYS!
Posted by: Stevie Mateo | July 25, 2009 12:57 PM
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Take off your hood, Clown!

There's one thing Obama apparently did fix: The Conservative obsession with "government thugs" intruding on one's private property. That used to be bad, but now, apparently it's okay for the police to come into your own home and arrest you for no reason......well, as long as you are brown or black. If you are white, then keep packing heat to protect yourself from government "tyranny"!!!.

obama slept through his news conference regarding health care, but when he got the race question he woke up with his swarmy rhetoric and showed his true colors. No wonder the Rasmussen daily tracking poll has him below 50%...even below Jimma Carter's at the same six month time table.

After sitting in Rev. Wright's church for 20 years, you lefties should have known better...ewwwww, hope and change!

Paulo

"We need to have a beer and talk about this."
Be sure and have some Corona so Django can join us.

"former republican," er one of the usual loony lefters, there was no "fake GOP outrage" over this. This all started with the media and then the Cambridge police and various police departments and associations throughout the country being outraged over Obimbo's stupid comments and, as usual, acting stupidly. Obimbo without a doubt is the worst, most incompetent moron ever to infiltrate the White House. He is a racist, attended a racist church for 20 years, hates the police and military, hates this country, and is in all for himself. Geez, he is even taking credit for Buerhle's perfect game, for crying out loud. Obimbo has the classic traits of Narcissistic personality disorder. He also has traits of Moron personality disorder and what a joke personality disorder.

Are police officers public servants or are they there to exert their authority in every situation? If police officers consider themselves as public servants then they should approach every situation with rendering assistance; particularly, when some house is suspected to be burgalerized. The main question then becomes what officer Crowley offered in the way of assistance after it was established that Professor Gates was indeed the legal resident in that house? The police officers go through lots of training for public safety. Why Dr. gates was arrested if public safety was not threatened? What was the state of mind of the officer Crowley when he entered Dr. Gates’ house? The behaviour of officer Crowley is troubling for the safety of the public at large. Why do they not have public service in mind?

From Laura, the typical mind-numbed lefty loon robot: "One interesting phenomenon of racism/Republicanism in America is the most virulent racists (Limbaugh, Bill-O, Hannity etc) structure their lives and work to ensure that they encounter or deal with minorities to the least extent possible so they have the fewest experiences upon which to base a sane opinion, which is also why they sound like asses when they open their mouths."
Laura, darling, please show some proof of the racism of Limbaugh, O'Reilly and Hannity. You claim they and us conservatives look to have as little contact with blacks as possible. Hmmm, tell that to the call screener on the Limbaugh show, who happens to be a black man. Or how about telling that to George Bush, who had two black secretaries of state, and had one of the most diverse cabinets and inner circles of any president ever:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-12-09-diverse-usat_x.htm

More from Ignorant Laura: "In the minds of what's left of the low IQ Republican base - to be a "patriot" (which these clowns all claim to be), you have to be immovably loyal to the Commander in Chief (Reagan, Bush I and Bush II etc) and cheerlead all of his policies including misguided wars and nineteenth century social policies. Saying "no" outs you as a traitor to the cause."
Laura, dear, sure you aren't speaking about your ilk here? I would say so!

More trifle from Laura: I"n the deluded minds of the Republican base they actually believe that the office of President is the god given right of the Republican party.:
Again, Laura, dear, delusion is a common trait of the idiots on the Left such as yourself, and it is the Democraps and their Lefty Loons who believe the presidency and any political position is their right.

Laura, please seek help for the sickness infecting you called Loony Leftyism. It can be cured.

Think Obamba "tattooed" himself with this issue and its going to stay with him.

So, the very same angry old rich white guys who run the GOP, the one's who have been cultivating their followers to follow their base instincts such as race baiting xenophobia, war mongering, promoting enhanced interrogation techniques, and giving the wealthy continuous socialistic support, now want us to believe that Pres Obama is racist against white guys? Ha Ha Ha Ha!!!

It's no wonder the Repugs can't win elections anymore.

Ha Ha Ha!

It is so very hard for the American public to confront anything other than soap opera drama. The healthcare mess was the whole purpose of the press conference, but this is the only thing that gets attention. I am now guessing that there will be an outcry about using beer (an alcoholic beverage) to solve problems... that it sends the wrong message. I really feel the being an African-American President is being between the rock and a hard place.. He can't seem to win and we don't give him a lot of room to do so.

John D....do you wear a bib when you post, as I can see the spit a flyin. You really don't even care about this issue...it's just gives you the opportunity to fling filth. You poor oppressed white boy. Did somebody not let you sit in the front of the bus today? Did they not allow you to use the bathroom marked "for whites only"? Did you go to a dinner that told you they don't serve "white boys"? Your lack of understanding and your outrage makes me sick.

Paulo.....Tell yourself a couple fried chicken jokes, play your copy of the magic negro and go back to sleep. When we need a bigots opinion, we will call you.

I'm not surprised in the least that the Repugs are trying to blow up this non-issue with their usual fake outrage - Yawn.

Repugs have no ideas, no viable legislative proposals and they have a core constituency who actively wants them to do nothing except disrupt and delay.

That leaves crap-stirring and carping. It's all they have left.

Obimbo has the classic traits of Narcissistic personality disorder. He also has traits of Moron personality disorder and what a joke personality disorder.

Posted by: John D | July 25, 2009 3:30 PM
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Sounds like you're looking in the mirror again, Lil' Johnny Drooler!

Zee, Why did you plagiarize me?

Anyone doesn't believe me?Look for this post:
Posted by: syj | July 25, 2009 7:35 AM

on the "Obama calls cop: Bad 'choice of words' " Swamp thread.

John D--speaking of morons--you seem to keep forgetting:
"Red-faced Cambridge officials on Tuesday dropped what they called "regrettable" charges against Harvard's most prominent black scholar, who was arrested at his home last week by a cop looking for a burglar. The City of Cambridge issued a statement calling Gates' arrest on charges of disorderly conduct "regrettable and unfortunate." You comments are the stupid ones.

I see the off duty cop killers have arrived (or not). Familiar with the ideal, and wonder how well they'd fair as a cop in an unideal world, without hind-sight to help them out and without good faith to act on because police officers are supposed to keep in mind their safety first (a dead cop can't help anyone). No one gets preferential treatment, the type of treatment that comes with knowing a person isn't dangerous after the fact. Especially when their ID doesn't reflect their angry/"embarrassed" actions. If you're not black you shouldn't talk, if you're not a cop you should speak up. Classic. Racism exists and so does racial pro-filing, but you don't need every case to be that way in order to prove your point. I remember a case where an on-duty officers shot another off-duty officer..black on black people wanted to spin that as racism too. How about the freak nature of the job testing your policing. I admit police officers are just too happy to put themselves out there so they shoot first and ask questions later. Anyway, this whole situation could have been avoided if the "Irish American" (like it's supposed to mean something ornery) male was a female. Women are less likely to escalate a challenge, and people are more likely to respond to them in a favorable manner.. It's a macho thing. I think its one of the reason Mexico employs women in it's force. The End.

More prattle from the dingbats on the left:

John D....do you wear a bib when you post, as I can see the spit a flyin. You really don't even care about this issue...it's just gives you the opportunity to fling filth. You poor oppressed white boy. Did somebody not let you sit in the front of the bus today? Did they not allow you to use the bathroom marked "for whites only"? Did you go to a dinner that told you they don't serve "white boys"? Your lack of understanding and your outrage makes me sick.

Posted by: bill r. | July 25, 2009 3:58 PM

Bill r., sorry, I just get tired of leftist racist morons always pulling the racist tag. The cop is not a racist. Obama is dumb. Gates is a racist too. He had attitude just because the cop was doing his job. There was a report of a break-in at that residence. The cop asked for ID, which is common sense. Gates made a black issue of it. Racist.
Gladys, dear, I don't recall any articles saying "red-faced Cambridge officials." But I have seen a story about a BLACK cop at the scene who said in fact that "Gates was acting weird," and that the white cop, "did nothing wrong and everything right."
Then Obimbo began backtracking from his comments. Another indication the cop was in the right.
Leftist morons: stupid, deranged, delusional, worthless.

Leftist morons: stupid, deranged, delusional, worthless.

Posted by: John D | July 25, 2009 6:36 PM
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Go somewhere else and cry in your beer, you right-wing lunatic fringe mouth-breather.

Your beloved Repub team got your butts handed to you by a black guy and it's going to happen again in 2012. - DEAL WITH IT!

PS - and quit talking down to women ("Dear"), it's not they're fault that you're a doughy mid forties white guy who can't get any action.

So this is the Obama's post-racial America! Evidently unable to maintain his vision, The Messiah / Commander in Chief throws an entire Massachusetts law enforcement agency (as well as his own guards, the US Secret Service, perhaps) under the bus. The first modern nation without justice (and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs) for all, God help us. A good police officer, who by all accounts has done his best to do the right thing for all people of all races and has trained his fellow officers to do the same, responds to a residence that MIGHT BE BEING BURGLARIZED (a felony - you would think anyone who lived there would be grateful) and when the cop follows standard procedure to ensure the safety of EVERYONE at the scene the Harvard University "professor" explodes in a primitive tirade, including racist remarks directed at the officer and the officer's mother (interesting that in race wars females, with their reproductive power, always have some sort of focus, ranging from insults, rape, to murder). But what else should we expect from anyone - black, white, brown or other, from the radical left-wing ivory towers? Their maladjusted psychopathic rants have gone unchallenged as "knowledge" in the colleges and Universities for so long they now only have hatred and delusions to disseminate (I partly wasted 2 years of my life in a Montana Sociology dept. - they are there too). Absolute power corrupts absolutely, coming soon to your children at an institution of higher learning near you.

Nice work Barack... with one comment you managed to alienate 75% of America. And that presser and call to Officer Crowley sure came out of nowhere… did Axelrod rip you a new one?

And anyone who has spent any amount of time in the "higher" education system knows the Professor Gates type: bitter, spiteful, bigoted racist with a position of power who felt emboldened to make a political statement.

This is the type of Professor who would change the subject on you when you attempt to engage in a debate- or would give you a poor grade because you actually have an opinion, and done research outside of marxist texts and such. You are fooling no one, Mr Gates.

And Mr President, is this "nuance" you've spoke of? "the police acted stupidly"? -please

Obama is out to rip this country to shreds in EVERY way- who can question that such ill-advised statements are divisive... and NOT helpful? He has no idea what happened, he admitted it- and apparently doesn't care, either... he's picked his side.

But back in reality, the childish and paranoid Gates completely baited the cop, who acted with admirable restraint, IMO... all he had to do is show his ID and shut up, he was treated with respect. This guy was clearly looking for a fight... and he ought to thank God he didn't find one.

Obama is going to destroy race relations in this country with his vengeful "get even" mentality... some messiah. Americans should have chosen a fair and sensible human being instead of this embittered nut.

http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com

This could be Obama's Waterloo!

Health care could be Obama's Waterloo!

Global Warming could be Obama's Waterloo!

Iraq could be Obama's Waterloo!

Afghanistan could be Obama's Waterloo!

GM/Chrysler could be Obama's Waterloo!

Rabid Ferrets could be Obama's Waterloo!

Abba could be Obama's Waterloo!

I'd feel sorry for the GOPer's if they weren't such freakin' petty idiots with the IQ of a tin can.

My take on this was that Obama slipped up a bit on this in the first place: he should not have allowed that distracting question to get him off track and he should have been more careful about discussing the Gates incident in detail in that forum and he definitely should not have used the word "stupid."

Nevertheless, this will, in the long run be a net positive for him and yet another opportunity for desperate racists on the right to overplay their hand and look bitter, irrational, and out of touch.....again.

First, Obama can admit a mistake (unlike Bush) and sincerely discuss the situation, admitting where he may have been less than careful in his words. He has the confidence, trust, and good humor to call the officer directly, establish a comfortable rapport, explain himself, and make a meaningful and very American gesture of reconciliation ("let's all get a beer together.") That's how you do it.

But Mullah Limbaugh, Glenn Butthead, Bill-O etc and the rest of the rapid right-wing nutjobs won't be satisfied and they'll try to push it and push it and push it until it blows up on THEM. It happens to them ALL the time. They're their own worst enemy.

"Their maladjusted psychopathic rants have gone unchallenged as "knowledge" in the colleges and Universities for so long they now only have hatred and delusions to disseminate." I know exactly what you mean. Doesn't that come with all professors who are highly in-tuned to their expertise that sometimes they can't see the forest for the trees? They've been at it so long, in the same circles, and there is some value to the knowledge built on years. Surely most people wouldn't like certain parts of the dialogue that takes place in such courses, and maybe more professors in the field should take an opportunity to look at the notions they have held and built on for so long (that would assume and jump to conclusions that the white cop before them was like every other white cop with no consideration for race issues, that he has to be operating from the vantage point of race and not power(don't have to be synonymous)). Then again maybe this clash between older notions of race relations that are still valid in part an more evolving notion of race relations is necessary to bridge the gap in the end. Each side brings what the other lacks. On the one side, you have the notion that operates from the widely credited and documented racism underlines everything which looks for racism in everything to rid of it. On the other side, you have the notion that operates from the widely new racism is too complex to underline everything which looks to separate racism from other factors to get to the heart of the problem. The difference between amputating a leg and performing a skilled operation. It all bring us closer to being a healthier nation.

"Then Obimbo began backtracking from his comments. Another indication the cop was in the right."
John D, please try to pay attention. Obama never backtracked from his conclusion that the arrest should not have been made. And the fact they dropped the charges confirms it. If acting like a jerk in our own home is illegal, then you'd better lock up your doors and hide in the cellar, John D; cuz you're a jerk. And do NOT call me "dear."

One of my black male neighbors threatened me. I called the police. The black policeman said I was a racist. The white policeman said my landlord didn't make the parking rules clear. No one addressed the fact that I called because I was threatened with physical harm, which has nothing to do with racism. I'd be just as threatened regardless of the color of the man who raised his fist at me.

Never the less I was not rude to the police man who was not the same color or ethnicity I am. He is a police man. He has a right to question me and fill out a report and I should not call him names. And I didn't and wouldn't.

Gladys, here are the facts, which I understand are foreign to the loons on the left and something you folks can't handle: The police responded to a burglary call. When the police arrived, the police asked Gates to show his ID. He refused and then began giving the cops a hard time. He refused to do what the police had asked. When police are responding to a burglary call, you do what they ask whether it is your home or not. Suppose it was a burglar and the burglar said, "Mr. Officer, this is my home so I don't need to show ID." And Mr. Officer responded by saying, "Oh, yes, of course. This clearly is your home. Have a good night.:
And the home was robbed. Gates comes home, finds it broken into, things gone and then finds out the police were and did nothing. More than likely, Gates would say the cops did nothing because they didn't care that a black man's home was robbed. And you Loons would still be crying foul!
Gladys, dear, and Dumb Dumb Janet, in a previous post, I wrote that if I was the cop I would not have arrested Gates. But at the same time, a black officer on the scene said the white cop did the right thing.
Just because charges were dropped doesn't mean they were wrong in the first place. Just because a jury found OJ not guilty, does not mean he did not kill. Understand??

I see part of your problem, John D. You selectively pick your own facts. And you bring in OJ as if that's relevant to anything. And don't call me 'dear.'

Gladys, dear, sorry, but those are not my own facts of the situation. Those are the facts, period, as reported by the police and eyewitness accounts. Even Gates himself has said he questioned why the police were asking him for his ID. Please enlighten us with your set of facts.
Gladys, DEAR, here are the facts from the POLICE REPORT:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0723092gates1.html

And from AP comes this article about a black officer on the scene:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-ap-us-harvard-scholar-arresting-officer,0,4731766.story

You see, Gladys, DEAR, ALL of my comments on this matter have been based on the police reports and reports from the scene. And, as I have noted SEVERAL times now, if I was the officer on the scene, I WOULD NOT have arrested Gates. I can understand a homeowner, especially since he apparently just returned from a visit to China and was probably tired, questioning why he was being asked for his ID in his own home.
HOWEVER, since the officer said he was responding to a burglary call, and according to some reports the home was broken into previously, I would have obliged with the request to show ID. In my rational mind, I would think:
1. He's asking me so what is the big deal with proving this is my place.
2. I would have laughed with the officer over the misunderstanding.
3. Grateful that someone was watching over my home.

Obama was wrong to have said what he said, especially when he prefaced it by saying that he didn't know all the facts. Obama himself backtracked some on Friday. Obama called the officer in question, which I commend him for. After making an unfortunate situation worse, and one that really had blown over by the time it was asked at the press conference anyway, I do commend Obama on trying to right the wrong.
What has remained wrong in all of this has been the comments by the Loony Lefties. The Loons have called the officer a racist, and then have repeatedly attacked conservatives for being "racist." Loony Laura's comments were some of the best: saying conservatives try to have as little contact with blacks as possible. Well Laura and all the rest of the Loons, as a teenager in Florida, this conservative befriended blacks at his school, tutored blacks at his school and has voted for blacks as an adult. I have partied with blacks too! I have attended baseball games with blacks and have even let them ride in my car!!!!! This conservative white man has even given money to blacks on the street and the street musicians outside of the ball parks, partly because some of them are particularly good. And, this conservative white man upon being approached by a younger black couple in downtown Chicago that pleaded for food for them and their kids, took them to a nearby McDonalds and bought all a meal. Could it have been a scam? Perhaps, but that made no difference.
Limbaugh's call screener is a black man. O'Reilly and Hannity, all called racists, have black guests on regularly. The "esteemed" Rev. Al Sharpton is a regular guest on O'Reilly as well as the Tribune's own Clarence Page, among others.
So, please, Gladys and Laura and the rest of the loons on the Left, please refrain from your incessant and stupid racist name calling.
And, again, Gladys, show your facts of this story if you have something different than what I have said or provided. OK?

Notice the TV ads against Obama's health care proposals ? Guess who can afford all these prime time ads ? The same bunch of greedy pigs who denied medical care claims, that's who and know this: lurking in the shadows are the rushbots with keyboards ready to do their bidding, even thouhg many of them have no health care themselves opr have been one of their *victims* but as the saying goes " my enemies enemy is my friend "
How do they like working for free? I would ask for compensation if I were you. After all, they got the money.
Now who did you say drank the koolaid ?

John D, I never called you a racist; just wrongheaded. I've read the police report as well; and you might note that it is only one side of the story. Gates is 5' 7", 150 pounds, and walks with a cane; a real threat to the officers I'm sure; he proved he was the occupant of the house before he was cuffed and arrested; when Crowley's bosses read the report they dropped the "regrettable" charges. These are facts as well. So calm down and move on. And don't call me "dear"

Gather around the fire and sing "Oh my lord, lord, lord. lord.. clap, clap, clap, clap, clap.. Just like from the movie Glory..

I don't understand the personal attacks, but if it helps anyone with their own personal issues, have at it.

I did not say assault, or attempted assault. I said assaultive behavior. Look up studies on it, or find a friend or two, outside in the real world, who has been in an altercation. (It is a little different than attacking someone on the internet!) It describes the behavior most often preceding an assault. The point being, the Police Sgt did not have to subject himslef to an assault, but is afforded the authority to take action to prevent it, whether it falls under disorderly conduct, or breach of the peace and so on.

Standard of conduct. You are right, we can not hold Prof. Gates to the same standard of conduct we hold our police ....apparently we can not even hold Prof. Gates to a standard of common sense, or civic responsibility. And, on that, I noted that Prof. Gates has never served in the military, nor really provided any other service to his country or community. Most likley, he doesnt have the fortitude, or the kahunas, as some say.

As to background; Yes I think it is important. Because as much as the media has tried, they have found nothing in the Police Sgt.'s background to indicate racial bias. However, even when trying to downplay the issue, within Prof Gates background, there is an overabundant history of disparaging remarks, bitterness with whites over imagined wrongs. He appears to be a small (no pun intended on his physical stature) bitter man. He has sought out the media, so he can continue to cry foul, and claim victim status for himself.

I look forward to the outcome. Prof. Gates can continue to to redress wrongs in the media, or can pursue a course of action in the courts. I beleive he has a better chance with the media!

That's nice AED, but it doesn't explain the actual facts of the incident which resulted in a bad arrest and the charges being dropped. Behaviorial science is nice, but it's not criminal law.

Apparently years of honing the PC for DOC and "resisting" in Cambridge is paying off.

Unfortunately, the US Supreme Ct. has a very strict view about arresting people for what they "say". 414 US 14.

and tricking some old curmudgeon into arrest for the DOC/Resist/Battery LEO trifecta is an insult to the Bill of Rights and any Officer playing that game is stupid.